Customer Reviews

John Prine - Live from Sessions at West 54th

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John Prine is one of those rare artists who both define and occupy a niche in pop music. I've been a fan of John since the mid-1970's in Chicago, where you could catch Prine and Steve Goodman on a double bill - or just sitting in on each other's acts - at The Quiet Knight for a two drink minimum. His catchy, eclectic and highly personal songs are always interesting and sometimes extraordinary.

But not until this DVD have you been able to catch the spirit of a John Prine concert. I don't know why it has taken so long, but I'm grateful that it is here at last. It's not quite the same as being there, but it's a treat even so.

I bought the DVD after a concert here in Fairbanks, just last week. Except for not having Iris Dement for the cuts from "In Spite of Ourselves" (John sang both parts himself), this DVD captures the spirit, the goofy sincerity and charm, of John Prine very well. The camera work is quite good, the editing is crisp and smooth, and his band, Jason Wilber and David Jacques, are nearly perfect.

Life hasn't treated John all that well. He's had his woman problems ("All the Best" was written for his ex-wife's wedding), his best friend died, he's had a hip transplant and scary brush with cancer. But it hasn't affected his music or his evident joy in life. He seems to live his life and write his music with the message of "Bruised Orange" in mind: "It don't do no good to get angry, believe me, I know."

John Prine fans: this DVD belongs in your collection. You will savor it for years to come. For those who don't know John, get "Souvenirs," his latest CD release, and this DVD, and see what the fuss is all about.

And thanks, John. It was a great concert. It's a great DVD. Keep up the good work.

This DVD is a long overdue visual representation of John Prine's mesmerizing abilities as a live performer. His two live cd's for his own Oh Boy! Records, In Concert & On Tour, are both essential to anyone interested in his music (and everyone should
be!) and this release, while not in that same rarefied league, is still excellent nonetheless. Prine never seems bored playing his older material and always manages to perform them as if they were evergreen compositions.....seen to great effect here as most of the songs are culled from his early-to-mid 70's Atlantic albums.

The highlights however are his two newer songs, In Spite Of Ourselves and Lake Marie. The first is a side-splitting duet with the terrific Iris DeMent which packs an unexpected emotional wallop due to the absolute conviction in which this profanely funny look at dysfunctional love is given in the performance here. Lake Marie is probably the best thing Prine will ever write, which means it stands tall over 99% of everything else. A story-song that never lapses into the hokey novelty of that genre, it uses the story of how Lake Marie got its name as well as a vivid description of a grisly murder scene being watched on TV as a backdrop for another of Prine's fabulous "Love Gone Wrong" songs. Somehow, what should be a disjointed mess ends up as a staggeringly engrossing narrative and his performance here, while acoustic, rocks.

My only quibble is that this should have been treated as a more definitive release with all the bells and whistles that Prine's first DVD deserves. The interview with John Hiatt, while a great treat to actually watch two masters talking, is rendered a bit redundant when Prine "Double dips" and uses many of the anecdotes from the interview in the Sessions performance. But these are minor faults and hopefully the good people at Oh Boy! will put out another Prine DVD before too long. Especially in times as troubled as these....his music is a comforting and knowing light.

-Zayne Reeves

I am a younger John Prine fan (I am 20) and have quite a story about my love of his music. I met John Prine before I ever heard his music. You see, my dad's cousin is a Kentucky State Trooper, who lives in Muhlenburg County. Every year, the Everly Brothers (who are also from Muhlenburg County) hold a music festival that is called "Homecoming". My second cousin is in charge of the security for that concert.
Anyways, cousin Eddie got my dad and me backstage passes and introduced us to Mr Prine before the show. That same night, I met Lightnin' Chance (one of Johnny Cash's idols), Jessica Andrews, Phil Everly, and Trace Adkins (Blech!).
That night, John Prine played and I was hooked instantly. This fall, Mr Prine is coming to the Saint Louis area, but I can't afford tickets, so I bought the DVD instead. I was very pleased.
I was upset a bit by the production quality of the DVD--it was almost too good. I kind of wished it would be Mr Prine by himself with only his Martin D-28 and a mic. He did play the hits, which rocked. Iris DeMent scared me at first, but I got to like her by the last song.
All in all, it is a very good representation of what I saw in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky two years ago. I highly reccomend this DVD to anyone who knows anything about music.

