John Prine - 2018-06-05 - Austin City Limits - Moody Theater, Austin, TX

JOHN PRINE
2018-06-05, Moody Theater, Austin, TX
Austin City Limits
HDTV Broadcast recording, Very good quality
Mp3 @ 224 kbps

OK, just one more from John Prine, and this being from among his most recent shows. Here is John's final return to Austin City Limits some 40 years after first appearing on the show back in 1978. Here he is showcasing songs from his dynamite 2018 album, Tree of Forgiveness, his first album of original songs in 13 years (since 2005's Fair and Square). And here he shows that despite the hard years he's had, he's lost none of his wit, wisdom, insight, and inspiration. The set features 7 songs from the new album, as well as several old favorites. This is one of the few live recordings that feature these most recent 2018 songs, and they are wonderful, from the whimsy of 'Crazy Bones' and 'Lonesome Friends of Science' to the poignancy of 'Summer's End' to the commentary of 'Caravan of Fools' and all the way to his jovial plans for the afterlife of 'When I Get to Heaven'. So, check out these live renditions of John's last songs on this wonderful show. BTW, the full video of this ACL episode is available for viewing at the PBS website (pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/). Here's to John, and hoping that he is indeed up there in heaven enjoying that vodka and ginger ale cocktail, finally kissing that pretty girl on the tilt-a-whirl, and rockin' on with his angelic rock 'n roll band.

Tracklist:
01. Intro/Knockin’ on Your Screen Door 4:49
02. Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone) 3:53
03. Summer’s End 4:06
04. Caravan of Fools 4:06
05. Lonesome Friends of Science 4:51
06. Boundless Love 3:51
07. Illegal Smile 4:19
08. Please Don’t Bury Me (with Tyler Childers) 4:00
09. Lady May (Tyler Childers on vocals & guitar) 3:07
10. Lake Marie 7:27
11. When I Get to Heaven 4:02
12. Paradise (with Tyler Childers) 5:36
55 mins

Band:
John Prine - lead vocals, guitar
Jason Wilber - lead guitar, vocals
David Jacques - acoustic & electric bass, vocals
Kenneth Blevins - drums
Fats Kaplin - fiddle, pedal steel, mandolin, electric guitar, vocals
with special guest:
Tyler Childers - vocals, acoustic guitar

John Prine_2018-06-05_Austin City Limits.rar
link updated 08/18/23

John Prine - 2014-10-03 - Hardly Stricty Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco, CA

John Prine
October 3,2014
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival,
San Francisco, CA
(Plus Bonus Tracks)
Audience Recording, Very Good Quality
Available in both Lossles (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's more from the late, great John Prine. This one from his later years, after two separate bouts with cancer, and his lower, rougher voice, but still full of life and spirit. This is from The 2014 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which he would again return to in 2017. And although it is an outdoor, audience recording, it is one of the better recordings available from this time period, which is why I chose to post this one over some of the other available recordings. However, being a festival show, it is shorter than most of his sets, so I have added some bonus tracks from another longer show (but of lesser audio quality) at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, October 2013. By this time, Prine was finally starting to accumulate all the success and accolades that had been very slow in building for most of his career. A fine show.
 
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Spanish Pipedream
3. Picture Show
4. Six O'Clock News
5. Souvenirs
6. Grandpa Was A Carpenter
7. Hello In There
8. Iron Ore Betty
9. Christmas In Prison
10.Glory Of True Love
11.Angel From Montgomery
12.Fish And Whistle
13.Lake Marie
14.Paradise
Bonus Tracks (2013-10-26 - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville Aud-Good)
15. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
16. Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
17. Far From Me
18. Sins of Memphisto
19. You Got Gold
20. Please Don't Bury Me

FLAC - John Prine_2014-10-03_San Francisco_FLAC.rar

mp3 - John Prine_2014-10-03_San Francisco_mp3.rar

John Prine - 1995-09-30 - Majestic Theatre, Dallas, TX

John Prine
1995-09-30
Majestic Theatre, Dallas Texas
Soundboard recording, great quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

As promised, here's more John Prine! And this one is a full feature-length show (over 2 hours) from his 1995 tour, with full back-up band. This one is a great showcase for his 1990's songs featuring plenty of songs from both his 1991 Grammy-winning album (Best Contemporary Folk Album, his first grammy win after multiple nominations), The Missing Years, and his 1995 (grammy-nominated but non-winning) album, Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings. These two albums were both produced by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' bassist Howie Epstein (and the rest of the band also contributed on some songs). In addition this show still features all the older classics and favorites, and done with full band back-up, making this a wonderful and different concert from most of his others, and a great recording to boot. So, this one should definitely be added to the collection, even if you already have several Prine shows. A true original and master singer-songwriter, gone too soon, but who left behind a treasure trove of great music and unforgettable memories.

Tracklist:
Disc 1:
01. Spanish Pipedream
02. Six O'clock News
03. Fish And Whistle
04. Picture Show
05. You Got Gold
06. All The Best
07. New Train
08. Ain't Hurtin' Nobody
09. This Love is Real
10. Angel From Montgomery
11. Donald And Lydia
12. Souvenirs
13. That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round
14. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
15. Space Monkey
16. Sam Stone

Disc 2:
01. Everything Is Cool
02. Leave the Lights On
03. Quit Hollerin' At Me
04. band intro
05. The Sins of Memphisto
06. Humidity Built the Snowman
07. Lake Marie
08. Hello In There
19. Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone
10. Please Don't Bury Me
11. Illegal Smile
12. Daddy's Little Pumpkin
13. We Are the Lonely
14. Storm Windows
15. Paradise (with The Subdudes) 

Band (Lost Dogs/Subdudes):
Larry Crane - guitar, vocals
Phil Parlapiano - keyboards, accordion, vocals
David Steele - guitars, mandolin, vocals
David Jacques - bass
Ed Gass - drums, percussion

FLAC - John Prine_1995-09-30_Dallas_FLAC.part1.rar
           - John Prine_1995-09-30_Dallas_FLAC.part2.rar

Mp3 - John Prine_1995-09-30_Dallas_Mp3.rar

John Prine - 1990-05-04 - Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA

John Prine
May 4, 1990
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LASoundboard recording, excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's more from legendary folk singer-songwriter and National Treasure John Prine, who recently passed away due to complications from COVID-19. This is a great, fun show with John performing solo at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans in 1990. It's also a a very nice recording (especially for an outdoor show), and a great setlist that serves as a sort of compact greatest hits set (for that time). This was the year prior John's album The Missing Years (1991), but he does preview one new song from that album, his divorce anthem 'All The Best'. John is in fine voice this day (although he doesn't pause to tell stories for this shortened festival set), and although he had been performing for 20 years at this point, he still had his higher 'young man's voice' here, as this was before his bout with neck cancer deepened and roughened his voice in his later years. A great show featuring many of John's most popular songs.

