John Prine - JOHN PRINE***

Illegal Smile/Spanish Pipedream/Hello In There/Sam Stone/Paradise/Pretty Good/Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore/Far From Me/Angel From Montgomery/Quiet Man/Donald & Lydia/Six O'Clock News/Flashback Blues

Self titled debut album from the American folk-rock singer songwriter John Prine. He remained a cult figure, notable for his insightful and enigmatic lyrics that drew comparisons with Bob Dylan. (US:154)

“John Prine sings from the heart about subjects ranging from new and lost love to drug usage and politics, but he does it in a way that’s disarming yet poignant. There’s always charm to break down the walls and get at the listener’s heart strings.”

“I can appreciate his incredible talent for lyrical storytelling. Prine's self-titled debut covers everything from drug-addicted veterans, the joys of simple living, the depression that comes with aging, the encroachment of industry on the environment, jingoistic pride in the military and crippling ennui, all while crafting immersive stories that draw the listener into the world of Prine's characters.”

“One of popular music's best lyricists is introduced to the world on John Prine's eponymous debut. His mixture of folk, country, and countercultural appeal definitely positioned him as one of the mythical ‘next Bob Dylan’ that record companies were looking for at the time. The good songs on this album are phenomenal but some of the tracks built around sombre narratives, get tiresome because the pathos in them seems forced, lacking natural appeal.”

“John Prine's debut album reveals him to be a deft lyricist on a par with contemporaries such as Bob Dylan or Neil Young. Less prone to getting very abstract than either, the album is divided between aching melancholia, satirical yarns and combinations of the two.”

“The next time someone accuses country music of being all about cowboys, reactionary politics, and rampant nostalgia, just turn them on to a little John Prine, who combines an acute social conscience with articulate lyrics.”

“John Prine has an incredible ability to create characters and situations in his songs which seem as real and familiar as your next door neighbour. His insightful and enigmatic lyrics are comparable to Bob Dylan, and his free and comfortable singing style appeals to fans of folk, country and blues.”