"A John Prine Chirstmas" . . . yes, it IS a Christmas album . . . but yes, i listen to this album "year 'round". It is classic John Prine, and the seasonal holiday leaning of it's themes in no way stand in the way of all year listening and enjoyment of these great songs and great "Prine performances".
From the very first note of the very first track, "Everything Is Cool" . . . you just know that for the duration of this album's play, everything IS cool. (and it is one of the best songs John Prine has ever written at that.)
"All The Best" is a slightly comic look at a "broken relationship" and wishing the other "all the best" nonetheless. One can't picture John Prine with any other ciew on life, even when life doesn't go the way we'd have liked it to go.
"Silent Night All Day long" is a christmas card in music and lyric . . . it just paints a beautiful nostalgic holiday card picture of two lovers memories of christmas together. a little melancholy, a little tinge of sadness of the past, and a lot of beauty - another og John's best.
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" will just break you up in a smile and then into outright laughter -- "i saw mommy kissing Santa Clause . . .ON THE LIPS!" John laughs in mock shock!
"Christmas In Prison" is a live version of an early John Prine song. It describes the isolation and loneliness of celebrating Christmas for those locked behind prison walls and bars. Like the late great Johnny Cash, John Prine seems to catch hold of a glimpse of a soul's thoughts and feelings in such isolated circumstances. This is a truly great song by john Prine.
John Ends this Christmas tour de force with a story of "A John Prine Christmas" . . . suffice it to say that he concludes this account with an acordion solo of "The Lichtenstein Polka"! ha! . . . a tribute to his childhood memories of Christmases past no doubt.
Even if you don't have the "Christmas Spirit", get this album . . you'll love it . .and enjoy it all through the year . . and it WILL be Christmas All Year Long!
Thank you John Prine for all the great songs and smiles you have brought to us . . and we always look forward to many more . . . and this "A John Prine Christmas" cd will bring me smiles for a long long time to come. :)
I recently saw John Prine in a small club in Berlin Germany with Todd Schneider opening up. It had been years since the last time I saw him and never had had the good fortune to see him in such a small setting. He is one of the few great American song writers. You know one of those who writes songs that you really have to listen to, to appreciate. Then there is the musicianship. No synthesizers, scratching records, light shows, or other gimmicks, just good music that takes you back to the America of the 50's, 60's, 70's..... and wherever else he wants to take you. After seeing his performance in this small club with two other backing musicians, I am not surprised to hear someone use the adjective "rockin" in connection with John Prine. If you've never seen him or heard him you're really missing something. I can only say, I hope to see him in Quasimodo again real soon, because like a good bottle of wine, John Prine keeps getting better with age.
What a nice change to "traditional holiday music" I loved that he has included such artists as the famous "Cowboy Junkies". Highly recommend this!
First let me say - we love JP. We purchase one Christmas cd per season. This year we chose John's. However, it's just not enough Christmas for us. Would return it if possible.
It's not Christmas without John Prine's Christmas Album playing. This is one of his best, and it is hard to find.
