JOHN HIATT

Style: A songwriter’s songwriter, at the moment, in a reflective mood.

Backstory: Hiatt started professionally writing songs in 1972 and releasing albums in ‘74. In the ‘80s, he worked with David Bowie’s go-to producer Tony Visconti, recorded a duet with Elvis Costello, and had several songs released by Rosanne Cash. Critics and respected artists recognized the talent, but audiences really didn’t — until 1987’s “Bring the Family” with its smart, heartfelt heartland rock hits “Have a Little Faith in Me” and “Thing Called Love” (made most famous by Bonnie Raitt’s 1989 cover). Another hit album “Slow Turning” came just the following year, ultimately cementing the lifelong respect he’s deserved — with covers by Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop and many others expanding awareness of Hiatt’s talents.

Why you should go?: For this show, Hiatt will be performing both “Family” and “Love” front to back, a rare opportunity for fans to relive two of his finest bodies of work. Not one to wallow in nostalgia, Hiatt is likely to unearth new meanings from the old material, and his backing band the Goners, including slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth, will ensure the material still has a spark.

Time and place: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St.

Price: $39.50 to $59.50 at the box office, the Riverside Theater box office (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.), (414) 286-3663 and pabsttheater.org.