review of Greg Brown from California

Greg Brown has got grit. Symbolized by his trademark coarse vocals, that sentiment holds true in how he’s become an underground icon without the commercial success.A consummate folk singer/songwriter who’s amassed nearly 30 albums in three decades, Brown’s visceral brand of poetry puts him in the same league as Dylan, Young and Waits, yet a high profile in the mainstream isn’t what calls him. Having grown out of the hills of southern Iowa and Missouri, trout river fishing and fireside storytelling do. An American roots classic, Brown’s guttural baritone, acoustic country with bluesy undertones, and straight-shooting yet deeply affecting lyrics carve songs that are cavernous in their earthy, simple depth: sometimes playful, sometimes sorrowful—but nearly always powerful. Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Santana and Ani DiFranco have all covered his songs, and he’s been a regular on the road since Garrison Keillor’s public radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion,” launched his career in the ‘80s. Turning 60 next year, the twice Grammy-nominated troubadour admits he’ll soon quit touring. At an age, he says with a laugh, “where I better start doing tai chi and yoga and every other damn thing!” Brown looks forward to settling down in the farm outside of Iowa City where his grandparents once lived. In anticipation of this week’s show celebrating the 25th anniversary of Santa Cruz’s Snazzy Productions, the luminary imparts his thoughts on American folk songwriting and the country from which it came. Born to a preacher father whose family consisted of storytellers from the Ozarks, and a mother who rocked the electric guitar in church, Brown’s a quintessential folk son. A prolific apple that didn’t fall far from the tree.With the art of storytelling pulsating through his blood, it’s a practice he’s perfected and which he laments as slipping away in our hurried modern culture. “People need to tell their own stories. It’s good for the soul,” he rationalizes. “It’s the way people figure out who they are and what they’re doing here.” Now an elder, Brown ponders the direction folk music is taking. “My feeling is that some of the energy and the organization that was in the folk scene has kind of gone over to the jam band scene, which has an acoustic element to it,” he observes. “For music to survive and grow there has to be a lot of young people doing it. The last one I know of, and I’m sure there are a lot of people I don’t know of because I don’t keep up, but when Ani DiFranco hit the scene I think she brought a lot of energy, blood and emotion into it. You need things like that to keep music alive and growing.” With that same fortitude he admires in DiFranco, Brown started up Red House Records in 1981 for reasoning that’s two-fold: His first recording was rejected by everyone else he pitched it to, because, as he recalls, “My stuff was quirky. It wasn’t mainline radio music,” and he requires absolute freedom. “I’m not the kind of guy that can have an A&R guy telling me that perhaps I should beef up the sound or something. I can’t work that way.” Following his heart worked. Today, Red House remains a thriving independent label and Brown a leading songwriter, revered for his verses that can be comedic, personal, environmentally and socially minded, or politically charged. In the poignant song “I Want My Country Back,” he’s outspoken about his frustration with today’s political arena. “I’ve always been a little bit averse to music that is overtly political because a lot of times I don’t think it makes for a real good song. But since [the Bush Administration] got in, I was so amazed that the streets didn’t fill up right away after the coup that they pulled in Florida! Then watching them take away one freedom after another, and invade countries based on a bunch of lies—they’re a pack of criminals, as far as I’m concerned. They should all be in jail! I felt like I had to speak out,” he explains. “There’s much shameful stuff in our history and there always has been. But I saw the dream of how things could be, which is something I find precious in this country. I felt that slipping away and I just had to speak out.” Though he traverses a cornucopia of themes and strong stances in his music, he admits his folk method isn’t for everyone. “Somebody else just might write late night love songs, and I love those—I’m all over Barry White. If I had to pick one kind of music it would probably be soul music like Aretha Franklin,” he reveals. “I don’t think any artist has a responsibility in their music except to sing honestly and naturally from wherever they’re coming from.” And when Brown sings about what matters to him, he strikes a chord. Even Allen Ginsberg was a fan. The two shared a love of William Blake, and when Brown set Blake’s “Songs of Innocence and Experience” to music in 1992, he mailed Ginsberg a copy. The gesture would later prove reciprocal. “I sent Ginsberg my record years ago and I never even knew if he’d gotten it. But Ginsberg had listened to my songs and had instructed his secretary to send me an unfinished manuscript [lecturing on Blake’s poetry] when he died. My heart just about jumped out of my chest!”Crediting poets like Blake (“I think the fact that he was religious but it was anti-clerical lined up with my own feelings about those things.”) as being just as important to him as musicians, he anticipates putting out another CD of his poems in the next year. Planning to make some loose homemade recordings, he’ll set aside any big studio productions for an approach that features “just me and the guitar and maybe the birds singing or the wind blowing.”While his grainy voice resonates with the organic side of the American life and landscape, his lyrics breath with a longing for it. Pop culture eludes him, or rather, he eludes it. And in the end, who needs to be mainstream anyway? For someone like Greg Brown, a lot of soul and a spot by a river will do just fine.

