Help: John Prine

Subject: John Prine
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 07:40 PM

Hi,

Whilst John Prine's name has been familiar to me for years I've never really heard that much of his stuff. I'd like to hear more.

Can anyone recommend which album(s) I should buy first?

Many thanks

Ed

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Pene Azul
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 08:38 PM

You may have already seen it, but it looks like you might enjoy the John Prine Shrine. I'm not familar with his music so I can't offer any first hand suggestions.

PA

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 08:57 PM

I'm no expert on John Prine, but have enjoyed much that he has done over the years. The recording named simply "John Prine" contains a lot of his more popular pieces and "Diamonds In the Rough" has "Souveniers" "The Late John Garfield Blues" a cover of "Diamonds In the Rough" as well as some other good pieces. They would be my two favorites.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 09:34 PM

I love him ... Check out the Prine Shrine that Pene has already given. For a sampler, I'd try any of the greatest hits kinda' stuff that is available. Some of his best known, like "Paradise" are generally on them. I'd start a list of MY favorites, but it'd take to long to type.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: DougR
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 10:25 PM

Ed: I sure like his "German Afternoons" CD. Would highly recommend it.

DougR

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST,CBJames
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 10:53 PM

Ed

Spaw's right. Prine penned songs more numerous than can be easily listed.

The songs that made most sense to me, back then were "Illegal Smile" and "Sam Stone". They were topical in the early 70s. There were a number of other songs dealing with frustration in love (and other emotional baggage) - lines like "..broken bottle; Look's like a wedding ring.." Good luck in your search. I am sure you'll find numerous sources here.

jb

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 11:00 PM

Or alternatively, download Napster, and listen to him NOW.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 11:02 PM

NAPSTER!

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 04 Jun 00 - 08:15 AM

Hey Ed.

Prine is my favourite singer/songwriter. As Arkie mentions, above, Diamonds in the Rough is a fantastic album: his best, in my opinion.

The Prine Shrine is a great place to find out information about him. Or, if you want to listen to a good cross-section of his music, buy Great Days. It's a two CD set with a whole pile of his stuff on it, and a really good book of liner notes.

Paul.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 04 Jun 00 - 10:52 AM

well, wha' d'ya know

I have only just borrowed from a friend (well - forced him to lend it to me) the John Prine Anthology as I too wanted to know some more of his songs.

It is a double cd thingum mummy. With loads of songs on there.

I have enjoyed it this weekend.

But that's all I have heard - would recommend it though.

Ella

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: BlueJay
Date: 04 Jun 00 - 12:38 PM

John Prine is one of my musical heroes, along with his good friend Steve Goodman. Prines influencehas been felt all through society, e.g. the guy complaining about stomach distress when kissing his girlfriend, with Abigail VanBuren suggesting he see a gastroenerologist immediately. Some folks have told me that the story is anecdotal, but I read the reply to that exchange that said something like: "Abby, you've been had. Everything that guy was saying was lifted directly from John Prine's "Dear Abby" and re-written as prose". Something like that. Hilarious, and I'm sure Prine was delighted! Some have said this exchange never took place, but I bet it's out there somewhere.

Ed- Listen to any of his albums. Listen to them all. You're going to love this guy. On the off chance that you are unfamiliar with the late Steve Goodman, rush to the record store. I can't think of a better way to spend thirty bucks than on a Prine CD and a Goodman CD at the same time. BlueJay

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: bflat
Date: 04 Jun 00 - 04:30 PM

He is the best. You are going to love him. Visit his official website: OHBOY.COM

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Robo
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 01:27 AM

Ed . . . ya can't miss with John Prine, so I say just start in anywhere. But if you were restricted to one recording, well, the "Diamonds in the Rough" collection would get my top vote as well!

Now, I'm waiting to see what Clifton53 chimes in with . . .

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: TonyK
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 04:35 PM

I was a Prine fan for over 20 years and there was a time when I could sing and play every song he wrote. I liked 'Sweet Revenge' and 'Common Sense' the best, but loved them all.
Maybe I'm getting old and mellower at age 46, but I find an edginess to most of his songs that I am no longer comfortable with.
Steve Goodman, God rest his soul, continues to be one of my all-time favorites.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST,Bill H
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 06:58 PM

There are, certainly, new albums that come to mind of great worth. Though, I have to admit his latest of country songs is, to me, not one of them. Except for the one song he penned in the album that he duets with Iris De Ment.

To me, for the best Prine---or should I say Prime Prine--go back to the earlier albums, Diamonds in the Rough, Common Sense, and of a later Prine try Lost DOgs & Mixed Blessings.

As, another talented artist--Mary Gauthier--told me in an interview---"..he makes simple look easy; and, that is the trick. It is tough".

Bill H

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: mactheturk
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 11:29 PM

We've got an "OH BOY" flyswatter hanging next to the refrigerator. It's a red one and it says "There's flies in the kitchen I can hear 'em there buzzing" on the handle.

