Customer Reviews

Pink Cadillac

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Prine's best album, no doubt. Recorded in the land of The King with Knox, Jerry, and yes, Mr. Sam Phillips. You want to hear the genius of Sam Phillips? Listen to "Saigon", a draaaaaged out track that stopped even Alex Chilton in his tracks. This is pure rockabilly music, the real thing. The Prine fans that hate this album, I dunno, maybe they wanted him to keep singing "Illegal Smile". John has said that this is his favorite album--listen to it with an open mind and you'll see why. "Down By The Side Of The Road" may be Prine's finest moment, and the covers, oh man, from Roly Salleys "Killing The Blues" to a dead on version of "This Cold War With You", this is one of the purest records you'll hear. Brilliant all the way around. One of the best records I own. I hope you'll think so, too.

Pink Cadillac sounds like Prine got together a few buddies and a bunch of beer and recorded an album meant to be played loud. For fans looking to expand on their collections, this is a great album to show how serious Prine was about not being pidgeon-holed in one type of music. On the downside, because the recording is of a lower quality and the mixing favors the guitars and drums over the words, listeners have to dig a little deeper to find those tear-jerk gems and nuggets of wit and wisdom. He can still break your heart (how Lucky) and crack you up (the irreverent Chinatown) but most of these tracks are meant to be just plain fun. For those who are looking to round out their collection, this album is about as raw as Prine's music gets. For those who are just starting out, I'd suggest getting some of his earlier albums, or the grammy winning Missing Years, first.

Despite opinions to the contrary, this may be the best John Prine album of all. His rockabilly supporting band lets loose on this album in party mode. The album transcends John's simple fingerpicking and restrained arrangements on his older stuff, and he sounds like he is truly having fun. Highly recommended to John's fans and lovers of rockabilly.

The Beatles White Album, Jerry Jeff Walker's "Too Old To Change," Tom Waits and Bob Dylan -- mix these together and you have John Prine's "Pink Cadillac." It isn't country, it likes the Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters, it is dense and pleasing and you don't have to like country music or rock to appreciate it -- it sighs and flows and kicks and lives in its own space. I like "Common Sense" the best of Prine's other CD's, but I also love Merle Haggard and The Clash. This CD is brilliant, and the song "Siagon" will take you elsewhere if you let it, and if you are armed. Genius.

Oh My GOd, Who is that lead player?
I wonder if he's the same one who played guitar on "Pretty Good".
If you like bar bands with escape velocity power, buy this.

Don't expect typical J.Prine on this disc. This one is a bluesier, rough sounding release that was done at the famous "Sun Studios" with Sam Phillips son at the boards. John and the gang sound loaded at times. There's some great tunes, and they definitely had fun, but overall it's probably his weakest effort.

This is one of my personal favorites of John Prine. The album is actually rockabilly, so it may take you by surprise but the album is a rollicking good time. Check out Saigon and China Town on this album. His tounge in cheek lyrics are still here this time he just cranked up the volume a bit. Good album.

I give this one four out of five only becuse it has "How Lucky" on it. The rest of the album ain't so grand. So, if you want to finish your Prine collection, buy it used. But, if you haven't bought all of his earlier stuff yet, I suggest grabbing those ones first.

I have been a steady fan of him since his early days in Chicago in the early 1970's, but this effort was a major let down for me. The song "How lucky" is great, though. Maybe not surprising that this CD is not available on his own website, or on iTunes??! I think they had a great (drunken) time making the record, but some of the songs sound like they were recorded from the parking lot next to the studio. However, several of the songs from Pink Caddy are done very well on his 1980 Soundstage concert DVD, which is available. I just got done watching it, and enjoyed it very much. I also saw him in concert about that time, with his excellent band. (I have seen him about 6 times over the years)