October 20, 2009 John Prine at Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with Sara Watkins. Support Band: Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber

Goofy Guy Dancin'
John seemed to have trouble getting started, but he hit stride when the band left the stage and he sang a number of songs alone. Thouroughly enjoyed the conceert after that. Sara Watson was not that impresive as a start up, although her guitar player could easily have been a warm up act on his own. There are many local gals who have more talent and would have warmed the audience more. Waiting for nearly an hour after the warm up act before John comes on stage was a downer. I understand from others around me this is common at the Windspear so they can sell more drinks.

Don
What a great concert John Prine and his band put on for us. The band wasso relaxed and in sync with each other, like they were playing in the kitchen. No one plays three chords better than John.

Mon 10/19 John Prine at the Jack Singer Hall Calgary Alberta Canada with Sara Watkins. Back up Band jason Wilber, Dave Jacques
sold out

Rebecca - The Misanthropic Hippie
Read more at http://misanthropichippie.blogspot.com/2009/10/john-prine.html
   I saw John Prine at the Jack Singer last night!!! I was grinning and laughing and singing and aching in my heart so much that I got a headache.
   I wrote a review for Beatroute www.beatroute.com :
   John Prine has been combining three chords and the truth since the early seventies, when he was hailed as "the next Dylan", but the man on the auditorium stage this rainy Monday night was no graceful elder statesman of country-rock. Looking like a Beatle in his black suit, and hoisting a big-bodied acoustic guitar, he skipped onstage to an explosion of applause, shouts and whistles. Backed up by his band on electric guitar and upright bass, Prine started immediately into "Spanish Pipe Dream"."We're feeling a bit frisky tonight!" he confessed, kicking out his leg and doing the twist whenever the music moved him. I've never experience such a boisterous, excited atmosphere in the Jack Singer.
   Prine and his band delivered songs from his rich back catalogue, including favourites like "Please Don't Bury Me". Of note was a slow, introspective version of "Angel From Montgomery", with mandolin and a haunting electric guitar solo. Partway through the evening, Prine performed a set of solo acoustic songs, which put the focus on his direct, often humourous, and sometimes heart-breaking lyrics, as in the songs "Donald and Lydia" and "Sam Stone". Prine's band rejoined him for a fully electric rockabilly rave-up on "Bear Creek Blues". After almost two hours, the evening culminated with "Lake Marie", a nine-minute-long song of love and death, with spoken verses that always returned to the chorus, "Standing by peaceful waters, whoa wah oh wah oh!" You could say Prine took us to church.
   Opening act Sarah Watson, formerly of Nickel Creek, joined John Prine for the encore. Her clear, plaintive voice blended well with Prine's rough croon on the songs "In Spite of Ourselves" and "Paradise".
**** Set list: **** Spanish Pipedream The Torch Singer Picture Show Six O'Clock News Mystery Song!!! Please Don't Bury Me Fish and Whistle The Glory of True Love Crazy as a Loon Angel From Montgomery Souvenirs The Frying Pan Donald & Lydia That's the Way the World Goes Round Sam Stone Bear Creek Blues Saddle in the Rain Hello in There Lake Marie ENCORE (with Sarah Watkins): In Spite of Ourselves The Late John Garfield Blues Paradise

Dilys
Absolutely amazing! One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The sound was amazing, loved Sara Watson and her guitar player. John was incredible, as was his band. The sound was better than any other concert I've been too. I could hear almost every word he sang, every noted they played. I'd say the only other concert that was better was Van Morrison and John Kennedy in Vancouver but only because I never ever thought I'd see Van Morrison in my lifetime. If you can get a ticket, go! I've never seen a crowd react like that at Jack Singer.

