John Prine

John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 32:54 minutes | 588 MB | Genre: Country
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Oh Boy Records

Seeing as how Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark aren’t with us any more, we’d best make the most of our remaining time with John Prine! A great songwriter who is little-known this side of the Atlantic, but adored by a cult following back home, Prine started as a protégé of Kris Kristofferson, and is anything but a sub-Dylan. Prine has even become known as one of the most underrated portraitists of his generation. And while his wry humour always protects him from any temptation towards soppiness, he also knows how to touch the heart. With Prine, above all, anti-establishment spirit is never far from the surface. It’s rare to see caustic wit and pure emotion blended together with such talent… After a superb record full of mixed duets with Kacey Musgraves, Lee Ann Womack, Alison Krauss, Susan Tedeschi, Iris DeMent, Amanda Shires and Miranda Lambert, John Prine has brought out his first record in 13 years made up entirely of new songs.
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John Prine – John Prine (1971/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 44:46 minutes | 1,74 GB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Rhino Atlantic

“John Prine” is the first album by American Country/Folk singer-songwriter John Prine. His 1971 self-titled debut set the tone for the rest of his career. A critical smash and a commercial disappointment, the record contains many of his best known compositions. Proving himself capable of tackling folk balladry, country, and rock with ease, Prine seems to spring into being as a fully formed singer-songwriter at age 24. Lyrically diverse, Prine offers topical songs such as “Sam Stone”, the tale of a drug addicted Vietnam vet, achingly sad songs, such as the oft-covered “Angel from Montgomery”, and, of course, his trademark wit gets ample time in the spotlight. Produced by the legendary Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Hall and Oates), the record is understated, letting Prine’s comfy voice drive things. When needed, the famous house band at American Recording Studios in Memphis kicks in tasteful backing.
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John Prine – Crooked Piece of Time: The Atlantic & Asylum Albums 1971-1980 (Remastered) (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 04:17:45 minutes | 10,02 GB | Genre: Folk, Rock, Country
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Rhino Atlantic

Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark had lain waiting for some years before John Prime succumbed to Covd-19 and joined them in April 2020 at the age of 73. The great songwriter and storyteller (who is little-known on this side of the pond but is somewhat of an idolized cult figure back home in the States) began his career as a protégé to Kris Kristofferson and recorded seven albums with Atlantic and Asylum between 1971 and 1980. All are remastered in this collection: John Prine (1971), Diamonds in the Rough (1972), Sweet Revenge (1973), Common Sense (1975), Bruised Orange (1978), Pink Cadillac (1979) and Storm Windows (1980). To understand the scale of Prine’s influence, two quotes from musicians from two different generation among thousands who flooded to social media to upon the announcement of his death. Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver: “A simple majority of who I am as a person, let alone a musician, is because of John Prine.”. Bruce Springsteen: “John and I were “new Dylans” together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the loveliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages.” These seven albums (especially the first four), prove that John Prine was one of the great portraitists of his generation. While his dark sense of humour prevented him from sounding soppy, he nevertheless had a knack for touching hearts with empathy and humility. With Prine, anti-establishment was never low on the agenda as he fused wit and emotion with rarely seen talent… – Marc Zisman
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John Prine – John Prine and Friends (Live at Newport Folk 2017) (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:13:44 minutes | 914 MB | Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Newport Folk Recordings

Recorded during the 2017 Newport Folk Festival, John Prine and Friends is the first-ever release of this celebrated and unique performance. Joining John on stage during this once-in-a-lifetime set were some of our very dear friends including (in order of appearance) Justin Vernon, Jim James, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, and Roger Waters.
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