John Hiatt plays the Calvin Theatre on Saturday, October 6th at 8PM. New album Mystic Pinball, his 21st, out September 25th.

Acclaimed musician and songwriter John Hiatt will release Mystic Pinball on September 25^th via New West Records.  Called “…one of rock’s most astute singer-songwriters of the last 40 years” by the Los Angeles Times, Hiatt continues to write brilliant character studies, twisting entertaining storylines with cunning lyrics and wry humor including “We’re Alright Now,” the first single from Mystic Pinball. “We’re Alright Now” is a blues driven, gospel song available to hear today at www.americansongwriter.com. Mystic Pinball will be available as both a CD and on limited edition 180-gram vinyl. 
 
Hiatt and his band, The Combo, have gained a reputation for captivating crowds at their live shows as The Tennessean depicts: “He prowls the stage, delivering the bluesy stuff in a whiskey-burn howl, shouting the rock stuff and fronting a formidable band that can turn on a dime, from ballads to bombast.” 

John Hiatt (click for high res)

 
For Mystic Pinball, Hiatt’s 21^st studio album, Hiatt turned to producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa.) Shirley also produced Hiatt’s highly praised Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns, which the New York Times declared was “…his best since 1995.” Hiatt relies on the exceptional musical skills of Doug Lancio (electric guitar, mandolin, Dobro), Kenneth Blevins (drums and percussion) and Patrick O’Hearn  (bass) to play with him on the record.
 
John Hiatt’s career as a performer and songwriter has spanned more than 30 years and everyone from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, BB King, Bonnie Raitt and Iggy Pop has covered his work. Hiatt began his solo career with the 1974 album Hangin’ Around the Observatory. His landmark 1987 release Bring The Family, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year, was his first album to chart in the U.S. 2000’s Crossing Muddy Waters was called “The most natural and relaxed John Hiatt album in years…” by All Music Guide. In 2008, Hiatt released Same Old Man, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was honored by the Americana Music Association with their prestigious “Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting Award.” Critical acclaim continued for The Open Road (2010) with The Boston Herald praising “Hiatt knocks together a rocking, full-throttle road record that in its tone, toughness and mix of blues, r & b and country harkens back to his landmark Bring the Family” while the Associated Press proclaimed “Hiatt remains at the top of his game” in reference to Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns (2011.)

Tickets for John Hiatt and the Combo at the Calvin Theatre on Saturday, October 6th at 8PM  are on sale now at Northampton Box Office, 76 Main Street, 413 586 8686 and online at IHEG.com.