John Prine IOWA Concert Reviews

 Vote For Change Concerts - Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines, Iowa
 Oct 6, 2004 - Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Keb' Mo' with surprise appearance by Neil Young

By: Leonardo
I found the Vote for Change concert in Des Moines to be a very special experience. The show began with Keb' Mo' who sang with soul and som amazing guitar playing. After only a couple songs, Neil Young came out as a suprise guest and sang two songs ("Harvest Moon" and "After the Goldrush") backup was sung by his wife, Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo'. Keb" then continued with a great set. Then after a brief intermission the man himself, John Prine came out and sang "Flag Decal", "Sam Stone"," Bear Creek", "Whistle and Fish", and the new song "Some Humans Aint Human". He was accompanied by Jason and David who were in their usual fine form. I may have missed a song because I get too excited when I see Mr. Prine and tend to forget details. John's voice was a little rough but hearing him was still a pleasure. He made his political views known without preaching and it made me greatful that we live in a country where some people still believe in free speech. Next,Bonnie Rait came out and did an amazing set accompanied by a great bass player and singer, Hutch Hutchinson. I had never seen her before but I can guarantee that I will see her again. For a finale there was a duet with John and Bonnie singing "Angel from Montgomery". Then everyone joined in on "Paradise". Bonnie and Hutch came out for an encore of the Leo Kottke song "Louise". All in all it was a great show with a talented group of musicians. Although the show was a political event, the music ruled the night and the political comments were brief and to the point. I share many of the opinions the artists expressed but I think any fan would have enjoyed the show.

By: DON McCLEESE
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041007/ENT04/410070401/1046/ENT  
  'Change' show easily gets fans' votes
  Peace-and-love songs from Bonnie Raitt, John Prine and Keb' Mo' have a familiar, friendly ring.
  Forget George Bush and John Kerry.
  If Canadian-born Neil Young were eligible to run for president, he would have unanimously won the caucus at the Civic Center on Wednesday.
  As an unbilled guest at the "Vote for Change" concert - headlined by Bonnie Raitt with John Prine and Keb' Mo' - Young treated the crowd during the opening minutes to the seasonal "Harvest Moon" and the perennial "Heart of Gold," two songs that set the mood for an evening that was more soft rock than political hard sell.
  By the time opening act Keb' Mo' resumed his set, he had a tough act to follow.
  The Des Moines concert of "Vote for Change," a pre-election, multi-artist musical blitz through swing states, could have been billed as "Turn Back the Clock," much to the delight of the partisan crowd. It seems that those who remember the 1960s and early '70s are doomed to repeat them. A controversial war, a polarized country and a Texas president made the evening of peace-and-love songs feel like deja vu.
  At this concert, it's doubtful that "Vote for Change" changed many votes. These folks had already made up their minds. Since social activism has been such an integral part of Raitt's career since the beginning, you'd have as much chance finding a conservative Republican at a Raitt performance as you would hearing Toby Keith serenade a Nader rally.
  Yet the occasion plainly brought out the best in Raitt, backed only by bassist Hutch Hutchinson.
  She sounded more spirited than ever as she ranged from the socially conscious songbooks of Randy Newman with "Political Science (Let's Drop the Big One)" and Jackson Browne to the bawdy blues of Sippie Wallace to a propulsive rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Baby, I Love You" (with Keb' Mo' on guest guitar). The minimal accompaniment gave the music plenty of room to breathe, and her voice soared.
  Prine's set was a greatest-hits abridgement of his Civic Center performance last spring, capped by a new song, "Some Humans Ain't Human," that bodes well for his new album next March (his first of new material in a decade). With his voice a little more gravelly than usual, he made one of the evening's more pointed jabs at the incumbent when he said he had resurrected "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore," his anti-Vietnam anthem, at the special request of the president.
  "It wasn't a formal request," said Prine, "but believe me, he's askin' for it."
  Country blues revivalist Keb' Mo' charmed the crowd with his gentle, genial brand of fingerpicking rags and pre-electric blues. He made a whimsical endorsement, in tribute to the master of modern funk, when he proposed that "George Clinton" would make the ideal bipartisan choice for president.
  And with his folkish "Talk," he suggested that whatever ails the country could be cured by an openhearted chat with the White House, invoking a common humanity.

Orpheum Theater, Sioux City, Iowa
 April 24, 2004 -- Support: R.B. Morris

By: Leonardo
Three generations of my family gathered together on my brother's acreage near Sioux City in anticipation of the night's John Prine concert. Our group included my sweetheart, three of my brothers, my mom, my sister in law and my nephew. All but one brother had seen John before so everyone knew we were in for a treat. By the way, we are a family that has sung Prine songs at family get togethers for years. The experience we shared at that concert was truely a gift to me and my family from Mr. Prine. The show was absolutely great from beginning to the end. R.B. Morris opened up in great fashion and his voice and lyrics set the mood for the master. By the way, I have been to 12+ John Prine concerts and have loved every one of them since my first one in 1977. Of all of those shows, this was the best behaved, respectful, and entusiastic audience that I have ever been a part of. When the usual goofballs tried to dominate the show by yelling out requests, the other audience members quieted them down immediately. (No need for the "Quit Hollerin at Me" t-shirt at this show!) Kudos to the staff and the audience for maintaining the perfect atmosphere for a great Prine concert. The theater is amazingly beautiful and all of the staff were gracious and friendly. Now for the best thing-John's voice and his selection of songs. I didn't get a song list because I got too caught up in the experience. I especially enjoyed the new songs that will be included in his new album, as well as Flag Decal, and Bottomless Lake. John's voice was in the best shape I have heard in years and he really made a connection with the audience. He and the boys just looked like they were having fun. To sum it up, if you haven't seen John recently, do yourself a favor and go see one of his shows. This review comes from a very happy fan from a family with three generations of very happy fans.

