Darren Watson – Sings John Hiatt
Lamington Records – 2025
9 tracks; 38 minutes
New Zealander Darren Watson first encountered John Hiatt when a member of his band played a cassette of the Bring The Family album on the tour bus back in 1988. A fan ever since, this is his tribute to the great singer-songwriter. Of course, there are lots of covers of Hiatt songs, so it was wise of Darren to avoid some of the more obvious choices, just “Thing Called Love” being what one might call a big Hiatt ‘hit’ when it was covered by Bonnie Raitt. The album was recorded in Darren’s home studio and is mainly acoustic: Darren sings and plays acoustic, resonator, bass, pump organ, melodica and Hammond, joined on some tunes by Matt Hay on harmonica, Steve Moodie on double bass, Chris Armour on electric guitar and Delia Shanly on drums.
As Darren states in the sleeve notes “I’m bound to fall short of his greatness. I have tried to do my own thing with these songs as I don’t see any point in just doing ‘em the same way as John did.” Darren has certainly succeeded, choosing some of the less covered Hiatt material, singing them in his clear voice and delivering a solid tribute set. Two songs from 2011’s Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns open the album: “All The Way Under” is lively with Darren’s resonator and the rhythm section whilst “Damn This Town” is stripped right back in a quiet solo resonator version. The cynical “Like A Freight Train” comes from 2010’s The Open Road and is played on acoustic with the double bass in support. Next up Darren offers two songs from 2000’s Crossing Muddy Waters. “Lincoln Town” is usually covered in an uptempo, rocking version whereas Darren takes it down a little, giving us the chance to appreciate another fine set of Hiatt lyrics “I love that diesel, burning up the atmosphere, When you hear me blow, well honey baby, know I’m here”, warning his girl that he is arriving, hitching a ride on a train carrying new cars! The tale of a funeral “Mr Stanley” has appropriately haunting harmonica over acoustic guitar and bass but Darren then takes the pace up a notch with “Nothin’ I Love”, a jaunty song from 2014’s Terms Of My Surrender, gentle drums joining in as the guitar pickers have some fun.
For the final three songs Darren returns to an earlier period of Hiatt tunes, the ones that first captured his attention. From 1988’s Slow Turning comes “Ride Along”, electric guitar shimmering in the background before the uptempo tune gets going, a full band performance with guitars, bass and drums. We then pick up “Thing Called Love”, from the album that first brought Hiatt to Darren’s attention, Bring The Family (1987), here played in quieter style, very different to both Hiatt’s original or Raitt’s cover, there even being some choral vocals that add a hint of doo-wop! “Thirty Years Of Tears” is from 1990’s Stolen Moments in a solo acoustic performance that really brings out the heartfelt emotions of the lyrics.
Darren has paid full tribute to the music of John Hiatt and, as always, the highest accolade that one can make is that the album sends you back to the originals. Well played and recorded, this is one that any fan of John Hiatt will appreciate.
