Sandpoint ID
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Sandpoint ID |
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SANDPOINT, IDAHO The site for John Prine's latest musical efforts must be seen to be appreciated. Sandpoint, Idaho is located in a beautiful valley in that northern portion of the state that is narrow and separates Washington and Montana. Twenty miles to the east is one state and twenty to the west is the other, while Canada is perhaps 40 miles to the north. Part of a two-week annual festival of performing arts, The Festival at Sandpoint is now in its 14th year. John's show is the 6th of eight evening performances, with John Mayall following him tomorrow night. According to Rug, a local resident, friend of John's, and the man in ownership of the light system for this and other shows across the country, there will be a profit for the first time, when Festival finally ends. Sandpoint's Festival is being held on the banks of the Pendoreille Lake, a natural formation catching the waters from the mountains about the area. Serene and pretty, the town of Sandpoint is reached by a long bridge called...well...it's called the "Long Bridge." Reaching probably two miles and barely above the surface of the water, it offers immediate promise of coming attractions in the quiet beauty of this small town .(pop 5200) Memorial Field is the site, and concert attendees will sit in plastic chairs provided, about 100 feet away from the stage, or, for the majority, seating will consist of blankets and short lawn chairs to get near the stage. Memorial Field is a football field/baseball diamond that is converted annually to a site for this music. Vendors from 12'x12' booths offer complete meals, such a quiche...sushi...pizza...steakburgers...all to be washed down with Coke or beer, sold there also. Fifty security persons are expected to watch over an expectedly docile crowd, astrouble in the past has been rare. This is a tourist town, a fun town, a celebrating town, but it attracts those seeking a quiet, safe time. The band will be situated under a large tent away from any inclement weather; the audience will have to love it or leave it if it threatens. The day, beautiful so far, shows no indications of changing as the show draws nearer. Temperatures in the eighties but featuring a soft breeze of f the lake have kept things at a near-comfort level. The evening should be cool and pleasant. A resident at a store reported that the site was ideally for acoustic music. John's show, in some brochures, was called acoustic; Sandpoint may be in for a nice surprise. The residents are no strangers to electric music however; the Doobie Brothers on July 30, the opening show of this Festival, was reported a sellout. Martina McBride followed that group the last of July, and George Benson and Booker T have also had shows. Billed as "Where Classical Meets Cool", my thoughts tend to believe I am in for a Classically Cool Show.... It was a notable return to the tour circuit for John Prine and his band Thursday night in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho. A near-sellout crowd witnessed a production that will be talked about for years in local circles. A halt to touring in July gave John a several-week respite from the grueling grind he had been following since the end of February this year. His vocal chords rested, John appeared glad to be back to work, and his attitude was visible to the entire crowd. Superior reinforcement from David Jacques, Jason Wilbur, and Phil Parlapiano made this concert in the outdoors a pounding, resonant event. Much of John's tour success comes from his ability to connect with the crowds. From the opening strains of "Blow Up Your TV!" it was apparent from John's huge smile that he was in good spirit, ready to give a show. The relaxation John exhibited gave strong argument to more frequent vacations: he was in top form. John has no bad shows, no poor performances, yet every once in awhile a show like this comes along. John took charge, never let go, and fans were slow to leave the show after the two encore numbers. John made frequent walks to the stage edge, to the delight of the fans. Spotlight work in this show was much better than most, and two strong spots were available to highlight both John and whichever band member was taking solo duties. The key to a terrific show rather than a great show would appear to be in the state of relaxation John enjoys. Those who have watched him in past concerts have noticed his frequent visits to the ashtray on the prop table behind him on the stage. The fresh pack of Marlboro cigarettes were opened and awaiting John, as usual, for tonight's show. It was not until AFTER the EIGHTH song that I ever saw him light his first butt.....this is not at all typical of John, and may help demonstrate the incredible level of low-stress he felt on this evening. John was animated, he smiled constantly. His stage movement was inventive and enthusiastic. Normally restrained, almost shy, tonight he allowed himself to fully enjoy his own sounds and those of his band. John enjoyed the fun, and the fans attending were direct benefactors of this rare mood. John's "stories" about his songs are always notable and humorous, and tonight's were no exception. But there were additions to the normal run of patter; and John presented them in an almost conversational manner. Everyone in the audience got the feeling that John was speaking directly to them, from the comfort of someone's living room. Almost eerie in the presentation of "Souvenirs" was the lighting. Backdrop lighting, overhead, side and colors blended together at times to change the graying qualities of John's head to dark, almost black.n As I watched this song progress, I saw a fifty-year old man morph into a twenty-five year-old folksinger, still doing the same song. Only the occasionally cracking voice chords supported the fact that this was an older, more experienced, John Prine. Concert: SANDPOINT, IDAHO SETLIST
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