Tracklist:
01. Spanish Pipedream
02. Donald and Lydia
03. Blue Umbrella
04. Angel From Montgomery
05. Bottomless Lake
06. All the Best
07. Grandpa Was a Carpenter
08. Illegal Smile
09. Dear Abby
10. Souvenirs
11. Sam Stone
12. That's The Way The World Goes 'Round
13. Please Don't Bury Me
14. Paradise
15. Hello in There

FLAC - John Prine_1990-5-4_New Orleans.FLAC.rar

mp3 - John Prine_1990-5-4_New orleans.mp3.rar
Updated links! 08/18/23

Loss of another music legend: R.I.P. John Prine (1946-2020)

Singer-Songwriter John Prine - 1946-2020

The world lost a unique unique talent last week with the death of singer-songwriter extraordnaiare John Prine due to complications with COVID-19 at the age of 73. John had survived two separate battles with cancer and was still performing and playing, but this latest health assault from the coronavirus was just too much for his battered body to withstand.

Prine was one of the greatest songwriters of all time, a masterful lyricist with unique insight and empathy into the travails and foibles of the human condition. Infusing his songs with an endearing wry humor, he was unparalleled as a homespun storyteller that could get right to the heart of unspoken feelings with just a few simple lines. Musically, his songs remained pretty basic, rarely straying much beyond his favorite chords and progressions, yet he always seemed to find just the right melody and fit for every song. And as a singer, his unusual voice and quirky expression also provided just the right mood for each song. Although his own records garnered only modest sales for most of his career, his songs were hailed as masterpieces and adored by musicians and followers of all genres and ages. It has only been in more recent years that he has been getting the full recognition, accolades, and success that he deserved.

Since word of his recent hospitalization, and subsequent death, I have been immersing myself in his music, and marveling all over again at the simple, understated brilliance of his songs and style, as well as the humbleness and great character of the man himself. I have to admit, we have lost alot of great musicians over the last several years, but this one has hit me especially hard. Although many will say that he lived a full rich life to even make it to 73 given his previous health issues, but I know that he still had more to give, and he was taken from us to soon. He was still active and performing (he had a tour scheduled for this summer), and given the excellence of his most recent album (The Tree of Forgiveness, 2018), he was still writing and performing great new songs.

I knew that I needed to respond to his death and post something to the blog acknowledging the life and work of this great man, but I just could not bring myself to do it right away. What could I say to sum up what he gave the world with his music and his personality? I still don't know how to express that. I'm at a loss for words. I've presented many aspects of his performances and career in previous posts and can't really add much to that. I thought about listing some of his best songs (or at least my favorites) and highlight some lesser known gems, but as I went through them it became clear that, my word, they are all great, I can't really list selected ones without leaving out so many other great ones. So, please, just listen to as many as you can and enjoy them all. In my very first Prine post, I tried to describe what made his music and personality special, so maybe just go read that again, as inadequate as that is as well.

John actually wrote many songs that dealt with death (even his own), often as purely humorous and whimsical adventures, (such as 'Please Don't Bury Me', 'Bottomless Lake', and 'When I Get to Heaven' among others), but many others with more serious and heartfelt emotion and depth ('Sam Stone', 'Mexican Home', 'Lake Marie', among others). His songs capture so many emotions, from outright joy to the deepest depths of the human soul. He can make you laugh, make you think, and break your heart (sometimes all at once), and come back again and again to hear it all over again and again. Thank you John for providing such a rich tapestry of human emotions, bringing smiles to our faces, and shining a light on the turmoil and depth of human experience. Heartfelt Condolences to John's family, relatives, and legions of fans.

I have updated all of the previous posts of John's music and performances here. Be sure to check out all you can. I will also post (over the next several days - not quite ready yet) some additional shows and performances from John highlighting his sensational talent, songs, and career. John lives on in his songs and performances, and will never be forgotten. Once again,To a legendary singer, songwriter, and great human being, John Prine.

    

John Prine - BBC shows (1971 and 1973)

John Prine
BBC shows (1971 and 1973)
TV and FM Broadcast recordings, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Ok, just one more dose of John Prine, this one combining a couple of short BBC performances in the early 1970's (1971 and 1973). So, here we have John in his younger days and more exuberant voice once again. Although there are 4 classic songs that are repeated in the 2 short sets, these performances nonetheless also provide a few songs from this period ('Pretty Good', 'Rocky Mtn', and 'Everybody Needs Somebody') that have not been featured in any of the shows previously posted. So, here is a few more from the Great John Prine. It's also interesting to note that throughout the 40-plus years John has been performing, he has kept Spanish Pipedream as his opening song (or if not opening, then as closing song) throughout most of his concert performances throughout his career (Quite unusual to open with the same song year after year).

1971 - BBC2 In Concert TV Broadcast
01 Spanish Pipedream
02 Donald and Lydia
03 Sam Stone
04 Paradise
05 The Great Compromise
06 Everybody Needs Somebody

1973 - BBC studios, London (FM)
01 Spanish Pipedream
02 Illegal Smile
03 Donald and Lydia
04 Sam Stone
05 Pretty Good
06 Rocky Mountain
07 Hello In There
08 Everybody Needs Somebody

mp3 - JP_earlyBBC.rar
Link updated 11/12/21

FLAC - JP_earlyBBCshows_FLAC.rar

John Prine (with Iris DeMent) - 2000-03-03 - Charlotte NC

John Prine
(and featuring Iris DeMent)
March 3, 2000
Oven's Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
Audience recording, good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

More from John Prine, again featuring a particular period that hasn't been represented here yet. This show comes from 2000, not long after John's return from cancer surgery and treatment. This show features several songs from John's 1999 album, In Spite of Ourselves, which consisted of duets (mostly covers) with various female vocalists, and so this show also includes performances from his favorite of these female vocalists, Iris DeMent, on many songs, which makes this show unique from most others. It also includes exemplary backup work and vocals from David Jacques and Jason Wilbur, on bass and guitar-mandolin. A very nice show from this later period.

