Veteran songwriter and rocker John Hiatt gave a spirited performance on a brisk early autumn evening to carry the penultimate night of the Red Butte Garden summer concert series.

Backed by his tight, powerful trio, the Ageless Beauties, Hiatt took an inspired 100-minute stroll through his oft-covered songbook Sunday that had many audience members dancing throughout.

After more than 30 years of writing songs and touring, it's no surprise that Hiatt has stage banter down to an artform. He was humorous, cordial and ingratiating throughout the set.

Hiatt led his band through a spoken-word rap on "The Tiki Bar Is Open," that had the crowd laughing and dancing simulataneously.

When introducting "Crossing Muddy Waters," Hiatt said he'd tried to emulate the old bluegrass tradition of penning songs about horrible situations with beautiful melodies. Mission accomplished.

The show closed with a four-prong punch that served as one of the top moments at Red Butte this summer. Hiatt has an award-winning songbook and it's tough to top the quartet of "Tennesee Plates," "Slow Turning," "Feels Like Rain," and "Riding With The King," which ended with a screaming lead from Ageless Beauty guitarist, Doug Lancio.

For the encore, Hiatt provided his rockabilly take on "Thing Called Love," that everyone knows from Bonnie Raitt's hit cover version. The sentimental "Have A Little Faith In Me," served as a poignant closer.

Opening vocalist Joan Osborne did a 55-minute set highlighted by a great version of the sultry blues tune, "Help Me." Not surprisingly, Osborne's set was heavy on songs from new CD "Little Wild One," including the title track, "Hallelujah In The City" and "Sweeter Than The Rest." Osborne also did heartfelt takes on the Grateful Dead ballad, "Brokedown Palace," and her mid-90s hit, "One Of Us."