John Hiatt Leftover Feelings

This is a great collection of new songs from John Hiatt, who never seems to disappoint. He is as regular as anybody in his field, and he has a smokin' hot alt-country group - the Jerry Douglas Band.

John has an eye for the affecting details of everyday life, and he presents them with warmth and an emotional wallop. "Light of the Burning Sun" is almost a short story, and it is devastating in its personal emotion. Be careful with this one if suicide is a trigger subject for you.

My instant fave is "The Music Was Hot," with its setting in the South at a time when country music giant WSM ruled the airwaves. It was the soundtrack for a lot of lives back in the day, and John Hiatt feels warmly toward those days.

This one is a keeper. John Hiatt seems ready to fill the void left by the departure of John Prine.