Tracklist
01 Spanish Pipedream
02 Six O'Clock News
03 Souvenirs
04 Fish And Whistle
05 Grandpa Was A Carpenter
06 Far From Me
07 All The Best
08 Angel From Montgomery
09 My Old Man
10 Dear Abby
11 Donald And Lydia
12 That's The Way The World Goes 'Round
13 Christmas In Prison
14 Bruised Orange
15 Illegal Smile
16 Sam Stone
17 Milwaukee Here I Come *
18 (We're Not) The Jet Set *
19 Let's Invite Them Over *
20 We Could *
21 In Spite of Ourselves *
22 Bear Creek Blues
23 Ain't Hurtin' Nobody
24 [intro]
25 The Sins Of Memphisto
26 Hello In There
27 Lake Marie
- encore:
28 Unwed Fathers *
29 Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone *
30 Paradise *

Note: w/ David Jacques on upright bass and harmony vocals & Jason Wilber on slide guitar, mandolin, and harmony vocals.
* with Iris DeMent.

New Link (11/12/21)
mp3 - JP_2000-03-03_Charlotte_NC_mp3.rar

FLAC - JP_2000-03-03_Charlotte_NC_FLAC.rar

John Prine - 1996-05-13 - Frutigen, Switzerland

John Prine (with Band)
1996-05-13
Singer Songwriter Festival, Frutigen, Switzerland
FM Broadcast recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Previously available John Prine shows have now been upgraded to Lossless and and 320 kbps bitrate mp3's where available. And here's another Prine show for you all. This one is from 1996, with full band, in a performance at the Singer-Songwriter Festival in Frutigen Switxerland, featuring a fine, compact setlist, and very good sound quality. This show provides a glimpse of Prine during a period not previously featured in other posts here. And this 1996 tour represented his last before being diagmosed with neck cancer, and following extensive surgery and radiation treatments, being out of music for a couple years. Thus, this also represents the last shows that featured his 'younger man's voice', because after his recovery from cancer, his voice was noticably deeper and rougher (and he had to relearn all his songs in lower keys). So, here's more from the incomparable John Prine.

Tracklist
01 Spanish Pipe Dream
02 Six O'Clock News
03 Fish and Whistle
04 Picture in a Picture Show
05 You Got Gold
06 All The Best
07 Ain't Hurtin' Nobody
08 Angel From Montgomery
09 Donald and Lydia
10 Dear Abby
11 Unwed Fathers (w/ Iris Dement)
12 That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round
13 Sam Stone
14 Please Don't Bury Me
15 Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
16 Paradise
17 Souvenirs

New Link (Updated 11/12/21)
mp3 - JP_1996-05-13_Frutigen_Switzerland_mp3.rar

FLAC - JP_1996-05-13_Frutigen_Switzerland_FLAC.rar

Steve Goodman - Misc. performances, WXRT Tribute show

Steve Goodman
Miscellaneous performances (1974-1979)
(with Interview segments from John Prine)
WXRT-FM Steve Goodman Tribute show, 2010-07-21, Chicago, IL
FM Broadcast recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

OK, here's one last Steve Goodman post before I move on to other things. This was a radio tribute show to Steve Goodman broadcast on WXRT in 2010, consisting of various unreleased live recordings of Steve in the 1970's, with interspersed more recent interview excerpts from John Prine, talking about Steve and his music, all in very good quality sound recordings. Even contains a few songs that have not been heard in any of my previous posts. Although by no means comprehensive, nor even a collection of 'best of' works, it is a nice little compilation to honor the great Steve Goodman.
   
Tracklist
-- Unknown date
01 I Hope You're Satisfied
02 Election Year Rag
03 John Prine Interview
04 Somebody Else's Troubles
05 City of New Orleans
06 Announcer
-- 1975 - Amazing Grace, Evanston, IL
07 This Hotel Room
08 You Didn't Even Call Me By My Name-John Prine Interview-Last Verse
09 Chicken Cordon Blues
10 634-5789
11 Words We Can Dance To
12 Lincoln Park Pirates
13 John Prine Interview
-- 1978 - Amazing Grace Farewell Concert
14 The Auctioneer (w/Corky Siegal)
-- 1979 - Unconcert w/Full Band
15 Men Who Love Women Who Love Men
16 The Dutchman
17 John Prine Interview
18 I'll Fly Away

mp3 - SG_2010-07-21_WXRT_Tribute_mp3.rar
link updated 11/12/21
FLAC - SG_2010-07-21_WXRT_Tribute_FLAC.rar

Steve Goodman (with John Prine) - 1973-04-07 - Bryn Mawr, PA

Steve Goodman (with John Prine)
1973-04-07 & 08
Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
and Philadelphia, PA 

FM Broadcast recordings (radio station masters), very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's more early Steve Goodman, with some excellent-sounding, but unfortunately incomplete radio show performances from 1973. And as a special bonus here, the Bryn Mawr set includes Steve performing with his good friend John Prine. They sing a couple of classic Prine songs together (Dear Abby. Paradise), and then go into an extended medley of Hank Williams songs, with each taking turns singing lead. It's wonderful to hear the two of them performing together, and obviously enjoying themselves as they do. So, more great stuff here.


01 City of New Orleans (incomplete, only last verse)
02 Talk about Georgie Woods
03 Lincoln Park Pirates
04 Introduction of John Prine
05 Dear Abby (with John Prine)
06 Paradise (with John Prine)
07 Hank Williams medley (with John Prine)
    Hey Good Lookin'
    Jambalaya
    Your Cheatin' Heart
    I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You
    Lost Highway
    Cold, Cold Heart
    Mind Your Own Business
    Setting The Woods on Fire

08 Larimer Street (1973-04-08, WXPN, Philadelphia, PA)
09 Sticks and Stones (1973-04-08, WXPN, Philadelphia, PA)
10 Lady Be Good (Gene Shay Radio Show, Philadelphia, PA)
11 Introduction of Paul Powell (incomplete) (Gene Shay Radio Show, Philadelphia, PA)


Links updated 11/12/21
mp3 - SG_1973-04-07_Bryn_Mawr_PA.rar

FLAC - SG_1973-04-07_Bryn Mawr PA_FLAC

Steve Goodman & John Prine - 1980-09-25 - Minneapolis, MN

Steve Goodman and John Prine
September 25, 1980
Minneapolis, MN (venue unknown)
Audience recording, Excellent sound quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Artwork Included

