One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of his generation – and recipient of the Grammy’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award – John Prine was a master storyteller whose work was often witty and always heartfelt, frequently offering a sly but sincere reflection of his Midwestern American roots. While Prine's songs were often rooted in folk and country flavors, he was no stranger to rock & roll, R&B, and rockabilly, and he readily adapted his rough but expressive voice to his musical surroundings. His songs were recorded by a long list of well-respected artists, including Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, George Strait, Norah Jones, John Denver, Miranda Lambert, The Everly Brothers, Bette Midler, Paul Westerberg, Tammy Wynette and Dwight Yoakam. John Prine’s Atlantic and Asylum albums are being released here in one 7-CD boxed set – John Prine (1971), Diamonds In The Rough (1972), Sweet Revenge (1973), Common Sense (1975), Bruised Orange (1978), Pink Cadillac (1979) and Storm Windows (1980) – that encompasses an essential and timeless American songbook.

Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark had been waiting for him for a few years. And this damn Covid-19 sent John Prine to join them up there … Grandiose songwriter-storyteller little celebrated on this side of the Atlantic but Cult and adored on his lands, the one who was in his beginnings a protégé of Kris Kristofferson died on April 7, 2020 at 73 years old. The XXL disease, Prine knew well, he who had already struck down two cancers in 1998 and 2013…To understand the extent of his influence, two quotes from musicians, from two very distinct generations, among the thousands that have flourished on social networks since the announcement of his disappearance. Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver first: "if I am largely who I am as a person, not to mention as a musician, it's because of John Prine ". Bruce Springsteen also doesn't go four ways : "John and I were the" new Dylan "in the early' 70s and he was mostly the nicest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for all ages. »

Rhino's Great Days: The John Prine Anthology is an excellent summary of John Prine's prime period, from his sublime 1971 eponymous debut to 1991's Missing Years. This (appropriately) draws heavily from his early recordings (including the aforementioned debut), but it also does a terrific job of finding songs on uneven albums, while giving weight to such classic albums as Bruised Orange. Although those previously mentioned albums are all worthwhile on their own terms (as are many of Prine's other records), this provides a nearly flawless recap of his career – so much so that it's not only for neophytes, but also reminds longtime fans why they loved him in the first place.