Brandi and Sturgill are powerful talents in their own rights, but notice how they step back and temper their magic here. Jesus Christ, that was amazing.
@wattlesong: RIP John Prine. Just watching earlier an interview with Fiona Prine, his widow. Somehow, I think John would be watching over Fiona and his sons from Paradise. There have been so many choice video clips from John Prine's works and interviews. Thanks to youtube.com for sharing those and posting it for so many of his fans in this period of COVID-19 home confinement. To the Pine family, stay well and be comforted that people all over the world loved and appreciated their dad and your mom's beloved husband. Wish you all a Happy Father's Day on June 21, 2020.
I'm 71 years old and have been so lucky to have been able to experience my lifetime of music; listening to my mom's records of the great singers and big bands of the 40's, the rock and roll of the 50's, Motown and the British Invasion of the 60's, and every generation of music up til now. That said, if I had to pick just one musician to name as my favorite, it would be the magnificent John Prine. His melodic music and intelligent lyrics are brilliant; sometimes filled with wit and humor, while in other songs John goes deep and hits your heart and soul, your very core. May he rest in the arms of the angels.
It only took four decades for John Prine to become an overnight sensation. He always had a cadre of fervent fans who knew the words to all his songs, but he never made a splash in the pool of popular music. That is, until his fans played those songs to their children, taught them to play the three chords that held them together and passed on a deep appreciation for music that speaks to the soul. Some of those children grew up to be musicians themselves. Sturgill Simpson. Brandi Carlile. Jason Isbell. Kacey Musgraves. I've heard it said that the definition of faith is planting a seed in the ground knowing full well you won't be around to see it grow into a tree. If this is true, and I believe it is, John Prine was a man of great faith. May God rest his soul.
I swear, it's almost impossible for me not to tear up listening to this song no matter how many times I've heard it. John just had that ability to grab you that way. What a truly great artist.
I don't believe I have ever seen anyone held in such reverence as the inimitable John Prine. I love this video so much, and then I read through a lot of the comments, (again) and gave my "thumbs up" to the newer ones, since I'd been here before. It didn't matter whether it was 2 years ago, or 5 months ago when this world lost him, the attitude toward him by his fans was equally respectful. I am so pleased when I see Stephen, Brandi, Sturgill, Marty Stuart, as well as MANY other artists who obviously hold him in such great esteem! In my opinion, NO ONE in the music world deserves it more than John. He gave everyone so much, and still is and always will be greatly missed. His music is more precious now than ever! So many thanks, Mr. Prine! God love you!
Mr. John Prine is the greatest story teller, poet, songwriter, wordsmith, mental picture painter ever born...Hundreds of America's Brave Submarine Sailors were indoctrinated in the 1970's by me...His biggest fan...I played and sang his songs every night in the ship's library...I was the only live entertainment...I had a captive audience...And they ALL fell in love with him...Just like me...I started writing songs and performing them because I wanted to be Just like Handsome Johnny...God Bless You John...God Bless Your new records to come...And I'll see you at the Tree of Forgiveness...Try the steak sandwich...Don't forget to tip the Bartender and waitress...I'll be here for eternity...Love Jesus with special guest Kelly Joe Ray...The singing submariner...
Is it just me? This song seems an elegy for John's entire life. I've loved him for decades. But this just left me heartbroken and crying for him and the beauty of the song. John, we love you. You gave us so much...
" . . . I'd rather have 'em cut me up and pass me all around; throw my brain in a hurricane, the blind can have my eyes. The deaf can take both of my ears, if they don't mind the size"
John Prine still floors me with his lyrics and melodies. One of the most insightful artists of ANY time. I am SO glad got up the strength to give us one more.
John Prine is a national treasure. And The Tree of Forgiveness is arriving in my mailbox today. Can't wait to hear it. I fully expect it will be yet another masterpiece.
John Prine (and the late, great Leonard Cohen) wrote some of my favorite songs. I can never get enough of Bonnie Raitt singing “Angel from Montgomery.”
... and, like all iconic renditions, several have taken the standard and run with it - including Carlile and Susan Tedeschi (and, I'm sure, others). But that's John's song for Bonnie and always will be. (at least in my head - no idea if that's true or not)
I’ve loved this man for almost 50 yrs I bawled for a couple months when he left here. Even though he’s not here, I know he’s never really gone.. but Damn
"I still love that picture of us walking." It's a line without contextualization, embellishment, or explanation, and yet it hits me harder than any other line in the song. Prine is a genius to be able to make such a simple sentence carry that much weight all on its own.