Todd Burge's upcoming stuff

Todd Burge keeps coming up with interesting new developments; besides doing some shows with Tim O'Brien throughout the next months, staying involved in the WV Music Hall of Fame, hosting some live music radio tapings, he is opening for Elizabeth Cook at Stuart's OPera House in Nelsonville in February.

Neil Young tribute less than two weeks away

The final event in the 2008 Americana Music Tribute series is less than two weeks away; Friday, November 7th at 8 pm at the 5th St. Pub, we will be holding a Neil Young tribute. Local musicians will be playing sets of songs from Neil and his various eras/ counterparts. A $5 donation helps support the work of Children's Home Society of WV here in the Parkersburg area with children and families.
Neil Young, whose career spans many eras of rock, folk music, and who has influenced generations of musicians, has always marched to his own beat; often shifting interests to the bafflement of fans of his previous era.
Local musicians are rallying around for yet another generous, and enthusiastic opportunity to entertain local live music fans with their particular interpretations of Neil's songs. I am honored and blessed to have a great group of musicians throughout the year willing to come out and perform. We're building up to a great line up, which I'll summarize in a week or so. I am going to be gone for a few days, so don't be concerned if I don't reply to any inquiries for a few days.
Check out the "thrasherwheat" website (Neil Young News) and the other internet opportunities to get psyched up about Neil and his great body of work, and his great creative genius, and messages over the years. If you can get the word out, or stop by to pick up some flyers to distribute, I'd appreciate it.

review of recent Neil Young concert in Canada

Review: Neil Young unites generations at GM Place
Kevin Chong, Special to The SunPublished: Thursday, October 23, 2008
VANCOUVER - Earlier this year, when Neil Young appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, he stepped onstage wearing a crisp, dry-cleaned dress shirt and jeans splattered with paint. Even those who know the Toronto-born rocker's work only in passing might be aware that Young is no fashion plate. And those who've followed Young's career know that his work has been marked by what can be described as a cultivated messiness. From his often screeching tenor to his bum note-laden guitar soloing, Young has found beauty in imperfection.
A prolific, creatively restless musician whose output includes over 40 albums, Young has created a body of work that has influenced the direction of various rock subgenres: the bearded alt-country of bands like Fleet Foxes and My Morning Jacket; the work of singer-songwriters like Hayden and Kathleen Edwards; and the grunge of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, which subsequently influenced much of today's radio-rock. Bands like Radiohead and Bon Jovi, whose music bears little resemblance to Young's, have paid tribute to him by covering his songs.
At GM Place, an audience that included many teenagers with their parents gathered to see Young play in Vancouver for the first time since his 2003 Greendale tour.


Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun

Death Cab for Cutie opened for Young. As attendees looked for their seats, Everest, a Los Angeles group who record on Young's Vapor Records, opened with a brief set. The band, led by singer Russell Pollard, specializes in seventies-style California-rock not unlike the Gram Parsons and headliner himself. Death Cab for Cutie, originally Bellingham, perform melodic indie rock that's lyrically preoccupied with romantic turmoil and found major-label success after its songs appeared on the soundtracks to TV shows like The OC and Six Feet Under. Lead singer Ben Gibbard, using a faux-brit accent, offered renditions of songs like from their new album, Narrow Stairs. The audience reaction to both groups was polite but tepid.
Stepping onstage to an approving roar at around 9:30, Young played a setlist that leaned heavily on his most arena-friendly hits that pleased the audience. (More completist fans, this reviewer included, might be slightly disappointed that Young didn't play more songs from his back catalogue as he did in his 2007 fall tour.)
Wearing jeans and a paint-splattered blazer, Young started with "Love and Only Love," a mid-tempo rocker from his 1991 album Ragged Glory. Playing "Old Black," his 1953 Gibson Les Paul, Young dug into the first of many extended guitar solos that night. Well-known chestnuts like "Hey Hey, My My," "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere," and "Powderfinger" were heartily received by the audience. Young's backing band, which includes bassist Rick Rosas, lap steel player Ben Keith, drummer Chad Cromwell, and Young's wife, Pegi, on backup vocals and vibes, capably filled in for Young's longtime collaborators, Crazy Horse.
Young interrupted the journey through his golden oldies with a rendition of "Spirit Road," a bluesy number from his most recent album, Chrome Dreams II. Unfortunately, this newer number meandered.
After Crazy Horse standards "Cortez the Killer" and "Cinnamon Girl," Young dialled back the volume knob and strapped on his acoustic and harmonica for his version of Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me." A string of Young's less noisy work ensued, including "Mother Earth," "The Needle And the Damage Done," "Unknown Legend," and "Heart of Gold," which became a giant sing-along, andpeppy version of "Get Back to the Country." When Young offered another Harvest classic, "Old Man," written in his twenties, it almost felt as though he was channelling an earlier version of himself singing the song to himself now.
Young followed these old favourites with a few new songs. "Just Singing A Song" details Young's ambivalence about music's ability to change the world "Sea Change" and "When Worlds Collide" seem to offer Young's takes on tempestuousness of everyday life.
After closing out the show with"Cowgirl in the Sand" and "Rockin' in the Free World," Young returned to stage not with one of his own songs, but a cover of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life," with Young, who has previously coverd John Lennon's "Imagine," recreating the original's orchestral parts on his booming electric guitar to good effect.
When asked by Rolling Stone about Young's lyric, "it's better to burnt out than to fade away," John Lennon declared, "I hate it. It's better to fade away like an old soldier than to burn out." With his jowly cheeks and his thinning and gray hair, Young, at sixty-two years of age, Young looks more like his father, journalist and author Scott Young, than the shy, dark-eyed guitarist from Buffalo Springfield pictured on his self-titled debut album, which was released exactly forty years ago. Still soldiering headlong into the future, Young doesn't seem quite ready to burnt out or fade away.

Todd Snider at Mountain Stage November 2 in Charleston

Glad to have been tipped off that Todd Snider, will, not only be playing at the Mountain Stage in New York City this Saturday night, but at the following week's Mountain Stage at the Cultural Center in Charleston (Nov. 2nd) I got tickets today for this show. Todd must have really taken a shine to Mountain Stage as he was scheduled to perform at the three shows this week (two in PA and one in NY) before the two in PA were cancelled. The Mountain Stage site has a blog that gives some views of the trip to NYC for the crew. Looking forward to seeing Todd again after a long gap in time, and some recent missed opportunities to see him.

Neil Young set list from most recent show- last night

Love And Only Love / Hey Hey, My My / Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Powderfinger / Spirit Road / Cortez The Killer / Cinnamon Girl / Oh, Lonesome Me / Mother Earth / The Needle And The Damage Done / Unknown Legend / Heart Of Gold / Old Man / Get Back To The Country / Just Singing A Song / Sea Change / When Worlds Collide / Cowgirl In The Sand / Rockin' In The Free World // A Day In The Life

Neil Young

I am hoping to have a pretty good "run up" to the Neil Young tribute show on November 7th with some posts about Neil Young between now and then. I was telling Andy the other day that I used to have a decent amount of Neil Young CD's but I gave them all away last year as door prizes..... things got sort of out of hand in the generosity department for me. After I made the Shakey trophy, and everyone got sort of loose and happy, the winners sort of dove into the prize box a little too exuberantly, and I got wiped out of my OWN CD's, beyond the rightful door prizes. I don't think I have enough time or money to replenish my personal stock of Neil Young CD's right now. I am not dropping any hints that people could feel sorry for me and GIVE me some CD's or anything. But several of us, DO like to listen to the featured artist for the upcoming tribute show in the weeks leading up to the event (Did I mention November 7th was the Neil Young tribute in downtown Parkersburg, at 8 pm for a $5 donation, to CHS of West Virginia, as part of the 2008 Americana Music Tribute Series??) Did I? Huh?
In this third year of Neil Young tributes, we've been through a couple of interesting years in Neil-land - Greendale and the anti-war album, etc. And more and more accolades for Neil all the time; and something about a certain kind of DVD ........ I think we can get folks pumped up for all kinds of Neil perspectives. I really wanted to combine my benefit/ fund raiser with a donation to the Bridge School, but get stingy when I only make a pittance of donation money even for my own cause here in humble ol' Parkersburg. We've got lots of good things going on here at Children's Home Society of West Virginia -Parkersburg, and actually, sincerely, donations are needed to keep these programs afloat. If not from supporting live local music, then from some other well of generosity or kindness.

the "new" no depression website is great

I am getting nice little update e-mails from No Depression and their new efforts to make the website fantastic. I could spend long hours on this website. I guess they have accomplished the transition to internet from print very well. You should check it out, and help me capture all its potential and worth. I hope I take the time to really grasp it; rather than just quick little forays into it.