Previously, as part of my Chicago series, I featured several shows from each of these wonderful singer-songwriters, and noted that they were the best of friends and often played together on the same bill. However, I did not have any shows to share (nor had I actually heard any) where they actually performed together. Well, now I have one, and here it is. This is a show from Minneapolis in 1980. Steve opens the show with a great 15-song solo set, followed by Prine's masterful solo set, and then Steve joins John for the final 8 songs (all Prine songs). And it's a great show, and an excellent-sounding recording. However, I have to admit that I was more than a bit dissappointed with the combined performance of these two legendary musicians and friends. I was expecting more exchange and interplay between them, with duets, trading lead lines back and forth, and between song banter. But, alas, the combined set is very much just a continuation of Prine's set, with Steve providing background & harmony vocals only, and an occasional  guitar lead, but no lead vocals or duets on any songs, or stories, verbal exchanges between them. Oh well, perhaps I had built up this potential collaboration too much in my mind. It is still a great show, and I finally do get to hear them perform together. Enjoy. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the previous posts of fine shows from both of these great musicians.
 
Disc One
STEVE GOODMAN
101. Bobby Don't Stop
102. Danger
103. Talk Backwards
104. Elvis Imitators
105. City Of New Orleans
106. Chicken Cordon Blues
107. This Hotel Room
108. The Dutchman
109. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
110. Turnpike Tom
111. I'm My Own Grandpa
112. The Auctioneer
113. You Never Even Called Me By My Name
114. Where Did The 20th Century Go?
115. My Old Man

JOHN PRINE
116. Spanish Pipedream
117. Christmas In Prison
118. Fish And Whistle
119. Living In The Future
120. Angel From Montgomery

Disc Two
201. Iron Ore Betty
202. Bottomless Lake
203. Illegal Smile
204. Donald And Lydia
205. Sam Stone
206. That's The Way That The World Goes Round
207. There She Goes
208. I Had A Dream Last Night
209. Sabu Visit's The Twin Cities Alone
210. Bruised Orange (Chain Of Sorrow) (With Steve Goodman)
211. Souvenirs (With Steve Goodman)
212. Ballad of A Teenage Queen (With Steve Goodman)
213. Paradise (With Steve Goodman)
214. Hello In There (With Steve Goodman)
215. Please Don't Bury Me (With Steve Goodman)
216. Dear Abby (With Steve Goodman)
217. Everybody (With Steve Goodman)

New Links! Updated 04/10/20
disc 1: Steve_Goodman-John_Prine_-_1980_MN_disc1.rar
disc 2: Steve_GoodmanJohn_Prine_-_1980_MN_disc2.rar

Steve Goodman - 1982-83 Live soundboard shows

Steve Goodman (solo & w/band)
1982-1983 Live soundboard compilation
1982-03-02 & 1983-06-09, Rockefeller's, Houston, TX
1982-02-02, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
SBD recordings, excellent quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and
mp3 @ 320 kbps


This final extended set in my mini-tribute to the late, great Steve Goodman features a combination of soundboard shows from his last couple of performing years, 1982-1983. And I think this is the very best of the bunch. Just great, classic stuff. It starts off with a superb-sounding recording (and great setlist) of a solo show at Rockefeller's in Houston (This may be the best-sounding boot of Steve I've heard). Unfortunately, the recording was not complete and had cuts in some songs. So, I've combined this with another later solo show (1983) from the same club that includes many different songs. Then for the second half (disc2), I combined these with a show from the Birchmere (1982) that featured a long set with friend and mandolin player Jethro Burns, and that also developed into some serious jamming with an impromptu full-size bluegrass band, courtesy of Steve's urging some of the many famed players that were hanging around (such as Doyle Lawson, John Duffy, and Mike Auldridge, among others) up onto the stage. Thus, the result is a monumental extended set featuring most of Steve's best songs from the later years, many of the classics from earlier years, and a rousing bluegrass jam at the end. Highlights are too numerous to count, but start with an opener of 'Somebody Else's Troubles', one of my favorites from his early years, and build from there. We get great renditions of classics like 'City of New Orleans' (solo version and bluegrass version), 'By My Name', '20th Century', and his bittersweet 'Dying Cub Fan's Last Request' (at the time he wrote this we didn't know that he was actually the 'dying cub fan'), as well as the later solo comic gems 'Talk Backwards', 'Watching Joey Glow', 'Vegematic', and 'How Much Tequila Did I Drink Last Night?'. Also included are one-of-a-kind Goodman events like 'What Were You Expecting, Rock and Roll?', in which we get Steve's spot-on impressions of 4 different new wave bands he recently heard; and Steve's incredible adlibbed 'string-breakin' song' improv as he continues to sing and provide rhyming commentary as he attempts to get a string changed on his guitar. And all this topped with great mandolin work from Jethro, and the full bluegrass jam with an all-star band, all being lead in Steve's incomparable way. Whether you are a fan of 'folk music' or 'singer-songwriters' or not, this is something that I think everyone will appreciate and enjoy, so I urge anyone who has ever read this blog to download this show and check it out (at the very least disc1, to get the best of Steve solo). Steve was just a remarkable talent and possibly the best ever at what he did.
Steve released 9 albums during his lifetime. Strangely, considering how great his live shows were, they didn't release a live album until 1983, as Steve was beginning to succumb to his cancer. Of course, in the years since Steve died they have released many additional albums, including multiple different live albums, previously unreleased material, multiple compilations (including the excellent 2 disc anthology - No Big Surprise) and tribute albums, and at least one live DVD). Steve also has received 2 grammy awards, unfortunately they were both received posthumously, one for songwriting, for 'City of New Orleans' (for Country Song of the Year - 'Willie Nelson version', 1985) and one for Best Folk album for Unfinished Business, his final album of previously unreleased songs, 1988.

I have tried in these 3 'extended sets' that I have posted to provide an overall picture of the best live shows of Steve Goodman through the various years of his career. I realize that the purists might not like that I have cut and spliced different shows together rather then just posting complete individual shows. Well, first of all, most of the available recordings were not complete. But what I wanted to do was provide a more complete picture of the variety and versatility of Steve's songs and performances (by featuring more different songs and removing several repeated songs) in just a few downloads, while still preserving the single show style and flow. In addition, even for veteran fans, it is much nicer to listen to a few of these 'enhanced' shows than having to go through 6 to 8 full-length shows in order to hear all the songs you want to hear. I hope I have succeeded at this. For those that want to get all the available Goodman shows, and those that prefer to get everything in lossless quality, I have good news. All of these shows, as well as several more, including many John Prine shows, are available for download from a wonderful personal ROIO website that features many great folk, rock, and 'roots' artists, available in both mp3 and FLAC formats, everything from Jackson Browne to Wilco, at John's ousterhout.net. If you go there and dowload stuff of interest, be sure to leave John an email message of thanks, and mention that you found his site through the BB Chronicles.