The “Tree of Forgiveness” is an absolutely beautiful album. I discovered John’s music via a dear friend in college. Sad that John Prine, Steve Goodman, Jessie Winchester, and Jimmy Buffett have left earth. They left us with much music and memories.
Just discovering John Prine and I feel like he’s been hidden from me until I was ready to understand his brilliance. Can’t stop listening to everything he’s done.
I have been a fan of John Prine since I heard his live album all thoses years ago. I don’t have many reasons to wish to live in the USA, but to be able to see legends like John Prine would be one of them.
YES! Letterman introduced to many of my favorite artists! Nanci Griffith and Melissa Ethridge come immediately to mind!! And I LOVE Colbert getting John Prine more exposure! :)
Colbert has good music, but he is just not funny... With all the things going on right now, we could use some comedy that isn't 100% political... It's bad enough we have to see Trump everywhere, get some other material Colbert.
Mic Lipp Colbert isn’t probably funny to you because you see the elements of truth in his humorous words. Humor is funny because it has an element of truth to it, which can in reality be sad. Our world is in a sad state, but we have to face the truth of our times and the situation humanity is in...
Thank you Steven!!! I had no idea you had an impeccable taste in music among others points of view. Sturgill Simpson is an enlightened and mind expanded country boy. I can only imagine Brandi is following suit. I am proud to be from the country💗💗💗here’s to y’all breaking stereotypes, molds, and labels!!
Thank you so much for sharing this classic which every song John Prine did is a classic. Totally impressive performer and songwriter and person. God grant you peace John and all from Patrick
Though he's been on my peripherals for ages I've only recently *really* gotten into John Prine and now I'm obsessed. His classics are such treasures and I'm so excited for new music from him. This song is an absolute gem.
I was introduced to Mr. Prine on a motorcycle trip through the Blue Ridge mountains with a very good friend, he asked "How can you not know John Prine"? My radar was jammed up! I enjoy all of John Prine's music & I hope he doesn't wait 13 years to put together another grat album.
Thank you Stephen Colbert. You have had John perform with you on other occasions and they are all wonderful. Every time I watch some of this all John Prine stuff, I just get really emotional. I realize this is silly, but I would so have liked to met him and been able to sit and talk with him.
This is such a beautiful song. I've listened to this dude for a long long time. Even though his voice is changed his passion is still there. I watched a lot of artist aged over the years with me. And I love it to hear them sing in their old age long may they run.
Ro G ..if you could find it look for John Prine concert on PBS I think it was Sound Stage or Austin City limits show..you will not be disappointed..he is truly a great song writer and guitar player..some of the best new music is past great music some have yet to hear..his life story is amazing..
Brandi is a favorite among other singer/songwriters although her commercial success has been moderate. Sturgil"s musical style may not be what you would normally gravitate towards, but his performances seem to be a stomping, howling rip snorting show. One of those guys who at a festival could get the country, metal and R&B fans all bouncing along.
I have made this comment other places, and I will make it again. In my mind John Prine is first and foremost a poet. Yes, he is a talented entertaining musician but at his core he is a poet. I love reading his lyrics as poetry. Fight on John
I have always loved John He is a brilliant lyricist! He is at last getting some mainstream attention. So well deserved for such a great musician too long ignored! I wish him the best on his Grammy nominations this year. What a great album we all waited so long for! It does not dissapoint.
these lyrics tear me up anytime I hear them, my kids, all those whom I have loved, Thank you John Prine, I had 2 sets of tickets to see you in Banff, but sadly you went to Heaven before I saw you in person, loved your music since the early 70's
I'll never forget that first solo performance I saw of John Prine at the Philly Folk Fest in the early 70s. God he was so young and cute and talented! All those years ago! Precious....Miss Stevie Goodman too....
I'm a mega fan of the show (not from the US) and apart from everything that is awesome, troubling and funny, I got to know John, had never heard him before (tears), so.., thanks for this too!!
Roger Ebert was on the Tonight Show and told this story : He was reviewing a turkey of a movie that was so bad that for only the 2nd time ever he walked out of the theater . He went across the street to a bar for a drink and John Prine was playing.. Ebert was so entranced by him that his next day movie review was a paean to Prine.. He really gave a boost to Prine's early career in Chicago
