Subject: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 13 Nov 05 - 10:01 PM I was going to place this in the other thread on "John Prine on PBS" but thought it may be fun under a seperate topic. In 1971 my brother was on leave from Pettawa training camp in Ontario and came home with this vinal and said "Have you heard of this Guy"? I haven't stopped listening since. I have just about all of his releases but I have yet to see him in concert. I went on the "John Prine Shrine" site this evening and noticed that there has been recent changes. If you haven't been before, do your self a favor and check it out. While their, I decided to check out the liner notes on his first A/P. I had recalled that Kris Kristofferson had written something. Here it is. ..................................................................... LINER NOTES John Prine caught us by surprise in the late-night morning let-down after our last show in Chicago. Steve Goodman (who'd shared the bill with us that week) asked us to go to Old Town to listen to a friend he said we had to hear, and since Steve had knocked us out all week with his own songs, we obliged. It was too damned late, and we had an early wake-up ahead of us, and by the time we got there Old town was nothing but empty streets and dark windows. And the club was closing. But the owner let us come in, pulled some chairs off a couple of tables, and John unpacked his guitar and got back up to sing. There are few things as depressing to look at as a bunch of chairs upside down on the table of an empty old tavern, and there was that awkward moment, us sitting there like, "Okay, kid, show us what you got," and him standing up there alone, looking down at his guitar like, "What the hell are we doing here, buddy?" Then he started singing, and by the end of the first line we knew we were hearing something else. It must've been like stumbling onto Dylan when he first busted onto the Village scene (in fact Al Aronowitz said the same thing a few weeks later after hearing John do a guest set at the Bitter End). One of those rare, great times when it all seems worth it,, like when the Vision would rise upon Blake's "weary eyes, Even in this Dungeon, & this Iron Mill." He sang about a dozen songs, and had to do a dozen more before it was over. Unlike anything I'd heard before. Sam Stone, Donald & Lydia. The one about the Old Folks. Twenty-four years old and writes like he's about two-hundred and twenty. I don't know where he comes from, but I've got a good idea where he's going. We went away believers, reminded how goddamned good it feels to be turned on by a real Creative Imagination. ~Kris Kristofferson P.S. Thanks to the people at Atlantic for making good things happen fast to someone who deserves it. Special thanks to Kris Kristofferson & Paul Anka. ..................................................................... In reading the above I can't help thinking how simular both Kris and John are in expressing themselves. Both great writers. Last, Kris refers to being in this club with someone, and brought their by Steve Goodman. Was that other person Paul Anka? Paul is a great writer and singer as well, but I always found this to be a curious combination if it is so. Sorry bout the spelling but thats the way she goes........... Beer |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 13 Nov 05 - 10:31 PM First heard John when "Sour Grapes" got a bit of airplay in '73 or so. Wasn't very impressed. Then, when I started getting serious about playing guitar a couple of years later it seemed everyone I jammed with played a handful of Prine songs and they started to grow on me. I learned several of the songs from his first two albums from friends before I ever actually heard the albums themselves. Then I bought the albums and learned most of the rest of them. Learned a few more songs from later albums, but not almost every song like with those first two. I also have never seen John live. He's played around here a few times, but I've always had to be someplace else when he's been in town. So it goes. John's never seen me play either. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Phil Cooper Date: 13 Nov 05 - 10:38 PM I first heard John Prine when I was in high school in 1969 or 1970. WFMT played early versions of his first songs, a year or two before the release of his first album. I was always impressed by Sam Stone and Paradise. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 13 Nov 05 - 11:48 PM I've been listening to John Prine all my life... |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Date: 14 Nov 05 - 12:49 AM I'm with Phil Cooper on this one. The Fifth Peg was a club/bar in the 800 block (or so) of W. Armitage where John began playing--1969 and 1970. It was while we were there to hear him, that, as I've recounted here in this forum in other threads, that a drunk was coming on to my seven-months-pregnant wife, Carol. (That'd make it just about the beginning of April--1970.) I pushed him gingerly away, and he toppled over, along with 2 or 3 bar stools. I got tossed out of the bar for, as was said by some who, I swear, didn't even see the incident ;-) of decking the guy with a left hook. And we never did hear John Prine sing his second set that night.-------- But them was good times nonetheless. Ah, nostalgia... Clay Eals in Seattle is nearing the end of working on what will, I'm sure, be a great biography of a fine fellow (and an old friend) STEVE GOODMAN. Watch for that, as it promises to be filled with great tales about that era and the folks on the Wells Street and Lincoln Avenue music scenes in Chicago. Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: M.Ted Date: 14 Nov 05 - 01:10 AM Someone gave me his second album, the day it came out, because, even then, it was clear who the John Prine fans in the world were, even if they hadn't heard him yet--I listened to a couple time, bought the first album, and damned if he didn't show up in town a few weeks later--he played four shows, and I saw three of them--he was even better live! I ended up learning to play most of his songs--which wasn't too hard, because I had memorized the words after I'd had the albums for about a week, and, as I used to say, if you can play "Dark As A Dungeon", you know half of them already-- |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 14 Nov 05 - 04:37 PM Do you think it may have been Paul Anka with Kris Kristofferson that night when Kris first heard John Prine? |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 14 Nov 05 - 04:54 PM Right - the story is that Steve took Paul Anka and Kris to see John and John had fallen asleep waiting for them. Went to the Fred Holstein memorial concert last night at the Old Town School - Ed, the great Jim Craig and Mark Dvorak (doing songs from his new cd). Ed said that the first time he and Fred sang in public was at the Fickle Pickel - on Welles, the block south of Earl's. It was not a listening room, and one time (maybe '63 or so) there were these two guys, singing "Marching to Pretoria" - since I had been listening to Bob Gibson on the Midnight Special - I said these guys will never get anywhere - they were the Smothers Brothers! Chris in Wheaton |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST Date: 14 Nov 05 - 07:12 PM I remember exactly where and when I first heard of John Prine. I was working in a Liquor Control Board of Ontario outlet in 1975, earning money for my tuition and putting food on my table. One night I was unloading a box of Szekszardi onto a shelf .. while another employee was going on about this new album he had just purchased ... the album was by John Prine ... well, that's were and when I first heard about John Prine. The next day I bought the album, Prime Time. Needless to say I was deeply impressed and moved by his artistry. sIx |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: s&r Date: 15 Nov 05 - 10:07 AM First heard Sam Stone in prison (where I worked). Sung by a drug addict (ex he claimed). Looked for records for ages then found one in a car boot sale. Since seen him live at Cambridge. Good performer, god lyrics Stu |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: number 6 Date: 15 Nov 05 - 10:27 AM BTW ... that was me Guest at 7:12 p.m 11/14 sIx |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: SunnySister Date: 15 Nov 05 - 11:02 AM I first heard John Prine when a friend brought me over, years and years ago, a tape of Bonnie Raitt's music that she thought I might like to listen to as she thought they would fit my vocal range well. It was "Angel from Montgomery" and her voice and his music just blew me away. I still sing "Angel from Montgomery" when I busk. I think it fits in with that kind of situation well. I also have sung, "Hello in There" for my graduating project to get my Bachelor of Arts. While I might not be that in love with his voice, I sure love his writing- it's been an influence and a gift for more than 20 or so years at least for me. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: number 6 Date: 15 Nov 05 - 11:08 AM "Hello in there" .... very good choice SunnySister. I find that a very sad song .... so well written. sIx |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Bill D Date: 15 Nov 05 - 11:28 AM I had heard a number of his songs from various sources in 1970-71, and somewhere about 73 or so, he did a concert at my college ...Wichita State U. I was mostly into 'trad', but had to admit Jokn wrote some pretty compelling stuff. I guess the one that originally caught my attention was "Paradise", as I was heavily into the environmental movement at that time. In 1973, I helped a friend move to Wash DC, and we took a detour through Kentucky to look for Paradise, and 'photographed the song'. We took pictures of every thing named in the song that we could find, from Peabody Coal trucks to the Green River to broken pop bottles at the site to the cooling towers for the power plant. The only thing left of Paradise itself was an old outhouse, leaning at an angle.....but we could 'hear' the words of the song as we stood there in the desolation. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 15 Nov 05 - 01:46 PM That is quite the story Bill D. Must have been a great trip. Beer |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: SunnySister Date: 15 Nov 05 - 02:02 PM Thanks Number 6! I was doing a one-person show on the silences that are found in our society. In "Hello in There," I found John Prine's song about a woman whose gone silent and bone weary as an elderly person who is just dying to talk to be perfect for the show. Strangely, whenever I sing that song, while I'm singing it and after, I feel very tired. Prine has a way in that song of creating a whole world with such strong feelings and memories for the main character attached to it. A pleasure to perform. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Norm "MadDawg" Siegel Date: 08 Apr 06 - 08:07 PM Hey Chris! First time I heard John Prine was around 1967 or 68. He was still toting mail in Maywood, and the two fo us sat in the back of Ray Tates Advanced Thursday night guitar class. While Ray was teaching some medieval madrigal in classical style, JOhn and I were sitting onthe "shelf" working on fingerpicking! Listen to "Illegal Smile" to hear how John adapted what we worked on! Also, I was John's first bass player at the Fifth Peg Pub, which I think was his very first paying gig! Oh, and I also played bass in a small but successful local Chicago band, touted as "The Sound of Country and Midwestern". Maybe you have heard of it---RedHead! Get in touch with Mike dunbar and I think you will find hemight give both Steve Goodman AND me credit for his arrangement. Wanna follow up? uncledizzy55@comcast.net!!!!! |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,JTS Date: 08 Apr 06 - 08:30 PM I heard him do the live version of Dear Abby on CBC radio when I was 13 or so (1971 maybe) It blew me away. What an imagination! What wit! I've been a big fan ever since. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: hobbitwoman Date: 09 Apr 06 - 04:47 PM Let's see... much later than most of you, but that's not surprising. I am going to guess it was around 1980, because it was at my cousin's apartment, and my son was about 4 at the time. A friend of my cousin's came over with her guitar, and sang several songs by John Prine. It was some years later, that my sister gave me a copy of Prime Prine, and since then I've collected a few more of his albums, including one where he collaborates with various women artists, like Dolores Keane and Iris DeMent, called In Spite of Ourselves. Angel from Montgomery is not on that CD but it's one of my favorites (the album, and the song). I haven't gotten to see him live yet, but my sister has, and she was blown away by his guitar playing. Says he's even more impressive live than in recordings. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Greg McShann Date: 09 Apr 06 - 05:29 PM When I was a kid in Chicago I used to hear our mailman singing to himself as he did the rounds up down our street. A few years later, he had an album out and I found out his name was John Prine. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: mandotim Date: 10 Apr 06 - 04:50 AM Mid-70s I think, on (probably) the Old Grey Whistle Test, doing 'Sam Stone'. Loved his stuff ever since. Tim from Bit on the Side |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Genie Date: 10 Apr 06 - 02:50 PM Does this count? In 1975 I heard a folk duo, Tom and Theresa, in Corvallis, OR, sing the song "Paradise," which I later learned was by John Prine. Sometime around that time -- can't recall whether it was a bit earlier or a bit later -- I was at a song circle or such and (talk about mondegreens!) someone said referred (I thought) to the song "Flying to Cal" (which I took to mean "California"). You can prob'ly figure out which John Prine they actually named (and sang). It was years before I actually heard John Prine himself -- on Austin City Limits, for one place. I've never had the privilege of hearing him live. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Wesley S Date: 10 Apr 06 - 05:21 PM I was working in a record store at the time. I'm pretty sure they sent us a promo copy of the LP. If not - I might have just liked the looks of the cover. I loved it right away and played it for anyone who would listen. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: harmony Date: 10 Apr 06 - 05:30 PM My father had a VH1 live set by Prine on tape. And the first song i heard him play was 'crossing muddy waters' which blew me away. I hate the fact i have never been able to learn the chords though. Dontyerjusthatethat |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 10 Apr 06 - 05:44 PM When I was in the womb..... |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: mandotim Date: 10 Apr 06 - 08:31 PM I thought 'Crossing Muddy Waters' was John Hiatt, not John Prine? Tim from Bit on the Side |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 10 Apr 06 - 08:37 PM Mandotim, I agree with you. Unless he did it on this HV1 recording that Harmony is speaking about. What about it Harmony?. Could you confirm if possible? |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Jack the Sailor Date: 11 Apr 06 - 02:34 AM He's at Merlefest at the end of April. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: harmony Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:23 AM Ooops, sorry wrong John. How embarrased am i? But a friend of mine went to see John Prine years ago, and he loved it. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 11 Apr 06 - 06:38 AM Thanks Harmony. To bad though. I was hoping there was a tune out there that he did that I haden't heard. Beer |
Subject: Lyr Add: CROSSING MUDDY WATERS (John Hiatt) From: mandotim Date: 11 Apr 06 - 07:35 AM Hey Harmony; don't be embarrassed; I get singer/songwriters mixed up all the time! Try this; Crossing Muddy Waters by John Hiatt G C My baby's gone and I don't know why D7 Em She let out this morning G C Like a rusty shot in a hollow sky D7 G Left me without warning (repeat chords) Sooner than the dogs could bark And faster than the sun rose Down to the banks in an old mule car She took a flatboat across the shallow Chorus: G C Left me in my tears to drown D Em She left a baby daughter G C Now the water's wide and deep and brown D7 G She's crossing muddy waters Tobacco standing in the fields Be rotten come november And a bitter heart will not reveal A spring that love remembers When that sweet brown girl of mine Her black eyes are ravens We broke the bread and drank the wine From a jug that she'd been saving Chorus Baby's crying and the daylight's gone That big oak tree is groaning In rush of wind and river of song I can hear my sweetheart moaning Crying for her baby child Or crying for her husband Crying for that river's wild To take her from her loved ones Chorus twice It's a cracking song; hope this helps! Tim from Bit on the Side |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: fat B****rd Date: 11 Apr 06 - 03:45 PM In 1975 I bought "Big Sur Festival" on vinyl in a junk shop Kristofferson does "Hello In There" or "Old Folks" as he calls it. A couple of years later I found the first (Atlantic) LP in a second hand record shop in Newcastle for a pound. Bargain or what ? |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:53 PM Never heard of him |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST Date: 11 Apr 06 - 07:24 PM I KNEW IT!!! Just a matter of mis-spent time until some jackass posts as above, never changes. It's almost as bad as criticizing songs because they may be melodically simple, as further above. I'd like to see someone here write better stuff. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Another Jackass Date: 11 Apr 06 - 07:31 PM And I knew it wouldn't be long before someone came in and criticized the preceeding post. For Guest's sakes! Guest only answered the question Guest! What in the Guest is wrong with you? "Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:53 PM Never heard of him " Of course the correct answer would have been. "Just now. I first heard of John Prine just now when I read this thread." |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 11 Apr 06 - 08:29 PM Came across this Radio Chat that was taking place with Rhodes Scholar Kris Kristofferson and he was asked the following: Portland, Ore.: I understand that you might have had something to do with "discovering" Steve Goodman? Can you tell us the story and what your friendship with Steve ment to you?Maybe you'd remind the world what a great singer / songwriter he was. Thanks! Kris Kristofferson: Well I met Steve back at the Quiet Night in Chicago. I was sick and didn't feel like seeing the opening act. But my band was raving about him. He was like a little candle on stage. He introduced me to John Prine and it was magic. Paul Anka was there with us and offered them both a plane ticket to NY to talk about publishing. I was working at the Bitter End and John and Steve charmed everybody everywhere they went. People give me credit for discovering them, but it's like Columbus getting credit for discovering America. It was already there. