Maurice Hope – September 21, 2016 at 11:58AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
I can’t believe this! John Prine has not only made a follow-up to his all-star duet album on 1999, In Spite Of Ourselves but with the help of a bevy of female country vocalists come through with an album as good if not better than the original. I also love the quirky cover.
Decorated with awesome contributions it throws up a good few surprises. Iris DeMent figures on a couple of songs, and for this alone we are indebted to Prine because DeMent’s voice, one of the treasures of the music world is heard all too infrequently. “Who’s Gonna Take Your Garbage Out” opens the extravaganza in fine style; steeped in great humour it is hard to beat. This could be said, when the duo thirteen tracks farther down the line serve up yet more magic on “Mr. & Mrs. Used To Be” (both covers of 1960s Ernest Tubb – Loretta Lynn duets).
By which time the album has thrown up sublime combinations hatched between Prine and blues act, Susan Tedeschi and a country music styled cut of yesterday sounding collaboration with Holly Williams (“I’m Telling You”). Heaped in fiddle and pedal steel and arrangements perfectly suited to his voice. Prior to hearing the record I feared Prine would not be able to hold his own but he does, and how! Kathy Mattea and Lee Ann Womack follow in DeMent’s footsteps as they too donate their singing prowess on two songs; the former chimes in wonderfully on “Remember Me” and the 1970s country favourite “Dreaming My Dreams” while the sweet-toned Womack hits centre on “Storms Never Last” and “Fifteen Years Ago”.
Prine says of the classic songs, “I cut my teeth on Hank Williams’ songs. When I sing these songs there is a small pipe line straight from my heart to my lips.” The choice of material written or popularised by the likes of George Jones, Loretta Lynn & Ernest Tubb, Buck Owens, Jessi Colter and Hank Williams Snr and others and accompanying duet partners and beautiful arrangements are faultless! Completely.
Among the surprise and inspired choices you have Prine and Miranda Lambert ease, majestically through Hank Williams’ hit “Cold Cold Heart” and the lovely Morgane Stapleton “Look At Us”. What a peach. Young country star Kacey Musgraves and Prine strike a winning run on the humourus “Mental Cruelty”. Prine’s narrative is particularly brilliant. Amanda Shires, Allison Krauss and Prine’s wife, Fiona (“My Happiness”) likewise, help the master deliver songs of classic proportions. Like with the first duet record Prine rounds off the record with a solo effort, and it is as good as anything he has done in years, if not better. On hearing this recording I feel obliged to urge every one of you to write to Mr, Prine, and beg him to please make another solo record.
Maurice Hope
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