JOHN PRINE UNITED KINGDOM CONCERT REVIEWS 2005

shepherds bush empire, London, England, UK
31-October - 2005 - Support Mindy Smith - Guest back up Pat McLaughlin

By: smh
SETLIST

By: John Walker
We queued for over 3 hours to get in the front row at the venue, and it was worth every minute. It was great to hear so many of the old songs, and his new ones are already classics. Perhaps the electric guitar was a tad loud on one or two songs, but that would be nit-picking. John is just great every time we see him. His set at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park in the late 70's takes a lot of beating, but this was JP at his best. My only regret is that he is not over here more. I went home totally blown away and so did my 16-year-old son who is now a complete devotee!

By: Neil McKay
Preview - November 2005
Down a long road but it's Prine's prime time at last 
  Things couldn't be better for songwriting legend, John Prine. Neil McKay talks to the troubadour about how becoming a father later in life has put everything in perspective 
  04 November 2005 
  He's just into his 60th year, he's not long beaten throat cancer, and he's lived a hard rock'n'roll life, but John Prine reckons he's just about into his prime. 
  His fine new album, Fair & Square, his first record of completely new material in nine years, has delighted the critics and his fans, and he's more in demand than ever as a live attraction. 
  And, much as it might surprise you to hear it (and it would have surprised Prine to say it not that long ago), it's all down to a settled family life. ----- Prine has finally found contentment in his third marriage, and he is a doting father to two ten-year-old boys (they were born within ten months of each other). 
  In fact, Prine can see only one drawback in his life of cozy domestic bliss - it makes it harder for him to write songs. 
  Prine, who plays two Northern Ireland shows next week, said: "When I first looked at the songs on the new album I thought 'Gee this is too mellow - I got to stir it up or something'. But there's no use putting something in there that isn't happening, and this is pretty much representative of the way things are going in my life, and that's about the best I can do. 
  "It's difficult, really difficult, to write songs when things are like that. It's much easier to write songs in total chaos with noise going on around you, stressed out of your mind and your heart broke - that's when it's easy to write songs, because there's nothing else to do and you've no place else to go." 
  It's a trade-off Prine is happy to make, even though it helped contribute to the nine-year gap between albums. 
  "It was partly that, partly dealing with the cancer, and partly to do with having to raise a family. 
  "The cancer has been clear for seven years now, and five years is when they consider it safe. When I got the cancer, the boys were just three. I'd been married twice before but I'd never had a home life or something solid to come to when I got off the road. Usually, the life on the road would continue at home for me - it would still be party after party and you'd be out playing music with other friends and stuff, it really was like the road goes on forever. 
  "In fact, I can't think of a better time in my life to have kids. I think if I were to have had kids back in my 20s and 30s, when I was first starting out, a lot of the time I would have opted for the road and I wouldn't have been around very much as a father. 
  "Now I get to pick and choose as far as touring goes - I can stay at home for long periods of time. What I try to do is go out and play gigs on the weekends so that I'm at home all week with the boys and can take them to school, pick them up afterwards, just be here in general so it's more like a normal life. 
  "They're starting to put the pieces together now. They've seen all the interviews I've had to do this year, and they found out, amongst other things, that I've had three wives and I've failed to tell them about that. 
  "One of them interviewed me the other day for a thing he was doing at school called Tennessee entertainers. He figured he'd report on Elvis and me, and he talked to me because he couldn't get Elvis on the phone! 
  "One of them plays drums and the other plays piano and guitar and I'm encouraging them as much as I can. I get a feeling that they're thinking about getting on the road with me because it must look like a pretty good life to them. 
  "This Sunday I've got to take them to a Green Day concert, but my new record is on both their iPods - I've never tried to beat them over the head with my music. When they come to a show it's usually the festivals where they can run around, but they're starting to listen, they've got songs they're starting to ask me about." 
  Prine has been making records since 1971, but has never had anything close to a hit on either side of the Atlantic and is still largely unknown to a mass audience. But he has no complaints. 
  "If you've never had hits it's hard for them to chase you down. I think if you have a hit song it's kind of like a watermark, and after that people go 'oh yeah, he was from the 70s, or he had that hit and never had another one after it'. 
  "I don't regret not having success like a Dylan or Springsteen, not at all, I don't miss any of that. When I go to the grocery store, most people just walk right by me. One out of however many will walk up and go 'My God, I can't believe it's you!'. What if all the people acted like that? It'd be hard to go to the grocery store. 
  "Financially right now, things couldn't be better for me. I would do foolish things if I had any more money than I have - hell, I'm already doing foolish things with it. 
  "I kind of enjoy the popularity that I've got. I walk out on a stage on any given weekend and people usually cheer and ask for my songs, but I can go right back to Nashville, which is full of celebrities, and not even be noticed. I've got the best of both worlds as far as I'm concerned. 
  "It's been a long haul to get here but the pay-off is really good because I'm enjoying it more than ever. And all the stuff I've done in the past, there's nothing I want to bury, it's all good stuff - I don't mind singing it today - and the future looks rosy. There's not much else I can ask for." 
  John Prine plays the Waterfront, Belfast, on Monday, and the Millennium Forum, Londonderry, on Wednesday. A few tickets for the Belfast show were still available at the time of going to press from Ticketmaster outlets. 
  Read the full preview: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/twentyfourseven/story.jsp?story=667952

