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UPDATED 06/25/02

VIRGINIA SHOWS

CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM, ROANOKE 11/09/00

• FROM: THE ROANOKE TIMES - (concert review) Prine is powerful without a big band Thursday night's concert in Roanoke wasn't just a quiet, somber, guy-with-guitar show. ~By Ralph Berrier Jr.
• FROM: THE ROANOKE TIMES - (preshow) Survivor's songs John Prine's successful battle with cancer has reinvigorated him and given him a sense of renewal ~By Ralph Berrier Jr.
• FROM: Randy
  I saw him for the first time today (11-09-2000) in Roanoke VA and it was the best time I have had with my clothes on in a long time. Killer setlist.
• FROM : K Fischer
  I saw John Prine last night for the 4th time in my Prine history. Two other times have been at great venues. Once at Chatauqua Hall in Boulder, CO about 10 years ago. Fantastic! Again 5 years ago at our local Civic Center auditorium, and then about a year ago at a little dinner theater in Northern Virginia called the Birchmere. Last night was his second show at the Civic Center auditorium for me, and I had a center seat. Perfect. He had just flown in the country from his European tour, and was ready to go. He said he knew it had been awhile since he was in Roanoke and he planned to stay awhile. (BIG APPLAUSE!!!) What followed was an evening of 27 songs, starting with the Six O'clock News and Spanish Pipedream. What absolutely thrilled me was a performance of One Red Rose during the solo and Speed of the Sound of Loneliness during the encore. First time I've heard those live, and I have waited so long! His stories are always a signature for each show, and I was so glad to hear him tell a few. A man once asked him where he gets his ideas for his songs, and he said he didn't know, but if he did, he'd move there. Can I go too? What ultimately impressed me was his graciousness. I hung around with a dozen or so diehard fans after the show, got backstage and met him. I shook his hand and chatted for a few minutes. I told him I had written a birthday poem for him and that is was on this site. He was happy to sign autographs and talk with the few of us that just had to stay and see him and talk to him. The Civic Center is a good place to do this, because the staff likes to get us gone and then go home, but if you hang around quietly and wait, John is glad to meet with you. So sweet.

  The set list is as follows: 1. Six O'clock News 2. Spanish Pipedream 3. Souvenirs 4. Fish and Whistle 5. Storm Windows 6. Grandpa was a Carpenter (did you know that in 1936 his dad was thrown out of his grandfather's house for about 2 weeks for voting for the wrong guy?!) Solos 7. Far From Me (you can get a few good songs out of a heartbreak, which is significant for a songwriter, but you can get a whole album out of a divorce! I like that one!) 8. All the Best 9. Angel from Montgomery 10.You got Gold 11.Happy Enchilada! (That's the Way that the World Goes 'Round) 12.Donald and Lydia 13.Illegal Smile

  14.One Red Rose (thank you John!) 15.Jesus, the Missing Years ("Johnny bought some popcorn" chorus acts as a bookmark, by the way. It has nothing to do with the song's theme) 16.In Spite of Ourselves (complete with a picture of Iris) 17.Sam Stone (welcome back Jason Wilber andand David Jacques) 18.Bear Creek  (just not sure but it was rockin') 19.Ain't Hurtin' Nobody 20.The Sins of Memphisto 21.The Late John Garfield Blues 22.Blue Umbrella (thank you again John!) 23.Please Don't Bury Me 24.Hello In There 25.Lake Marie Encore 26.Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (ok, here I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Thank you John. Sincerely.) 27.Paradise

  Let's not forget that very funny guy, Paul Thorn, who opened for John. I heard him on Mountain Stage, and you need to go to paulthorn.com for more information. Anyone that opens for John is worth a try, and this guy is too cool.

JOHN PRINE IN SPITE OF OURSELVES CONCERT TOUR 2000
VIRGINIA SHOWS

WOLFTRAP, VIENNA  8/26/00

• FROM: JR
  Saw JP at Wolf Trap and last night in Richmond. Wolftrap show was awesome but I think the Richmond show was better. No Iris Dement at Richmond so the set was a little different. Also had front row seats in Richmond which probably increased my enjoyment. As a sidebar to anyone going to the future shows with Todd Snider opening I suggest you get there early and check Todd out. He was great!!!!
• FROM: Jon S.
  Jeff and I drove to Wolftrap for the J.P. show there and it was excellent. We had no idea that Iris would be there so it was a real surprise when he introduced her. When he started talking about the duets I thought he was going to say he would be singing both parts but instead he brought Iris out. Richard Thompson was the opening act. Wolftrap is a very nice park and you can bring coolers (with beer even!) into the lawn seats. The crowd seemed very well-behaved. I didn't hear any drunks hollering. I wish we could go to Central City but at least we got to hear another good Prine show. It was a little over 400 miles one-way. I wish Oh Boy had a frequent drivers plan. 
• FROM: Dave Stallard
   It was a true pleasure to hear a true American legend perform. I have only recently been turned on to John's music in the last year or so, but it has not taken me long to realize that he is one of America's finest songwriters. His show at Wolf Trap was superb. His performance, much like his albums, was subtle yet powerful. Flanked by two sidemen playing bass and guitar, John opened with "Spanish Pipedream" and played a set that included favorites of mine like "Angel from Montgomery," "Sam Stone," and "It's a Big Old Goofy World". I was also turned on to some songs that I didn't know, like "Jesus: The Missing Years," and "Lake Marie." A highlight of the show was when Iris Dement joined John onstage for many of the songs from "In Spite of Ourselves." It was a true treat to hear them singing together. The show closed with John and Iris singing "Unwed Fathers" and "Paradise" together. I highly recommend catching John Prine live. I also recommend catching a show at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. Both are outstanding. I am looking forward to this weekend's show in Richmond, Virginia. Make mine Prine!!
• FROM:John J Wood
  I was lucky enough to be at Wolf Trap last night. I'm actually from the New England area, but was visiting my sister for a long weekend.  Richard Thompson & his band opened with a crisp, excellent set. Anyway, Prine sounded sweet and Iris DeMent cameo'd for 6 songs, two of those comprising the encore. I don't know if John is switching setlists or not, so I don't want to add any spoilers. Plenty of sweet gems last night, with a mix of In Spite Of Ourselves duets and a few 90s tunes. I didn't keep a setlist, but let's just say nobody left Wolf Trap disappointed last night.:-)

"YEAH LITTLE BUDDY GONNA GET YOUR CHANCE -
MAKE THE PUBESCENTS ALL WET THEIR PANTS"