When Did You First Hear John Prine??

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 07:34 PM

Almost 20 (can it be?!) years ago with Arlo Guthrie in San Diego!

Dani

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: astro
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 07:26 PM

I saw him in Pocatello Idaho in '74...I loved the songs and I liked his sense of humor (a mark of his). Took a young lady to the show, don't remember her too much but I do remember John...

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: GUEST,Ima Prinefan
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 06:59 PM

You can listen to clips and find out more about John Prine at

http://www.jpshrine.org
http://www.johnprine.net

note that none of his music has gone out of print, and at that Prine shrine you should see all the artists who cover his songs. Just google him, and you non believers will be amazed!

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 12:29 AM

I first heard him sing Big Old Goofy World on PBS....and I thought it was nice...and then I found a couple months later he was coming to Portland....I went to see him on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997...it blew me away...I have only been able to catch him once more...and that was a year ago last spring.

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: Beer
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 11:27 PM

Bill you have said in the written word things that I could not have expressed. Thank you.
Beer.
Snuffy!
Give John another go. Listen to his first cut. Then go to his last. Actually go to his web site and you can get a real historical tour of his music.
Beer

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 07:22 PM

I meant to add a comment about "Hello In There". Whenever I see an elderly person---and I am no youngster---I think of how true and meaningful that piece is.   

Sam Stone surely tells a sadly true tale as does Paradise.

Bottom line he can create wonderful word/lyrical pictures---the sign of a great artist.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 07:06 PM

Observer--I think the difference is that Dylan wrote "anthems"
(in the early years) that are more singable. Prine, on the other hand, makes some great points with the most simplest of words and rhymes. People may well think it simplistic---but, as Shakespeare said, "...brevity is the soul of wit".   

       I think as far as Dylan is concerned a better comparison is Phil Ochs (from the early Dylan years) and there I would chose Ochs for meaning---and anthems.   For depth ---and non-anthemlike music--there is David Massengill (also a contemporary of Dylan).

       But, back to Prine. Bottom line is---simple words and simple rhymes that say a lot. Which is why, I suppose, the Poet Laureate of the U S asked him to be there and sit for a 1 hour conversation.

       I do believe that his latest CD is without a doubt his best and most insightful.

   Bill Hahn

just trying out to see if HTML works. this shoud be italic

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 06:47 PM

Years ago on the Jools Holland documentary "Walking to New Orleans", singing Paradise, which I thought was amazing. After that, as backing on the Dar Williams track "Ocean" which is absolutely fantastic.

Subject: RE: When Did You First Hear John Prine??
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 12:55 PM

1972, I think.

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:

• He was making a very good effort to sound like a fourth-rate Dylan imitator
• He was probably singing in English
• I would probably not spend money to hear more of him

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: Mrs.Duck
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 10:06 AM

15:05 20th September 2006

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:53 PM

Never heard of him

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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? [e-mail]!!!!!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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