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To the bottom of the bottomless lake.

Makes me recall all the family car trips as a child

Am I the only one who is fond of "Illegal Smile"?

omg one of my favorites....your wife has excellent taste.

Indeed. On a similar note, listen to a recording of 'Lush Life' (say, the Coltrane/Hartman version) and pay attention to the lyrics - what amazes me is that Billy Strayhorn was something like 18 when he wrote those lyrics.


I thought of Prine again yesterday when I heard 'The Great Compromise' on the radio. I only discovered him about 10 years ago, but think he's fantastic.

Hah! That's the song that turned me onto him in the first place, back in the 1970's in Don Richter's basement, while we experienced our own "Illegal Smiles"!

I have always wanted this song explained to me-

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This is a pretty good description, nicely researched, with some input from the man himself:

http://www.chimesfreedom.com/2015/07/31/standing-by-peaceful-waters-john-prine-the-story-of-lake-marie/

As you said, this is a guy that knows how to turn a phrase, and he gets his inspirations from all kinds of different events and memories that transpired in his life.

Mr. Peabody's coal train done hauled it away...

This one with Iris Dement is one of my favourites...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F5axlwCBXC8

Thanx,
It is a great writing of words and music .
Truly a word sculpturist in the flesh .
I had come to the conclusion he was perhaps talking about pollution of the lakes .
He certainly brings music to life with wit and charm.

A short bio: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/arts/music/john-prine-endures-with-a-half-smile-and-a-song.html

Love the guy...great in person

I remember a few years ago I was traveling through Ky with my dad and one of his friends I had just met. We happened to go through Muhlenberg and I said "I though Mr Peabody's coal company hauled it away", to my surprise and delight he knew exactly what I was talking about.

I tried to think of some of my fav prine songs to post in this thread, but Its too hard. I think I pretty much love them all.

I have been listening a lot to Steve Earle lately as well and he reminds me a lot of prine at times.

Speaking of old-souls. Jason Isbell from Drive By Truckers has decided to embark on a solo career.

This stuff gets me bad. He wrote another song called "Elephant" that is so moving that I doubt if Mengele could listen to it without getting choked up. I know I can't....

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Wow good stuff

Some humans ain't human
Some people ain't kind
You open up their hearts
And here's what you'll find
A few frozen pizzas
Some ice cubes with hair
A broken Popsicle
You don't want to go there

That is great writing ability ! (whoever manufactured it )

Reminds me of bukowski. Oddly enough, both worked for the post office

Yeah, Elephant will bring tears to my eyes every time...

So does "Outfit", in a different way.

It amazes me that Isbell, Cooley and Hood were in the same band. Three of the best writers working today.

Goin' to a Truckers show in November, can't wait.

Classic Prine:

"They paused as they posed for a polaroid photo,

she whispered in his ear:

Exactli-oto...

Quasimoto."

herr oberst, as usual you have found the diamond. From the day, one of my favorite song writers
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This is such a great story