He Wasn’t the “New Dylan”, He Was the One and Only, John Prine
COVID-19 Touches Us All
This COVID-19 pandemic can seem very personal yet at the same time, almost remote. Personal, because at the very least most Americans have had to change their lifestyle and routines to help “flatten the curve.” Also personal because many people know of someone close to them that is sick with the virus or has died from it. At the same, it can seem remote if you are still healthy, working, and don’t have a close connection to anyone ill yet.
It Got Personal For Many
Last week, we read that singer songwriter John Prine was hospitalized with COVID-19. Then this week we read that he had died from the virus. For many music fans that made this pandemic more personal. It had taken one of the great talents of our time.
Most of us have been hearing about celebrities testing positive but it seemed they all had minor symptoms or recovered quickly. Actor Tom Hanks, NBA star Kevin Durant, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Prince Charles and others. But Prine’s fans knew he had beaten cancer twice so there was fear that he was more at risk and while well-wishes were posted across social media, we braced for the worst.
A Storyteller for 50 Years
I read recently that there are two kinds of people in this world – People who love John Prine and people who are kicking themselves for not loving him sooner.
Much as been written over the years about John Prine so I won’t go into his background or story here but there are some interesting articles that tell this story.
I first started listening to John Prine in the mid-late 70’s. I had been getting into Dylan in the mid-70’s with “Nashville Skyline” and then “Before the Flood” then went back to his earlier classics. About that same time I heard “Souvenirs” by John Prine on the radio. As I looked into him I learned that song was from Prine’s second album, “Diamonds in the Rough” and he was being labeled the “New Dylan.” That was good enough for me. I went back to his first album, self-titled John Prine, and I understood the comparison. Prine was similar but different.
John Prine was nominated for best new artist at the 1973 Grammy Awards. Over the next nearly 50 years he wrote and sung songs that his fans loved but he never had chart topping hits. He wrote songs of social commentary but also songs with humor and stories. He told stories about people you could picture so clearly. About situations you either lived, or envied or feared.
A few of My Favorites
If you are already a John Prine fan you’ll like this selection. If you aren’t a fan yet you will be after you listen to these.
Souvenirs – The first Prine song I remember hearing
Sam Stone – A heart-breaking story
It’s a Big Old Goofy World – Seems fun and light, but tells a real story
Hello in There – Really makes you think, especially during our current times
Lake Marie – Maybe my favorite John Prine song. Hard to top this one
All the Best – Great song with a bit of an edge to it
Angel from Montgomery – John wrote it but Bonnie made it special
John Prine’s Life in 10 Songs – from NPR – A very good recap and list. This might not be my exact list but it’s close.
What about Running?
By now you may be asking yourself, “How does this post relate to running?” Well, if you’ve ever listened to two hours of John Prine on an early Saturday morning 12 mile run, you’d know. And if you haven’t, you should. You’ll thank me later.