Kathleen Coffee's show last night

Kathleen Coffee put on another fantastic show last night here at our coffee house in Parkersburg. Besides the great songs themselves, she was quite open with comments between songs; talking about the origins of the songs, her take on songwriting and life in general. As always, she really put herself into her performance and connecting with the audience. She played songs from her CD: Justice?; I call it Pride; harboring; this land is god's land, a beatle; paint from the brain. As well as many others: song for the poor, what binds us; be kind; I missed you; your woman, a hope for you, sometimes why, we were america; never be the same, cross my mind, let go.
She was well received; a number of folks returning to see her from her previous visits to the Mid Ohio Valley, and a few new comers.
We'll keep following her goings-on, and the lead up to her Peace Corps stint next summer.
I continue to get good responses to the venue set up- the sound is decent, the room comfortable; the listening room vibe is really strong- people are really able to stay focused on the performer and performance without the distractions of many music venues.

Saturday afternoon post (get it?)

Saturday Evening Post/ Saturday Afternoon Post

Kathleen Coffee should be getting into town pretty soon; I'll try to play a good host and see what she wants to do with the day up here in the Mid Ohio Valley. I got the equipment I borrow from John Gallagher and (as always) have a nice little chat with him about the local music scene, and various observations about music and these crazy times we live in. You could get sidetracked looking at CD's in that store any day of the week. Musical instruments and music books.
Quick delivery by Todd Snider's CD distribution folks; I am in proud possession of Peace Queer, Todd's new CD. I am listening to the second song as I type- Cape Henry (Will Kimbrough's song). I had already heard Mission Accomplished. Now its on to John C. Fogerty's Fortunate Son; a subdued version for sure. Back to back songs with female vocal accompaniment.

I Hope, if you are reading this on Saturday afternoon, you will come out to see Kathleen tonight here at 1739 St. Mary's Ave. Parkersburg at 7 pm. If you are reading it Sunday or beyond its too late, and you'll have missed a good night of music. You can read (probably) the next post to see how it was. Kathleen has an avid following and lots of links with great musical people. I (to be honest) know I didn't do enough to promote this; I have to begin to do some "soul searching" about how my wishful thinking optimism more often than not leads to disappointment; with no satisfaction knowing that it was a good show, and people don't know what they missed.

ordered two new release CD's yesterday

I ordered Todd Snider's Peace Queer yesterday, along with Lucinda Williams' new CD (Little Honey); I hope I have the driving time to give them a good listen when they come in, in the next few days. I had my first listen to one of Lucinda's songs on Crossing Boundaries the other night on WOUB, the one with Elvis Costello singing duet. I'll be scouring for some reviews.
I got the new No Depression website announcement the other day, haven't had a chance to really visit it; I'm sure I will be touting its virtues here shortly.

travelin' music today - charleston and back

I listened to Anais Mitchell's CD The Brightness; then the Band Music from the Big Pink; then kd lang's canadian tribute cd (hymns of the 49th parallel)
two Neil Young songs; the great joni mitchell song : a case of you ; leonard cohen's hallelujah, etc.

Matt Starcher is showing some early excitement for Neil Young songs

Matt Starcher has been showing some early excitement for Neil Young songs in anticipation of the Neil Young tribute on November 7th at the 5th St. Pub in downtown Parkersburg. He is throwing out a wide range of songs he knows of Neil's from a number of categories. I like to see this enthusiasm; I'd like to see some more!!!

(finally) some traveling/ road music again today

I Listened to Mary Gauthier, John Hiatt, Todd Snider and Corinne West on a trip to Charleston and Hurricane, and back today. John's was his new one; also Mary; Todd's was New Connections, and Corinne was the Second Sight CD. I "get" to travel again tomorrow, so more music is in store!