FRI 10/16 - Vancouver, BC- The Centre For The Performin Arts with Sara Watkins. Back Up Musicians: Jason Wilber and Dave Jacques. sold out

By: MA
   Having previously bought Pre-Sale tickets through the Web site we knew we would be sitting in a good location, however we were surprised that the tickets were located in the front row. The perfect start to what would turn out to be an excellent evening.
   To no one's surprise Spanish Pipedream started the festivities in the standard raucous manner. The smiles on the faces of the audience members were matched by John, Jason and David. I've always maintained that a Prine audience is broken into two segements, "The Drinkers and The Thinkers". This night would prove to be no different. I am always amazed how certain people can hoot and hooller at the most inappropriate times. Why " Come on Baby Spend The Night with me " would elicit cheers is beyond me.
   Thankfully, as per the usual routine, some time not too far past the half way point this segment of the audience has worn themselves out, alcohol consumption no doubt being a factor. There are a number of songs which are performed virtually every show. These include but are not limited to Sam Stone, Six O'Clock News, Souvenirs, Angel from Montgomery, Donald & Lydia, Hello in There, and Lake Marie. The fact that Prine can play these songs on a constant basis and not have them come out as hurried and perfunctory regurgitations speaks to his professionalism and of course the quality of the material. Most of these compositions were writen some 30-40 years ago and yet due to the nature of the subject matter will never become dated.
   Fair and Square, John's last disc of original material was represented by The Glory of True Love, She is my Everything , Long Monday and Bear Creek. "Burnt Orange" contributions were Fish And Whistle and That's the Way the World Goes Round, complete with an extended version of the Happy Enchilada story. It was good to see performances of Please Don't Bury Me, Sweet Revenge, Storm Windows, Crooked Piece of Time and Ain't Hurtin Nobody. I had not seen these performed in quite some time. The real surprise however came when John trotted out Illegal Smile. Perhaps this was a result of an audience member suggestion that he should play it as he was in the home of "BC BUD". The full theatre sing along was priceless. After some two hours of classic songs we were treated an encore of Paradise.
   Opener Sarah Watkins joined John for the song. The performance also featured a surprise apppearance by Canadian veteran musician Colin Linden. John related the story that he had first seen him at a Mariposa Folk Festival playing his guitar at the tender age of 12 years.
   The show's end of course came much too soon. Once again two hours with the master had flown by all too quickly. I would be remiss were I not to mention that Jason and David once again provided outstanding back up licks.
   John had mentioned that his first show in Vancouver was with Steve Goodman back in 1972. I know that is true since I recall being at that show. I am now left to ponder how it is the years have gone by so quickly. We have gone from being intimately familiar with what it is that would cause the Illegal Smile to now nudging uncomfortably up close to The Old Folks territory. Thankfully however my kids have not moved to Omaha
   The opening act Sarah Watkins was unfamiliar to me, however she quickly won me over, as I'm sure she did the rest of the audience with a set containning both original songs and a couple of familiar covers. She exhibited a certain amount of show biz savy by choosing to play Early Mornin Rain early in her set. How better to strike up a rapport with a Canadian Folk crowd than by paying homage to Gordon Lightfoot.
   In summary it was a fantatastic evening of Prime Prine and a helluva of a good way to escape the Wet Coast Weather.

By: Beverlee Traxler/jpparadise
John Prine on the evening of October 16th, 2009 was Prine Time, he was the best. His voice was crisp - seemed to me that he was eager to be back on the road, hell - he even ripped off the tie. Jason Wilber and David Jacques were outstanding! Two incidents I noticed - only because I was sitting so close, I could have been Diana Ross and reached out and touched...were when John came too close to the microphone - he smacked! I laughed. Also noted - it seemed David had lost his bow during the last set. Immediately, it was found. Storms Windows, Souvenirs, Illegal Smile - John Prine outstanding! In my area, there were no drunks - the loudest was some lady from Wisconsin, next to that - a lady from the Interior of British Columbia. Thank You - John, Jason, and David.

By: Rob from the Great White North (Wet on the Island)
Again, It was like going to visit John. As always a great visit! Enjoy Canada John as much as we enjoy you and your music. Cheers Rob Peters One Happy Canuck

By: Don
I have been a fan of John Prine and have seen him in concert many times since the early 70's. The Vancouver concert was as usual, fantastic. Old and new songs were covered and the magic remains. I cannot understand why the drunks seem to follow John Prine concerts. The Seattle concert a few years ago, was very civilized. It seemed that, certainly for last night in Vancouver, the drunks came out of the wood work and tried to be annoying as possible. But fortunately, the talent of John Prine was louder and didn't ruin the concert for most fans

Tue 08/18 - Saint John, NB - Imperial Theatre with Carrie Rodriguez sold out

Mon 08/17 - Fredericton, NB - Fredericton Playhouse - with Carrie Rodriguez sold out

By: James Douglas - Fredericton
Outstan

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