By: moony
Just saw John Prine again, 3rd time in 5 years and this was the best of them all. I went along with friends to the 1st show (Manchester Bridgewater hall 2000) and although I had heard of Sam Stone and Angel, mainly due to covers, I had not heard much of John. I was amazed at the songs and have been steadily buying up the back catalogue. Mondays show was electric and Still Waters is still my favorite live song. Personal lyrics but with wit and intelligent humour-brilliant.

By: Stephen Wagg
I've been going to hear John Prine sing for a long time. I think many of the audience last night had too. We know what we're going to get but somehow we're still exhilarated when we get it. The songs - including half a dozen from Fair and Square - are as wistful and funny as ever. Prine, Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber play so well together and Wilber's sublime guitar work drew several excited rounds of applause from the packed theatre. Mindy Smith sang beautifully. She loves the Prine catalogue the same as the punters do and gave their author a daughterly hug at the finish. Best moment was early on when Prine announced 'Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Any More' as a song he'd brought down from his attic and dusted off for George Bush. 'I hope they all go to jail' he growled into the microphone. Brought the house down.

By: CMD
Terrific set by one of the very best. Great atmosphere with a really warm feeling of support and genuine appreciation. Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber are absolute stars and the final encore of Paradise was outstanding with Mindy Smith and her mandolin player jamming along. Maybe the sound was a bit muddy and John's voice suffering a touch but the spirit of the man will always overcome. That's the way the world goes round!.

By: buckie
John..... Everyone's Human.!! but you are simply the best Singer Songwriter ....what a show....what a performance... come back soon.

Venue: Tameside Hippodrome Ashton-Under-Lyne
ate: 29th October 2005- Support Mindy Smith - Guest back up Pat McLaughlin

By: The john Prine dueters.
Beyond all expectations he was superb as were his band and Mindy Smith was awesome, cannot get that song out of my head give me one more moment. I was brought up on John Prine by my older brothers and I cannot tell you how good it felt to see him up there doing what comes natural to him he took my breath away

By: Geoff Gage
This was the first time I had the opportunity to see john Prine live and I was not disappointed knew I would not be anyway. I have been a fan of johns since his first album and to see him perform all his wonderful songs live was something I shall always remember. My review of this concert is short and simple and contains one word "FANTASTIC". Come back soon john.

By: Dave P, Cheshire, England
Most pleasant evening in friendly surrounds and appreciative audience. John said he gets sent somewhere different every time he comes to Manchester, so I suggest he makes this his Manchester home. Anyone else feel the same? The venue was full, fairly easy to find, easy to park and cheaper than central Manchester. No doubt the people who traveled from Yorkshire to the Academy last year would find it easier as well, though I thought the sound was not quite as good on Saturday. Maybe needed turning up a notch or two? I thought Mindy Smith could have a bit more of her own identity as I thought she sounded a bit like two or three other folky singers from the past. Maybe not a bad thing, and the set seemed to pass fairly quickly so must have been good. As for John and the band, I don't think I could say anything that everyone else hasn't said before - brilliant. One thing he didn't do on Saturday was to make the political comments he seems to have made on his American dates. May be a relief to some, but if he was afraid Blair might lock him up, he needn't have worried, there would have been a few thousand protesting outside No 10! Unfortunately this probably meant he didn't play " Flag Decal", which would have been nice to hear. Maybe next year?

By: Ian R McDONALD
The concert hall was showing its age- (as were the audience) 30 years after my first record purchase- I finally got to see the man live- and it did not disappoint. Mindy Smith was fantastic as well- from the heart and a voice that did not need any electronic assistance GREAT!!!!

By: Susie
Wow - What can I say? Not the first time we've seen John and he still does not let us down. Excellent set included most of Fair and Square but sadly neither of my favourites - 'I Hate It When That Happens To Me' and 'Other Side Of Town'. Jason and David were brill but, as always, the best part of the set was John on his own - a one to one with his audience - just what they wanted! Read some where recently that John prefers his voice as it is now - I agree, sounds great to me. Can't wait for his return.

Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham England - U.K.
Friday 28th Oct 2005- Support Mindy Smith - Guest back up Pat McLaughlin

By: Chuck Micallef
John Prine
Fair and Square Tour
  John Prine started his U.K. Tour greeted with a standing ovation as he walked on stage. Not one note was sung nor a word spoken. The man just simply walked onto the stage. That sign of appreciation set the mood for the following two and one half hours. Mr. Prine did not let up. He just sang straight on through, interweaving his humorous anecdotes with Prine musical masterpieces both vintage and new.
  The very competent musical backing performed by David Jacques on double bass and Jason Wilber on lead guitar/mandolin enhanced each song with sympathetic and expertly executed dynamics.
  The concert opened with “Spanish Pipedream” a wonderfully whimsical song depicting a young solder finding Love and a chance for lifelong happiness in the most unlikely place, a strip joint.
  Then a song long hidden in the Prine archives “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Any More”…”The present administration have been asking for this!!!” he quipped. If you are not familiar with this tune, dig out a copy of his debut album “John Prine” it is well worth a listen.
  Next up, his classic “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.” Here we listen to a Lover’s lament over his partner’s obvious abandonment towards their relationship and the consequences.
  At this point I stopped taking notes and like most others, got swept away with images created in my mind by the inspired lyric. Song after song the concert moved forward to the moment where John Prine stood alone on stage; just him and his guitar. Now it has to be said that this man’s presence and aura strongly pull his audience towards him.
  It was apparent from the audience’s response that the current material from his album “Fair and Square” stood comfortably along side his classics. Most notably ”Glory of True Love” “She Is My Everything” “Crazy As A Loon” and “Long Monday.”
  Then there came a very unique experience: during the performance of “Some Humans Ain’t Human” the audience showed their overwhelming support of Mr. Prine’s one line protest against President Bush “Or you’re feeling your freedom and the world’s off your back/some cowboy from Texas starts his own war in Iraq” by a dignified applause that did not interrupt the flow of the song.
  The selling point of a John Prine Concert, in my humble opinion, is that one gets the sense that you are in the presence of “The Real Deal”. Mr. Prine comes across as natural and genuine as anyone can be. No airs or graces just a guy that writes and sings songs that have touched so many lives. Maybe has changed the world in a small way by doing so.
  Get a ticket for the next Prine Concert in your area.
  Or you can do what the couple sitting next to us did. They couldn’t get the seats they wanted in their hometown of Chicago so they worked their holiday around flying to Birmingham England to see him at The Symphony Hall.

By: Roger the Saurus
First time I've seen John Prine, although I've been a fan since 1972. I couldn't believe he was on stage for so long - nearly two and a half hours - especially as you could see he was struggling with his voice and his neck was hurting. We got several shows in one - John acoustic with bass and lead guitar, John electric with bass and lead guitar, John country with Mindy Smith on harmony vocals with bass and lead guitar and John solo with guitar, talking with the audience mid-song (my favourite part). I went with two friends, both of whom I introduced to the pleasures of John Prine. I'm really glad I finally got to see him. He was as funny and warm as I had expected. Why did he perform so much of the first LP when he has consistently written beautiful songs over the years?

By: Michael Cleverly
What a fantastic evening Thank you very much John. It was a magical evening I first heard you on the Old Grey Whistle Test when you released your first album and was able to introduce you to my new wife! She loved your concert and guitar virtuosity. We were really moved hope to see you here again.

By: Bish
What an absolute delight of a gig ! this 69 year old man had the audience in the palm of his hand. 3 chords and the truth, it made you have faith in the human race, his songs ,stories and anecdotes warmed the cockles of my heart. john started off as a 3 piece with bass and electric guitar joining him on his battered old Martin and Gibson J200, they then departed leaving him to do about 6 numbers on his own, and I'm telling you, you could have heard a pin drop ! I saw him in London at an anti landmine gig and thought he would not be able to hold his own against the likes of Nanci, Emmylou, and Steve Earle etc, but he stole the show that night and didn't disappoint in Birmingham. I don't know if I will ever get to see him again, but I will always remember this night with extreme fondness. what an absolute legend. John , I love you

By: Viv Tolley
Excellent value for money performance, very well supported by Mindy Smith. Some of the guitar work was fantastic.

By: Duncan
This was amazing. I have been a JP fan for over 30 years. I saw him for the first time last year at Finsbury Park. The venue was in a tent and the acoustics were poor. It was still a wonderful experience. Last night I went to his opening night in the UK in the Birmingham Symphony Hall. I was absolutely astounded. His voice was rich and strong, just like on record. He looked great, stood and jumped about on stage for over 2 hours, full of vitality and energy. I loved it, the audience loved it and it looked like he was having a great time too. I knew he would be good, I hoped he would be very good but he surpassed all of my expectations. Thanks John, I had a fantastic night and I will see you again. He played loads of the old tunes and most of "Fair and Square". The mix of songs was perfect. When he finished I was most disappointed, I thought it was a short set, until I looked at my watch and saw that he had done well over 2 hours. How the time flew. As usual his backing was excellent, Jason and David, occasionally Mindy. The highlight for me was the middle part when he was on the stage on his own, just John and his guitar. It shows that the years have not eroded any of his talent. John, you are ace!

By: Steve Turner
My first John Prine Concert and it was a fabulous night - he was relaxed, amusing and so good, I wanted him to play all night. Mindy Smith was also top class, especially her solo set. I didn't make a set list but very similar to recent shows in the States, looking at recent reviews, lots from Fair and Square and some old favourites too. Absolute class, in a lovely, low key sort of way and a great reception from the audience.

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