Greens Thanksgiving holiday plans firming up

The Greens will be playing at the 6 Pence Pub on Friday, November 28 (the day after Thanksgiving). Joining them SHOULD be Aaron Phillips who will be in town visiting family over the holiday from Berkeley California, where he has been for several years pursuing a doctorate degree, and spreading musical cheer. Wednesday night, November 26th, its listed as an acoustic solo show for Andy, but you can keep checking in to see who all REALLY might be involved in that show. A lot of other November and December dates for the Greens are solidifying up; including Lyndsey's graduation party, and some other holiday private parties. Aaron has been doing some (as always) interesting things musically out there in California, and Andy and Brandy got to stop in and see him this summer on the way to Hawaii.

Kathleen Coffee here this Saturday night

Kathleen Coffee's return to the Parkersburg area will be this Saturday night. She is excited to re-connect with some of our area's music lovers. She'll be arriving in the afternoon, so stay tuned for updates on her plans for the day. The promoted show is at 7 pm, here on St. Mary's Ave., Parkersburg. This time around she'll have CD's, but she undoubtedly will also have new songs, as she is a prolific and inspired songwriter. We're eagerly awaiting a chance to catch up with her, and hope we'll get a good turnout of music folks, who will be guaranteed a great evening of music.

Greens tore it up last night

The Greens put on an inspired show last night at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. All three put intense energy into their performances, creating a very enjoyable evening of music for Parkersburg Greens fans. The original songs buzzed with solid interpretations, and the covers were inspired with fervor- Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, etc. Two non stop two hour sets packed with great diverse musical styles. The "back room" at 6 Pence may have been taken for granted before, but after a lapse of time, it was a familar and comfortable place for the Greens to be playing. I think they were arranging a Thanksgiving break gig there as the evening wore on, to hopefully replace the traditional Front Row performances (which should get off the My Space upcoming gigs list).
Old "Thunderwear" finished the evening in fine fashion, and it was good to hear Truckstop Religion, a rare song as of late in the set lists. I'd say there were about 4-5 new songs, and some definite solid ones to work into the repetoire- It'll take a few more listenings for me to get them down pat. Andy was down to his third guitar (broken strings) by the end, but he wailed the heck out of all three of them. Nathan and Ben had to be exhausted by the end, putting their all into their work.

Thanks to some great musicians for a great John Prine Birthday tribute last night

We had a fantastic, enthusiastic bunch of musicians last night playing at the 6th Annual John PRine birthday bash for the Mid Ohio Valley. Matt Starcher, Don Howerton, Don Baker, Carlie, Chip Nicholas, Nick Barry, Todd Heslep, and Jonny Nutter all really put their all into their sets; giving us a vast array of John Prine songs, and some originals in the "john prine vein"- and lots of good vibes and reaction from the audience. These musicians are a very dedicated lot, and this was the biggest turnout of musicians for anything we have done. Once again, many, many thanks to Cory and JT for the sound; with this many set changes and switches, they were hopping through the night, and stayed to the bitter end to lug the heavy equipment out to their vehicle in a clearly exhausted state. They keep coming back; I'm not sure why!!! Thanks to the folks who came out to support Children's Home Society and local live music. Thanks to Scott of 5th St. Pub for giving it a shot.

dress rehearsal for my set list yesterday

I played through my set list yesterday for the folks in my office over lunch, just to work the kinks out, play before an audience. They were polite, so I don't know if its a legitimate audience; no tomatoes thrown, or walk outs.
Tonight is the long awaited John Prine Birthday tribute here in Parkersburg. We've got a good line up of musicians, and plentiful door prizes. Bring some friends, and come on out. There's going to be some coming after the big cross town high school football rivalry, so the music will be spread out throughout the evening. The line up will have to wait till showtime, because I haven't talked to all the musicians about their preferred time slots.
Look for a recap tomorrow on this blog!

Greens add a show tonight at 123 Pleasant St.

The Greens will be playing three days in a row; starting tonight at 123 Pleasant St. in Morgantown. The show Saturday night at 6 pence pub in Parkersburg will be in the big room in back; a better venue for the Greens and their Parkersburg fans. I stopped in there last night to check, while the Wednesday night open mike was going on.

