Clearwater, FL

 JOHN PRINE FEELS AT HOME AT HIS 'SECOND-HOME'
--notes from ©Jerry Briggs, (WOG) April 19, 1997

 RUTH ECKERD HALL, Clearwater, Florida, was the latest auditorium to host the fans of and talents of,
John Prine.   A beautiful structure, and kept in immaculate condition, the cushioned seats provided the ultimate comfort in settling back for an evening with the ultimate wordsmith, John Prine.

At least 1500 were in attendance at the evening performance here tonight, and after being "warmed up" by the singing of new OH BOY recording artist RB Morris.

Excitement was electric in the single-floor auditorium before the show, with whispered talk revolving around the expectations for the show.

Cheers shook the building as John and his two band members came out on the stage, and John's big smile was not wasted on this expectant audience.

"Blow Up Your TV" was the starter, and at the end of this stomper there were persons already standing and applauding. Enthusiasm like this was evident through the rest of this concert, and fans demonstrated their love of the content after and during each number.

"Fish And Whistle," needed no drummer, as the audience chose to give the beat for this number right from the start, and continued it most of the way through. Part of the charm of a John Prine concert is the fact that feedback from the audience causes him to smile, grin, and shake his head. The audience loves it. When John did the opening instrumental measures for that wonderful love song, "You've Got Gold," he walked out to the edge of the stage and looked at the audience, smiling, playing. This guy pulls 'em in and keeps them there.

For possibly the first time on this 1997 Tour, John actually mentioned his new CD. " Late John Garfield Blues," came from a session at a Colorado radio station, he says..."that's what you have to do when you are on a small label!" He proceeded to perform it flawlessly.

"Donald And Lydia," was an old-fashioned Saturday-night sing-along, as most of the audience were obviously familiar with this moving song, and proved it by keeping toe-to-toe with John's progress through the song.

Jason Wilbur, often mentioned in these reviews of John's shows, was up to his normal excellence tonight, and often John had to add a measure or two to let the applause die as the audience screamed, applauded, and whistled. "Angel From Montgomery," was one song that got him two different bursts of applause.

Counting encores, John again treated his patrons to two-and-a-half-dozen rousing numbers. People behind my seat were heard to say, "I didn't think we'd get to hear this many....!" (And that was even before the encore!)

John's voice was a bit hoarse tonight, but it didn't keep him from trying anything he wished, including an excellent turn on the seldom-performed "Billy The Bum."There were at least two in attendance in wheel-chairs, and I am sure they appreciated the lyrics to this sad song and the audience appreciated the sentiments by a great amount of clapping at the end of this song.

New sound man Eric was pressed to learn how John needs the sound levels mixed on his microphone, his instruments and when to raise and lower them. John was distracted by these irritations and must be complimented on his ability to hold his annoyance so that it was probably unnoticeable to most of the crowd. This was Eric's third time at work with John, and will undoubtedly learn his boss' expectations. A farewell performance by the workhorse Maple Byrne was typical of his past performances, and was rewarded with heavy applause from the audience.

A treat tonight was the performance of his "Happy Enchilada" song, "That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round," not heard before on this tour. The audience liked it, and the entire show left all with big smiles on their faces.

Again, you should make it a point, if Prine is coming anywhere near your area, to get tickets and go. You will remember this concert all your days!

SETLIST, JOHN PRINE
CLEARWATER FLORIDA, APRIL 19, 1997

 1. SPANISH PIPEDREAM (BLOW UP YOUR TV
 2. 6 O'CLOCK NEWS
 3. FISH AND WHISTLE
 4. PICTURE SHOW
 5. YOU'VE GOT GOLD
 6. ALL THE BEST
 7. LATE JOHN GARFIELD BLUES
 8. NEW TRAIN
 9. AIN'T HURTIN NOBODY
10. ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY

--band leaves--

11. DEAR ABBY
12. JESUS--THE MISSING YEARS
13. GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER
14. DONALD AND LYDIA
15. SOUVENIRS
16. BILLY THE BUM
17. BOTTOMLESS LAKE
18. LET'S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIIAN
19. SPACE MONKEY
20. SAM STONE (band returns at end)
21. PRETTY GOOD
22. QUIT HOLLERIN' AT ME
23. SINS OF MEMPHISTO
24. LAKE MARIE
25. HELLO IN THERE

--encore--

26. EVERYTHING IS COOL
27. PLEASE DON'T BURY ME
28. THAT'S THE WAY THAT THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND
29. ILLEGAL SMILE
30. PARADISE

Observations

Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater was a pleasant surprise. It is a modern theater, well maintained, located out of the city in an almost park-like setting. It had a successful look to it, and seeing a building like this sort of sets the mood for the rest of the evening.

I was floating about the auditorium previous to RB, just talking to people. I always run into interesting persons with whom to talk.

One couple, who's names I didn't get, have a computer, have been on the net, and will look up the chat-page when they get it fixed. They were quite interested in seeing PMS' Prine Shrine!

I talked to a couple to my left before the show, and they were not on the Internet, but said they had a friend, John, who was, and who had told them about the page. We talked at length--it was Jack and Becky, and then they left to buy some souvenirs.

When they returned, Jack asked, "Is your name Jerry?"

Surprised, since I had never introduced myself, I admitted to this, not sure just what to expect. He reached into his pocket and brought out a worn 'WOG's Dallas Setlist' that he had folded up into quarters "We brought this...and ... John! John smiled and produced his own WOG List...he had made it up for both of them.

Complete with their small flashlight, these guys were ready to follow the possible list of songs! Needless to say, these fine people were invited to see John Prine after the show, and I took pictures of them with the man. Another couple I met also went backstage; they had also seen the Jacksonville show and had, of course, loved it. From Mobile, Alabama, they have firm plans to hit the Birmingham show in June...I told them to tune in to the chat page..."Space Monkey/Mannie/Mike" plans a trek there, as do I...we may all meet again.

John was tired after this show, and there were probably 30 waiting for him to eat and then greet them. I wished only to give him the Jacksonville reviews, and be on my way. As usual, I waited to be last. John's last two guests were both drunk, but he treated them with respect and, if you've ever tried to get away from an adoring drunk, was a lesson in tact and patience.

Mitch had to keep coming in and yelling at them that "we gotta go! They need to empty the building!" He yelled everything but fire. but one guy, a fellow with a pony tail attached to his cap, had to keep talking to John about the door he put on the house John just sold...then demanded that John make that security guy give him the two beers he saw over there...turns out he had seen them in John's own dressing room, which was now locked. John went and fetched the guy the two beers, but it didn't get rid of him...

Finally, I just went in and left my stuff with Mitch. "Where you goin' next?" he wondered.

"Mountain Stage at Huntington, I guess," I answered.

"Great! See you up there, Jerry!" he said. John had preceded me into the small room, and already he was a million miles away, dead tired. He didn't even look over to say goodbye. Three hard performances in a row had taken its toll. He straightened the 1-pound bag of chips topping his nylon traveling bag and made ready to hit the road.