John Prine @ Indiana University Auditorium/Bloomington (11.15.2008)

In Over the Rhine’s song, “If A song Could Be President,” they give a shout out to their musical heroes and inspirations, they refer to John Prine as someone who can make you “laugh and cry.” Last night in Bloomington, I saw John Prine and as always, he didn't short us on highlights, all worthy of a tear or a laugh, or at times, both in the same song.

He performed such stunners as; Paradise (aka Muhlenberg County), All The Best, Lake Marie, That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round, Sam Stone and probably his most recognizable song (made famous by Bonnie Raitt) Angel From Montgomery along with other classics from his deep, deep catalog. The only thing missing was two of my favorites; Souvenirs and Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore, but I'm not complaining, we did get the rarely played Blue Umbrella, which was requested (and dedicated to) someone who sent him an e-mail just before he left the hotel. she simply signed it as “Mom from Indiana.” For most of the show he was (as usual) accompanied by guitarist Jason Wilber and bassist Dave Jaques, both were impeccable and neither played an extraneous note. The middle third of the show was a beautiful acoustic solo set.

Most everyone in the IU Auditorium was intimately familiar with the music, it was clearly “his audience,” but it never felt like a "nostalgia" act, his music is timeless; they keep revealing secrets, you hear something new no matter how many times you've heard them.

Jeffery Lee Puckett (a Louisville music critic) wrote about Prine: “Prine's secret has never been complicated. He's a good listener and a keen observer, but, more important, he can tell a story. His best songs are constructed exquisitely and delivered with absolute certainty; you couldn't change a line or detail without the rest of the song suffering. When you hear a classic Prine song, you know that you're hearing the truth. It's usually a universal truth told through specific stories, as when loneliness, desire and the human need to connect becomes "Donald and Lydia," and it's often a truth you feel as much as hear.”

What a show last night. Just amazing. Awesome.

It is just sheer joy to watch this man perform.

setlist:
1. Spanish Pipedream 2. Picture Show 3. Six O'Clock News 4. Far From Me 5. Grandpa Was A Carpenter 6. Fish And Whistle 7. Glory Of True Love 8. All The Best 9. Angel From Montgomery (w/false start) 10. Long Monday (solo) 11. Bottomless Lake (solo) 12. Blue Umbrella (solo) 13. Dear Abby (solo) 14. That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round (solo) 15. Sam Stone (starts off solo then band returns) 16. Bear Creek* 17. That's Alright By Me* 18. She Is My Everything* 19. Ain't Hurting Nobody* 20. Hello In There* (John flubs the first line) 21. Lake Marie* Encore 22. Storm Windows* 23. Paradise* John Prine: acoustic & electric guitars Jason Wilber: electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica Dave Jacques: electric & double bass *w/Pat McLaughlin on acoustic guitar or mandolin