Tomorrow Night- its the 6th annual John Prine birthday tribute here in the Mid OHio Valley

Don Baker and Matt Starcher stopped by the 5th St. Pub last evening to check out the set up. I distributed lots of Americana Music Tribute Series t-shirts to some of the staff at the 5th St. Pub and to a few of the loyal supporters. From the venue end it looks like things are rarin' to go. We've got a good line-up of musicians ready to go; my door prizes are plentiful; my John Prine contests are dusted off from the previous years. I haven't been inspired to make any goofy trophies yet; don't know if I'll get around to that this time. I'll be trial rehearsing my set list at noon today for a few of the office folks, just to see how shy I am. Come on out tomorrow night for a fun show, and revel in the good tunes of John Prine. 8 pm; at the 5th St. Pub in downtown Parkersburg WV.

Greens- upcoming schedule

The Greens will be back in Parkersburg this Saturday night at 6 pence pub. Now, I sigh disappointment again, as the Greens are booked in MOrgantown for the night of the Neil YOung Tribute here on NOvember 7th. I guess its a good sign they are re-booked at Octane on Nov. 7th where they just played last weekend; they must have liked it enough, and the venue (of course) wants them back. Gotta keep the "hometown" / college town happy; but I was hoping Andy could do a righteous Neil YOung set here in Parkersburg on the 7th. I don't know how else to try to jive the schedules.

john Prine tribute show this friday night

I repeat some of this stuff, because I put the word out to check this blog for updates, and there may be a few new readers each time. We're gearing up toward the 6th annual John Prine Mid Ohio Valley birthday tribute this friday night with the festivities starting at 8 pm. Scott, at the 5th St. Pub is ready for us, from the venue side. Please encourage him as I think he might have a little skepticism about this event, and the "unknown" form of music and music fans this may bring in. He is a hard working proprietor, and we'd like to give him a little boost of business with a little different genre of music into his establishment. He made me a fine vegetarian sub the other day during his bustling lunch business.
We are having an informal "musician's get together" tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 6 pm for anyone who wants to get together for a little fellowship two days prior to the event. Cory will likely be there (the sound guy) to go over anything anybody needs to; musicians can trade song lists, lyric /chord info, state a preference for when they want to play, and stuff like that. They have an internet juke box with at least 50 or so John Prine selections from what I can recall.
I am asking the "tried and true" who have the capability to stock their car on the way to the show with a few folding chairs, in case we need 'em, if the existing chairs get to Standing Room Only, too quickly. I am going to have 8-10 folding chairs in my car trunk, to have available should our crowd warrant it. A few others doing the same would be appreciated. The space is very nice, and can hold well up to 100- 120, but there is a shortage of chairs. You can bring lawn/ festival/ picnic chairs for that matter, with a little canvas cup holder or somethin'. We'll see how it works out; we've got a great line up of musicians so there might even be shifts of listeners; an early crowd and a normal live music late crowd. I hope I can keep all the musicians happy with time slots, and don't exhause Cory and JT too much with a full night of set changes.
Come out for a guaranteed good night of John Prine tunes, to downtown Parkersburg (316 5th St. for those using map quest). I have been busy lining things up and haven't even dusted off the contest ideas; if you have any ideas send 'em my way. I also haven't made my signature funky trophies yet. I do have FANTASTIC John Prine door prizes and contest prizes however. Lots of people walk away happy with the door prizes every time out. If you have song requests ahead of time go ahead and send 'em in- I'll work with the musicians to see if anybody can work them in. I have heard rumblings that a few of my more able musicians have worked on some of John's newer stuff off Fair and Square and In Spite of OUrselves, and such, I don't know if anybody has worked on anything from the Mac Wiseman duet album though. You can bet it pretty much might mirror a classic live concert show in terms of mix of songs from all up and down his play list. Stay tune for at least one more update; other wise, contact me with any questions or comments. HOpe to see a good crowd there Friday night.

and yet another "preview" for the Florida shows...

Yet another concise description of the intriguing attraction we Prine fans have to his music and life.