Also, hopefully, through these posts, I have made more people aware of Steve and his talent, and resulted in a few more Steve Goodman fans. If so, there are several other websites devoted to preserving the memory of Steve Goodman you should check out. Most importantly, is Steve's official web site: http://www.stevegoodman.net/, where they have most of Steve's catalog of albums available for purchase at very reasonable prices. Also worthwhile is The Steve Goodman Scrapbook: http://www.cobo.org/goodman/good.html and the Steve Goodman Preservation Society: http://www.folkblues.com/goodman/ . In addition, there are several videos of Steve performing posted on Youtube, and if you have never seen Steve in action, you should definitely check those out, too.

I hadn't originally intended to devote this much time and posts to John and Steve (I just knew I wanted to include them in my 'Chicago' series), but I am very glad I did. In preparing these posts, I listened to all these shows numerous times and it was just such a joy to immerse myself in this music, some of which I hadn't heard in years. It made me realize all over again just how great this music is and how special and unique these guys are. I hope some of you have enjoyed these posts as much as I have.

Disc 1: Steve - solo (Houston,TX)
01 Somebody Else's Troubles
02 Banana Republics
03 Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
04 I Just Keep Falling In Love
05 What Were You Expecting, Rock and Roll?
06 City Of New Orleans
07 Chicken Cordon Blues
08 Old Fashioned Kind
09 Elvis Imitators
10 Talk Backwards
11 20th Century Is Almost Over (ending spliced)
12 How Much Tequila Did I Drink Last Night?
13 Watchin' Joey Glow
14 Vegematic (Asleep With the TV On)
15 If She Were You
16 Don't Go Gettin' No Sand In It
17 California Promises
18 God Bless Our Mobile Home

Disc 2: Steve w/ Jethro Burns (and Bluegrass Jam Band)
19 It's Midnight And I'm Not Famous Yet
20 Black Coal Tatoo
21 I'm My Own Grandpa
22 Is It True What They Say About Dixie?
23 Jessie's Jig
24 Don't Let The Stars get In Your Eyeball Sockets
25 Tico Tico
26 City Of New Orleans
27 Lovin' Of The Game
28 You Never Even Call Me By My Name
29 The Dutchman
30 Truck Driving Man
31 Love Please Come Home
32 The String-Breakin' Song Improv
33 Mule Skinner Blues +
34 Mama Don't Allow +
35 Rocky Top + *

+ Steve and Jethro Joined by full Bluegrass band of Birchmere all-stars (coaxed onstage by Steve), including (among others not named):
Doyle Lawson - mandolin
John Duffy - mandolin
Mike Auldrdge - guitar
Tom Gray? - bass

*Errors on master tape

tracks 1-11, 1982-03-02, Rockefeller's, Houston, TX, SBD
tracks 12-18, 1983-06-09, Rockefeller's, Houston, TX SBD
tracks 19-35, 1982-02-02, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, SBD

New Links - Upgraded quality! (Updated 10/3/21)
mp3 sbd compilation: Steve Goodman_1982-83 SBD comp_mp3.rar

New!
Complete shows - full lossless versions
FLAC: Steve Goodman_1982-03-02_ Rockefeller's_Houston TX_FLAC
FLAC: Steve Goodman_1983-06-09_Rockefeller's_Houston TX_FLAC
FLAC: Steve Goodman_1982-02-02, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA_FLAC
Lossless versions are the complete, unedited shows for each date (contain additional songs not included on edited mp3 compilation version)

Steve Goodman - 1977 Radio Shows - NY & Atlanta

Steve Goodman
(with Jethro Burns)
1977 Radio Broadcasts
1977-10-10
The Bottom Line, New York, NY 1977-11-01
Great Southeast Music Hall, Atlanta, GA
FM Broadcasts, excellent quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and mp3 @ 320 kbps


Here's more from the great Chicago singer-songwriter, Steve Goodman, a combination of 2 radio broadcasts from the fall of 1977, with excellent sound quality. These shows also feature great mandolin playing from Jethro Burns (of country act Homer and Jethro), who regularly toured and performed with Goodman. Goodman does most of the show solo, then brings out Jethro for the last part of the set. I have combined these 2 shows to highlight the different songs from the sets, removed some repeated songs, and arranged them all into a relatively seamless longer single show. Highlights include another of his songs co-written with John Prine 'The 20th Century is Almost Over', his observations on sexual relationships - 'Men Who Love Women Who Love Men', and 'Moby Book', his condensation of Moby Dick into a blues song (or as he says, 'like Cliff Notes written by Willie Dixon' ). Enjoy.

Some more background on Steve. Right around the time Steve was just getting started as an entertainer, in 1969, he was diagnosed with Leukemia, which in those days was basically a death sentence. He didn't know how long he would have to live, but he dedicated himself to making the most of his career while he could. Only his close friends and family knew about his condition, so he went through his music career fighting back the disease as best he could, with his fans and public not knowing anything about his ailment. That he was able to keep up such an upbeat attitude, high energy, and good humor, and be such a prolific songwriter and performer throughout his career was an amazing achievement. By 1983, however, the cancer was really taking it's toll, and Steve finally revealed to the world his condition. Steve died in September 1984, but left behind a rich legacy of songs, albums, and performances. Next time I'll feature some shows from his last few years. Till then, enjoy this small glimpse of a wonderful performer and great guy, Steve Goodman.

