Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt on Cayamo 2012
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt left their bands behind on this Cayamo trip and instead teamed up as an acoustic duo. They’re touring together this year and are obviously comfortable with each other. Lovett is the prodder, throwing out seemingly spontaneous comments and questions, and Hiatt is his wry equal.
It’s a measure of their chemistry that you leave their show thinking as much about the conversation as the music. Highlights of the first show included covers of Chuck Berry’s “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” and Jesse Winchester’s “Brand New Tennessee Waltz.”
From there, each of their shows mixed it up, with fresh content and stories. Hiatt brought an iPad out for one show so that he could remember his songs, but instead fielded requests most of the evening, including “Angel Eyes,” which he abandoned mid-song in favor of “one I do know.”
Both talked about artists on the cruise that impress them. Hiatt said Richard Thompson makes him want to give up the guitar, and Lovett joked that his room is next to John Prine’s, and he been jamming with him all week. “He has no idea,” Lovett said.
The final show featured Sara and Sean Watkins and a stirring Lovett rendition of “Closing Time.”