John Prine: C or D? (plus RFI: new album)

I find a certain comfort in that, but my wife simply has to reject Prine when she's not in the right mood.

Nobody's gonna say a bad word about the guy? Fine. Let me do it.

I can't do it.

He's too awesome. Nobody can do more with three chords and a two-note melody. The Missing Years and the Great Days comp plus the debut just about did it for me for a decade and a half, but lately I'm feeling the need to own 'em all in their entirety.

(Even "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian" -- not my favorite of his songs, particularly as he misses an opportunity to use the best pun ever: "lack-o-nookie" as a Hawaiian word...)

love this guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5axlwCBXC8

(did anyone ever see daddy and them? is it terrible?)

better than bob dylan

THERE I SAID IT

It may have been the Nanci Griffith duet version of "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" that finally made me notice him, but after seeing him with his great small band, and hearing various live albums and reissues from his independent label, I would pay whatever to see him play anywhere.

When I did see him, it was a high ticket price benefit for M.D. Anderson (where he underwent cancer treatment). I was in tears several times throughout the evening. "Sam Stone" in particular.

here's a version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tafy0RVXNOo&feature=related

^

love John Prine so much. ..

actually had to *leave* his concert -- after TWO hours -- this last march because, if I didn't, I would miss the last train (John played a concert at the high school suburb where he grew up. Maywood. awesome show. John talked and talked and talked. but what great stories!! the GREATEST stories. basically, a history of the evolution of suburban Chicago. and i am not even talking about the songs, I am talking about his introductions and his stories and perspective on the whole weird history, and his rise to fame, and his relationship with Roger McGruinn ... geez, but yeah, at a certain point, after 2+ hours, I had to check out .. I needed to catch the last train back from Maywood into Chicago, else I'dve been stranded ... John Prine, I love you man

this guy is really good at song titles
"the oldest baby in the world"
"he was in heaven before he died"
"aw heck"
etc.

also "hello in there" has got to be one of the most depressing songs

i'm only listening to the s/t right now. i think maybe i should gradually make my way chronologically through his oeuvre, or at least the classic years.

so this local bar has had an annual John Prine singalong for years and years now, and I finally made it down for the first time in like a decade. this guy has so many hidden gems... "Talk Dirty In Hawaiian" and "Unwed Mothers" and "The Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" all blew me away. I guess I need more than the perfunctory Prime Prine LP.

I have a vivid memory of watching some film in elementary school in the 70's and it was about how old people are people too and we should be nice to them, and the theme music was "Hello In There".

He's one of those rare songwriters (like Richard Thompson?) hampered by being too good for too long. Where do you start? Where do you *stop*? I can see why Prine may be an imposing rabbit hole.

aren't those from his mid eighties albums? The only ones I don't own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_82jpa5qq40

enjoying the hell out of this beat-up Sweet Revenge LP right now

gonna check out the duets album next... I have all the 70's LPs now.

Happy birthday, dude!

hello in there is killing me tonight

He's incredible

New album out April 13!

woah, gorgeous song!

"Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone)"

I don't know how indelible it will turn out to be, but parts of the new album sound really nice.

Summer's End is a new classic, either way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDpZCZPMRJ8

this is a... remarkable song https://open.spotify.com/track/1k9khuqqY0wHE5IYEyK791?si=DX6tG-sPTeCyNo_wYsVcLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0

I gotta say it's all about Egg & Daughter Nite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3eMuBJL6C8

I really like this album. “Lonesome Friends of Science” is great.

Documentary on the way:

https://pitchfork.com/news/new-john-prine-documentary-announced/

classic. just so, so classic

just re-listening to him for the first time in a while cuz i'm seeing him this weekend and had forgotten how many amazing songs he has

Definitely a songwriter I think people erroneously take for granted simply for being so good for so long.

The Tree of Forgiveness was good, sometimes great, way better than average.

Whenever I pick up a guitar (which becomes more and more rare each day), I always end up finger-picking "In Spite Of Ourselves". Such a classic.

This new tune is indebted to him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d89fe_p4gX4

i hadnt read this jayson greene piece before - https://pitchfork.com/features/overtones/life-death-and-john-prine/

Sorry to hear you’re going through this Alex. As a two time cancer survivor I want you to know that I’m rootin’ for you. I watch Jeopardy twice a day & I look forward to seeing you on there for many years to come. Against all odds you’re the big door prize. Your friend John Prine https://t.co/0I6tAywSPL

— John Prine (@JohnPrineMusic) March 7, 2019

My covers version of Prime Prine.

In a bad way

An update on John pic.twitter.com/fPQbv0tLyB

— John Prine (@JohnPrineMusic) March 29, 2020

ugh

:(

Oh, God. This is one I've been really scared of. When I think of the musicians who mean the most to me personally, John Prine is right up at the top of the list.

oh no

We were listening to him today before we even knew.

Fucking hell. Gonna play Lake Marie and hope for the best.

fuck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJPvc5vvKY4

(that's Joan Baez btw)

Really hopes he pulls through OK. He's got some seriously underlying health issues. Didn't his wife test positive, too?

Some better news:

I have recovered from Covid-19. We are humbled by the outpouring of love for me and John and our precious family. He is stabile. Please continue to send your amazing Love and prayers. Sing his songs. Stay home and wash hands. John loves you. I love you

— Fiona Whelan Prine (@FionaPrine) March 30, 2020