A late change
of song today, to pay tribute to John Prine, who passed away on Tuesday, partly
due to the Corona Virus.
In the early
1970s, the slew of male singer-songwriters, led to the frequent "new
Dylan" epithet (or curse). Many disappeared quickly, but others (such as Springsteen)
managed to forge their own distinctive careers. John Prine was definitely in
the latter category.
I first heard
"Hello In There" when it was performed by Michael Stipe and Natalie
Merchant (why weren't they a couple?) as part of Glasgow's Year of Culture
celebrations in 1990. It struck me a such a sad and beautiful song, and I later
searched for the original by its songwriter John Prine.
Prine flitted
between folk and country music, incorporating humour, traditional love songs, but
also biting social commentary ("Sam Stone" was about a Vietnam
veteran). His voice was gruff and unpolished, but added a realistic tone to his
real-life stories.
His debut
album "John Prine", released in 1971, was quickly acclaimed, with
"Hello In There" as one of the standout tracks. It is a slow,
melancholy discourse about the loneliness of senior citizens. The backing is
sparse, but fitting, with typical country ensemble - acoustic guitar, pedal
steel guitar and piano or organ.
He narrates as a old man, retired to his apartment with his long-time wife. Their
children have left home, one son died in the Korean war ("I still don't know what for, don't matter
anymore"). There is nothing
left to discuss with his wife, and a call with an ex-colleague is similarly empty
("What's new?" "Nothing, what's with you? Nothing much to
do"). Life is carrying on in an endless cycle ("news just repeats
itself").
The chorus
asserts that trees and rivers may be stronger as they mature, but "old
people just grow just grow lonesome". It is a call for younger generations
to "say hello". It is similar theme to "Cat's in Cradle",
but much less cloying.
"Hello In
There" has become a regular US standard, being covered by varied artists such
Joan Baez, Bette Midler and 10,000 Maniacs (the group, not the cover artists).
If you judge his reputation by his array of admirers alone (Dylan, Johnny Cash,
Springsteen, Kristofferson, Roger Waters), then Prine was a unique and rare
talent.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfwGkplB_sY
and a bonus of the Stipe / Merchant version that I heard first - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csAp1KeueUU
Hear Next -
There is an extensive back catalogue of 19 studio albums, but his debut "John
Prine" remains his most best and most celebrated.
