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SIX O'CLOCK NEWS
UPDATED 06/25/02
I GOT EXCITED JUST BEING PART OF THAT SCENE
REVIEWS OF THE
JOHN PRINE IN '99 CONCERT TOUR
VIRGINIA SHOWS
THE BIRCHMERE, 9/28
- FROM: The Washington Post John Prine,
Back on the Road By Mike Joyce Thursday, September 30, 1999; Page C04
John Prine took a little time out of his sold-out performance at the Birchmere Tuesday
night to pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Roger Miller, who "could write a
goofy song, then turn around and break your heart." Prine, too, possesses that same
rare gift for contrasting ludicrous scenarios with poignant vignettes, sometimes within
the same song. After recuperating from a bout with cancer that prevented
him from touring for nearly two years, Prine has returned to the road in fine form, his
gravelly voice and sharp wit intact. With help from his current tour mate, singer Iris
DeMent, he spent part of the show reprising several honky-tonk duets he recently recorded
for his new album, "In Spite of Ourselves." While the hilarious title track was
the only tune composed by Prine, most of the songs drawn from the album reflected his
peculiar take on things and his passion for wordplay. It's not every day, Prine explained,
one comes across a song that rhymes "martini" with "weenie." Even
Prine, though, had difficulty fully comprehending the mate-swapping ballad "Let's
Invite Them Over"--a song that truly belongs in country music's oddball hall of fame.
After opening the show with a series of quaint but emotionally powerfully ballads, DeMent
charged the duets with a stark, yearning soprano that made even the strangest refrains
sound heartfelt. Most of the show, however, found Prine surveying his
3O-year career. Several of his best-known songs, including the sing-along novelties
"Illegal Smile" and "Dear Abby," were reserved for a solo set, but the
support provided by bassist David Jacques and multi-instrumentalist Jason Wilber was
always welcome. Wilber's deft use of electric and lap steel guitars, mandolin, dobro and
harmonica colored the arrangements as Prine leisurely moved back and forth between songs
ridiculous and sublime, such as "Souvenirs," "Angel From Montgomery,"
"The Sins of Memphisto," "Everyone Wants to Feel Like You" and
"Paradise." Lots of amusing anecdotes punctuated the show, including one based
on Prine's encounter with huge fiberglass roosters in the Midwest. That bizarre tale alone
was worth the price of admission.
- FROM: Kerry
Saw John and Iris at the Birchmere in Va last night. The Birchmere is a club that
seats about 350 and its general admission. I got there 4 hours early and was second in
line. His sweat was falling on me during the show. Wow... Opened with a lot of early
stuff, and really brought the house down! My wife and I are going back Saturday night too.
(He's there Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat.) Everything is cool...
- FROM: Jim Carpenter
This was opening night for John and Iris DeMent at the Birchmere, with concerts on the
28th and 29th, a break on the 30th and two more shows on Oct 1 & 2. The Birchmere is a
great place to catch this kind of music. This is a bar/restaurant with cards on the table
advising guests to not talk during the performance. Iris DeMent opened with mostly
familiar material from her first two albums. She alternated between guitar and piano. One
of the highlights of her segment was her performance of a song that she had written with
"some guy named Merle Haggard". It was the kind of heartbreak song that Merle
owns the patent on and Iris easily made it her own. Iris seems to be the complete
antithesis of John Prine. She seems very shy on stage, but then cracks wise with a funny
comment that has the audience laughing. She does not seem comfortable onstage, but instead
seems as if she is only onstage because this is what someone who has her gift for writing
and singing does. John, b! y contrast, seems to live for his moment on stage. Iris played
a brief 35 minute set with one encore and was very well recieved by the audience. After a
brief intermission, John came out with his band consisting of a bass player and another
fellow who played guitar, mandolin, harmonica, dobro, lap steel. Both musicians were great
and accompanied John in a subtle yet supportive manner. Sorry, I don't remember their
names. John played for about two hours. The first segment was with his band, then he did
several songs alone, then the band members returned for a few more songs. Almost
everything John performed up to this point was familiar material. However, at this point
he began to talk about his new album of duets with female singers. He brought out Iris
DeMent, who sings 3 songs with John on the new album to perform those songs. Iris left the
stage and then John and the band closed out the show with a few more songs. The encore
featured John, the band and Iris. The! y performed one song John had written for the new
Billie Bob Thornton movie that John is appearing in, then closed out the show with
Mullenberg County. John spoke of how he recently returned to the road after an enforced
absense due to a bout with cancer that he says was successfully dealt with. He also noted
that the sister of his Dr. was in the audience. John seemed to be happy to be on the road
again. He made the audience feel as if they were in his living room among old friends, and
the Birchmere is the perfect place to add to that ambience.
THE
BIRCHMERE, 9/29/99
- FROM: Russ and Mary Ellen
We saw John and Iris at the Birchmere (Alexandria, VA) on Wednesday, Sept. 29th. John and
Iris were terrific. John was chatty which we liked. Iris sang her songs first. After Iris
finished, John came out with Jason and David. Then Iris came out and joined them; it was
fantastic! We bought the new CD (In Spite of ourselves) there although we were going to
buy it soon anyway. The word was out that the CD only had one John Prine composition on it
and some people wanted more of John's work. However, when we listened to it we instantly
fell in love with it. It is obviously a work that is dear to John's heart. We met some
nice people while waiting in line. If you get the chance to see John, take it. If Iris is
also with him, it will be even better.
THE
BIRCHMERE, 10/01/99
THE BIRCHMERE, 10/02/99
- FROM: Teresa
Hi,I went to see John at the Birchmere on Oct. 2nd. I just wanted to say
that this was my first concert of his that I went to see him!! I saw him years ago but did
not know who he was. I am so ashamed!! Any way the concert was great!! He sang a lot of my
favorites. It seems like he was up there only 5 minutes! He actually was there about 2
hours and 40 minutes. Time passes so quickly when you are having fun. He seemed to really
enjoy himself. He was really pounding out the tunes on his guitar. Though towards the end
he was having a little trouble with his voice. He was pretty hoarse when he talked but it
did not show in his singing. His voice came through the surgery very well. For those that
missed the show you missed a great one. Keep up the good work John and hope to see you
again soon!!!
"YEAH LITTLE BUDDY GONNA GET YOUR
CHANCE -
MAKE THE PUBESCENTS ALL WET THEIR PANTS"
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