287: John Prine (October 10 birthday)

[Charlie]

John Prine, Born 10 October, 1946 - Maywood, Illinois

Championed in his early days by Kris Kristofferson, John emerged at a time when every song writer with a guitar was hailed as the new Dylan, whether is was Loudon Wainwright, Steve Goodman or John Prine. They all wrote some great songs, none better than Prine's Sam Stone. Bonnie Raitt recorded a couple of his songs, which always helps because she sells a lot more records than John does.

He lost part of his jaw to cancer, but has come back and still writers and still sings, whether on stage or in somebody's kitchen. One of the drags of YouTube is the number of illegal films taken at gigs with terrible sound. This one's nicer, in one of those kitchens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YrJABjYBE

[NormanD]

That is a lovely film. Oh to have been there. Did you notice that wonderful line "Naked as the eyes of a clown"?

His "Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" is probably his biggest seller. Even The Alabama 3 have covered it (pretty good too). Hard to choose a favourite one of his, but here's mine, "Hello In There", fortunately a good recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA6W6SnH ... ed&search=
A beautifully simple and moving song.

His last album was a disappointment. An album of duets with old country singer Mac Wiseman, "Standard Songs For Average People". You get what the album's title describes, covers of old country songs, recorded pretty much in the old-time 1950s style. It was probably a long-term project that John Prine always wanted to do, with a singer he respects greatly, and having his own label enabled it to happen. There are quite a few sparks here, but no real fire, and I've only managed to give it a couple of plays.

He's on at The London Palladium a couple of Sundays time. Anyone else here going?