{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = Slow Turning | type = Album | artist = John Hiatt | cover = Hiatt Turning.jpg | border = yes | alt = | released = August 30, 1988 | recorded = May 20 – June 6, 1988 | venue = | studio = Ronnie Milsap's Groundstar Labs, Nashville, Tennessee | genre = Rock | length = 48:45 | label = A&M | producer = Glyn Johns | prev_title = Bring the Family | prev_year = 1987 | next_title = Stolen Moments | next_year = 1990 | misc = {{Singles | name = Slow Turning | type = studio | single1 = Slow Turning | single1date = November 1988 | single2 = Paper Thin | single2date = 1988 | single3 = Icy Blue Heart | single3date = 1989 | single4 = Drive South | single4date = 1989 }} }} '''''Slow Turning''''' is singer-songwriter John Hiatt's ninth album, released in 1988. It provided Hiatt's only significant radio hit with the title track. The single "Slow Turning" was also featured in the 2002 motion picture drama ''The Rookie'' which starred Dennis Quaid. "Feels Like Rain" was later covered by Buddy Guy on an album of the same name and was featured in the 2004 Kate Hudson movie ''Raising Helen''. Aaron Neville also covered "Feels Like Rain" on his 1991 album "Warm Your Heart". "Drive South" became a No. 2 country hit for Suzy Bogguss in early 1993. "Icy Blue Heart" was covered by Emmylou Harris on her 1989 album ''Bluebird'', with backing vocals by Bonnie Raitt, and was covered later by Linda Ronstadt on her 1998 album ''We Ran''. Ilse DeLange recorded "It'll Come To You" and "Feels Like Rain" on her live album "Dear John". During the barroom scene in the film ''Thelma and Louise'', the band is playing "Tennessee Plates" (Charlie Sexton recorded the song for the soundtrack album).<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Hear Hiatt's hit 'Slow Turning' and then some |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/entertainment/columns/2018/08/14/ramblin-rhodes-hear-john-hiatts-hit-slow-turning-and-then-some/11055267007/ |website=The Augusta Chronicle}}</ref>
Though not credited on the album cover, Hiatt is backed by the Goners.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Deming |first=Mark |title=Slow Turning Review by Mark Deming |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/slow-turning-mw0000652241 |website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |date=September 10, 1988 |title=Album Reviews |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-09-10.pdfhttps://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-09-10.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=64 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
== Release == ''Slow Turning'' was released by A&M Records on August 30, 1988.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 6, 1988 |title=Coast To Coast |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1988/CB-1988-08-06.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |page=6 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The album debuted at No. 183,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard 200 - Week of September 24, 1988 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1988-09-24/ |website=Billboard}}</ref> and peaked at No. 98 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard 200 - Week of October 15, 1988 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1988-10-15/ |website=Billboard}}</ref> The album spent 31 weeks on that chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Hiatt Chart History: Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/john-hiatt/chart-history/tlp/ |website=Billboard}}</ref> The first single from the album was the title track,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 1, 1988 |title=Feature Picks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1988/CB-1988-10-01.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |page=12 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> released in November 1988.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 12, 1988 |title=November Releases |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-11-12.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=47 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> It debuted at No. 48,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 10, 1988 |title=Billboard Album Rock Tracks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-09-10.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=16 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> and peaked at No. 8 on the Mainstream Rock chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 5, 1988 |title=Billboard Album Rock Tracks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-11-05.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=16 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> "Paper Thin", which debuted at No. 46,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 3, 1988 |title=Billboard Album Rock Tracks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-12-03.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=16 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> and peaked at No. 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart, "Icy Blue Heart,"<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 25, 1989 |title=Previews |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-02-25.pdf |magazine=Music & Media |page=25 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> and "Drive South" were also released as singles. Music videos were made for "Slow Turning" and "Drive South".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 1, 1988 |title=New Videoclips |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-10-01.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=57 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 4, 1989 |title=New Videoclips |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1989/BB-1989-03-04.