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: DADGBE Date: 12 Apr 06 - 02:11 PM Wow, that question brings back memories. I first heard about John from Stevie Goodman, too. Stevie was in New York for treatment and I hung out with him in the hospital. We'd both sit on his bed, playing our guitars while the chemotherapy was dripping into his vein. Sometimes he'd stop to vomit, wipe his mouth, then go on playing. Soon after, I was in Chicago to accompany Bonny Kolok at the Earl of Old Town and heard John there. He was amazing then and hasn't faltered since. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Apr 06 - 07:04 PM 1973 Cambridge Folk Festival. This bloke I'd never heard of erupted on stage and seemed to be all over the place bursting into song. Irrepressible, even if anyone had wantred to repress him. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Observer Date: 12 Apr 06 - 09:40 PM Favorite lyrics and singers are largely a personal preference, and that is certainly the case with me. I say that to let everyone know that this is not meant to start any bickering or to promote arguments. Having prefaced this, I personally think that John Prine is a better writer and has more powerful lyrics than Dylan. It's too bad John didn't start writing before BD; I belive had that happened, their fame would have been reversed. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Beer Date: 12 Apr 06 - 11:56 PM I am a Dylan fan from the beginning but "Guest Obsever" I completely agree with you. Beer |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: number 6 Date: 13 Apr 06 - 12:01 AM I'd say there are 2 totally different artists ... in the long run i prefer Dylan ... but John still knocks me down flat when I hear him. sIx |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Jack the Sailor Date: 13 Apr 06 - 01:32 AM I much prefer Prine's lyrics. But Bobby is very talented. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Beth Williams Date: 20 Sep 06 - 02:19 AM I first heard John at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1971. I was 15, and "Sam Stone" blew me away. The song about Jesus (jesus, you look tired, He said...Jesus, so do you...) and the one about the star-crossed loverw who never met were a revelation. I still play "Hello in There" now and then. I have been working in nursing homes for 12 years, and this song resonates deeply in me when caring for the old folks who are almost gone. |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser) Date: 20 Sep 06 - 06:46 AM Like McGrath, 1973 Cambridge Folk Festival. Saturday Night, main stage 1. Plus Steve Goodman joined him as well. Can you remember who else was on the bill that night? |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: MartinRyan Date: 20 Sep 06 - 08:23 AM We moved to live a few miles from Kinvara, near Galway, a little over a year ago. First night there, we were fairly wrecked by 11 p.m., having been moving furniture all day. Nonetheless, having promised to meet some friends for a traditional music session that night, we drove into town. As we headed into the agreed pub, we met all our musician friends heading OUT, carrying cases, music finished...! They were heading across the road to another pub where some guy called John Prine was jamming with some friends... My wife was delighted - and I'd no idea who he was! Regards p.s. I've led a sheltered life, alright! |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Mrs.Duck Date: 20 Sep 06 - 09:52 AM Well at the risk of being on the receiving end of someones outrage I have to say I have never heard John Prine nor until today had I heard of him but I will do my best to do so so answer is ...soon! |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Mrs.Duck Date: 20 Sep 06 - 10:06 AM 15:05 20th September 2006 |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Forsh Date: 20 Sep 06 - 10:29 AM My Dad, the real original Forsh, first played him to me back in 1974. Dad sang a few of the songs, Donald & Lydia & Sam Stone, as I recall. I had to wait until 2 years ago (or more?.. the aging process addles my brain) to see him live, at the then Tyneside Opera House in Newcastle. (Chip 'Wild Thing' Taylor was the support!) Still love that John Prine Live Album! |
Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: Snuffy Date: 20 Sep 06 - 12:44 PM There was a track by him on a compilation tape of train songs I was given back in 2000. After listening three or four times I came to the following conclusions:
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Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine?? From: GUEST,Mrr Date: 20 Sep 06 - 12:55 PM 1972, I think. |
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