Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Not quite Paradise, but dern close January 8, 2004
J. Tyler (Tennessee)
35 out of 36 found this review helpful
Look, I'm not going to feed you crap here. Prine is dang near the best songwriter ever. He is right up there with Dylan, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and Randy Newman as one of the greatest American songwriters (as if we know any other kind of songwriters...Elton who?). This early "Best of" might have been a bit premature at the time, but has a great collection of songs, especially for anyone who is not familiar with Prine.
It's too bad that "Paradise" is not included on this set. If you're ready to drop a little more change and get a better range of John Boy's stuff, go for the Anthology. It's well worth it.
Prine was "discovered" by Kris Kristopherson, and wrote a lot of songs with Steve Goodman. If you're a fan of either of those artists, or any of the many they've influenced (Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, etc), then you'll love Prine.
If you're already a Prine fan, and you just want to know if this album is worth it, don't. Get the Anthology instead. It has better recording quality, and much more of Prine's hits.
 To know the music is to love the man December 14, 1998
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
When one Johnny Prine fan happens along another Johnny Prine fan, there's a unique familial warmth which arises resembling two separated-at-bith twins meeting once again for the first time. Prime Prine is wthout a doubt a collection of the best from the best, but it lacks at times the captivating prologues which the audience is treated to during Prine's live concerts. Similarly, I'm not sure I would have chosen the same arrangment order. But despite these two issues, the tracks themselves are outstanding and intense. Another great selection would be Prine's hosting of A Tribute To Steve Goodman (live at the Arie Crown Theatre In Chicago).
a collection not to be missed June 19, 2003
jeff hirshberg (New york)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
You can go out and buy all of John Prines albums, or you can just go out and pick up this one, and cherish the best of his best. John Prine is one of the best story tellers in music. He introduces his tales, and brings you through them leaving no detail out of place; There is a warmth, and a personal endeavor in each of his songs. John picks the trials that so many endure, and brings them out for us to acknowledge, and deal with. He sings about drug addiction afflicting people to the point of death, and goes on to sing about old age with its associated loneliness. In other songs, he emulates small town social dilemas that most city folks have no chance to experience, except through the songs John sings for us. All in all, we see the world through the eyes of small town life, with its innocence and simplicity; Something I have not seen since my days in the mid west many years ago."......There's a hole in Danny's arm, where all the money goes, and Jesus Christ died for nothing I suppose....little pictures have big ears; dont stop to count the years; Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios..' "And you may see me tonight, with an illegal smile; it dont cost very much, but it lasts along while. Wont you please tell the man, I didnt kill anyone; No I"m just trying to have me some fun.." " Grandpa was a carpenter, built houses, stores and banks; Chain smoked Camel cigarettes, and hammered nails in planks. He was level on the level, shaved peter on every door; Voted for Eisenhower cause Lincoln won the war." His most beatifull is "Hello in There". "You know that old trees just grow stronger,and old rivers grow wilder every day; People just grow lonsome waiting for someone to say hello in there, hello." I was fortunate to have seen John three times, each with a different show and experience.
The best of his shows was the last time I saw him; He put on a tour with Bonnie Rait, but with a twist. Each performer came out solo; No accompanyment of any kind; Just the guitar around their necks. Each played for about 75 minutes, and gave the most honest performance I can remember for either of them. Watching and listening to John Prine play his music alone, is to see and hear him at his best. He is truly an outstanding performer who does much more than soak up the spot light. When he plays " Illegal Smile ", he rocks forward with each strum on the guitar strings, putting more force and determination with each note. To see this man perform, is to live the music on this album. Grab this album, and experience a slice of life that many of us will never have a chance to taste, except through Johns music.
My sweetie's favorite July 9, 2005
sally smith (Mustang Ranch, NV)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
My man, Norman LOVES John Prine and this CD. we are going to see John in concert in a few weeks, oh boy! I'm not the fan my Norman is, but I like it fine. country meets Grateful Dead, and a wee bit more. dang good.
~~~
edited to add:
well, we went to the concert - I am now a full-fledged John Prine fan! I gotta have ALL his CDs! he's blues, country, folk, rock, a little Johnny Cash, a little Joan Baez. full of feeling and a lot of heart. and funny. Lake Marie, and some of the really good ones - I got tears in my eyes!
The CD Title Says It All May 10, 2003
James Skrydlak (Mountain View, CA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This CD collects twelve of John Prine's best songs from the early to mid-1970s, when he first started recording. The songs tell of the tragedy of a drug-addicted Vietnam war veteran (Sam Stone), John's own grandfather (Grandpa Was a Carpenter), the pain of growing old (Hello in There), and the search for love (Donald and Lydia), among other things. After approximately thirty years, the songs sound as fresh and new as they did when they were first written.Prine doesn't preach. He isn't self-indulgent. He tells stories about some great characters, and his lyrics are those of a man who loves life and feels that none of those characters is alien to him. In doing so, he teaches important lessons, and makes some pretty good music, as well.
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