Yes, I know it is late in the day, but here it is. This will be another quick write-up. I bought this CD about a month ago from discogs and have had it on repeat many times since then. I wanted to have a hard copy of the CD that has Icy Blue Heart on it.
Hiatt Comes Alive at Budokan? (1994) was his 12th album and first live album. The question mark flags it, and the answer is that no, it wasn’t recorded in Budokan. The title is a play on Frampton Comes Alive and Cheap Trick’s At Budokan. It makes it easy to remember and with the cover pic makes me smile.
The tracks were recorded at live shows from coast to coast. Hiatt was on tour with The Guilty Dogs at the time, promoting the 1993 album Perfectly Good Guitar.
The Guilty Dogs:
Michael Ward — electric guitar, background vocals
Davey Faragher — bass guitar, background vocals
Michael Urbano — drums, associate producer
Icy Blue Heart ranks up there as my favorite tune on the album, but there are other excellent tracks on it as well. Angel Eyes, Perfectly Good Guitar, Feels Like Rain are 3. Also Thing Called Love, which you probably know Bonnie Raitt’s cover of.
Having it be live gives it a freedom that can be lost in studio recordings. Am including a few cuts from it. I urge you to find the whole thing and listen to the heart that has been poured into it and that pours out of it. John Hiatt is one I want to see live.
Tao Talk 
Thanks for posting this, Lisa. While the album title rings a distant bell and I recall it was supposed to be a joke, I never listened to it. According to Wikipedia, it came out in November 1994, while Spotify has it time-stamped as 1994 – so I suppose it’s safe to assume 1994 is the correct year! :-)
I’ve really come to dig John Hiatt over the past few years, just started listening to the album and already loving it! “Thing Called Love”, “Perfectly Good Guitar” and “Slow Turning” are among my favorites by the man. I’ll have to spend more time with this gem over the weekend! :-)
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You’re welcome on the album. Glad you want to spend more time with it. I actually thought it was recorded live in Budokan until not all that long ago.
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If I recall it correctly, Hiatt was making fun of himself – and I guess the fact he wrote songs that became hits for other artists but not for him.
“Thing Called Love”, a hit for Bonnie Raitt, is perhaps the most prominent example.
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I could see that.
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John is so incredible sounding live. I’ve never heard of this I don’t think…or I don’t remember it. CB posted a live clip of him in a room with some country style guys….the sound alone blue me away.
This album sounds great from the samples you gave.
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He’s got me hooked with this album. Am listening to it right now.
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He is great!!!
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The backup band on this is fantastic.
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He always has the best no doubt.
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Very cool, Lisa! Thanks for sharing some new music (at least for me); I really enjoy it! 🎶
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Nancy, I know you appreciate good music. Happy to oblige :)
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😊
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Great artist !
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Yes, he is! Maybe you could play one of your favorites of his on a sunday music feature?
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:-) Done. :-)
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:)
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Thanks for this, Lisa. One of my favourite song writers ….”Adios to California” and “Ride my Pony” are top of my list> JIM
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Happy it hit the spot, JIM.
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well, that is some great music! <3
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Glad you like :)
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