March 10, 2006 - Murat Theater: Indianapolis, IN - with Jason Wilber, Pat McLaughlin, Dave Jacques   support: Raul Malo

By: David Lindquist
PRINE BRINGS STORIES, SONGS THAT DELIVER
  Within the lyrics of his 1972 song "Souvenirs," John Prine sings that he hates pawn shops and old love letters because they bring him to tears.  
  John Prine 
  Master storyteller makes an upbeat visit. John Prine 
  There are John Prine songs that make us weep, but they supply emotional wallops we love rather than hate. 
  The great American songwriter performed for a sold-out audience Friday at the Murat Theatre, where he saved a couple of his tear-jerkers -- bleak character studies "Sam Stone" and "Donald and Lydia" -- for a solo segment in the middle of the show. Elsewhere, a celebratory mood prevailed. Prine got a kick out of reporting his recent Grammy victory in the category of best contemporary folk album, and the audience responded with a standing ovation. 
  While the winning album, "Fair & Square," isn't the deepest work of the 59-year-old's career, it radiates affection and truth. "Glory of True Love" falls in the former category, and anger-management exercise "Taking a Walk" slips nicely into the latter. "Long Monday" finds Prine down in the dumps, but it's a tolerable misery that exists only because the weekend he spent with his girl was so great. 
  Aside from "Fair & Square," the program drew heavily from Prine's 1971 self-titled debut. "Spanish Pipedream," known for its vigorous advice to "Blow up your TV," kicked off the show in full stride. Prine and his three sidemen came across as a half-bluegrass, half-rockabilly band. No drummer set foot on the minimalist stage, which lined up from left to right an upright bass player, a mandolin player, Prine on acoustic guitar and Bloomington-based guitarist Jason Wilber. 
  Early rock influences were heard when echoes of Buddy Holly and Bo Diddley riffs skittered off the edges of some arrangements. And Prine looked ready for a sock hop when he offered lower-limb gyrations to complement a Pat McLaughlin mandolin solo during "Glory of True Love."
  Wilber added one sparkling detail after another. Sometimes his staccato tone recalled longtime Dwight Yoakam guitarist Pete Anderson. Mostly, Wilber's electric instrument represented a metallic blade clearing a path for Prine's priceless words. 
  "True Love," for instance, reminded us that the real thing "will last your whole life through -- never will go out of fashion, always will look good on you." 
  READ THE ENTIRE STORY WITH PHOTOS - Here

By: UncleDad
Sold out show last night at the Murat. I've seen Prine at least ten times before, this was by far the best show I've ever seen him do. He played for two and a half hours. The old guy sounds better than ever. He played "flag decal" and wished he could retire it for a second time. Funny how a song written 30+ years ago is relevent once again, too bad for us. Anyway it was the best show I've ever seen him do.

By: Worth Mountjoy
Hi guys, just wanted to write and say that I really enjoyed myself at the Prine concert in Indy the other night. John, thanks so much for what you do. I consider you to be a spokesman for happiness in a world with flaws so big they've got their own flaws. I felt like love and hope were the key words of the night: just what the doctor ordered. Do yourself a favor, folks, go see this man, you won't be disappointed... P.S. Thanks for playing "Sweet Revenge", it frickin' rocked!

By: Brent
WOW! Great show! I hadn't seen John live before, huge fan of his music, as my folks listened to it during my childhood. To borrow a friend's words "It was the first show I've been to where I didn't want it to end." To put it in my words "I got chills when he broke out Angel from Montgomery." Thanks John, your music transcends!

Jan 27, 2006 - The Victory, Evansville, IN - with Jason Wilber, Pat McLaughlin, Dave Jacques and Maura O'Connell with John Mock as support

By: Sean R
  Awesome!! Great Show, Great Crowd. I've seen probably 100 or more concerts in my life (Springsteen, Stones, Who, Bonnnie Raitt, Neil Young) just about anyone who was anyone in the 70's,80's and 90's and this wasone of my favorite's. Saw John in Cincinnati a few months and this was a far better show! Thanks John for years of Great Music and Good Times. Sean R

By: Sweetmedic
  It was the best concert I have vere been to in my life. So much action on stage. Worth every penny!

By: John Beck
  This was my first Prine show . I have been a fan for over 30 years but have never had a chance to see him in concert before. All I can say is YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. I have seen alot of live shows in my life, but John's show rates up there with the best. The small venue made it so enjoible. It was like he sang every song to you. I can't wait to see him in Carbondale or Indy.

Date: Preview - Friday, Jan 27
By: REBECCA COUDRET
  John Prine fans don't need anyone to tell them he is a great songwriter. 
  Singer/songwriter Prine returning to The Victory - Jan 26, 2006---- Some even think he's a great singer. 
  Courier & Press reporter Gordon Engelhardt, in reviewing Prine's CD "Fair & Square," called the legend's voice "world-weary." 
  But the CD, he said, "is like becoming reacquainted with an old friend." 
  read the rest here http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/community/article/0,1626,ECP_737_4414556,00.html

PREVIEW - STANLY NEWS AND PRESS (ALBEMARLE, N.C.)
By: Joel Barrett
SINGER JOHN PRINE STILL IN HIS PRIME
  Prine’s story is the stuff of Nashville legend. He was cool country before country was cool. Despite his distinctive twang, Prine actually hails from the Chicago suburb of Maywood, Ill. His family, however, had roots in the South, specifically Paradise, Ky., from which Prine draws on in his songwriting. 
  read the rest of the article http://www.adaeveningnews.com/entertainment/cnhinsentertainment_story_025105029.html

PREVIEW Date: Jan 27 2006
By: REBECCA COUDRET 12/05/2005
It's been a couple of years, so that means it's time for John Prine to make a return visit to Evansville. 
  Prine will be at The Victory for a Jan. 27 concert. His opening act has not been announced. 
  Prine's last appearance here drew a near-capacity crowd to The Victory for an unforgettable 2½ hours of music. Courier & Press reviewer Roger McBain wrote in October 2003, "Prine sang on, playing straight through 30 songs, pausing only to change guitars, wipe his brow and take sips of bottled water. 
  "His strumming hand kept moving even as he spoke to the audience, reflecting on his music, his marriages, his hip replacement and his boyhood memories of driving through Evansville on family trips from Chicago back to Muhlenberg County, Ky., for family reunions. 'Evansville always smelled like pancakes to me,' he mused before launching into another tune. 
  "His unstudied, sandpapered voice never failed him as he picked, strummed and slammed out the rhythms and melodies on an assortment of acoustic and solid-bodied electric guitars." 
  Tickets for the concert are $42.75, $47.75, $55 and $75 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the Roberts Stadium box office, The Centre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets (fye and Famous Barr in Eastland Mall and Evansville Schnucks locations). Tickets also may be charged by phone at 423-7222 or purchased on online at ticketmaster.com. 
full article here: http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/news/article/0,1626,ECP_734_4289516,00.html

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