In the midst of the Covid19 pandemic, it is unthinkable to think of all the people that were lost to the virus.

It is impossible, if not cruel, to quantify lives, but the loss of musicians was especially hard for me. Ellis Marsalis and Hal Willner were but two of the artists who I know I will miss dearly, but John Prine’s death hurts me the most.

I have been a fan ever since the release of this, his debut album. His Midwestern ‘aw shucks’ approach to lyrics is so disconcertingly friendly that hearing his music can be like talking with a close friend. His attention to detail and his emotional honesty are the things that kept me coming back over and over again.

Prine’s genius is obvious to anybody with ears and the ability to comprehend the English language. If you know him already, then I know you’re a fan. If you don’t know him yet, then I know you are about to become one.

Featured tracks include:

Illegal Smile

Spanish Pipedream

Hello in There

Sam Stone

Paradise

Pretty Good

Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven Anymore

Far from Me

Angel from Montgomery

Quiet Man

Donald and Lydia

Six O’Clock News

Flashback Blues

June 1971 - Billboard Charted #154