ALBUM REVIEW: Prine provides perfection

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

For 40 years, John Prine has been one of the most prolific musicians/songwriters around, and the reasons why are clear on his latest live jaunt, “In Person & On Stage.” Accompanying Prine’s lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar are Jason Wilber (lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals), Dave Jaques (upright and electric bass, backing vocals), some friends and more than a few of the musician’s humorous anecdotes.

The rollicking “Spanish Pipedream” starts things off with plucky guitar and Prine urging, “Blow up your TV/ Throw away your paper” to find Jesus. “She Is My Everything,” a tender ode to his wife Fiona, follows.

“Long Monday” features slow strumming guitar, and Prine’s rugged voice as he sings “like a honey bee buzzin’ ’round a glass of sweet Chablis” is magical. Sara Watkins donates her haunting vocals and fiddle on the poignant “The Late John Garfield Blues,” which precedes a catchy rendition of “The Bottomless Lake.”

Try not to tap your foot along to “Bear Creek Blues,” where the water “tastes like cherry wine,” or be affected by the dark “Saddle In The Rain,” which features Prine’s guitar at its best. The latter is a standout with imagery that truly proves why he is considered a “songwriter’s songwriter.”

Emmylou Harris helps on the majestic steel-guitar tinged Prine classic “Angel From Montgomery,” a song from his self-titled 1971 album that’s been covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Ben Harper. Prine pokes fun at phony patriotism on the great “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” and shares how the song came to be in 1968 when he was a mailman who dreaded delivering Readers’ Digest.

Closer “Paradise” is delicious, with fiddle by Fats Kaplin, mandolin by Kieran Kane and backing vocals courtesy of Kane Welch Kaplin.

“In Person & On Stage” is a fine addition to Prine’s extensive catalog — and a great glimpse into who exactly is the man, the musician and the legend.

Rating: W W W W 1/2