01 Red Red Robin
02 Videotape >
03 Do It Yourself
04 Old Smoothies
05 20th Century Is Almost Over
06 One Of These Days >
07 Men Who Love Women Who Love Men
08 Two Lovers
09 Can't Go Back
10 You’re The Girl I Love
11 Three-Legged Man
12 Mind Your Own Business
13 Moby Book
14 Bandstand
15 Yellow Coat
16 Is It True What They Say About Dixie?
17 Donald and Lydia
18 Door Number Three
19 My Old Man
20 The Auctioneer
21 Spoon River Anthology
22 Jessie's Jig
23 City Of New Orleans
24 Just Lucky I Guess

tracks 1-9, 16, 21-23, New York, NY (WNEW-FM)
tracks 10-15, 17-20, 24, Atlanta, GA (WKLS-FM)

Links Updated 02/13/19
Steve_Goodman_-_1977_Broadcasts.rar


New!
Complete shows - full lossless versions
FLAC_1977-New York: Steve Goodman_1977-10-10_New York_FLAC
FLAC_1977-Atlanta: Steve Goodman_1977-11-01_Atlanta_FLAC
Lossless versions are the complete, unedited shows for each date (contain additional songs not included on edited mp3 version)

Steve Goodman - 1974-Portland & 1976-Bryn Mawr

Steve Goodman
Civic Auditorium, Portland, OR
February 2, 1974
Plus
Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA
20 June 1976
FM Broadcasts (KINK-FM and WMMR-FM, respectively), excellent quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's the great, underappreciated Steve Goodman, in a combination of 2 shows from the mid-seventies. Goodman is probably most widely known as the writer of 'the best damn train song ever written' (as John Prine says), 'City of New Orleans', as well as several other respected songs. Although Steve is fairly widely known for his songs (at least among other songwriters, folk, and country performers), he is much less-known to the public as a versatile performer and entertainer. Steve started out in the folk clubs around Chicago while still a student, and was already a regular when he met John Prine in 1970, and they became fast friends. It was Steve that was instrumental in getting John's big break, as when Steve was opening for Kris Kristofferson in 1971, he insisted that Kris go hear John play after their own show was over. This lead to Kristofferson hooking them up with Paul Anka, who ultimately got both Steve and John signed to recording contracts. Steve's biggest break came, however, when Arlo Guthrie recorded 'City of New Orleans' in 1972, and it became a huge hit. Although Steve's own albums didn't sell much at all, the success of that train song enabled him to devote himself to a full-time career in music, and he was always grateful for that opportunity. Although Steve has written several respected 'serious' songs (including 'New Orleans', 'Ballad of Penny Evans', 'My Old Man', etc), his real strength was in his quick wit and numerous humorous songs, ranging from mildly amusing ditties to wickedly clever, insightful, and hilarious spoofs and rantings. Although he never sold many albums, his live performances were very popular and widely acclaimed. What was so great about Steve was that his shows were always so entertaining and fun. He had an extremely engaging and captivating personality. He was always energetic, upbeat, and aiming to please. He was like your ideal version of a best friend, smart, funny, and great to be around, but just a regular guy, yet someone you could always count on. Nobody ever left a Steve Goodman show not feeling good and entertained, which is why anyone who ever saw him live on stage became a fan. It wasn't any one thing, but the combination of everything, the versatility of the songs and music, the fun atmosphere, Steve's jokes, storytelling, spontaneity, and ad libs, and Steve's surprisingly good guitar playing and vocal theatrics. It was just a good time for all.

The first show here is a short, opening set (he opened for Prine) with excellent sound that, although short, establishes his format and style. He usually started off with an uptempo version of an old ('30's, '40's) standard, then he follows with a mix of serious and humorous songs, stories, anecdotes, and humorous intros and set-ups. Included here is an extended version of the story of how Steve wrote 'You Never Even Call Me By My Name' with John Prine one drunken night in NY, so Prine fans should not miss this. This show was right around the time that I first saw him, and was totally captivated. Since this was a short show, I've combined it with another, longer show from 1976 (I did a little editing to remove some duplicated songs from the first show). This show was an extended opening set (opened for Warren Zevon) performed for radio. It's interesting to note how Steve keeps tweaking and adding new parts to the final verse of 'My Name' with each year. But the main thing that makes this show unique is the full jam session at end. At this show, after his opening solo portion, he invited some musician friends (country-bluegrass) from the area to join him for the last part of the set. Then, after a rousing 'City of New Orleans', an even larger jam session developed which included Billy Joel (who just happened to be around) on piano and Zevon himself sitting in on drums. They managed to rip through representative country, rock, and blues jams, and started into 'Twist and Shout', when the radio station finally cut them off, as they had gone well beyond the allotted time slot (so, there's only a fragment of 'TnS' remaining). But, it was a wonderful raucous jam, a bit unusual for a Goodman show, but great nonetheless (and Goodman managed to stay in charge, singing and directing traffic throughout). Anyway, hope you enjoy these Goodman shows. Hopefully, they will give you an idea of why Goodman was so liked and admired by other musicians and singer-songwriters all over the world.

01 Lady Be Good
02 Turnpike Tom
03 City of New Orleans
04 Ballad of Penny Evans
05 I Ain't Heard You Play No Blues
06 Chicken Cordon Bleus
07 Lincoln Park Pirates
08 The Auctioneer
09 You Never Even Call Me by My Name
10 The Dutchman

11 It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
12 Unemployed
13 Old Fashioned
14 Banana Republics
15 Can't Go Back
16 Lookin' for Trouble
17 This Hotel Room
18 You Never Even Call Me By My Name
19 Introduction of band, tuning up, etc.
20 Truck Drivin' Man
21 Blue Umbrella
22 Jesse's Jig (Beth's Bounce, Rob's Romp)
23 City of New Orleans
24 Mama Don't Allow It
25 Johnny B. Goode
26 Blues in C
27 Twist and Shout (cut)

tracks 1-10, 1974-02-02, Civic Auditorium, Portland, OR (KINK-FM)
tracks 11-27, 1976-06-20, Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA (WMMR-FM)

Featuring (tracks 20-27)
Lew London - mandolin & guitar
Winnie Winston - pedal steel guitar
Wanamaker Lewis - banjo
Doug Haywood - bass
Added band members
Mike Lieber - comb & tissue paper (track 24)
Billy Joel - piano (tracks 24-27)
Jerry Donahue - guitar (tracks 25-27)
Warren Zevon - drums (tracks 25-27)

New Links - Upgraded quality! (Updated 12/09/13)
mp3 - Steve Goodman_1974-Portland_1976-Bryn_Mawr_mp3.rar


New!
Complete shows - full lossless versions
FLAC_1974 - Portland: Steve Goodman_1974-02-02_Portland_FLAC
FLAC_1976-Bryn Mawr: Steve Goodman_1976_Bryn Mawr_FLAC
Lossless versions are the complete, unedited shows for each date (contain additional songs not included on edited mp3 version)

