Pace on Earth

Souvenirs

John Prine played the Playhouse last night and, as luck would have it, I ended up at the show. I hopped on Kijiji early yesterday afternoon to check if any poor soul had to unload a ticket. Sure enough a couple of offers popped up and I sent the first one a note. I got a response a few minutes later from Doherty who couldn't make the show and had to give up the single he found on the same site the week before. So I was the 3rd pair of hands on this ticket and very happy to have mine on it.

My earliest memories of John Prine are riding around the Maritimes with Malcolm heading to rugby games of the fishing camp. So to keep with that tradition I stopped by Malcolm and Nancy's for a beer before the show. I arrived at the show just in time to get a beer and find my solo seat. I was half expecting (fully hoping) to sit down next to some jilted beauty who broke up with her boyfriend but kept the Prine tickets in the split. No such luck. . Nevertheless, as with every seat in the Playhouse, I did have a great view. The opener was good but I was antsy for a few laughs from a legendary entertainer

Sure enough, as soon as Prine hit the stage and launched into his vast catalog that spans witty and whimsical to wise and downright weepy he had the crowd eating out of his hand. He has aged since I last saw him in Saint John 4 years ago but he still had that great old raspy voice and lots of help from his backing duo. He played almost everything you expected to hear. He did not play Illegal Smile but he did play my favourites, All the Best, Angel from Montgomery, and Paradise. I would have to say that the highlight, for the sheer delight of the crowd when he played it, had to be Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiin.
Kicka puka maka waawaa heenee!

Needless to say, I'm glad I checked Kijiji. Thanks for the ticket Doherty; thanks for the mental souvenirs John.

No clip of last night's show yet but this one is great for his rapport with the crowd. That has not changed.

Pace out.

posted by Vitamin S @ 5:30 p.m.