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Editorial Reviews
Specially priced double CD set of John Prine's earliest recordings, one year before his debut, with classic hits & one unreleased song. Both discs consist of recently unearthed tapes--the first disc is a August 1970 recording for John recording songs that would make up his first album at the WFMT studios in Chicago. These songs were recorded immediately after John's interview with the legendary Studs Terkel. Disc 2 is a live set from November 1970--featuring versions of many of the same songs--recorded during John's residency at Chicago's Fifth Peg. Both discs are amazing finds and a perfect for celebrating the 40th Anniversary of John Prine's recorded debut.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 93 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
John Prine is well known now, but in 1970 and 1971, he was a young guy working at the Post Office in un-fancy Maywood, IL. He's walking his route everyday just outside of Chicago, making up rhymes and songs to break up the boredom. Nothing so special in that, right? Just a singing mailman, another guy singing on the job.
He's delivering mail and writing down the words on his lunch break. A few of them show promise. A few more seem pretty good. Suddenly these amazing songs begin to blossom from his insights into peoples' lives -- the old people in Hello In There, young peoples' search for happiness and fun, the desire for fulfillment of the angel from Montgomery, the emptiness of Sam Stone and the hole in his arm, the devastation of a community by a giant coal company. He's both poignant and funny in exposing the irony of situations.
When I was young, I thought they were great songs filled with emotion. Forty years later, I listen to them and I'm amazed by their insights and wisdom, especially from someone in his early twenties.
The beauty of these two performances is in realizing their historical context. They are not a trove of recently discovered "new" songs, and you might be disappointed if that's what you're expecting. The two performances (one in a radio studio as a favor after an interview with the legendary Studs Terkel, the other at a small club in Chicago) are much more valuable for the way they peel back history.
Prine's humorous comments between songs in the 1971 live show are sharp and fresh enough to still make you laugh. These two discs are a valuable look at the act of creation of an incredible body of songs as they are being born.
It is a rare glimpse into what came before the beginning.
Thanks John.
He's delivering mail and writing down the words on his lunch break. A few of them show promise. A few more seem pretty good. Suddenly these amazing songs begin to blossom from his insights into peoples' lives -- the old people in Hello In There, young peoples' search for happiness and fun, the desire for fulfillment of the angel from Montgomery, the emptiness of Sam Stone and the hole in his arm, the devastation of a community by a giant coal company. He's both poignant and funny in exposing the irony of situations.
When I was young, I thought they were great songs filled with emotion. Forty years later, I listen to them and I'm amazed by their insights and wisdom, especially from someone in his early twenties.
The beauty of these two performances is in realizing their historical context. They are not a trove of recently discovered "new" songs, and you might be disappointed if that's what you're expecting. The two performances (one in a radio studio as a favor after an interview with the legendary Studs Terkel, the other at a small club in Chicago) are much more valuable for the way they peel back history.
Prine's humorous comments between songs in the 1971 live show are sharp and fresh enough to still make you laugh. These two discs are a valuable look at the act of creation of an incredible body of songs as they are being born.
It is a rare glimpse into what came before the beginning.
Thanks John.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By F. Hawkins
Format:Audio CD
The prior reviews covered it. I'm a long time fan too, and very much enjoy these albums. Go see John in person if you get a chance, and get on his fan club's email list (free) and buy better tickets thru them at the same price.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By DIRTBAG
Format:Audio CD
Forty years ago I was introduced to John Prine's music, and he hasn't disappointed me yet. These tracks show an exceptional artist at the beginning of his career, and he's lived up to every promise. He observes all of our flaws, and allows us to laugh at ourselves along the way.
Forty years on, and some 22 albums (including compilations and live material) later, I'm still hooked.
Forty years on, and some 22 albums (including compilations and live material) later, I'm still hooked.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poet and Icon
Reams have and will be written about this artist. All awards and more are well deserved. His talents have outstripped any competition.
Published 17 days ago by GARY D COLE
5.0 out of 5 stars
vintage
It doesn't matter that John Prine recorded all of this before he became a star (in his own rite), this cd is lovely to hear.
Published 1 month ago by Michael J. Harb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love This. 100% Pure PRINE.
Very well recorded. Worth every dime and a must for any John Prine fan. Buy it..You'll like it. Thats all folks....
Published 2 months ago by Craig A. Brubaker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good selection of old favorites
Good selection, I especially liked the live disc, gave it 4 instead of 5 because overall quality of recording less than ideal-probably consistent with the time.
Published 2 months ago by James Hageman
5.0 out of 5 stars
C'mon! It's John Prine!
John's got that horrible/beautiful voice that comes through loud and clear on this set. He has always had that ability to lift the veil of the human experience and peek inside. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gregory Stephan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Early Prine
One of the great song writers, along with Townes van Zandt
The live performance CD in particular is fun to listen to ...
The live performance CD in particular is fun to listen to ...
Published 3 months ago by Malcolm Avison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Prine is Fine
Great material by one of the greatest singer-songwriters of Americana music on the scene today. This songs will outlive Mr. Read more
Published 4 months ago by writrzbloc
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Songwriter
I do love so many of John Prine's songs but found one of my faves Angel from Montgomery a bit 'wooden' after hearing Bonnie Raitt's version.
Published 5 months ago by Carmela Daly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just pure John Prine!
We saw Mr. Prine in Kentucky last year and he was incredible as is this collection. So cool to hear all those super early recordings. A must have for any John Prine fan.
Published 6 months ago by Jess&Ernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vintage Prine
This takes us back to the beginning. Magnificent. Prine is just as fresh and on target at his beginning as his present. How many old-timers can boast that?!
Published 7 months ago by Robert Field
