Venue: Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: Aug 19 2010
By: David Relish

Full review and more can be found here
   Trib staffer Scott Murphy attended John Prine's Thursday night show at Red Butte Garden, and I've heard from several other attendees that it was a show for the ages. Here is Scott's account: John Prine is one of the best American songwriters of his generation and has evolved over the years into one of its most compelling - yet understated - showmen as well.
   Working with guitarist Jason Wilber and bassist Dave Jacques, Prine laid out nearly two dozen classics Thursday night at a nearly sold-out Red Butte Garden from his songbook that reached back to the early '70s for an audience that was mainly comprised of folks old enough to have bought those albums the day they came out.
   Starting with "Spanish Pipedream" and "Picture Show," the trio proved early on that a drummer isn't needed to inspire dancing when well-crafted music is delivered with buoyant, tight rhythms.
   Prine lifted songs from his eponymous debut to his most recent studio album of originals "Fair and Square" and sprinkled the set with deep tracks from throughout his nearly 40-year career.
   Prine's battle with cancer has left his voice a bit more frayed than it was during earlier in his career, but his haunting, deep voice was still strong to carry him through a touching solo mini-set Thursday night when the crowed stood almost silent as Prine played the haunting drug addiction tale "Sam Stone" and the humorous "That's The Way The World Goes Round."
   Prine repeatedly balanced his set by bouncing back and forth between somber numbers like "Souvenirs," and "Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)" into more upbeat fare including "Grandpa Was A Carpenter," and "Please Don't Bury Me."
Prine's two-hour set was also highlighted by Wilber's guitar solos including a blazing take on "Bear Creek Blues," and a harp solo during the trio's moving take of the melancholy "The Six O'Clock News.a

  Also, Prine sang an emotional reading of perhaps his best-known song "Angel From Montgomery," and thanked Red Butte favorite Bonnie Raitt for having recorded the song back in the '70s.
   Opener Carrie Rodriguez topped her 35-minute opening slot by joining Prine on vocals and on fiddle for his three-song encore of "In Spite of Ourselves," "Unwed Fathers," and "Paradise."
   There was little to fault about Prine's show, except that with as many great songs in his songbook as Prine, the audience knows that the band could have played a whole other batch of poignant and funny classics for another two hours and it would have been just as good.
Here's John Prine's setlist:****** Spanish Pipedream****** Picture Show****** The Six O'Clock News****** Souvenirs****** Grandpa Was A Carpenter****** Christmas in Prison****** Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)****** Fish and Whistle****** Glory of True Love****** Angel From Montgomery****** Sins of Memphisto****** Donald and Lydia****** That's The Way The World Goes Round****** Please Don't Bury Me****** Sam Stone****** Bear Creek****** Crooked Piece of Time****** Hello In There****** Encore:****** In Spite of Ourselves****** Unwed Fathers****** Paradise ******

Venue: Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO
Date: 8/16/2010
By: John J. Wood

Last night's setlist in closing the 2010 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons, CO: Spanish Pipedream Crooked Piece Of Time Six O'Clock News Souvenirs Grandpa Was A Carpenter Far From Me Fish & Whistle The Glory of True Love Angel From Montgomery The Sins of Memphisto (solo) My Mexican Home (solo) That's The Way The World Goes Round (solo) Sam Stone Bear Creek Blues Hello In There Lake Marie ENCORE: Paradise (with Michelle Shocked) A very solid performance. One thing I've noticed is that some of the songs have slowed a touch in tempo (Grandpa and Souvenir, for example), which allows for clearer lyric enunciation from John. Highlights for me were a typically gorgeous Six O'Clock News, an exquisite and sour-stirring rendition of "Far From Me", the entire solo acoustic segment (hadn't heard Mexican Home live since 2002!), a tearjerking "Hello In There", and Paradise with Michelle Shocked (who played earlier that day and also guested for one song with The Waifs). Because John had already reached his scheduled 90 minutes, Paradise was cut short...ending like the studio original, and no coda (i.e., "no Jason Wilbur solo") at the end. Still, John, Jason and Dave closed out what was an excellent day of music at the Folks Festival. Other artists who played yesterday: Abby Washburn & Bela Fleck, Joy Kills Sorrow, Joe Craven, Michelle Shocked, Richard Thompson, The Waifs...then John. If you didn't get your money's worth yesterday, you weren't there!

Venue: Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date: 2010-08-08
By: Cindy-Fan

John, Jason and David were amazing closing the show on Sunday evening at the Edmonton Folk Festival. Without a doubt the best performance I've seen John put on so far. The voice just gets smoother and the inflection deeper as time goes on. The only disappointment was that there was not a strong introduction for our man of the hour. He is a legend in his lifetime, a classic, one of the greats amongst us ... I can't wait to see him again.