By: fino
What a concert..... from the unassuming way that John Prine took the stage, to the quality of the music.... it brought tears to my eyes as he played "Souvenirs". John Prine has a gift, and the concert was something I'll never forget.

By: Billy
Unreal...I saw John in San Diego back in 97 at the blues street cellar... about a 5 or six players with him backing him up. I stayed around after the show & meet John even got a hug, He's the best. This concert was one of the top 5 i have ever seen & i just saw Fleetwood Mac, he played with two awesome players on lead guitar & bass, how can 3 guys sound like a 50 piece symphony well they did...he played 3 hours & didn't miss a beat & the sound was the best ever, he played the whole album or CD of John Prine...John Prine. It couldn't of been better. I also got his guitar pic after the show that he rock the house with, he he. That's going on a pic 8 X 10 with my autograph I received from him on the lost dogs mixed blessings tour with my ticket. This man is one of the best entertainers in the industry, telling story's & making good fun of life in general & how not to take it to serious. Well done Mr. Prine i needed that. Anyone that misses this show that's a JP fan is missing out on the old John Prine that you always wanted to see & hear. GO TO THE SHOW PERIOD... YOU WILL LOVE IT> Signed Dear Abby : ) AKA> Billy

By: Angie Smith from Iowa
How can you express what you feel at a Prine concert? There are no words that explain it! This is only my second concert but I have loved him for years! This performance was the Best! I had front row seats and believe that I actually made eye contact with him, but I believe that he makes everyone feel as if he is singing to only them! He gave us a taste of his soon to be released album and of course it will be great as usual. His humor took us on a great ride along with his music and stage presence! Thanks John for making the lady singing all your songs in her favorite J.P. t shirt a lady that can keep a memory of a lifetime in her life!!! P.S. Dave and Jason truly have the talent to be with J.P.

By: Siouxland Music - PREVIEW
Folk legend and Grammy Award winner JOHN PRINE will play the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, April 24, 2004. Mr. PRINE has been releasing records and touring the world since the '70s. Early into the 80's John moved to Nashville and started his own record label, Oh Boy Records. His first independent release, 1984's Aimless Love, was followed up in 1986 by the Grammy nominated album German Afternoons, and the 1988 Grammy nominated John Prine Live. Prine later won a Grammy for 1991's The Missing Years, which featured appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.and consequently became one of his best selling albums to date. In 1995 he released Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings, followed in 1997 by Live On Tour. 1999 saw the release of the Grammy nominated In Spite Of Ourselves, an album comprised of classic country lovin', leavin', and cheating songs, of which only the title cut is a Prine original. Featuring duets with Lucinda Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Melba Montgomery, Emmylou Harris, Dolores Keane, Patty Loveless, Connie Smith and Fiona Prine. Souvenirs, released in 2000, is a group of re-recordings of many of Prine's Classic tunes, many of which date back to his earliest days of songwriting. September, 2001 marked the Oh Boy Records release of it's first DVD Video project - John Prine Live From Sessions At West 54th - which includes all the entire hour special from the original PBS broadcast as well as outtakes and an extensive one-on-one interview conducted by series host John Hiatt. This DVD is one of the first releases from an independent label to be mixed in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. Mr. PRINE continues to sell out theatres and amphitheatres across North America. For further information and history, please go to http://www.ohboy.com. Artist: John Prine Date/Time: Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 8:00 PM Venue: Orpheum Theatre Market: Sioux City, Iowa TICKETS ON SALE NOW Tickets $35 & $30 plus applicable fees All Seats Reserved Available at the Tyson Events Center box office & all Ticketmaster outlets Credit Card orders (712) 252-3434 or www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600383AE485CE69)

Civic Center, Des MOines, IA
April 23, 2004 -- Support: R.B. Morris

By: Kevin and Paula
Grateful, that’s what I felt last night in Des Monies. I was grateful to be part of the audience. I was grateful for my wife to take us up to the ticket counter and see if better seats were available – I was grateful there were. This was our fourth John Prine concert in less than two years, and the best seats yet – 11th row – center. We arrived late, as we usually do to everything. We caught the last few songs of R B Morris and were impressed. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the “signing” ladies for the hearing impaired. They were beautiful and the music looked beautiful in sign language. John, Jason, and Dave took the stage with Spanish Pipe Dreams – and the Trio was off. John seemed to be really enjoying himself and the crowd too. Jason and Dave were in great form. One highlights include John breaking a string right before the big Cash tune and he switched gears - telling us all “I was never very good at replacing strings” as he handed the guitar off. The trio gave a great performance that lasted two and half hours. The real treat came afterwards when we “accidentally” waited around after the show. We saw Jason and Dave speaking to fans. After 15 minutes or so the crowd narrowed to around twenty, and we were directed to a “holding area”. The 20 or so included the “mistress” of the shrine and her daughters. Three fans had brought guitars and were strumming Prine tunes and conjuring up the group for a sing-along. It became apparent that performing is tougher than it looks. Then a girl, barley a women, stepped up and asked for the guitar. She took and confidently strummed it to find a comfortable fit. She said “how about a fun one” – and she broke into Leave the Lights On. Her voice was strong and got stronger with every twisted lyric. It was a special treat for us as much as it was for her. We heard steps down the stairs and then John’s voice “did I hear someone playing my songs”. He made it to the landing and all of us rose to meet him. A touching moment happened immediately when a fan spoke to him about Steve Goodman and gave him a ticket stub from a past John and Steve concert. He spent time talking photos and listening to our words of appreciation. Our singing girl - almost a lady – lady, gave him an emotional thank you for providing the music that was strong part of her life. She was grateful. We were all grateful.

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