Celebrating John Prine (Thread Started in 2017, Still Going Strong)

[Winch2017]

Saw JP at Hershey a few weeks ago. He dedicated Souvenirs to my recently deceased sister. It was freaking awesome.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Winch2017

Saw JP at Hershey a few weeks ago. He dedicated Souvenirs to my recently deceased sister. It was freaking awesome.

Winch, bummer, I hadn't heard he lost his sister. Sorry to hear that. For those of you who don't know Steve Goodman, he was JP's best friend out of Chicago, but Steve died at 36 from leukemia in 1984. For decades John dedicated that song to Steve because they often toured together, Steve opening, and then John would invite him out in the middle of the set for "Souvenirs." John's lifelong agent, Al Bunetta, died two years in Nashville, so last time I saw him he said after the song, "That's for Steve Goodman and Al Bunetta." Again, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of John's sister.

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[Mandobart]

Scott, I think Winch implied JP dedicated the song to his (Winch's) sister. Sorry to hear of the loss either way. I think we all think of those we've lost when we play Souvenirs.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

Scott, I think Winch implied JP dedicated the song to his (Winch's) sister. Sorry to hear of the loss either way. I think we all think of those we've lost when we play Souvenirs.

Bart, thanks for correcting me; I was in a rush and read his post too fast.

Winch, please accept apology for my misread and my deepest condolences to you and your family over the loss of your sister. There are no words. May you find comfort in the traditions of your family and your loved ones.

My Very Kindest Regards,
Scott

[AgentKooper]

Another great story about the beginning of Prine's career is his account of playing out in New York for the first time, after his first album was recorded but before its release. He ran into Bob Dylan, who already knew the words to Prine's songs because Dylan had loved an advance copy he'd been given.

The man's a treasure - belongs on the Mount Rushmore of American singer-songwriters for sure.

And I'm seeing him at Red Rocks in June!

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

Another great story about the beginning of Prine's career is his account of playing out in New York for the first time, after his first album was recorded but before its release. He ran into Bob Dylan, who already knew the words to Prine's songs because Dylan had loved an advance copy he'd been given.

The man's a treasure - belongs on the Mount Rushmore of American singer-songwriters for sure.

And I'm seeing him at Red Rocks in June!

Koop, never heard that Dylan story. Well, he oughta know. I heard "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" on the radio today. What a monster talent.

I don't know why it's not on his tour page, but John is also playing the Kate Wolf festival in late June in NorCal.

http://katewolfmusicfestival.com/2017-lineup/

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[AgentKooper]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Koop, never heard that Dylan story. Well, he oughta know. I heard "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" on the radio today. What a monster talent.


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Scott, you should listen to this interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15A0OfXZWJM

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

Scott, you should listen to this interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15A0OfXZWJM

Tried - but there's only so much of a shouty American DJ that a Brit can stand. DNL

[Ruppster]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Nobody, that's who.



John could easily have been a stand-up comic if the music thing didn't pan out. For those of you who have never heard the "Happy Enchilada" story, here's a hilarious clip from YT. I'm not gonna be a spoiler. The joke and story comes near the end of the clip.



Enjoy!







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What a great way to start the day! Thanks for sharing this. Singing, songwriting, guitar playing, it's all about storytelling and connecting. Few do it as good as John Prine.


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[AgentKooper]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Tried - but there's only so much of a shouty American DJ that a Brit can stand. DNL

Yes, Maron's manner can be an acquired taste, but he his generally regarded as an excellent interviewer in his own idiosyncratic way. He usually interviews comedians, but he's also a true music lover and shows great taste in the musicians he has on. He might not be the most knowledgeable Prine fan in the world, but his respect/awe of Prine shined through, and he elicited some great stories, I thought.


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[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

Yes, Maron's manner can be an acquired taste, but he his generally regarded as an excellent interviewer in his own idiosyncratic way. He usually interviews comedians, but he's also a true music lover and shows great taste in the musicians he has on. He might not be the most knowledgeable Prine fan in the world, but his respect/awe of Prine shined through, and he elicited some great stories, I thought.


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Yes, off-putting for sure at first, but it settles in once the interview begins. Thanks for posting that.

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[jeanray1113]

He's playing at the Kate Wolf Music Festival in June. I am so looking forward to seeing him live.

[Charmed Life Picks]

On the Kate Wolf thing, I have a friend who goes to a lot of festivals. She sleeps with friends overnight at the front gate, to get the best seats up front. Just a thought. JP's the greatest.

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[Charmed Life Picks]

Been really enjoying the responses here, so thought I'd give it a little bump to hear more.

Thanks, Everyone,
Scott

[Ergoetal]

Just a story here:

I play (in addition to guitar) Irish traditional fiddle. I was in the tiny western Irish town of Kinvara about 10 years ago, in the winter, staying for a week with some friends, and playing at local sessions. I was in a place called Greene's one night and a friend of mine, a guitar player, saw me at the bar and introduced me to a friend of his, named john. We chatted for a while and I thought this guy looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.

Then I went back to the session and started up again. After a while there was a small commotion at the other end of the long table we were sitting at and pretty soon the John fellow was urged to sit down and given a guitar.

I honestly forget what he did, but he sang a few songs. He was very shy, only doing the second and third because he was asked by the folks who by now were standing around him. You could hear the proverbial pin drop.

The funny thing was that there were a bunch of older local gents, listeners, in the pub as well, a few sitting near me. After the third song one said to the other, "He's pretty good, but it would be nice if they gave some of the local boys a chance, too."