Venue: wang theater, boston, ma
Date: 11/6/2009
By: mike r
Verify: x4kjs

Review

John Prine and Jayson Wilber, minus the recuperating Dave Jacques and with the help of Patti Griffin played to a full house at The Wang Center in Boston, MA last night. John's "lick" that he bemusedly described by stating "I sure as hell have gotten a lot of mileage out of this lick" should be studied by some neuroscientist somewhere with brain imaging techniques aiming to find the source of happiness, as the melodic fountain spring of all his songs causes such joy for its performer and audience. A note here, a phrasing there, a metaphor somewhere else -- one of the pleasures of watching John Prine perform is to see how happy his music makes him. Jayson Wilber is infected with the blithe spirit, too. "The leprechaun" as my friend Paul, in appreciative amazement, described Mr. Prine, walked off the stage grinning and with a bounce to his step, energized by the music he and Mr. Wilber had just treated the appreciative audience to. The mutual appreciation between Mr. Prine and his audience was conveyed by a "Thank you!" shouted by an audience member to Mr. Prine after a beautiful rendition of "Hello in There," followed by "No, thank you," from Mr. Prine, stepping up to the microphone grinning and bowing, as well as by Mr. Prine's delighted acknowledgement of a group of audience members' "loon calls" at the end of Crazy as a Loon, responding to the loon call that Mr. Prine used in the song, a sound he described as being "more like a nervous owl." Jayson Wilber was outstanding. On several songs, his guitar work brought Spanish flavor. On Bear Creek it was as if he was barely in control of his fret hand, as it moved fluidly up the neck of the guitar, chasing after Mr. Prine's driving Gibson. On all songs, most memorably for me on Six O'Clock News and Saddle in the Rain, but everywhere you wanted to look, Mr. Wilber's guitar work found tones and accents that worked beautifully within the lyrics and phrasings of Mr. Prine. Patti Griffin joined Mr. Prine for an all-too-brief two songs, In Spite of Ourselves and Long Monday. Come on, Mr. Prine, you two were just getting warmed up! Ms. Griffin's set was laid back and delightful, with her piercingly lovely voice backed by intelligent and spare backup guitar work. I am sorry I have blanked on the name of Ms. Griffin's guitar player, but the generous opening set was well appreciated by the audience, which included Ms. Griffin's mother, and ended with a shout out to Worcester, MA on Table Talk. I will not be able to recreate the set list, but I do remember: Spanish Pipedream, Six O'Clock News, Sam Stone, Glory of True Love (I think), Long Monday, Bear Creek, Paradise, Crooked Piece of Time, Saddle in the Rain, Sins of Memphisto, Fish and Whistle, All the Best, Lake Marie, Angel from Montgomery, Hello in There, Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, That's the Way that the World Goes 'Round, In Spite of Ourselves and Please Don't Bury Me. Our group had a wonderful time. Here's to Ginny, Paul, Cori and my wife Lillian, and sorry to Ginny's son who was not able to make it. The audience was family friendly, the venue was excellent, and the music was a four leaf clover.

Venue: Pantages Theatre Winnipeg Manitoba
Date: October 23, 2009
By: Peggy Loyie, Fort Fances Ont. Canada

Review

I have waited years to see John Prine live and was not disappointed, the show was so awesome. Thank you for coming to Canada!!!

Venue: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date: October 23, 2009

Review

The entire concert was awsome. Always enjoy Jason Wilber too. Sara Watkins sings beautifully with John

Venue: Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date: October 20, 2009
By: Goofy Guy Dancin'

Review

John seemed to have trouble getting started, but he hit stride when the band left the stage and he sang a number of songs alone. Thouroughly enjoyed the conceert after that. Sara Watson was not that impresive as a start up, although her guitar player could easily have been a warm up act on his own. There are many local gals who have more talent and would have warmed the audience more. Waiting for nearly an hour after the warm up act before John comes on stage was a downer. I understand from others around me this is common at the Windspear so they can sell more drinks.

Venue: Jack Singer Hall Calgary Alberta Canada
Date: October 19, 2009
By: Dilys

Review

Absolutely amazing! One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The sound was amazing, loved Sara Watson and her guitar player. John was incredible, as was his band. The sound was better than any other concert I've been too. I could hear almost every word he sang, every noted they played. I'd say the only other concert that was better was Van Morrison and John Kennedy in Vancouver but only because I never ever thought I'd see Van Morrison in my lifetime. If you can get a ticket, go! I've never seen a crowd react like that at Jack Singer.

Venue: Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date: October 20th, 2009
By: Don

Review

What a great concert John Prine and his band put on for us. The band wasso relaxed and in sync with each other, like they were playing in the kitchen. No one plays three chords better than John.

Venue: Jack Singer Hall, Calgary, AB
Date: 19/10/09
By: Rebecca - The Misanthropic Hippie

Review

Read more at http://misanthropichippie.blogspot.com/2009/10/john-prine.html ***** I saw John Prine at the Jack Singer last night!!! I was grinning and laughing and singing and aching in my heart so much that I got a headache. **** I wrote a review for Beatroute www.beatroute.com : **** John Prine has been combining three chords and the truth since the early seventies, when he was hailed as "the next Dylan", but the man on the auditorium stage this rainy Monday night was no graceful elder statesman of country-rock. Looking like a Beatle in his black suit, and hoisting a big-bodied acoustic guitar, he skipped onstage to an explosion of applause, shouts and whistles. Backed up by his band on electric guitar and upright bass, Prine started immediately into "Spanish Pipe Dream"."We're feeling a bit frisky tonight!" he confessed, kicking out his leg and doing the twist whenever the music moved him. I've never experience such a boisterous, excited atmosphere in the Jack Singer. **** Prine and his band delivered songs from his rich back catalogue, including favourites like "Please Don't Bury Me". Of note was a slow, introspective version of "Angel From Montgomery", with mandolin and a haunting electric guitar solo. Partway through the evening, Prine performed a set of solo acoustic songs, which put the focus on his direct, often humourous, and sometimes heart-breaking lyrics, as in the songs "Donald and Lydia" and "Sam Stone". Prine's band rejoined him for a fully electric rockabilly rave-up on "Bear Creek Blues". After almost two hours, the evening culminated with "Lake Marie", a nine-minute-long song of love and death, with spoken verses that always returned to the chorus, "Standing by peaceful waters, whoa wah oh wah oh!" You could say Prine took us to church. **** Opening act Sarah Watson, formerly of Nickel Creek, joined John Prine for the encore. Her clear, plaintive voice blended well with Prine's rough croon on the songs "In Spite of Ourselves" and "Paradise". **** Set list: **** Spanish Pipedream The Torch Singer Picture Show Six O'Clock News Mystery Song!!! Please Don't Bury Me Fish and Whistle The Glory of True Love Crazy as a Loon Angel From Montgomery Souvenirs The Frying Pan Donald & Lydia That's the Way the World Goes Round Sam Stone Bear Creek Blues Saddle in the Rain Hello in There Lake Marie ENCORE (with Sarah Watkins): In Spite of Ourselves The Late John Garfield Blues Paradise

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