My wife and I (being Prine enthusiasts) recently saw an amazing performance in Paducah, KY, and picked up a copy of this DVD. All I can truly say is that it does a fabulous job of capturing the energy and style of a live Prine show. It looks (and perhaps more importantly FEELS) as if there's no screen separating you from the action. Give this show serious consideration as a gift--to someone you love or yourself.

This DVD is a professional "tour de force" for John. I especially enjoy the chemistry he appears to have with lead guitarist Jason Wilber, an amazing young talent in his own right (don 't miss his King For A Day!). My favorite song is Lake Marie... it just scintillates from the first chord to the last note. The only knock is that it doesn't finish with the tradiional closer "Paradise."

Although I'm 62, I only became a fan last year. I bought several CDs and just got a DVD player, so had to get Sessions at West 54th. I am delighted by the production, the technical quality of the camerawork, video and audio but especially with the music. Jason Wilber is terrific on guitars of various kinds, and Dave Jacques is a masterful bass player. J.P. takes everything in stride and seems to be having a great time, especially with Iris DeMent. I'll be playing this many times.

I don't mean to be unkind, but if there is one problem with this, it is too short. John Prine is so good, I bet the video could have been twice as long. However, this was a Christmas present and one I so badly wanted! I have been a fan since he appeared on BBC TV's "In Concert" programme in the early 70's to promote his first, eponymous, album, which is what I listen to if I feel sad!

This DVD was, as I expected, wonderful. The songs are excellent and his duets with the ultra-beautiful Iris Dement, were top-quality. The musicians were top drawer and understated, complimenting JP perfectly.

I'm glad JP is healthy again, following his brush with cancer, so we can be ready for his next release. JP continues to astound with his wit. A true genius, who, I hope, will appear in Britain in 2003.

This is a long-awaited DVD and, for his fans, is long overdue and a must-buy.

Brilliant (but not long enough)

John Prine is the type of singer that makes you listen to lyrics. He is so about humorous, sad, entertaining lyrics. Each time you hear him, you hear something different.

The crowning moments are the duets with singer Iris Dement, who with great pride joins him in some "questionable lyrics" as he puts it. He didn't write all of the songs, but he chose some great ones.

There was a time when we saw on television, the Sessions at West 54th, where we saw some great performances with singers who aren't always in the mainstream. Sessions was great entertainment and you can search for more shows like this one.

Included in this is an interview hosted by singer John Hiatt, who seemed in awe of John Prine. Hiatt talks with Prine about his musicians, the record company, the movies Prine was in and of course his bout with neck cancer.

This DVD is a keeper! ....Rizzo

For all those fans who have seen John Prine in his recent concert performances,this is the perfect souvenir(geddit?)of the event.Recorded in New York City in 2001, he is superbly backed by Jason Wilber and Dave Jacques while he performs many of his classic songs.John is also joined on five tracks from his 'In Spite of Ourselves' album by Iris Dement.Also included on the DVD is a chatty interview conducted by a seemingly overawed John Hiatt.
Whether you know John Prine's work from his early days in the seventies or are a recent convert, you will find this concert terrific entertainment. (January 2002)

I have been lucky enough to have owned this dvd for 3 months and am surprised that I have not worn it out. Unfortunately by living in New Zealand this is the closest I can get to seeing John Prine live. He is a personable and highly entertaining live performer and this well produced dvd covers a good range of his work. I love his accoustic guitar which is well complimented by his great backing band. Iris De ment was a fantastic choice to support on the more recent tracks they seem to have a natural affinity with each other which makes the songs seem very believeable. As you can see I am a great fan of John's and love this dvd.