“Hiatt is a master of his style.”

Mike Varney, Varney's Spotlight,
Guitar Player Magazine, April 2006

“Kevin Hiatt is an amazing guitarist! His playing is like a chess game between Leo Kottke and the late Michael Hedges, with both of them sitting in the warm glow of a fireplace.

His compositions are hopeful, bright and spiritual. Kansas City is lucky to have this wandering minstral back home.”

Joe Baehr KKFI 90.1 (Kansas City, Missouri),
Nov. 2006

Allen County Public Library Concert
April 16, 2005

“Kevin’s concert at the library was like a breath of fresh air. His music is original and highly innovative.”

Stacey Pearson,
Director of Art, Music, and Audio Visual
Allen County Public Library
Fort Wayne, IN.

Radio: WBNI Public Radio in Fort Wayne, IN.

Another Look at the Sunrise - Dec. 17, 2001

"Kevin Hiatt is an artist who brings together a great knowledge of composition and playing the steel string guitar.
Kevin's many facets of color, nuance, and complexity are revealed in his cutting edge performances."
- Bob Ferguson, host of Guitar Showcase.

Television: Access Fort Wayne (Channel 57)

Studio Concert broadcast on July 1 and July 23, 2002
"The recent taping of Kevin Hiatt's studio concert was a delight for all people involved with the show. Not only was the music compelling but Kevin is a true professional and the session went very well. We hope to create new shows with Kevin very soon."
- J. Robert Ihrie, Public Access Coordinator Access Fort Wayne

Whatzup Entertainment Newspaper/ Fort Wayne, IN.

Another Look at the Sunrise
Kevin Hiatt
by Jason Hoffman

“Another Look at the Sunrise (Part Two)” opens the album in a brash introduction to Hiatt’s playing style, a breathing, flowing approach not chained to a strict robotic metronome tempo. Described as “finger calisthenics,” this track is full of percussive slapping, two-hand tapping and other advanced playing techniques sure to make any guitarist salivate profusely. “In a Dervish Circle” is based on Sufi dancing experiences and indeed, the quickly cascading rhythms create whirling patterns that slow suddenly and then escalate to a feverish pitch, effectively emulating the dances this piece is based upon. The aptly titled “Song Without Words” is a lyrical ode to Mendelssohn and plays like a warm summer walk in virgin fields full of wildflowers. Written and played on a seven-string, “Brand New Tattoo” pits percussive slapping against a catchy melody, interrupted briefly by a flurry of harmonics.

While much of the album is solo acoustic guitar, a few tracks feature Paul Carlson on violin. “The Golden Flow” is a shining example of the magic created by the pairing of violin and guitar where the violin carries the weeping lyrical melody, floating serenely over the rhythmic guitar in a perfect marriage. Four of the tracks take a break from the complex instrumental form with standard song structures and vocals. “Life in a Coffee Shop” includes violin, flowing arpeggio guitar chords and a memorable, haunting vocal melody. Opening with an extended harmonica solo (by Hiatt himself), “What You’re Worth” also incorporates electric bass and plaintive lyrics in a bluesy, easy-listening format.

While it’s obvious that Hiatt has spent thousands of hours perfecting his guitar technique, he unfortunately falls prey to the myth that singing does not require an equal amount of devotion to breathing and phrasing techniques, detracting from an otherwise excellent collection of impressive guitar compositions. Regardless, the strength of the melodies and compositions plus the impressive acoustic guitar technique will make this album appeal to fans of Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Phil Keaggy albums and other acoustic guitar gurus. Another Look at the Sunrise is available at Wooden Nickel, Borders, Barnes & Noble, B-Sharp Music, Sam Goody and Amazon.com.