Disco de John Prine: “Pink Cadillac”

Pink Cadillac sounds like Prine got together a few buddies and a bunch of beer and recorded an album meant to be played loud. For fans looking to expand on their collections, this is a great album to show how serious Prine was about not being pidgeon-holed in one type of music. On the downside, because the recording is of a lower quality and the mixing favors the guitars and drums over the words, listeners have to dig a little deeper to find those tear-jerk gems and nuggets of wit and wisdom. He can still break your heart (how Lucky) and crack you up (the irreverent Chinatown) but most of these tracks are meant to be just plain fun. For those who are looking to round out their collection, this album is about as raw as Prine's music gets. For those who are just starting out, I'd suggest getting some of his earlier albums, or the grammy winning Missing Years, first.

The Beatles White Album, Jerry Jeff Walker's "Too Old To Change," Tom Waits and Bob Dylan -- mix these together and you have John Prine's "Pink Cadillac." It isn't country, it likes the Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters, it is dense and pleasing and you don't have to like country music or rock to appreciate it -- it sighs and flows and kicks and lives in its own space. I like "Common Sense" the best of Prine's other CD's, but I also love Merle Haggard and The Clash. This CD is brilliant, and the song "Siagon" will take you elsewhere if you let it, and if you are armed. Genius.

Don't expect typical J.Prine on this disc. This one is a bluesier, rough sounding release that was done at the famous "Sun Studios" with Sam Phillips son at the boards. John and the gang sound loaded at times. There's some great tunes, and they definitely had fun, but overall it's probably his weakest effort.

Some really good songs,but it leaves you wanting more. The sound quality is lesser than other Prine's. I like it, but not as much as about six other Prine's.

I have been a steady fan of him since his early days in Chicago in the early 1970's, but this effort was a major let down for me. The song "How lucky" is great, though. Maybe not surprising that this CD is not available on his own website, or on iTunes??! I think they had a great (drunken) time making the record, but some of the songs sound like they were recorded from the parking lot next to the studio. However, several of the songs from Pink Caddy are done very well on his 1980 Soundstage concert DVD, which is available. I just got done watching it, and enjoyed it very much. I also saw him in concert about that time, with his excellent band. (I have seen him about 6 times over the years)