More Goodman coming, so stay tuned

John Prine - 2005-11-11 - Ennis, Ireland

John Prine
Glór Irish Music Centre,
Ennis, County Clare, Ireland
November 11, 2005
FM Broadcast, very good quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and
mp3 @ 320 kbps


I hope you all are enjoying these great John Prine shows as much as I am (although the lack of any comments on these makes me wonder). To finish up this mini-tribute to Chicago's folk icon, here is a show from his more recent years. This one, another excellent recording, is from his tour in support of Fair and Square, his 2005 grammy-winning album, which was also his first solo album of new songs since Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings in 1995. In the intervening years, however, John survived a serious health scare. In 1998, a cancerous mass was found and removed from John's neck (along with a good chunk of his neck). That was followed by a couple months of radiation treatments. He took over a year off to rest and recuperate from the cancer and treatments, but was ready to start performing again by Spring 1999. After the surgery, his voice was noticably deeper, and a little rougher (more gravelly), but for a singer like John, it just gave his voice 'more character'. John has said that when he started performing again, he had to sing all his songs in a lower key, as he could no longer reach the notes he used to, and in re-learning the old songs in different keys, he achieved an all-new appreciation for some of his older stuff, and thoroughly enjoyed playing many songs he hadn't played in years. That difference in his voice can be heard in all his later concerts, including this one, and most fans have noted that the change in his voice fits right in with his songs and style, and just seems a natural progression into his later years. This show, then features a mixture of some of his old standards along with some of the newer songs, which show that he still has a knack and keen eye for writing gems. Some of the newer songs include 'Glory of True Love', 'Crazy as a Loon', 'Taking a Walk', and 'Some Humans Ain't Humans' from Fair and Square, as well as others like 'All the Best', 'Ain't Hurtin Nobody', and 'Lake Marie' from Lost Dogs. So here is John as he sounds in recent years (Still Great).

tracklist
01 Spanish Pipedream
02 Please Don't Bury Me
03 Souvenirs
04 Fish And Whistle
05 band intro & intro to next song
06 The Glory Of True Love
07 Taking a Walk
08 All the Best
09 Crazy as a Loon
10 Dear Abby
11 That's the Way that the World Goes 'Round / stories about misheard lyrics
12 Sam Stone
13 Ain't Hurtin' Nobody
14 Some Humans Ain't Human
15 Hello In There
16 Lake Marie
17 Band intro / welcomes out Philip Donnelly
18 Speed of the Sound of Loneliness*
19 Paradise **

* with Philip Donnelly
** with Paul Mulligan and Philip Donnelly

John Prine (guitar)
Dave Jacques (bass)
Jason Wilber (electric guitar)
and with Philip Donnelly and Paul Mulligan

New Links (Updated 06/23/19)
mp3 - John_Prine_2005-11-11 - Ennis_Ireland_mp3.rar

FLAC - John_Prine_2005-11-11 - Ennis_Ireland.rar

Also, I need to mention that there is a great official John Prine fan web site, http://www.jpshrine.org , that has all things Prine, including links to purchase his albums. Or you can go direct to John's record company site, Oh Boy Records to buy albums and DVDs from his catalog.

Coming up next, we go back to the early seventies Chicago folk scene to check out John's good buddy, the energetic, wonderful, influential singer-songwriter, and all-around great guy, Steve Goodman.

John Prine - 1986 - Asheville, NC (plus bonus tracks)

John Prine
Asheville, NC
October 1986
(with Phillip Donnelly)
SBD recording, excellent quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and
mp3 @ 320 kbps
 

Here's another excellent John Prine show, this one from the mid-80's. By this time, Prine had left the major labels and was putting out albums on his own independent record label, Oh Boy Records. Although this meant more freedom and less pressure to make more commercial albums, without major label support it also meant a much lower profile and lower album sales (none of his independently released albums from this period charted on the Billboard 200). Thus, although these albums, Aimless Love (1984), German Afternoons (1986), John Prine Live (1988), and The Missing Years (1991), were not as well-known as some of his previous albums, they were nevertheless gems, each containing several new classic Prine tunes. So, here is a selection from that time in his career. This is an excellent soundboard recording rom Asheville, NC, with assistance from Phillip Donnelly, and I have also added onto this selected tracks from another excellent show from 1984, highlighting more songs from this period, or classic tracks that have not been featured yet. So, please, enjoy more from the great John Prine.

tracks
01 Lulu Walls
02 Torch Singer
03 Aw Heck
04 Six O'Clock News
05 Out of Love intro
06 Out of Love
07 Donald & Lydia
08 Blue Umbrella
09 Souveniers
10 Grandpa Was a Carpenter
11 Fish & Whistle
12 Storm Windows
13 Illegal Smile
14 Dear Abby
15 Far From Me
16 Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone
17 Linda Goes to Mars
18 Let's Talk Dirty intro
19 Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian
20 The Great Compromise
21 Sam Stone
22 Sailing Around
23 My Own Best Friend
24 Spanish Pipedream
Bonus tracks (1984-2-6 - Houston)
25. Bruised Orange
26. Billy the Bum
27. Aimless Love
28. Common Sense
29. Come Back To Us Barbara Lewis...
30. Unwed Fathers
31. Iron Ore Betty
32. People Putting People Down
33. One Red Rose
34. Please Don't Bury Me

tracks 1-24, Asheville, NC 1986
tracks 25-28, 1984-2-6, Rockefeller's, Houston, early show
tracks 29-34, 1984-2-6, Rockefeller's, Houston, late show

New Link  (Updated 10/3/21)
mp3 compilation: John Prine_1986-10_-_Asheville_NC_bonus_mp3.rar.html

New!
Complete shows - full lossless versions

1986-10_Asheville: John_Prine_1986_-_Asheville_FLAC.rar
1984-2-6_Houston (both shows): John_Prine_1984-2-6_-_Houston_FLAC.rar

John Prine - 1978-06-11 - Bottom Line, NYC

John Prine
June 11, 1978
The Bottom Line, New York, NY
FM recording, very good quality
NEW UPGRADED QUALITY!
Now available in lossless (FLAC) and
mp3 @ 320 kbps


Here is a show from Prine several years later in his career. This tour was in support of Bruised Orange (1978), his 5th studio album, so, we get the additional songs from this period. In addition, this tour featured a full back-up band with Prine, including additional guitars (both electric and acoustic), keyboards, bass, drums, and back-up vocals, rather than Prine's more traditional solo act or just with guitar and bass. At this time Prine was exploring more of a harder edge and rock sound on several songs, which would be even more prominent on his next album, Pink Cadillac (1979). Here, he already has the band assembled that he would use for most of Pink Cadillac, and it is interesting to hear some of his songs done with a band (and electric guitar?), although he does go back to just himself and guitar for some of the classic tracks that work better that way. But whether you like the fuller sound and arrangements, or prefer just John alone, this represents the next phase of his illustrious career, and it's all great stuff.