Venue: Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
Date: 8/1/10
By: JerseyBoy
Yes, the show was a bit ragged and subdued - not as many stories as other nights. Still a fine show though, you just can't go wrong seeing this guy. John's voice really benefitted from the vacation, and the acoustics were sparkling. Nice to hear Chain of Sorrow, Christmas in Prison and that killer reworking of Great Rain!

Venue: Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
Date: August 1, 2010
By: Dennis
This was my 2nd time seeing John and the 1st time I'd been to Tarrytown. I enjoyed the venue and both sets (Jason and John) very much. I found John's verse forgetfulness enlightening. Can't wait to see them again!! PS - anybody have a set list?

Venue: Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
Date: 8/1/10
By: Marilyn
This is about the 15th time I have seen Prine live since the mid-70's, and it was the most disappointing show I have attended. He forgot the words to at least three different songs and had to stop and start over. When he did Donald and Lydia he left off the verse "They made love in the valleys they made love in the streams" etc. He apologized for all the mistakes and said it was because they had been off for the month of July. I understand, but it was still a letdown. The opening act, the lead guitarist, was funny when he told the audience anecdotes but I found his music boring and couldn't wait for his set to end. I wasn't wild about Prine's setlist, but I realize that's a personal thing and I can't truly hold Prine at fault for not playing many of my favorites. However that combined with him messing up so many times added up to a less than satisfying experience for me. John sounded fine and I enjoyed some of the performance, but all in all left feeling let down.

Venue: Music Hall, Tarrytown NY
Date: 8/1/10
By: asciarp
Another treat as John returned to this wonderful venue. We have seen him here before and its always just great. Jason opened and its good to see how well he is doing. Keep it up John-- your a world treasure -- come back soon

Venue: Fredericton,N.B.The Playhouse
Date: 08/17
By: DG.+RG.

This was the second time that we have seen John and the band.The last time was in Saint John but it was a poor turnout and we thought that we wouldnt see him in the Maritmes again so we were pleasantly surprised to hear that he was coming to Fredericton.He was great in Saint John and great in Fredericton.Lots of my family were there as weve been fans for years,so as Jed would say ya all come back,real soon.I think that someone from the daily gleaner staff should have been there for a review because everyone really enjoyed it except for that one disappointed fan who didnt get to hear illegal smile .So sad.

Venue: Cannon Ceter, Memphis TN
Date: 6/5/2010
By: CrabbyChar
Keith Sykes opened and he was funny and personable. Sang a sweet song called "Broken Homes" and"You Got Gold" He ended with Volcano, which we all sang along to. Like all venues where they sell alcohol, the crowd was a little rowdy at first, but settled by the second half. Throughout the show, you could hear the tell tale sound of an empty beer bottle falling over, then rolling down the incline of the auditorium. Halfway through the show, my friend Donna leans over and says "It's like being in a bowling alley!" Despite the funny sound effects, the show was great, John was energetic, and beaming as he and Dave and Jason came onto the stage. Here is the set list - to the best of my recall. 1. Spanish Pipedream 2. Oldest Baby In The World 3. Crooked Piece Of Time 4.Six O'Clock News 5. Souvenirs 6. Grandpa Was A Carpenter 7. Christmas In Prison 8. Bruised Orange - Jason played a rockin' solo. 9. Whistle/Fish 10. Glory of True Love He tells the story of co-writing the song as an introduction- at the end someone yells out "Play It Again!" John fires back "With or without the story?" 11. Long Monday (co written with Sykes) 12. Angel Then, solo: 13. How Lucky Can One Man Get - I've never heard him sing that in concert! 14. The Sins Of Memphisto 15. Blue Umbrella 16. Donald & Lydia 17. Sam Stone - During which Dave returns and plays that sad, sorrowful D chord, then Jason joins again. 18. Bear Creek 19. This was the surprise of the night - Great Rain - done in a more upbeat tempo than on "The Missing Years" CD, it was really a pleasure to hear, especially in the electric portion of the show. 20. Saddle In The Rain 21. A woman yelled out "One Red Rose" and to my surprise John said "That's a good one." and played it! 22. Hello In There 23. Lake Marie 24. Paradise w/Keith Sykes. That's when Miss Erna with her walking cane came up to the edge of the stage and sang Paradise looking straight into John's eyes for every note, until she started blinking tears down her face during "When I die let my ashes.." and wiping them away with a white handkerchief. It was quite an end to the show. I think he should take Miss Erna on the road with him. We should all have a good cry when a John Prine concert is over.

