The musicians were warmly welcomed by the patrons at the BergenPAC and as the two performers took their seats on stage there was a clear constrast in fashion styles as Lovett was attired in his standard uniform of snazzy suit with high cuff line. Hiatt was more casual in jeans and a sweater. John kicked off the evening's set with a driving version of "Drive South" - a tune enhanced by Hiatt's earthy edge, interesting vocal inflections and his celebrated fluid picking.

When Lovett countered with "L.A. County" - his voice was rich with emotion and his strumming was stark yet striking. This song about a murderous drive from Texas to California set a trend for the the evening that would continue for the next two hours as the two musicians would follow each other's songs, often tying the theme from one to the next. A relaxed pace was set and humourous banter between the friends would be interspersed with the songs throughout the show.

"I love that song," Hiatt remarked to which Lovett replied, "I love all your songs."

"I don't have any murder ballads," Hiatt continued before playing the moving "Buffalo River Home" with his illustrative voice sounding road weary as he sang the picturesque piece, seeped in sadness about having no place to call home. Lyle commented that John rarely plays the same song at these singer/songwriting gigs that the two have been doing on and off for years.

Next up, Lovett countered with the autobiographical "Home Is Where My Horse Is" that was sung soulfully accompanied by simple strumming. The format was each musician would play their own compositions as the other observed. They often chatted between songs. As the set progressed, John would subtly accompany Lyle on lead. The audience was appreciative and attentive throughout the show.

"You have a horse...," Hiatt began in complimenting Lovett's number when a fan took the cue to serve as cupid for the night by shouting out, "Are you two gonna kiss, or what?"

"We have," Lovett replied in jest before adding, "I love New Jersey!"

"Thank you for showing up or we couldn't do this," Lovett continued after Hiatt's next number reminding the audience that the two musicians are friends who look at these gigs as "just an excuse to hang out together".

Fans were treated to a diverse showcase of both artist's deep catalogue of songs. Lovett included the favorite "If I Had A Boat" in his set that also featured "God Will", "What Do You Do", "I Will Rise Up", "Family Reserve", "My Baby Don't Tolerate" and the set closer, "Closing Time".

Hiatt spanned his recording career with numbers including the feisty "Go Down Swingin'", "What Do We Do Now?", "Crossing Muddy Waters", "Tennessee Plates", the cool "Icy Blue Heart", and finished his main set with the popular and timely "Thing Called Love".

More congenial chatter continued between the two men - covering topics as diverse as where they write their songs and Elvis - saying that Graceland is a must see for any music fan.

Since love was in the air with St. Valentine's Day approaching the singers each included songs about relationships. John's "Ethylene" was a descriptive ditty that included beat taps on the guitar. Lyle's song was about a concept he called "in-food-elity" which was a funny and flirty tune called "Keep It In Your Pantry".

"We'll leave you with a Texas folk song we've both recorded," Lovett said before the two performed "Rise Up Dead Men" and another encore as a duo - thus bringing the two solo artists together as one for a time - and, isn't that was love is supposed to do in the first place?

Related Links: For more information on John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- JohnHiatt.com | Lylelovett.com | BergenPAC.org

(Originally Published on March 01, 2009)