FINALLY PRINE, REDBONE, in MADISON--- March 26, 2004

I went totally unfettered - naked, without pen, paper, camera, or much sense and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. So this late arriving review will be down and dirty - from memory, and I fettered most of that away earlier.

Leon Redbone and seated himself on stage speaking in his very quiet croony Leon Redbone way. Still in shades and black fedora... comments heard were "man, how old is he - he was old 30 years ago" and "he doesn't look any different" He did "Sweet Sue" or/and "Champaign Charlie" and then motioned for the audience to squeeze in as a he positioned his camera and snapped "a little memento". I found myself leaning in and smiling Leon held the crowd in captive silence. He did about 9 songs, complete with ragtime piano player and cornetist...such a show... the audience hung on every word and whistle. He did this wonderful whistling solo with a Ernst the dead composer - 

Redbone took a bow as we rose to our feet. It was not one of those "yay, you did good, we liked it, now get off the stage we want to hear Prine now" ovations either... it was a rip roaring, stomping, clapping, whistling screaming - you better not go yet - would make your mother proud - Standing O's" - he came back and did one more nice long song... and then it was over.

It was a long walk to the front door for some air and a longer wait for the bathroom stalls...one young woman not about to miss any moment of Prine started shouting out orders "C'mon ladies, let's move along, we have a concert to see" She had most all of us back to our seats before it went dark. 

John stepped out of the shadows and began Spanish Pipedream followed by singer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist Jason Wilber and the busiest bassist Prine knows, Dave Jacques. People are quietly scurrying to get settled in before the song ended. This was a such great crowd. Very few requests screamed out, I don't recall any hollering during the songs either. 

Second song was Flag Decal, and John said he brought it out just for George Bush. 

The most poignant moment during the show was when John sang a song for Lonnie Hubbard dedicated by his daughter Shannon (see "Letters" section of the Prine Shrine) If you read the story behind the dedication you might just get a lump in your throat too. It was so moving - after singing Sam Stone Prine leaned into the microphone and said "That one's for Lonnie Hubbard, too". It was just another great concert, from the crowd to the music to the sound - the menfolk did make it in for the entire thing, unfortunately my man was lulled into a deep sleep by the 4th Redbone song.

Prine premiered "Long Monday" (it wasn't introduced with a title) a melodic tune with a streak of loneliness through it but you end up smiling at the end--yeah, it's a Love song - a hit the nail right on the head song done in perfect Prine fashion. "Give me a kiss that will last all week"  is the line that is stuck in my head - it could be one of those weird little clichés that he salts his songs with and I've never heard before...or a great Prine line that will be quoted forever. 

John explained that he is three-fourths of the way through his new album - there is a louder roar from the crowd. He also shares with us that he is going to go into the studio this Monday to do the Carter Family song "Bear Creek" on an upcoming June and Johnny Cash Tribute album... If you are keeping count, that's 2 new albums to put on your wish list. 

I'm one hand clapping my thigh as my other arm is a prop for the webmister's head up to keep his mouth shut thus saving the rest of us from the possible loud snores and snorts. He can sleep through anything, I'll never forget this concert - and I won't let him either.

I may have been unfettered, but this might be one of the best concerts I had been to as far as an entire crowd of people quietly listening to an absolutely fabulous concert and not trying get John's attention. He told a lot of stories, more than he did the second night - I think. He only sang a few of his new new songs mixed with some old songs and happy footed Eddy wanted to know if the aisle up front was a dance floor - then he got up and danced around in the back - with Elliot, I think...can't stop a young man and his happy feet.