Hanford, CA

  JOHN PRINE REACHES HEARTS AND
MINDS OF HANFORD, CALIFORNIA FANS
Hanford, California--May 23, 1997
copyright 1997 --Jerry Briggs--(WOG)--5/23/97

It was a night of heavy anticipation, then heavy appreciation, for the musical talents of one John Prine.

Following up famed folk singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott, John and his band were welcomed by a receptive crowd of approximately 850 persons.

More than two dozen of John's standards were heard by this crowd, including three encore numbers. The crowd sang along to John's "Illegal Smile," and mouths were moving often on other familiar numbers, such as "Angel From Montgomery," and "Hello In There."

Regular band members Jason Wilbur and David Jacques gave their typical good-natured, high energy performances. Surprise return of the multi-talented Phil Parlapiano for this show added much to the delivery made this Friday night.

A serious atmosphere, perhaps inspired by the gracious beauty of the theater , seemed to inhibit the typical outcries almost standard at Prine concerts this season. They listened with rapt attention, and were possibly too polite and reverent; John seems to thrive on the intereaction he has with his various crowds. This crowd was a little hard to penetrate.

Unusual this evening was the inclusion of both "The Late John Garfield Blues," and "Christmas in Prison." Not a regular part of his live show, both were extremely well done. The "new" "John Garfield" was done in the different tempo found in the version on the new CD, "Live On Tour." "Christmas in Prison" in the live version may be found on John's Christmas CD, "A John Prine Christmas."

This band plays well together, and they enjoy each other's company. The inclusion of Phil's music tonight was enjoyable both by the band and by the audience.
The concert was a success. There was no disappointment showing in the smiling faces that left the beautiful Fox/Hanford Theater after the performance. Favorable comments were in evidence throughout the lobby as show-goers filed out. John gave his customers a well-spent evening.

 SET LIST--HANFORD, CALIFORNIA--
MAY 23, 1997--JOHN PRINE CONCERT

RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

Rolling Down to San Francisco Bay Elliott delivered his set punctuated with stories Buffalo Skinner preceeding each one.
His professionalism was Don't Think Twice in evidence as he was immediately at ease with Diamond Joe this appreciative audience.
The "Ramblin' " of How Long Blues his name might well refer to his talking patterns;
Talking Sailor Blues his humor was not lost on this audience,
most of If I Were A Carpenter whom showed evidence of familiarity of him.

JOHN PRINE

 1. 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. AIN'T HURTIN' NOBODY
 9. ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY
10. DEAR ABBY
11. JESUS: THE MISSSING YEARS
12. GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER
13.DONALD AND LYDIA
14. SOUVENIRS
15. BOTTOMLESS LAKE
16. BIG OLD GOOFY WORLD
17. CHRISTMAS IN PRISON
18. SPACE MONKEY
19. SAM STONE
20. BRUISED ORANGE
21. QUIT HOLLERIN' AT ME
22. SINS OF MEMPHISTO
23. LAKE MARIE
24. HELLO IN THERE

(ENCORES)
 

25. DADDY'S LITTLE PUMPKIN
26. ILLEGAL SMILE
27. PARADISE

.....FOX/HANFORD THEATER, HANFORD, CA.

 A bright late spring sun dazzled the beautiful old downtown of Hanford, California. The Fox Theater sat awaiting the performance being presented this evening featuring John Prine, with an opening show by old friend and tour-mate, Ramblin' Jack Elliott.

Built in 1929, this is another in a series of elegant, old-but-not-forgotten theaters from an era long gone. With private ownership this theater survives in fine fashion to allow today's patrons the glitter of yesteryear while hearing the sounds of today.

A little over 1000 seats are available at the FOX, fewer than in the past. The owner, finding the "cheap seats" in the balcony a little too confining, removed alternating rows and installed "rocking" chairs for the comfort of those away up in the air. Decoupage on the small tables between the seats include old candy and tobacco wrappers, pictures from the past, and offer a real sense of history in this well-kept old building.

Typical of design of the theaters from the roaring twenties, there is much in the way of magnificent arches, chandeliers, carpeted walls, with absolutely no such thing as a "bad" seat. Seats, in fact, are padded and well upholstered for the maximum comfort possible.

 A wide, spacious stage allows presentations as diverse as a solo performer to entire plays or ensembles. The lighting in the theater is on a par with the best found anywhere, offering both spotlights and general lighting from both forward and overhead.

 Of particular interest was the promotion evident in presenting this concert. Outdoors in the poster windows were informative articles and reviews for both John and Ramblin' Jack. Reprints were legible and informative.

Seen from both directions on the street was the proclamation,
                      "John Prine...Tonight...Oh Boy!"