JOHN PRINE BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA CONCERT REVIEWS 2005

The Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, BC
August 5, 2005

By: Ima Prinefan

By: John McLaughlin - The Province
John Prine 
  While John Prine constructs his songs with the focused craftsmanship of a cabinet maker, there’s a certain instinct involved as well. It’s the gut that tells him where to throw in an odd, dissonant chord or - much more likely - take an odd, dissonant lyrical turn from the usual path. 
  He admits today there’s a good chance that honed instinctive muscle - plus a natural, probing curiosity - were what helped save his life. God knows, it wasn’t the doctors. 
  About eight years ago, while in the midst of recording a duet album, he began noticing a small lump in his neck. It was almost microscopic, he was only aware of it when he shaved. Still, it bugged him and he kept asking his doctor about it but was told not to worry. 
  Still, it made Prine uneasy; if it really was nothing now it could grow into something scary later. He pressed the issue and plans were made to surgically remove this thing, necessitating a needle aspiration. Son-of-a-gun if the little lump wasn’t “stage three” cancer, the precipice to death. Hit stages four and five and it can spread like ink on water. 
  Needless to say, the duets project was put on hold but when Prine came back to it 18 months later everything had to be re-recorded. His voice had dropped an octave, a big slip. He liked it. 
  “For me, I think it worked out better,” says Prine. “I never liked my voice anyway. I thought it would mature over a while but I was still singing my old songs in the key I wrote ‘em in when I was 18. Once I had to change to a lower key, some of ‘em sound brand new to me. “Sam Stone”, “Hello In There”. I thought wow, these are good songs.” 
  You think? 
  When the Chicago raised Prine first shambled on the scene singing about Viet Nam war vet Sam Stone and the hole in his arm, it was the height of the 70s singer/songwriter movement. 
  Some of it, yes, was powerfully bad, self-embracing drivel but there was plenty of excellent talent afoot and humorous, simpatico Prine, with his twinkling, near child-like take on the human condition - not to mention illegal smiles - was one of the best. 
  Thirty-odd years later at age 59 he’s still at it, still trolling his wacky take on the wacky vagaries of life. The new Fair And Square album is his first studio project of original material in nine years and very much worth the wait. 
  Self produced and engineered by Gary Paczosa, the man at the board for Alison Krauss’ last couple of records (“that was about the best acoustic sound I ever heard”), Prine ranges from a well aimed shot at the present U.S. administration on “Some Humans Ain’t Human” to this nutty old world on “Crazy As A Loon” to good love on “She Is My Everything”. It’s all classic Prine. 
  The best and most moving of them all is “My Darlin’ Hometown”, a sweet reminiscence about the area around the home in Galway, Ireland where he decamps from Nashville and spends three months of every year with his Irish wife and two sons, nine and ten years old. He’s a happy man.
  “I had no idea, I really didn’t,” says Prine. “I was married twice before and never had children, it was always, yeah, someday. They’re great guys, they’re getting to that age where they’re my buddies, you know? 
  “But my life has really done a 180. I used to go to bed at six in the morning – now I get up at six to take them to school. I tell people I’m kinda like a soccer mom now. I’m glad one of them plays baseball ‘cause I actually know what the game is.” 

By: jpparadise
This is only my review, concert list was presented previously. Sound was a tad difficult, I could not make out the bit about Marching, Marching...(?) Oh, I best mention I was in Row 5. Amos Lee, impressive fellow. I felt rather sorry for him as his parents were to be there, some family emergency occurred and they were unable to attend. Two empty seats next to me. Mr. Prine - I love that electric white guitar - and WOW what a gentleman. He can still wiggle his butt just like he did 30 years ago. Fiona, she must be good at fishing, she hooked a 'prine'. Jason Wilber, another gentleman. Fine guitar player. I could not understand the hand signals to the sound man...down...turn it down.. sound was troubling. However, it did not really matter to me, I was in a flutter, near orbit stage. All was well in my world. That Swooning Fellow, eludes me. To end, I was able to meet with Mr. Prine. I shook his hand, hugged (orbited and got really knocked kneed - probably did not make a word of sense), but he signed my ticket - Thank You JP Paradise - John Prine! Thank You - John Prine - Jason Wilber - David Jacques I will go to my ashes, very happy, fluttering, in remembrance of the evening of the John Prine concert in Vancouver, 2005.08.05.

By: Elise
I'm Elise, a 16 year old who has been listening to John Prine all my life. I guess its always been a dream of mine to see him live, as i grew up listening to his music. To say the least, his concert was amazing. I don't know whether it was the actual concert, or the sentimental value the concert meant to me, but it was indescribable. He is not as lively on stage as alot of other performers I've seen, but I'm glad he wasn't. I'm completely at a loss of words as to how to describe him. To sum it up, he is my favorite song writer, and his voice is the most unique one ive ever heard. I don't know what else to say, except for that it was my favorite concert i have ever been to, and I look forward to seeing him again hopefully in the near future!

The Orpheum Theatre, VICTORIA, BC
August 4, 2005

By: Nancy Mackenzie
Thursday night Aug,4 th was the highlight of my summer. My dear friend Christine Semenick and I hopped in my Crossfire and headed 3 hours south to Vic to see the uncomparable John Prine..With out a doubt the most incredable concert I have ever seen. After the show, we waited outside the stage door until Mr.Prine came out. It didn't matter how long that took as I waited almost 30 years to meet this man. His music has been and always will be a huge part of my life...Mr Prine spent 15 -20 minutes ( I was so excited I don't even really know how long) chatting and allowing us to take photos with him...He truly is a very sweet man....I have played the DVD several times and it is so awesome....Please come back to B.C. soon John......We will be where ever you are !!! I LOVE YOU JOHN PRINE !! From a down home Miramichier ......

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