John Prine
(Oh Boy)
A two-disc set documenting archival demos and an early live recording, The Singing Postman Delivers demonstrates that for the most part, John Prine's musical persona emerged fully formed. Both unassumingly folksy and literate to a tee, this former postal worker bore the heart - and pen - of a seasoned troubadour, and here that prowess is already evident in his down home delivery replete with sly, sad and sardonic observations. Those that once labeled him as part of that early ‘70s breed of new Dylans (a tag also bestowed on a young Bruce Springsteen) might need to rethink that assessment given the evidence here, but given the sparse, stripped down environs, comparison to Woody Guthrie wouldn't be inappropriate. Nevertheless, it's also worth noting that that several early classics from Prine's prime catalog seemed to arrive intact, particularly two of his initial standbys - the ever-so-poignant "Hello in There" and the touching "Souvenirs." The visceral "Sam Stone," a particularly bitter indictment of the tragic burdens borne by returning GIs, gets an early peek under a different name, "Great Society Conflict Veteran Blues," but even the early tracks that might otherwise appear disposable offer intriguing insights of their own.
The accompanying live disc also finds Prine poised and confident while advancing his new material in front of an audience that's apparently knowledgeable enough to call out requests. With additional selections that were ultimately destined for his first few albums - a ragged "Angel From Montgomery" among the most notable - it's clear he's already adept at his craft. Notably too, a medley that somewhat awkwardly combines Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'" with "Jambalaya" proves Prine not only knew where he was headed but also the path that had led him from where he had come.
DOWNLOAD: "Hello In There," "Souvenirs," "Great Society Conflict Veteran Blues" LEE ZIMMERMAN
