John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett show Friday

I greatly enjoyed the show with these two legends of songwriting and performing troubadours Friday night at the Memorial Auditorium on the Ohio University campus in Athens. They were set up in a songwriter exchange style, trading songs back and forth, and interspersing them with stories and stories behind the songs, and swapping memories of their fascinating careers. Their low key, understated "banter" was very relaxed and fun to "listen in on." They have been doing some variation of this for 20 years they said, and their individual musical journeys crossing over time makes for some intriguing links and viewpoints. They both have (early in their careers) opened for some wide ranging acts. They both toiled in college towns, small venues, etc. over time. They both have sharp observation knacks in their lyrics, and both have soulful deliveries of songs. Their guitar playing is solid; especially John joining in on a number of Lyle's songs for some nice backing sound. I know John's body of work more than Lyle's but still don't feel I have a full grasp of eithers, but enjoyed what I did know of the song selections from some different vintages. If they are touring, you found yourself intrigued whether they do different sets each night, because they have a sly casual style of making it seem like they're making it up as they go along, until they get toward the end and play some great duets - in guitar work and harmonizing.
To know they have both been part of many bands, and formations of accompaniments, and backed other people, etc. etc. and to see them simply down to solo acoustic songs, is impressive in the "legacy" of 30+ years of performing across the country. Very intelligent, witty, observant - both of them, can give you hours of meandering across music influences, genres, and American culture. A very enjoyable evening.