Tracklist
01 Spanish Pipedream
02 Often Is A Word I Seldom Use
03 Angel From Montgomery
04 Fish And Whistle
05 Crooked Piece Of Time
06 Blue Umbrella
07 Illegal Smile
08 Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone
09 The Bottomless Lake
10 Sam Stone
11 That's The Way That The World Goes Round
12 There She Goes
13 I Had A Dream Last Night
14 Chinatown
15 If You Don't Want My Love
16 Try To Find Another Man
17 Band Intros - Pretty Good
18 Hello In There
19 Grandpa Was A Carpenter
20 Ballad Of A Teenage Queen
21 Paradise
22 Please Don't Bury Me
23 Sleepy Eyed Boy
24 Treat Me Nice
25 Onomatopeia
26 Sailin' Around
27 Mexican Home
28 How Lucky Can One Man Get
29 I'm Not That Good At Goodbye
30 Saddle In The Rain

John Prine - acoustic guitar, vocals
John Burns - acoustic and electric guitars, background vocals
Howard Levy - piano, keyboards, harmonica, mandolin
Tom Piekarske - bass
Angelo Varias - drums

New Links - Upgraded Quality! (Updated 12/30/13)
mp3 - JP_1978-06-11_New_York_NY_mp3.rar

FLAC - JP_1978-06-11_New_York_NY.rar

John Prine - Early Live Recordings - 1970-71

John Prine
Live at the 5th Peg, Chicago IL
August 1970
FM Broadcast (WFMT), excellent quality
mp3 @ 192

First up in my feature of influential Chicago artists is John Prine, one of the all-time great American songwriters and folk artists. Now, in recent years, towards the end of his career, he finally seems to be getting more of the respect, honors, and accolades he deserves as one of the best of all time (This year a new tribute album featuring young folk and rock artists was released, along with other awards, and international acclaim). But back in 1970, he was just getting started in Chicago clubs like the 5th Peg, The Quiet Knight, and the Earl of Old Town. Here are some of the earliest known recordings of Prine (in excellent quality), before he recorded his first album (1971). It's amazing that he already had written and was performing so many of his classic songs at this time (Sam Stone, Paradise, Hello In There, Angel From Montgomery, Spanish Pipedream, Donald and Lydia, Souvenirs, The Great Compromise, Illegal Smile, etc). By the time he made his first album in 1971 he already had enough great songs for 2 or 3 albums. And his first album was a masterpiece, with several more to follow. He has such a gift for so accurately and specifically depicting human problems and emotions with sincerity, honesty, and simple but brilliant turns of phrases that concisely sum things up with just a few words or sentences (The haunting and heartbreaking refrain from Sam Stone 'There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes...' is an excellent example). His songs are very personal, but always accessible, and sum up often unspoken feelings that we all can relate to. Although some of his songs deal with very serious issues and problems, they are handled with humor and grace, and are usually uplifting, and not at all depressing (Other songs are just funny and 'goofy' as he would say, but still express strong emotions and values). And although his voice may be rough and have a very limited range, it is perfectly suited to the music, and his simple but powerful presentation and style (including unique phrasing and ironic tone) make the songs come alive in ways that just don't happen when other artists (with better voices) cover the songs. And that has been one of his limitations, in that he is one of the world's great songwriters, yet his songs are not covered all that often, because he is the only one that really can do them justice (well accept for 'Angel' which sounds best with a female voice, like Bonnie Raitt's version). Although he has always garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following, he never really achieved widespread commercial success, which is such a shame, but really just fine with him. He is one of the most straight-forward, humble, unpretentious, and unassuming people you could ever meet. When he began writing his songs, he never expected anyone would ever hear them (or want to hear them), they were just made for his own entertainment. And he still goes about his craft that way.

This first show is said to be the oldest surviving John Prine recording. This show was recorded sometime in August 1970, labelled as 'John Prine Live at the 5th Peg 1970 WFMT Archives'. It was also around this time that John met another young singer-songwriter playing the Chicago clubs, a funny little guy named Steve Goodman. Steve would become his best friend, co-hort and collaborator, and it was through Steve that John was 'discovered' by Kris Kristofferson leading to his first recording contract. But more about Steve later. The second show presented is from a Studs Terkel radio show (songs and talk), and provides some very interesting talk and background on John and these early songs (such as 'The Frying Pan' was the very first song he wrote, at age 14). The info on the show states that it is from 01-07-1970, but this clearly is wrong, as in the interview they discuss his upcoming recording sessions for his first album for Atlantic, and he did not have a recording contract until sometime in 1971 (he hadn't even started performing at all until around mid-1970), so this session must be from 1971, and it would seem to be more like June or July rather than January, so I'm just calling it 1971. Whether you are a fan of Prine or not, If you are someone that is at all interested in American folk or roots music (or even just great songwriting), you have got to check out these early shows by John Prine. It just doesn't get any better than this. John Prine is a National Treasure. Next I'll put up a couple of shows from later in his career.

01 Hello In There
02 Souvenirs
03 Sam Stone
04 Paradise
05 Blue Umbrella
06 My Woman
07 Illegal Smile
08 Flashback Blues
09 The Frying Pan
10 Sour Grapes
11 A Star, A Jewel And A Hoax (unreleased)
12 Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
13 The Great Compromise
14 Angel From Montgomery
15 A Good Time
16 Hey, Good Lookin' > Jambalaya
17 Quiet Man
18 Spanish Pipedream

John_Prine_1970-08_Chicago.rar
New Link! (Updated 06/18/21)

John Prine
Studs Terkel Radio Show
Chicago, IL
1971?, specific date not clear
Pre-FM Recording, excellent quality
mp3 @ 192

01 Hello In There
02 interview
03 The Frying Pan
04 interview
05 Sam Stone
06 interview
07 Donald and Lydia
08 interview
09 Spanish Pipedream
10 interview
11 Flashback Blues

New Link (Updated 06/18/21)
John_Prine_-_1971_-_Studs_Turkel_Radio_Show.rar