He's the best,

Mac

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 12:24 AM

I loved that album cover with all the "Big Boys" in the field. When I lived in Nashville, I used to drive past there all the time. It was really a funny sight! Allan and I talked about taking a bunch of goofy pix there but never did.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Banjo Johnny
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 12:36 AM

Did John Prine write "Louise" ? (They say Louise was not half bad ...) If not, who did?

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Pablo
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 11:33 PM

Surprised this didn't get addressed sooner! "Louise" is by Paul Siebel. Here it is in the COWPIE "LOUISE

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Robo
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 01:21 AM

Still waiting for wee Clifton53 to opine a word or two here. Estimatin' he be on the frozen shift again, but he'll show.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: TheOldMole
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 01:39 AM

Check out "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian," by Prine and Fred Koller.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Stewie
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 01:49 AM

I'd reckon 'Bruised Orange' would be the most accessible to someone not familiar with his work. There's lots to enjoy and nothing that would put off any listener, I would think.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Jun 00 - 04:27 PM

Ohmagawd, I love John Prine. He is absolutely one of my favorite songwriters. "Souvenirs" is a favorite of mine, "Grandpa Was a Carpenter" (some of y'all may have noticed that I DO call my husband Mister), "Paradise," "Angel from Montgomery".... there's just too many to name. One of my favorite lines, although not from a favorite song, is "There were spaces between Donald and the things that he said/Strangers had forced him to live in his head."

I think the Anthology is a good place to start just because it has some of his best songs on it.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Clifton53
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 12:05 AM

Ah yes, "Diamonds in the Rough" has long been my favorite, in my opinion, a songwriting tour-de-force.

The thing that amazes me about Prine is that he is a bridge, between folk and country, country and rock, folk and rock, etc etc. And now, he is a bridge between generations, going on some thirty years of recording, even longer as a performer.

He's had some down periods, but he keeps coming back, and is a great live act on any given evening.

Check out "The Missing Years", with guests like Phil Everly, Tom Petty, and yes, " the Boss", himself.

Happy listening.

Clifton53

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST,To PABLO
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 03:12 AM

HI, This is Johnny in Oklahoma City THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ! Banjo Johnny

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 03:27 AM

Hey Kim......"Donald and Lydia" is the MOST graphic song I know. In a very few words, John draws a character that you know immediately and almost intimately. You can SEE Lydia perfectly, and Donald as well.

BTW, if you get a chance to see him in person, do it. He does a great show and works well with the audience. I've seen him in front of huge crowds and in small clubs and somehow you feel you're just sitting in the living room drinking and singing with him.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 08:20 PM

I saw Prine the other night on a replay of "Sessions at W54th" on PBS. I'm hoping Frank or Art picks up on this thread as he told the interviewer, John Hiatt, about going down the the Olde Town School while he was still a postman and taking various things. He mentioned then about going to a club across the street on open mic night and singing three songs he had written. After hearing him, they hired him as a regular of sorts. The three songs were "Paradise," "Sam Stone," & "Hello In There." No wonder they hired him.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: bflat
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 08:34 PM

Spaw, Glad you said that, I'm in the NYC metro area and he will be on Session at 54th at 11:00pm tonight on Channel 13. I have a $100 dollar bill that he autographed for me when they first came into circulation. He laughed when I gave it to him as it was one of the only pieces of paper I had with me. Needless to say, it isn't something I'll spend unless someone really needs it. And, I hope it isn't me.

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: Clifton53
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 12:43 AM

Can you imagine walking in ANYWHERE with those three songs? Pick one of them, if that's the only song you ever wrote, you'd be doing well.

Nuff said! Cliffie

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: rangeroger
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 01:19 AM

John Prine is one of my all time song heroes.I got out of the Navy in late '69 and went back to work in San Bernardino in early '70. A friend I played music with played his first album "John Prine" for me and I've been hooked ever since.
I saw him live for the first time at the 1986 Spring Strawberry Music festival.He did a workshop where he explained how he got the ideas for his songs.I can't begin to relate them all but "Sam Stone" came from delivering veterans checks.He had just written "Let's talk Dirty in Hawaiian" and it was a hoot.
We didn't get him back until spring of '93, when I got to meet him and he signed my John Prine songbook from 1972.
My only complaint about his new album is there is too much Iris DeMent and not enough Emmylou Harris.
rr

Subject: RE: Help: John Prine
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 08:04 AM

All of his stuff stands up well, but I like his earlier efforts the best. Signature pieces that have already been mentioned like "Sam Stone," "Paradise," etc.

One of my favorites is "The Late John Garfield Blues," for the feel of the song as well as Prine's ability to tell a joke within the context of verse. How often is that done effectively?

For the life of me, I could not see,
But I heard a brand new joke.
Two men were standing on a bridge,
One jumped and screamed,"You lose!"
And left the odd man holding,
Those late John Garfield blues.

Pure genius.