John Prine (album)
Encyclopedia
John Prine was the first album by American
country
/folk
singer-songwriter
John Prine
, issued by Atlantic Records
in 1971. In 2003, the album was ranked number 458 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
wrote "You suspect at first that these standard riffs and reliable rhythms are designed to support the lyrics rather than accompany them. But the homespun sarcasm of singing that comes on as tuneless as the tunes themselves soon reveals itself as an authentic, rather catchy extension of Nashville and Appalachia--and then so do the tunes, and the riffs, and the rhythms."
On "Paradise":
On "Flashback Blues":
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
/folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
, issued by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1971. In 2003, the album was ranked number 458 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Reception
Writing for Allmusic, critic William Ruhlman wrote of the album "A revelation upon its release, this album is now a collection of standards... Prine's music, a mixture of folk, rock, and country, is deceptively simple, like his pointed lyrics, and his easy vocal style adds a humorous edge that makes otherwise funny jokes downright hilarious." Music critic Robert ChristgauRobert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
wrote "You suspect at first that these standard riffs and reliable rhythms are designed to support the lyrics rather than accompany them. But the homespun sarcasm of singing that comes on as tuneless as the tunes themselves soon reveals itself as an authentic, rather catchy extension of Nashville and Appalachia--and then so do the tunes, and the riffs, and the rhythms."
Side one
- "Illegal Smile" – 3:10
- "Spanish Pipedream" – 2:37
- "Hello In There" – 4:29
- "Sam StoneSam Stone (song)"Sam Stone" is a song written by John Prine about a drug-addicted veteran with a Purple Heart and his death by overdose.The most familiar refrain in the song is "There's a hole in daddy's arm, where all the money goes"...
" – 4:14 - "ParadiseParadise (John Prine song)"Paradise" is a song written by John Prine for his father, and recorded for his 1971 debut album, John Prine. Prine also re-recorded the song for his 1986 album, German Afternoons. The song is about the impact of coal mining both while in activity and what happens to the area around the Green River...
" – 3:10 - "Pretty Good" – 3:36
Side two
- "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven AnymoreYour Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore"Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore" is an anti-war song by John Prine. It appeared on his eponymous introductory album, John Prine . It's an attack on phony patriotism, especially in the context of exhibitionistic chauvinism....
" – 2:51 - "Far From Me" – 3:38
- "Angel From MontgomeryAngel from Montgomery"Angel from Montgomery" is a country song written by John Prine, originally appearing on his self-titled 1971 album John Prine.-Background:...
" – 3:43 - "Quiet Man" – 2:50
- "Donald and Lydia" – 4:27
- "Six O'Clock News" – 2:49
- "Flashback Blues" – 2:33
Personnel
On all songs except "Paradise" and "Flashback Blues":- John Prine – vocals and acoustic guitar
- Reggie YoungReggie YoungReggie Young was lead guitarist in the American Sound Studios Band , and is a leading session musician. He played on various recordings with artists such as Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, John Prine, Dusty Springfield, J.J...
– lead guitar - Leo LeBlanc – pedal steel guitar
- John Christopher – rhythm guitar
- Buddy EmmonsBuddy EmmonsBuddy Emmons , is an American guitarist.Emmons has been called "The World's Foremost Steel Guitarist" and his talent is greatly admired by fellow steel guitarists...
– organ - Bobby Wood – pianos
- Mike Leach – bass
- Gene Chrisman – drums
- Bishop Heywood – percussion
On "Paradise":
- John Prine – lead vocal and acoustic guitar
- Steve GoodmanSteve GoodmanSteve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
– harmony vocal and acoustic guitar - Dave Prine – fiddle
- Neal Rosengarden – bass
On "Flashback Blues":
- John Prine – vocal and acoustic guitar
- Steve GoodmanSteve GoodmanSteve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
– acoustic guitar - Noel Gilbert – fiddle
- Mike Leach – bass
- Bishop Heywood – drums
- Gene Chrisman – tambourine
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Billboard Pop Albums | 154 |
External links
- A Literary Evening with John Prine and Ted Kooser. March 9, 2005. The Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress.
- Interview with John Prine - KyndMusic, September 2005
- Classic Albums: JOHN PRINE > John Prine January 2010. American Songwriter Magazine