He’s not a household name, but John Prine was pretty much the first of the contemporary literary singer/songwriters. The Illinois native and Florida resident is equal parts Jimmie Rodgers and Jimmy Buffett, combining an everyman’s point of view with keen observational skills, pathos and a wicked wit.
The comparisons end there, however. Prine, who will perform Saturday at the King Center for the Performing Arts, was called “The New Dylan” when he arrived on the scene in the early 1970s, and his songs have been made famous by other artists. Still, he’s never sold millions of records and has remained a cult figure, albeit a major one.
A former Chicago-area mail carrier and U.S. Army veteran, Prine and good buddy Steve (“City of New Orleans”) Goodman were the toast of the Windy City’s folk music scene; both were “discovered” by Kris Kristofferson, who helped them get recording contracts.
Prine’s best-known songs include “Sam Stone,” a biting narrative about a drug-addled Vietnam veteran; the country lament “Angel From Montgomery” (recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Dave Matthews, John Denver, Ben Harper, Tanya Tucker and others); the coal-mining drama “Paradise”; and “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore,” one of the funniest songs ever written about American patriotism.
To get an idea of the way John Prine thinks, all you really need to do is scan his song titles: “Yes, I Think They Oughta Name a Drink After You,” “Jesus the Missing Years,” “Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone,” “Come Back to Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard,” “Please Don’t Bury Me” or “It’s a Big Old Goofy World.”
Ten years ago, Prine underwent surgery for throat cancer, and his millions of devoted fans breathed a collective sigh of relief that their literary hero never missed a beat — he got back on his feet, picked up his guitar and went back out on the road.

A review of a recent John Prine show in Florida

These simple type reviews by fans at John Prine shows, capture it as good as a "professional "review. This mirrors my experiences well the recent shows I have attended.



"I’ve never been here before, so I’m gonna stay a while." That admission, tossed out early in John Prine’s fine Saturday show at Melbourne's King Center for the Performing Arts, was a good line. No matter that the iconic folk singer had been to the concert hall before. I know because I was there, too, for a splendid show in 2002. Maybe that first-time notion comes from the way that it never seems like Prine is rehashing old material, even though the bulk of his signature songs reach back to the early 1970s. Each performance has the snowflake quality of a new creation, which is the kind of magic one gets from a master. Prine, now 61, opened with one of his most reliable oldies on Saturday, the rollicking "Spanish Pipedream." That country ditty and the sweeter "Six O’Clock News" illustrated the surprising range of his two-man backing ensemble. Guitarist Jason Wilber used his black Telecaster to conjure twangy chicken-picking leads, pedal steel guitar effects and greasier bottle-slide riffs. Dave Jacques thumped along on upright bass, occasionally using a bow to add warmth. At the center, of course, was the singer himself. In addition to the classic material, Prine offers some of the best song introductions around. He chatted amiably about his early days, writing songs such as "Souvenirs" on his Chicago mail route. He recalled for the crowd how he first imagined that he had come up with a song so complicated that he couldn’t play it on guitar, then realized "it was just the same three chords I always used." Just like Hank Williams, Prine is capable conjuring plenty of images with those three chords. His dedication of "Souvenirs" to his old pal Steve Goodman was sweet. Prine’s sly humor was on display all night, most obviously on a well-timed monologue in the middle of "That’s the Way That the World Goes ‘Round." That bit, another well-worn one, tied together Fats Domino, "grumbly beans," half an enchilada and Jimmy Buffett. Another good line: Prine’s introduction for "All the Best," off 1991’s Grammy-winning The Missing Years, as a song suitable for use "if you ever get an invitation to your ex’s wedding and they should ask you to get up and sing one." So it went for a solid 2 hours. Even then, folks were shouting out requests. "I know ‘em all," Prine joked. Even better, he still sings them as if it were the first time.

I'm always looking for short, concise ways to describe John Prine's music

Here's yet another attempt to capture in a short paragraph the Magic of John Prine - maybe it can serve to introduce a new person to him, as we prepare for the Tribute show this Friday.

Born in 1946 in a town not that far from the Windy City, young Mr. Prine discovered his love for songwriting and the guitar at the tender age of 14. His debut, eponymous release reflected lessons learned performing on stages with Chicago folk singer Steve Goodman. //// The album offered wall-to-wall genius in songs such as "Sam Stone," "Illegal Smile," "Hello in There," "Paradise" and "Angel From Montgomery." //// Nothing much has changed since then as Mr. Prine has consistently churned out memorable lines using a technique of honoring clichés with his tongue slipping off his cheek. //// During the '90s while writing what may have been his best song in two decades, "In Spite of Ourselves," John battled cancer, won a Grammy Award and Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. //// He's amazing with a full band and out of this world as a solo performer. Don't miss your audience with John Prine!

Greens played at a new venue last night and tonight are in white water rafting country

The Greens played at Octane in Morgantown last night; tonight they are down in white water rafting country in central WV for a show. Next Friday (missing the John Prine tribute.... sigh....) they are at the Mountainlair in Morgantown, and back in Parkersburg finally, on Saturday night, at 6 Pence Pub. Look for the new CD release around the time of some Halloween shows around the state at the end of the month. Spooky.

