On this day August 30 1988, Slow Turning by John Hiatt was released. As his ninth studio album, it followed the critically acclaimed Bring the Family and solidified Hiatt’s status as one of the most respected songwriters of the decade.
The album blended rock, roots, country, and blues with Hiatt’s trademark wit and gritty storytelling. It featured his most commercially successful single to date, the title track Slow Turning, which received significant radio play and remains a fan favorite. Songs like Tennessee Plates and Drive South were also standouts, further showcasing Hiatt’s unique voice and sharp lyrical sense.
Backed by the Goners, a tight band featuring slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, the album had an organic live feel that separated it from overproduced mainstream pop at the time. It became a cornerstone of Hiatt’s late 80s output and gained a loyal following that still celebrates it today.
80s insight: John Hiatt’s Slow Turning was a triumph of heart over gloss, offering rootsy Americana at a time when slick production dominated the charts.
The album blended rock, roots, country, and blues with Hiatt’s trademark wit and gritty storytelling. It featured his most commercially successful single to date, the title track Slow Turning, which received significant radio play and remains a fan favorite. Songs like Tennessee Plates and Drive South were also standouts, further showcasing Hiatt’s unique voice and sharp lyrical sense.
Backed by the Goners, a tight band featuring slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, the album had an organic live feel that separated it from overproduced mainstream pop at the time. It became a cornerstone of Hiatt’s late 80s output and gained a loyal following that still celebrates it today.
80s insight: John Hiatt’s Slow Turning was a triumph of heart over gloss, offering rootsy Americana at a time when slick production dominated the charts.
