Comments on: John Prine at Carnegie Hall

By: bob o

bob o — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:35:28 +0000

Mr. P has been at Carnegie before. I saw him back in 79 after the release of his Pink Cadillac LP. He had a full electric band and Rick Danko opened the show.

The Pistol fires back: Good piece of info from a true, blue fan. That surprises me, actually. Though before my “Prine Time”, I understood his Pink Cadillac days were rocky with the record label (In fact, I think he left to form “Oh Boy” after that). I’m surprised they booked him at Carnegie. How did it go?

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:22:28 +0000

Thanks for the notes. I’d gotten my wife tickets for Christmas but she kept telling everybody (rightly) I got them for myself and invited her along. Well, fate stepped in and my 102-year-old grandmother died and due to a mix-up with the funeral director the funeral was pushed from Wednesday to Saturday, at the other end of NYS. I gave the tickets to some high school friends who “sort of” knew about Prine, mostly through tapes I’ve made for them over the years and they had a great time.
I constantly have lyrics pop into my head that are triggered by whatever is going on around me and John Prine clearly supplies the most lines in the soundtrack of my life. After all, it’s a big old goofy world.

The Pistol fires back: It was great you passed on the legacy of his music to a new generation. It amazes me how Prine’s songs describe the lives of so many people, as if he were speaking to us one-at-a-time. And they are so timeless. The same songs spoke to me as a wide-eyed 19-year-old out to conquer the world as they now do to me as a 43-year-old struggling to get by day-to-day. And his new songs speak just as clear. I would be interested to know if those teenagers who went to the concert find his songs just as meaningful.

By: Mike Stover

Mike Stover — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:08:54 +0000

I am a Dylan fan from the mid sixties and I wish he would play sets like Prine, with 3 pieces, calm and quiet. I have about 4 Prine albums and 4 or 5 live shows. I have seen him 4 times all in the last 5 years. I love his music dearly! What a wit!

The last time I saw him in an amphitheatre in PA last year he brought his two boys out at the end of the show. I couldn’t go to Carnegie last night but would have loved to. I am interested in hearing about the show, a set list whatever. My friend who turned me on to JP went, so I will ask him soon enough.

It was a pleasure to read your thoughts above. I agree with many of the things you said and share a love for PP. Loved watching him play (only on tv) at LSU. I’m 51 and still play hoops and sometimes envision him when I hit nice long jumper or make an awesome pass. I grew up with his cousin and we played bball together. Once my friend went to NYC to meet his cousin during an NIT trip at MSG. My friend brought back some drills for us to try with the ball dropping between our legs and we had to catch it before it hit the ground. I smiled when I saw the same tips incorporated into the movie that I recently saw on Yogi and a movie.

My daughter went to Hofstra and I hear you about LI. I live on the Jersey shore, little more quiet down here especially in the winter.

Take care.

It’s gonna be a llooonnnnggggg Monday.

The Pistol fires back:

I love Dylan’s poetry, but the times I’ve seen him perform on TV, I’ve been less than impressed. He seems to fit much more the artistic recluse than Prine, who is just a good old boy who wants to have a good time with his friends.

Though you’ve only seen Prine in the past 5 years, better late than never. His lyrics are timeless. His voice has certainly taken a beating, but in a sense, it’s added texture and character. I went to Prine concerts between the years of 1985-1991, when he was building up Oh Boy records, before he gained much public acclaim (with Grammys, etc…). Still, there’s no bad time to see/hear Prine.

I found some info on the Carnegie Hall concert at the John Prine Shrine site (http://jpshrine.org) I found an entry from one of the concert goers in the forum section (you have to register, but it was easy) in a thread whose title began with “Concerts…” It gives the set list and a general overview. I gained the impression he’s slipping a bit (as any 64 year old has the right to do).

I’m only 43, so I don’t remember the Pistol in his college days, but even as he struggled through the pros, his legend grew. After reading a short biography of him, I was hooked. I became Pistol Pete. I did those drills you mentioned incessantly, constantly carried a basketball with me, everywhere. But, I just couldn’t develop the talent. I could dribble and pass with anybody, but never had the shooter’s touch the Pistol had. I continued playing until a few years ago, when I was in a car accident and herneiated 3 discs in my lower neck.

I hear good things about Hofstra. Hope she enjoys it there.

Funny you should mention “Long Monday”. I was just listening to that walking in this morning and thinking of doing a post on it.

Thanks for weighing in and sharing your love for two greats.

By: Longing for Holiday

Longing for Holiday — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:14:37 +0000

you said: “One barged into the house and spilled something all over the carpet just to show his product could clean it up.”

LOLOL — only a new yorker would have the chuzpah to do that.

and then: ” Being part-Kentuckian, I feel obliged to smile and wave at everybody I see.”

Didn’t any of the new yorkers tell you they don’t trust people who walk around smiling and waving??!

Thanks for the heads up. Great songs.

The Pistol fires back: You know, I was getting a lot of suspicious looks from folks I waved to. Actually, the Long Island community where I live is very friendly. I live in an “early sub-division” (1950s) where the houses have character (no cookie-cutter models like they build today). My church is within a mile away, in a quaint village that has good delis, coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, and a fantastic library. It’s actually very nice here. When I get over my culture shock, we hope to settle in for quite a while.

By: crookedshore

crookedshore — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:03:52 +0000

Love it pistol. I love music that is complex enough to encompass a whole life. Got my hands on Patty Griffin over Christmas….actually it was only a cd - 1000 kisses - and found some wonderful music there.

The Pistol fires back: Patty Griffin, huh? I’ve heard of her. I may have heard some of her music, but I’m not sure. I just put Lucinda Williams’ debut recording on my iPod. If you’re looking for an earthy, brilliant poet/singer, check her out.