still basking in the glow of a John Prine show

John Prine's shows leave such a lasting positive feeling. It is just plain enjoyable to see him reacting to the enthusiastic fans, with that smile. Even after many years he seems genuinely amused that people are reacting so positively. There were the usual shouting out of song titles, that has to be difficult to ignore and work around. He works his way through a mix of old and new. Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber are so solid and into their roles, too. When they come back out after their mid-show break, so John has his solo set, during Sam Stone, that is a nice touch- with the bowed bass, and the slide guitar. When JOhn picks up the electric guitar for she's is my everything, and then seems to almost inevitably break a string; that is an energy booster. And Lake Marie always builds to such a crescendo that you just have to marvel. Spanish Pipedream leading off, and your flag decal ...... are getting pretty set as the opening- though I used to remember "picture show" as a pretty exciting opening song.
So, going backwards through a fond memory list of Prine shows over the last few years;
Lexington KY this past weekend; last year, Prestonsburg KY; the year before, the back to back nights in Louisville KY and Cincinnati OH; the year before, the back to back nights in Cleveland OH and Ashland KY; the year before the back to back shows at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, and then the outdoor show in suburban Pittsburgh PA, and the earlier in the year show in Wheeling WV. Getting these early tickets the last two times through Oh Boy records, has borne good fruit with great seats up front. Bumping into David Jacques and Jason Wilber at the mexican food restuarant in Ashland was a highlight, and checking out of the hotel at the same time as Jason Wilber in Cincinnati was also fun.