John Prine ENGLAND CONCERT REVIEWS

Academy 2, Manchester, ENGLAND, UK
June 22, 2004

By: Jan Roberts, North Wales
A wonderful evening watching John Prine for only the second time - he doesn't play over in UK enough! Went along with three friends who hadn't seen him play before - and we all agreed it was just brilliant. Jason and Dave are ideal musicians and vocalists alongside him. Can't wait till the next time. Thanks John.

By: Christine, Yorkshire
I've been a fan ever since my brother brought home the live album several years ago, but never thought I would get the chance to see someone as "big" as John Prine in such a small informal venue (and I had the bonus of a front row seat!) The concert more than lived up to my expectations. John doesn't just sing a song, he tells you a story as he is doing it. Even though you've heard the songs before, the lyrics really come alive. The feeling that went into the 'song you'd sing if you were asked to sing something at your ex-wive's wedding', for example, made it something else. His gravelly voice suits his songs so well and I could easily have listened to it all night (I should say, we did get a full two hours plus an encore). John was ably backed by Jason Wilber, who is a very talented guitarist/banjo?/mandolin paper who complemented John perfectly, and by Dave Jacques on double bass and bass guitar. I think the inclusion of a double bass is inspired and adds a definite something to the whole sound/feel. My musical highlights of the evening were "I ain't hurtin' nobody" - I actually thought from the intro it was going to be the Beatles' "Come together" - and Lake Marie. I wanted to get up and dance to these, and if I'd been in the back row I definitely would have! The show was a mixture of old songs plus some songs from the upcoming CD - these were very good indeed. I can't remember any of the titles, but I know I want to hear them again! There are some people who entertain by projecting themselves onto you and there are those who draw you in to them so that you feel they are sharing something special with you. The latter is harder to do, but John Prine manages it apparently effortlessly. This was my first John Prine concert, but it definitely won't be my last. I traveled about 40 miles this time, but I would have no hesitation in traveling much further to experience this again.

The 2004 Fleadh, Finsbury Park - London, England, UK
June 20, 2004

         
(Click on the photos to see more of Mick Unwin's photo's)

By: Anonymous
John Prine takes the Borderline stage. No better man, no better place. Looking like a country chipmunk and sounding like he's just necked a ten gallon hat of flob, this guy is the major revelation of the festival. read more here ----- http://playlouder.com/feature/+fleadh/ -----

By: Nick Mavroidakis
Awesome! The first time I'd seen Prine live and well worth the wait. A nod to Steve Goodman and a lovely tribute to the Carter Family. My mate had never even heard of John Prine but somehow sang along to every chorus just like the rest of the tent. A woman fainted... nuff said!

By: David Burke, an Irishman in the wilds of Wolverhampton, England
We are at a place now in time where mediocrity is mistaken for genius and love is really loathing with a crooked smile, where compassion is less a human value than a commodity, where people who believe in a different God are being colonized or slaughtered by a little Texan guy who once had a drink problem then sobered up enough to commit larceny on an unprecedented scale and, with a little help from his dad and some very suspect friends, install himself in the seat of power of the most powerful (pre-fascist) nation on the planet. In short, we don't care about anything much save ourselves, and it's this that will hasten our demise and eventual extinction. Thankfully there are those, like John Prine, who know it's all about making a connection. And the connection he made with his audience in the Borderline tent at the Fleadh in Finsbury Park was a thing of beauty that I shall cherish well into my dotage.  His performance was - and this is in no way overstating it - sublime. Sam Stone, The Way That The World Goes Round, Dear Abby, All The Best and Lake Marie were particular favourites in a set that opened up like a flower with each song. My six-year-old son, Dylan, fell into peaceful sleep halfway through - as if he trusted John Prine's human touch enough to let go of consciousness and drift into a land of unconscious euphony. If you think that's a load of old shite, then heed this: it's not for nothing that John Prine is one of Bob Dylan's "musical heroes". And as if that's not enough, he's one of the good guys as well.

By: maureen smith
I have to thank a friend for getting me hooked into John Prine, I don't know where I've been all my life, but I'm getting my music act together now. My first john Prine concert, what a beautiful man. The love and respect and beauty that flowed between the three on stage and the audience was incredible. I have never witnessed such a tight bond of love before. I stood there listening to my favourite songs in my silly hat, my world rocked and I am still reeling today. God bless you John Prine, thank you for the music and the compassion you have with us mere mortals. I wish you "all the best."

By: Stephen W
John Prine was in the Borderline tent. There'd been acts in there since midday and I sensed that many of the people coming in and out were doing so out of polite curiosity. But, as Prine's time of 18.00 hours approached, there was a clear sense of purpose in the way people converged on the tent, anxious to get a good place. Prine's public are dedicated and they won't want to miss a note. John Prine gave a great performance, as he always does, and, again as always, most people's lips were moving throughout. He let us sing Illegal smile with him, but most people sang every other song as well. There's a love for this man and his funny, sad and deeply moving songs.  This seems to be shared by the men on stage - Jason Wilber and Dave Jacques - who must have played the songs so often now but nevertheless still play them with exquisite tenderness. Prine, I've got to say, didn't look that well and his throat sounded rough when he talked, but, once he started the next song, he was as good as ever. Maybe the fifth or sixth John Prine gig I've attended and it'll keep me going 'til the next time.

By: Iainmac
In a tent for John, fortunately, as it was raining heavily outside, and those watching Counting Crows got soaked. Most with David and Jason. 
      1 Spanish Pipedream 
      2 Your Flag Decal Wont Get You Into Heaven Anymore - banter before about how George Bush had made him get this old song out of the cupboard, dust it down and start playing it again 
      3 Souvenirs 
      4 Fish and Whistle 
      5 Picture Show 
      6 All The Best 
      7 Angel From Montgomery
      8 Dear Abby 
      9 That's the way the world goes round, with enchilada interlude 
     10 Sam Stone 
     11 (Bear Creek) Johnny Cash tribute I didn't recognize (shame on me) 
     12 Lake Marie 
     13 Hello in there John in good form, but a bit croaky voiced - presumably the lousy weather! 
Fantastic to see him - my first live Prine experience.

Please add your John Prine concert experience,  link to a current 2004 review, preview, announcement, or set list. Click to write your review

Archives | Credits | E-Mail | Prine Links | Search | Site Map Sign Book | Supporters | View Book | Traders | Chats  Fan Sites | Newsletter | Fan Letters | Participate | Souvenirs  Bio | Films | Music | Photos | Postcards | Reviews | Shop | Tour
©1996-2006 The John Prine Shrine		Oh Boy Records Home of John Prine	Just John Prine