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Friday, April 16
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John Prine
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w/ Dan Reeder
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $59, $42.50, $37.50 adv / $59, $42.50, $37.50 dos
Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
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John Prine
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Born in Maywood, IL on October 10, 1946, John Prine's body of work has become the high-water mark of American songwriting and his songs have found a home in the repertoire of musical luminaries such as Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash and George Strait. On March 9, 2005, at the request of Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, John Prine became the first singer/songwriter to read and perform at the Library of Congress.
Prine takes his own sweet time dancing with his muse -- and truly writes what's in his soul. So if it takes him a little longer to compose the songs that capture the moments that reveal the gently folded human truths that bind us all together, it's always worth the wait. There was a nine year gap between his Grammy-nominated Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings and his latest solo offering, appropriately titled, Fair & Square, but his unorthodox timing was rewarded with critical acclaim.
Along with rave reviews from Billboard Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, No Depression, Amazon.com and Blender, Fair & Square debuted at number seven on Billboard's Top 20 Internet Album Sales chart and recorded the fastest rise to number one in the history of Americana radio. In 2006, Fair & Square won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
"It was just time," said Prine in his always understated way, just after the release of Fair & Square. "I had a bunch of songs. I'd started recording them, and it turns out, I liked them pretty well. So, now, I get to get them all just the way I like them - and then I get to let them go out to meet the world."
Prine's latest record, Standard Songs for Average People, contains duet renditions of classic American songs with Bluegrass icon Mac "The Voice with a Heart" Wiseman. While this album is a slight departure from Prine's renowned singer-songwriter approach, it promises to appeal to those seeking a trip back to when wholesome, well-crafted music mirrored simpler times. With tracks like "Old Cape Cod," "Pistol Packin' Mama" or "Blue Eyed Elaine," the charm and character of Standard Songs softly reinvigorates the soul and gently reminds the listener life should be enjoyed - not rushed.
Click here to download & listen to an audio track from 's album Fair and Square: &
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Dan Reeder
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Dan Reeder and This New Century
When Oh Boy Records released Dan Reeder's self-titled album on March 16th, 2004, a somewhat select group of wildly imaginative isolates found cause to celebrate. The album had a special significance to those who might be labeled as lonely daydreamers, but it was Dan's imagination and humor that allowed everyone to enjoy his art.
From the individuals who see the world through a Reeder-esque lens to those who might have more extroverted sensibilities, there's something universal about Dan's music. On his debut release, Dan strikes a common chord by including a song that contains one simple phrase: "I've got all the fuckin' work I need" That repeated declaration dances playfully with an intentionally sparse arrangement of a lonely handclap. It's this simple, blunt sensibility that makes Dan's music so accessible and, conversely, what makes him such a recluse.
He doesn't tour often, records alone in a makeshift studio, plays with homemade instruments and many times can be irritated by some of the minor bumps in the road of humanity – just listen to "Waiting for my cappuccino" from Sweetheart, Dan's second release (September 12th, 2006) and you'll get the gist. Ken Tucker, Editor-At-Large for Entertainment Weekly and music critic for NPR's Fresh Air, wrote this after Sweetheart's release:
"In a world where most pop culture is about finding out what the maximum number of people desire and then manufacturing something that will max-out that desire till you puke, Reeder's quiet, sharp-witted, literally home-made music reminds you why some people create: to satisfy themselves, and then, if possible, make some money in the bargain."
After glancing over the song titles from Dan's previous two records, one can gather that Dan does not shy away from taboo. "Food and pussy," "Pussy titty" and "Pussy heaven" all seem to have a reoccurring theme, and the heterosexual male quotient of Dan's audience loves him because he says the things they think about ninety-nine percent of the time without reservation.
However, on This New Century, releasing on February 16th, 2010, Reeder mostly forgets man's carnal desire to muse for other higher level, existential dilemmas.
The issue of mortality frequently appears throughout the album. Tracks like "James Brown is dead and gone," "When" and "Angels may" serve as reminders of the unanswerable destiny we all face. Although, in typical Dan Reeder style, "Angels may" is not without the humorous expression of the things you would never expect angels to do:
"They may laugh and they may tease you / And, they may take you by the hand / And on a good day, they may feed you ravioli right out of the can "
As a side note, Dan must really love stuffed pasta, as "The weather is a dead man" on This New Century features a new weapon in his handcrafted instrument arsenal: a ravioli can guitar that sounds more like a gritty back-alley sitar.
"Bitch Nation" sets out to make a statement about the uncaring ineptitude of a certain new generation. "She hears the rumors of famines and wars as she sleeps with the TV on. " It's this brand of songwriting that makes This New Century a new chapter in Dan's recording career as opposed to an extension of his previous material.
Sonically, This New Century is Dan's most polished effort, complete with his signature style of multi-tracked harmonies with himself and homemade instruments, but Reeder paid a little more attention to detail with the recording technique and his lyrical craftsmanship. One gets the sense that Reeder wanted to make a more serious record, without sacrificing a certain element of tongue-in-cheek wit that is synonymous with his songwriting.
This New Century continues the tradition of imagination, humor and honesty that drove John Prine to sign Dan after receiving a demo version of his first record, and it's a stunning album that his merry band of isolates can enjoy with everyone else or all by themselves.
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