John Prine

TWO PRE- DEBUT ALBUM RADIO SESSIONS FROM A YOUNG JOHN PRINE Among the finest American singer-songwriters of all, John Prine is often tagged the best kept secret in rock. But despite his status remaining fairly low-key among the general public, even 50 years after his recording debut, he can boast an army of famous fans ranging from Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen to Billy Bragg and R.E.M. In 1970, Prine was the upcoming bright, young hope in and around the Chicago folk clubs, most notably the 5th Peg, where he would often perform at open mic nights. In August 1970, one such show at the 5th Peg was recorded for live FM broadcast, and this recording makes up the first part of this CD. The second part comes from a little later the same year, when legendary Chicago DJ and presenter Studs Terkel invited the young performer onto his radio show at 98.7 WFM Chicago, to play a further set of songs on live radio. These two sessions remain the earliest known recordings of John Prine and remain in near perfect quality for all to enjoy, half a century after they were recorded.

Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark had been waiting for him for a few years. And this damn Covid-19 sent John Prine to join them up there … Grandiose songwriter-storyteller little celebrated on this side of the Atlantic but Cult and adored on his lands, the one who was in his beginnings a protégé of Kris Kristofferson died on April 7, 2020 at 73 years old. The XXL disease, Prine knew well, he who had already struck down two cancers in 1998 and 2013…To understand the extent of his influence, two quotes from musicians, from two very distinct generations, among the thousands that have flourished on social networks since the announcement of his disappearance. Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver first: "if I am largely who I am as a person, not to mention as a musician, it's because of John Prine ". Bruce Springsteen also doesn't go four ways : "John and I were the" new Dylan "in the early' 70s and he was mostly the nicest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for all ages. »

Broadcast live by King Biscuit on July 11th 1978, this superb performance from the now tragically late John Prine recorded at the Bottom Line Club in New York s Greenwich Village, several years into the man s career, is among his finest ever shows. His debut album had been released to huge critical acclaim, albeit somewhat modest sales (reaching only 153 on Billboard), in 1971 on the Atlantic label. Featuring such legendary numbers as Hello in There and Angel From Montgomery (versions of both are featured) it was voted into Rolling Stone s All Time Greatest 500 Albums list in 2003. The tour, of which this gig was part, was performed in support of Bruised Orange (1978), Prine s 5th studio album, and the lengthy 30-song set list features no fewer than 6 of the album s 10 cuts, although strangely John omits to perform the stunning title track. The remainder of the songs played are a mix from 3 out of 4 previous albums (he doesn t play anything from his sophomore record, 1972 s Diamonds In The Rough) plus a smattering of cuts yet to be released at show-time, but made available on 1979 s Pink Cadillac and post-1980 releases. A few well-chosen covers are additionally played, including a rocking version of Treat Me Nice (from the pens of messrs. Leiber and Stoller) and a nice Ballad Of A Teenage Queen - made famous by Johnny Cash but composed by Prine s friend Jack Clement. The line up for the evenings proceedings includes some fine backing by the group he had already assembled for Pink Cadillac, (John Burns - acoustic and electric guitars, Howard Levy - piano, harmonica, mandolin, Tom Piekarske - bass, Angelo Varias - drums) and it s interesting to hear some of his oldies performed with full band, although he does go back to just acoustic guitar for the likes of Hello In There.

You can do a lot of living in 70-plus years, and fortunately, folk great John Prine has been documenting what he sees for over 50 of them. The album title is redolent of its mood, approaching the twilight years with a sense of wonder and humor. “Knocking on Your Screen Door” counts the blessings of being humble, and “Caravan of Fools” is a not-so-disguised jab at political incompetence. His well-sharpened wit cuts deep; “Crazy Bone” reminds us all to stay weird, and “When I Get to Heaven” describes a rollicking afterlife after-party: “I’m gonna get a guitar and start a rock ‘n’ roll band/Check into a swell hotel/Ain’t the afterlife grand?”