 JOHN PRINE FILLS STARLIGHT THEATER
IN INDIANAPOLIS
copyright Jerry Briggs (WOG)
John Prine and his traveling band gave the town of Indianapolis another of his memorable
performances on Saturday night.
Following a rousing opening by Los Lobos, John's welcome was wild cheering
right from the start, and it continued through his 25-song show.
Grinning broadly, John launched into "Blow Up Your TV,"
and then gave his homage to a town that has seen his performances year after year.
"Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" was his second number,
and was a new addition to his show, with possibly the first performance this year of that
wistful song. Phil Parlapiano's mandolin introduction on the number brought applause even
before the first word was sung. The audience's enthusiasm for the show never let down from
that peak, and instead built through the evening.
Standing ovations, usually reserved for only a few songs in John's
normal performances, were given by this crowd after most of the numbers. John got cheers
in the middle of songs, during his picking, while singing a particularly moving verse,
anytime, it seemed, and all the time. Even walking to the stage edge set fans live with
more clapping. Saturday night John Prine could do no wrong.
John's band is a real credit to him, and enhances his sound
tremendously. Much of the applause is generated by the sounds generated by them on
sections between John's singing. David Jacques' sequence in "Quit Hollerin' At
Me," for example, lets the bass strokes in this song take the foreground, and allows
the crowd to see the versatility David has.
John gave special attention to Jason Wilbur this evening, and in
that same song, he moved back and turned sideways, giving Jason his full attention,
watching, as the spotlight moved over and displayed Wilbur's solo efforts. This was
typical of John: knowing full well that Jason had friends and relatives attending this
evening, Jason was able to revel in the evening's entertainment. Undoubtedly his followers
were able to see the appreciation John has for his guitar-man, and Jason's credibility was
raised to the expected heights.
John's sellout crowd was appreciative all evening, and, as if by
prior arrangement, when John finally walked off stage for the final time, the skies opened
up with an unexpected summer torrent of rain and lightning. It seemed even God may have
been applauding the evening's fare.
Concert: Butler University, Starlite Theater
--Jerry Briggs (WOG)--
Date: 8/16/97 Length: 2:08
Crowd Estimate:7500
# Songs: 25
SET LIST, JOHN PRINE, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1. BLOW UP YOUR TV
2. SPEED OF THE SOUND OF LONELINESS
3. FISH AND WHISTLE
4. PICTURE SHOW
5. YOU'VE GOT GOLD
6. ALL THE BEST
7. NEW TRAIN
8. AIN'T HURTIN' NOBODY
9. ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY
10. DEAR ABBY
11. JESUS-THE MISSING YEARS
12. GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER
13. SOUVENIRS
14. DONALD AND LYDIA
15. LET'S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIIAN
16. BIG OLD GOOFY WORLD
17. SPACE MONKEY
18. SAM STONE
19. BRUISED ORANGE
20. QUIT HOLLERIN' AT ME
21. SINS OF MEMPHISTO
22. LAKE MARIE
--encore--
23. HELLO IN THERE
24. PLEASE DON'T BURY ME
25. PARADISE
--Jerry Briggs (WOG)-- August 16, 1997
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