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=62 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/slow-turning-mw0000652241 |title=Slow Turning – John Hiatt |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 5, 2024 |last=Deming |first=Mark}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Chicago Sun-Times'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://chicagosuntimes.newsbank.com/doc/news/0EB36DFAD17A4949 |title=Relaxed Hiatt retains hard-rockin' vitality |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=September 5, 1988 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |last=McLeese |first=Don |url-access=subscription}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Chicago Tribune'' | rev3score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/02/13/hiatt-leaves-village-for-good-guitar/ |title=Hiatt on disc: Grit and polish |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 13, 1994 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Los Angeles Times'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-11-ca-2504-story.html |title=Contented Hiatt on Family, Forgiveness |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 11, 1988 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |last=Willman |first=Chris}}</ref> | rev5 = ''NME'' | rev5score = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=John Hiatt: Slow Turning |magazine=NME |date=September 10, 1988 |last=Sinker |first=Mark |page=37}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Q'' | rev6score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Sophisticated |magazine=Q |issue=25 |date=October 1988 |last=Hepworth |first=David |author-link=David Hepworth}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Record Collector'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=John Hiatt: Bring the Family / Slow Turning |magazine=Record Collector |issue=479 |date=May 2018 |last=Staunton |first=Terry |page=100}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnhiatt/albums/album/285502/review/6068198/slow_turning |title=John Hiatt: Slow Turning |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=536 |date=October 6, 1988 |access-date=August 12, 2010 |last=Guterman |first=Jimmy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002092031/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnhiatt/albums/album/285502/review/6068198/slow_turning |archive-date=October 2, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Uncut'' | rev9score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=How to Buy... John Hiatt |magazine=Uncut |issue=186 |date=November 2012 |last=Mueller |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Mueller |page=75}}</ref> | rev10 = ''The Village Voice'' | rev10score = B+<ref>{{cite news |url=https://robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv189-89.php |title=Christgau's Consumer Guide |newspaper=The Village Voice |date=January 24, 1989 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}</ref> }}''Billboard'' calls the album a "noble follow-up."<ref name=":1" /> ''Cash Box'' calls Slow Turning "an album of myriad pleasures, characterized by weathered vocals, precise, bitter imagery and noveau-country/roots arrangements."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 3, 1988 |title=Feature Picks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1988/CB-1988-09-03.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |page=13 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The Gavin Report wrote "Topping last year's ''Bring The Family'' was no easy feat, yet I'd rate ''Slow Turning'' even higher."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 16, 1988 |title=Album/Alternative |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/80/88/Gavin-1988-12-16.pdf |magazine=The Gavin Report |page=40 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> RPM wrote "No real turnaround here, just a good solid follow-up record."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 10, 1988 |title=Albums |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/RPM/80s/1988/RPM-1988-09-10.pdf |magazine=RPM |page=10 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> AllMusic reviewer Mark Deming says that "Following the best album of your career is no easy task for most performers, but with ''Slow Turning'' John Hiatt made it clear that the excellence of ''Bring the Family'' was no fluke."<ref name=":0" />
==Track listing== All tracks are written by John Hiatt, except "Tennessee Plates", written by John Hiatt and Mike Porter.
{{Track listing | headline = Side one | title1 = Drive South | length1 = 3:55 | title2 = Trudy and Dave | length2 = 4:25 | title3 = Tennessee Plates | length3 = 2:57 | title4 = Icy Blue Heart | length4 = 4:34 | title5 = Sometime Other Than Now | length5 = 4:25 | title6 = Georgia Rae | length6 = 4:26 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | total_length = 48:45 | title1 = Ride Along | length1 = 3:31 | title2 = Slow Turning | length2 = 3:36 | title3 = It'll Come to You | length3 = 3:29 | title4 = Is Anybody There? | length4 = 5:01 | title5 = Paper Thin | length5 = 3:35 | title6 = Feels Like Rain | length6 = 4:51 }}
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"|Chart (1988) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- |Australian (Kent Music Report)||71<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=138}}</ref> |}
==Personnel== *John Hiatt – guitar, vocals, electric piano *Kenneth Blevins – drums, tambourine *Sonny Landreth – electric guitar, acoustic slide guitar, 12-string guitar, National steel guitar *David "Now" Ranson – bass guitar *James Hooker – Hammond organ *Bernie Leadon – guitar, mandolin, banjo, mandocello *Ashley Cleveland – backing vocals *Dennis Locorriere – backing vocals *Glyn Johns – producer ;Technical *Anton Corbijn – photography
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{John Hiatt}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1988 albums Category:John Hiatt albums Category:Albums produced by Glyn Johns Category:A&M Records albums