Any John Prine fans?
 

Hi folks,

I heard John Prine on NPR the other day and bought one of his compilations for my bf (who loves Dylan, among many others!). I was curious, though, about how many people know about him... I had never heard of him before, but apparently he's been around for 30+ years? Was he more popular in the old days, or has he gained popularity in recent years?

I've been listening to John Prine since I was a little kid (I'm 36 now). My dad used to play his records quite a bit.

His popularity rises and falls. I think he's on a rise again ... I've heard him on several juke boxes around town.

What are his best albums? I got my bf a compilation of his old songs, that he sang with his new voice (after cancer) in 2000... but am wondering what you guys think is good. I was looking for Long Monday but couldn't find it (that's what I heard on NPR). :(

He's great. Many of his songs have been covered by other artists and have become hits for them. Used to be a mailman in Maywood IL - a long long time ago.

Everytime I performed, I always had several John Prine songs handy. "Angel from Montgomery" is a good one (a bit more serious than the rest), and you have to know "Dear Abby," "Grandpa was a Carpenter," and "Come Back to Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard."

Start with his earliest Greatest Hits, which is called "Prime Prine."


EDIT: How could I forget "The Sins of Memphisto"

In Spite Of Ourselves, an album of Duets, is great.

damn straight it is.....i really like most of his stuff.......great music.



....and how the hell you been K-dub?.........been awhile eh?

I only started listening to him a year or so ago, but I must I enjoy him very much.I've only ever heard Prime Prine and one of his albums, the name of which I can unfortunately not recall, but I love nearly every song. I'm particularily fond of Sam Stone and Please Don't Bury Me.

I remember hearing Sam Stone when I was an early-Dylan-obsessed little kid. I still play his records regularly. The guy's fantastic.

Awwwwwww..... John Prine makes me think of my Dad. Everytime he pulls out this old cassette he made off the vinyl album, I groan. It's sooo yellow and gross, that I'm sure I'm going to hate it. And then on comes John Prine and all is well.

I can't think of the names off the top of my head, but I do love all the ones warrrreagl mentioned

I had the album "Common Sense" back in my vinyl days (purchased in '76). Very enjoyable. Loved the song "Saddles In The Rain". I had a folk/jazz period in my life that lasted about 4 years. Saw a few live shows: Prine, John Goodman, Ed & Fred Holstein, Josh White Jr., Jean-Luc Ponty, David Sanborn, Bob Gibson, etc. I haven't listened to any of that stuff in years.

I grew up on John Prine. My dad was a huge fan and I always thought he was pretty good. Whenever I hear that peaches song by the Presidents of the United States of American, I wonder how many people realize that it's a ripoff of a John Prine song.

"Angel from Montgomery" is one of my absolute favorites to listen to and to play, for that matter. Even when it's being covered, it's pretty good. Bonnie Raitt did a spectacular job on it on Austin City Limits years ago and Dave Matthews doesn't do too bad a job either.

I'm not a big fan, but I like his stuff. I gave my uncle (a big John Prine fan)
"Great Days : The John Prine Anthology" a couple of birthdays ago. Live versions of "Angel from Montgomery," "Dear Abby" and "Yes, I guess they oughta name a drink after you." Anyway, he enjoyed it.