Venue: Bonnaroo-preview-cd interview
Date: june 12 6:45pm
By: PMSred
http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/06/05/john-prine-still-delivers/
   John Prine still delivers- ....."This album is dedicated to Tom “Crusher” Reynolds. Who was he? “He was a big fan, and he died just before Christmas last year, real sudden. We’d be in the Midwest or San Diego or really anywhere, and there’d be Crusher, outside the building when it was time for soundcheck. We were always surprised, but never really surprised. You never knew where he was going to show up. I’d always invite him in, even though I never invited any other people in for soundcheck. He was always a welcome sight. His smile said it all: He was glad to be there." ....

Venue: Little Rock, AR
Date: June 4, 2010
By: Twinpigs
Really fun show and it seemed that John was full of energy. He did his little leg kick once pretty early in the show but did it big time on Lake Marie. Jason Wilber is one young talent!

Venue: Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga, TN
Date: March 27th, saturday
By: Kathyrn Carroll aka kathy47
...I saw JOHN play in Chattanooga at the Tivoli, what a grand place. Did you ever watch the audience and see how many couples, heads sit upon their mates shoulders? How many couples are holding hands? Or how many stare with their thoughts so deeply involved in JOHN'S words? It is just amazing! People listen and reflect on how his words are so familiar to their own lives. What a gift to share with those who listen. And for those who do listen know that at one time or another, their own lives in JOHN'S songs. It is music that just grabs your heart and sometimes even your funny bone! Opening for JOHN was Leon Redbone! His jokes were a great were hilarious to the crowd, at the end of his performance he got a standing ovation. After a short break in comes JOHN, with his list as follows: 1. SPANISH PIPE DREAM 2. TORCH SINGER SONG 3. CROOKED PIECE OF TIME 4. 6'OCLOCK NEWS 5. SOUVENIERS 6. GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER 7. STORM WINDOWS 8. FISHING WHISTLE 9. GLORY 10. ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY the guys leave and then JOHN performs his solo: 11.COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO 12.MISSING YEARS 13. PLEASE DON'T BURY ME 14. With this song JOHN brought out a guitar and said it was STEVE GOODMAN'S GUITAR. And one of STEVE'S favorite songs, MY OLD MAN. What a great tribute JOHN did for the both of them. 15.BLUE UMBRELLA 16.SAM STONE then the boys enter the stage 17. FLAG DECAL 18.BEAR CREEK 19. WISH UPON A FALLING STAR 20.SHE IS MY EVERYTHING 21. I AIN'T HURTIN NOBODY 22. HELLO IN THERE 23. LAKE MARIE THEN COMES THE STANDING OVATION AND A ENCORE for the last song of the night. 24. PARADISE ~~~thanks JOHN ! kathy carroll

Venue: Shel Silverstein Tribute Album
Date: April 12
By: beatcrave - Jeffrey Hyatt
A first class group of musicians are spotlighting Shel Silverstein’s songwriting legacy. Consequence of Sound (via TwentyFourBit) posted an item about a tribute album called Twistable, Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein that will be released June 8 via Sugar Hill Records. Among the 15 artists contributing Silverstein covers are My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine. Check the complete track-list below! Silverstein was a renowned poet, playwright, illustrator, screenwriter, and songwriter. Best known for his immensely popular children’s books – including The Giving Tree, Falling Up and A Light in the Attic – Silverstein is one of the best-loved children’s authors of all time. You can preview the album here. The entire albumm looks great, but the Black Francis version of “Cover of the Rolling Stone” looks extra tasty. Twistable, Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein / Tracklist: 01. Lullabys, Legends and Lies – My Morning Jacket 02. The Twistable, Turnable Man Returns – Andrew Bird 03. This Guitar is for Sale – John Prine 04. The Unicorn – Dr. Dog 05. The Winner – Kris Kristofferson 06. Queen of the Silver Dollar – Sarah Jarosz w/ Black Prairie 07. Daddy What if – Bobby Bare, Jr. w/ Isabella Bare 08. The Cover of the Rolling Stone – Black Francis w/ Joey Santiago 09. Sylvia’s Mother – The Boxmasters 10. Me and Jimmy Rodgers – Ray Price 11. A Boy Named Sue – Todd Snider 12. The Ballad of Lucy Jordan – Lucinda Williams 13. The Living Legend – Bobby Bare, Sr. 14. The Giving Tree – Nanci Griffith 15. 26 Second Song – My Morning Jacket

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