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| Wednesday, August 19, 2009 |
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John Prine: Artist, musician, poet • Artist’s music epitomizes true nature of American gritAugust 13, 2008
The best artists are ones born from years of experience — and Prine is such an artist. He was born into a small Chicago suburb in 1945 to blue collar parents who were deeply rooted in their own Kentucky upbringing. Prine was able to integrate the influences of both cultures into his music. At a fairly young age, John’s older brother taught him his first guitar chord. And by 14, the younger Prine began documenting his own songs on personal recorders at home. After graduating high school in the mid ‘60s, Prine was stationed in West Germany as a member of the army. While working as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, he got his first weekly gig in Chicago. That opportunity — as well as the notice of Kris Kristofferson — propelled Prine onto the main stage of the music world with his first recording contract. One of the more distinctive characteristics of his music is his diversity. It’s a quality that ranks him with the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. With 35 years of albums ranging from classic folk to smashing rock to “twangy” country, Prine explores various terrains of musical frontiers. Often, his excursions away from the norm tend to lead to disgruntled fan reaction. But Prine offers no apologies — and no explanations. While he often cites Dylan as one of his biggest influences, it’s always been clear that he had no intention of imitating anyone. Perhaps the most exceptional quality to Prine’s music — aside from a husky voice that both pierces and soothes — is his ability be profound and funny at the same time. In any given song, one can go from being deeply touched by his poetic visions to laughing at his wry sense of humor. It’s a rare talent, but one that has become a kind of trademark for Prine’s songs. They seem to epitomize the true nature of American grit; barroom ballads, factory themes and songs of the hobo. Whether through the playful allegory in “Please Don’t Bury Me,” or his perfect poetic sense and imagery in “He Was in Heaven Before he Died,” Prine brings a rawness of emotion that you can’t help but feel. In his song, “Paradise,” he recalls well-worn memories of his time spent in Kentucky — as well as his sadness over much of what it became: “Then the coal company came with the world’s largest shovel/ And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land/ Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken/ Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.” With several Grammys and Grammy nominations tucked under his belt — including “best contemporary folk album” for his newest solo release. “Fair and Square” — Prine clearly proves just how capable he is as a musician and songwriter. In addition, the 1981 creation of his own record label — Oh Boy! Records — has given him the ability to continue writing and producing material on his own terms. On Tuesday night, Homer will play host to the man himself in a show that also brings out bassist David Jacques and guitarist Jason Wilber. |
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