Customer Reviews

Sweet Revenge

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I have loved John Prine ever since being introduced to him by way of "Sweet Revenge" back in 1973 when I was a college senior. I haven't heard this album in a while but dug it out and played it again tonight. I still love it.

First and foremost, John Prine is a poet. The words to many of his songs could stand very well on their own, without music; in fact, I'd love to see a book published of just the lyrics he has written over the years. Many of his songs are about the lives of everyday people, in some cases people forgotten by society, but he manages to find deep social truths in their lives. Therefore, John Prine's songs certainly do repay close attention to the words. And such humor! Lines such as "All of my friends are not dead or in jail" from the title track are even funnier to me now than they were back when I first heard the song.

However, even though the words to many of his songs are sufficient unto themselves as poetry, his unique voice certainly adds an extra welcome dimension to them. And don't be fooled; he may sound as though he is just tossing these songs off, but behind that facade (and that craggy voice) is a fantastic musician who knows exactly what he wants from each song in terms of shading, dynamics and the rest.

Certainly the funniest number on the album is "Dear Abby," which also gives us a glimpse of John's throwaway spoken humor. My first reaction to this song, many years ago, was "She's giving the same advice to each person," but when I finally stopped to think about it, I realized that John, through the imaginary words of Dear Abby, is saying that many of us are the cause of our own problems, and often for the very same reasons. For John Prine, even humor has its serious side.

On the other end of the spectrum is my favorite track on the album, "Christmas in Prison." This song, which reflects the thoughts and experiences of a man who is incarcerated, is about a topic that is obviously very dear to John: the love relationship that, because of circumstances, is forced to exist mainly in the mind of the lovers for the time being; he also explored this subject in "Donald and Lydia" from his first, self-titled album. While the words resemble some of those "Redneck-Valentine's-Day-card"-type jokes that have been circulating on the internet recently, and certainly the song has its humorous aspect, the sincerity of John's voice and delivery raise the song way above the level of a mere joke. And the final line of the chorus, "We're rolling, my sweetheart, we're flowing, by God," shows us the narrator's ability to still be one with his beloved despite the enforced separation between them.

But each song brings its own unique perspective to the mix. "The Accident" is an early and humorous statement of the current cliche, "Don't sweat the small stuff; everything is small stuff." "A Good Time" is a touching and very understated love song. And so forth.

But the neat thing is about John Prine's art is that the songs can be appreciated without reference to their deep meanings. I can appreciate just about all of them for their surface value alone: the words in themselves are clever as words, while at the same time not drawing attention to themselves merely for being clever, as, for example, some country songs do.

John Prine often ends his albums with a song that someone else has made famous; it is here that we get to see a little of what he considers to be his roots. The final track of "Sweet Revenge" is "Nine Pound Hammer" by Merle Travis. While I most enjoy hearing John Prine performing his own unique material, it's still great to hear what he can do with another's music. But hell, I'd probably even enjoy hearing him invading Pavarotti's territory and singing "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto.

John Prine is an artist, poet and musician well worth your time. And I personally can't think of a better place to start investigating his work than with "Sweet Revenge." But then again, since this album is where I started, I'm a little bit prejudiced.

I have every John Prine original studio album. Most I originally bought on vinyl and replaced with CDs. With quality songs from start to finish, Sweet Revenge is my favorite of his albums. Songs approximately about revenge, death, prison, advice, loneliness, exasperation, stardom, grandparents, four way stop signs, Mexican weather (?), intimacy and hauling coal are served up with Prine's usual mix of wit, humility, humor, poignancy, insight and compassion. Much of it is folk music, some of it rocks, all of it has a pinch of country. An absolute treasure trove.

John Prine's clever lyrics and pretty melodies made an impact on my life. I own six of his recordings, but the best is Sweet Revenge. There are very few albums that have four outrageously memorable songs, but Sweet Revenge does. They are Blue Umbrella, A Good Time, Mexican Home and Dear Abby.

Blue Umbrella is a guy deciding whether to break it off with his girl, and he's doing the deciding while walking in the rain under a blue umbrella. It has great lines, typically great "Prine Lines." This song touches my heart.

A Good Time is also fine. The chorus is "But, I never understood what a good time could cost... Til last night, when I sat and talked with you." Talking with her made him understand.

Mexican home is a mood song. Its unusual rhythms and mellow delivery almost make you think of the influence of alcohol.

Dear Abby is Prine's humor at its most wry. If you can listen without smiling, I wouldn't want to spend time with you.

! This album is an absolute must for any Prine Fan.

I love Prine's music. I own more of his albums than I can count. If I had to pick 10 desert island disks, 7 of them would be by Prine. Out of all of them, this one is my favorite - it's the one I find myself listening to over and over again. Great songs, lively music with an edge, and some great guitar playing by Steve Goodman and others. A masterpiece.

I grew up listening to this album and Diamonds in the Rough. I was born in '72 and can remember knowing the words to "Grandpa was a Carpenter" and "Christmas in Prison" by the time I was 5. Perhaps it is the nostalgia value but this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. Prine combines dry wit with poetic phrasing and the results are some of the best music this side of Lyle Lovett. These songs are gold.

No one else creates lyrics like John Prine, and nowhere else is his lyrical prowess more on display than on this album. I mean come on: "Naked as the eyes of a clown"? Who else but John Prine could twist up a line like that? I think this his is finest collection of lyrical masters, unless you want to purchase the anthologyGreat Days: The John Prine Anthology.

This happens to be my favorite John Prine album, and it's also the one I heard first. I'm pretty sure that's not a coincidence! It's his most country record, with songs like 'Grandpa was a Carpenter' and 'The Accident', as well as his country tribute 'Nine Pound Hammer.' Since country isn't my favorite genre, it's a little surprising that I like this collection best, but the answer is that several of the songs are among those of his I find the most appealing. 'Christmas in Prison', 'Blue Umbrella' and 'A Good Time' are among my picks, but for me his very best song of all is 'Mexican Home', with its driving shuffle-beat and evocative words brought out by a searing vocal.

The collection as a whole is first-rate, with humor in 'Please Don't Bury Me', 'Onomatopoeia' and the title song. The only thing I find surprising is that so many people rate 'Dear Abby' highly; to me, it's really the only weak link on the album, a little piece of throwaway comedy that you listen to once, but after you've got the joke is merely tedious, with not much melody or lyrical content to rate a second hearing. However, that's my personal taste and I'm obviously in the minority.

Prine has made many albums and there's a lot to like in all of them, but for me 'Sweet Revenge' will always rank number one.

The album came right after Christmas, which was fine because I am a greedy bitch and it was a present for myself. Shipping was fast, item was in good condition, and the music is awesome. Love it. Thanks!

Prine is a great song writer and performer. I like his later music more than his early stuff but it is all enjoyable. He is inspired by such a variety of subjects, it makes his lyrics interesting too.

John Prime has some very funny and endearing music on this classic CD. I had the album for years and was very happy to get it on CD.