Week away Count Down for the John Prine birthday tribute

Its Saturday, 6 days till the John Prine Birthday tribute here in Parkersburg. I'm trying to amass an e-mail list of some folks who have supported our shows in the past, so send any names my way. I've got a pretty random list, and am forgetting lots of supporters I am sure. I was gone for a few days, and perhaps lost a little momentum. I put up a flyer at the Library today and Krogers and the bulletin board in front of the North End Market. Don Howerton gave me a set list the other day. I will be going in MOnday to the 5th St. Pub to talk to Scott about the last minute details (hopefully). I listened to "all John Prine" all the time on the car CD player the last few days. The JP Shrine has our event prominently displayed along with a similar event in Houston Texas right there in the middle. They've got a picture of a big birthday cake for John there front and center. Visit www.jpshrine.org to see how they do it, and to see if more communities across the country are joining in the fun.

WOW- this is quite a line up for a festival.......

Hardly Strickly Bluegrass in San FrancicoFree! !(Sunday 2:20pm Greg Brown)http://www.strictly bluegrass. com/2008/ artists.shtmlIf you aren't familiar with this event, here is the line up...And it is FREE!!Yahh!10: 30am Ruby Jane11:30am MC HammerBanjo Stage2:30pm Sharon Little3:35pm The Jerry Douglas Band5:15pm Robert Plant and Alison Krauss featuring T Bone BurnettSat Oct 4 (10:45am - 7:15pm) Banjo Stage10:45am Band Joe & the Whyte Laydie11:00am Jimmie Dale Gilmore11:55am Laurie Lewis & Friends12:55pm Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band2:05pm Three Girls & Their Buddy (Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin & Buddy Miller)3:25pm Hot Rize4:40pm Odetta6:00pm Steve Earle & The Bluegrass DukesStar Stage11:00am Dry Branch Fire Squad12:05pm Waco Brothers1:30pm Richard Thompson2:50pm The Desert Rose Band4:10pm The Del McCoury Band5:40pm Global Drum Project featuring Mickey Hart & Zakir HussainRooster Stage11:15am Carlene Carter12:40pm Guy Clark & Verlon Thompson1:30pm From The Jayhawks: Mark Olson & Gary Louris2:45pm Nick Lowe4:05pm Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women (Christy McWilson, Amy Farris, Laurie Lewis, Sarah Brown, Lisa Pankratz, Nina Gerber, Cindy Cashdollar)5: 45pm Robert Earl KeenArrow Stage11:00am Tift Merritt12:00pm Los Cenzontles featuring Santiago Jimenez1:05pm Bad Livers2:20pm The Gourds3:45pm Jerry Jeff Walker5:20pm Asleep At The WheelPorch Stage11:00am Cyndi Harvell11:50am Sons & Brothers12:35pm Samantha Robichaud1:40pm Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue2:40pm Marty Willson-Piper (of the church) & the Mood Maidens3:40pm Joe Purdy4:40pm The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers5: 45pm John Jorgenson QuintetSun Oct 5 (11am - 7pm) Banjo Stage11:20am Darrell Scott Band12:20pm Hazel Dickens1:45pm Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys2:55pm Earl Scruggs4:15pm Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder5:45pm Emmylou HarrisStar Stage11:00am Bill Kirchen12:00pm Riders in the Sky1pm Ben Kweller2:30pm Elvis Costello's High Whines & Spirits4:15pm Gogol Bordello5:45pm Heavy TrashRooster Stage11:00am Jon Langford's Skull Orchard feat. Sally Timms & the Burlington Welsh Male Chorus11:55am Kevin Welch & Kieran Kane & Fats Kaplin1pm Bonnie "Prince" Billy2:20pm Greg Brown3:25pm Iron & Wine4:40pm Loudon Wainwright III6:00pm Iris DeMentArrow Stage11:00am Poor Man's Whiskey12:00pm Moonalice1:05pm Alison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven2:10pm The Infamous Stringdusters3: 20pm The Waybacks4:30pm Pegi Young5:50pm Tea Leaf GreenPorch Stage11:00am The Wronglers12: 05pm Red Wine1:10pm Heidi Clare & AtaGallop2:15pm Bill Evans String Summit with Megan Lynch3:20pm The Opera Dukes4:40pm Justin Townes Earle5:45pm Maura O'Connell