Bristol TN

Date: March 25, 1999
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
Venue: Paramount Theater
Seating: Under 900--Show sold out
Rating (1-10): 8.7

JOHN PRINE RETURNS!  

ŠJerry Briggs 1999
(His photos are just a click away)

John Prine made his return to the tour circuit in a most successful and satisfying manner here on the border of Virginia and Tennessee.

John was off the road since November of 1997. He explained to his fans after his opening number that he had successfully battled cancer.

John's throat problems caused no change in what is heard by the audience. The sound is still there, and it is still dynamic. The keys have changed in many cases, and for at least a a few concerts John will hold down the length of his show in order to preserve and rebuild his strength.

Exhausted after his show here Thursday night, John was not able to see his visitors, and the hopefuls who had gathered, waiting, were most understanding.

John performed a total of 21 songs, and heard requests yelled from the crowd for perhaps that many more, including one that screamed, "PLAY 'EM ALL!!!"

For those who have seen John's shows in the past, there ARE changes evident this year. "Souvenirs" and "Angel" have usually been performed when the band was on a break. Tonight's show featured David Jacques and Jason Wilber helping out on these two, but then they took a break on "Daddy's Little Pumpkin" which John did solo.

"Linda Goes To Mars" and "A Good Time" were welome additions to his concert, while "Space Monkey" and "Dear Abby" were finally given a rest. It was a good trade.

John paced himself better tonight on his singing, taking time to tell his always-amusing ancedotes. The toll taken in a performance is never evident in John's demeanor, but the "stories" he told the audience gave him a chance for a breather between numbers, and all were delightful.

Absent was John's frequent trips to the table behind him for a drag off his Marlboro: they are gone. John quit smoking. In their place is a water bottle, which was frequently used in between songs.

John Prine is back and has lost nothing. His rapport with his audience remains unmatched. His show, while generally guided by a set list, is anything but "set." He can zig and zag as necessary, and as a result each performance is unique and is shaped for how he feels that particular evening. Fortunately for his fans, it always includes a whole list of their old favorites. Bristol was no exception.

Tonight's performance probably meant as much to John as to his fans. This was an affirmation that he could still perform, that his voice was viable, and that he would be accepted by his fans. There were no problems on any of those counts. It is understood that John's wife, Fiona, was present, as were his friends and managers, Al Bunnetta and Dan Einstein. They had to be pleased and proud. John Prine is alive and well. Catch his show when it comes to your town.

SET LIST, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE. MARCH 25, 1999

1. BLOW UP YOUR TV (SPANISH PIPEDREAM)
2. SIX O' CLOCK NEWS
3. SOUVENIRS
4. FISH AND WHISTLE
5. YOU'VE GOT GOLD
6. LINDA GOES TO MARS
7. ALL THE BEST
8. ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY

--Band goes on a break--

9. DADDY'S LITTLE PUMPKIN
10. DONALD AND LYDIA
11. GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER
12. BIG OLD GOOFY WORLD
13. A GOOD TIME
14. SAM STONE

--Band returned to finish 'Sam Stone'--

15. THAT'S THE WAY THAT THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND
16. PICTURE SHOW
17. AIN'T HURTIN' NOBODY
18. SINS OF MEMPHISTO
19. LAKE MARIE

--Encore--

20. HELLO IN THERE
21. PARADISE (with RB Morris)