I do a lot of pondering. A recent ponder.
If I had to chose one singer or group that I could only listen to for the rest of my life, who would it be?
I've settled on John Prine.
I keep hearing songs of his that I've heard for the first time. They all have messages. Some are deadly serious---Sam Stone. Some are lilting and cute---In Spite Of Ourselves---Picture Show. Others have wonderful messages, to live by--I Remember Every Thing---Hello In There---Paradice.
"Sam Stone" tells the story of too many of our veterans. Wounded in mind and body,. "There's a hole in Daddy's arm, where all our money goes" and finally , they end up "In a flag draped coffin, on a hero's hill"
"Hello In There" The story of growing old. " So if your walk'n down the street someday and see some lonely stare'n eyes. Don't just turn an walk away. Stop and say Hello in there" That's an important, meaningful message. Prine's songs are full of messages.
Picture Show" I've spoken of this before. That song brought back a memory that is still giving me smiles---from the1940s. I was an only child. It would be quiet in the house. Daddy , reading. Mama coking and listening to Eddie Arnold on her Philco. Me, hang'n out doing 7 year old stuff..
Daddy would lay down what he was reading and say "Hey Boy! Let's go to the Picture Show!
An example of why you need to think about what John is singing. This from "I remember Every Thing" ( John's last song) "Her eyes of ocean blue". Not , Her blue ocean eyes"
"Her blue ocean eyes would just describe the color of her eyes. "Her eyes of ocean blue describes the wide range of moods, his lady goes through. Tranquil &calm.
Moody and stormy.
I may be reading thoughts into those words, that weren't intended, but I don't think so.
Finally. "Paradice". "Daddy won't you take me back to Mullenberg County----where the Green River flows"
In Paradice" John expresses his wish to have his ashes thrown into the Green River. Today John Prine goes to where the Green River Flows.
I'll be doing a lot of pondering about John's music,
Okie Drifter
