Well before radio stations and music critics coined the term "singer song writers", John Hiatt was writing hits and performing his own works. Hiatt was for years a highly respected musician within the industry and only the savviest of music lovers ever heard him sing. That all changed for the better with the 2001 release of The Tiki Bar Is Open. This is a wonderful CD that showcases Hiatt's unique and varied talents. This album contains two songs that received significant radio time, Everybody Went Low and My Old Friend. Both songs are approximately three minutes in length and do a nice job of balancing Hiatt's story telling ability while containing the catchy lyrics necessary to get radio air time. Other great songs on the album include the title track, the soulful Something Broken and an 8 minute piece Father Stars. In looking at the album holistically you'll find an artist who plays Acoustic, Electric and 12 string guitars, Harmonica, Piano and vocals and oh yes he wrote all the songs... now that's talent. Thank you Mr. Hiatt and Vanguard Records for bringing great music to the masses.