This is FRESH AIR. I’m David Bianculli, editor of the website TV Worth Watching, sitting in for Terry Gross. Today’s guest is songwriter, singer, and guitarist John Prine. Prine released his first album in 1971 with several songs that remain staples of his repertoire, inclusive of “Angel From Sir Bernard Law,” “Paradise,” “Sam Stone,” and “Hello In There.” Last week, he changed into inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This followed an honor he acquired in 2016, while Prine became recognized through the writers’ corporation PEN for lyrics of literary excellence. Among the numerous performers who’ve recorded his songs are Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, and Bette Midler.
Terry Gross spoke with John Prine last year when he turned into an excursion to promote his new album “The Tree of Forgiveness,” his first album of latest songs in extra than a decade.
It’s undoubtedly a form of terrific that he is nonetheless appearing. In 1996, he had an essential neck surgical operation to get rid of a cancerous tumor. In 2013, he became operated on once more, this time for lung most cancer. But he is made a remarkable comeback, each recording and journeying.
(SOUNDBITE OF JOHN PRINE SONG, “TREE OF FORGIVENESS”)
BIANCULLI: Let’s start with music from “Tree Of Forgiveness.” This is “Summer’s End,” co-written with Pat McLaughlin. Brandi Carlile sings backup vocals.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “SUMMER’S END”)
JOHN PRINE: (Singing) Summer’s give up’s around the bend, just flying. The swimming fits are on the line, simply drying. I’ll meet you there for our verbal exchange. I wish I did not break your entire vacation. Well, you in no way realize how some distance from domestic you feel until you’ve watched the shadows across the ceiling. Well, I don’t know, but I can see it snowing. In your automobile, the home windows are huge open. Just come on home. Come on, domestic. No, you oughtn’t to be on my own. Just come on, domestic. Valentines break hearts and minds at random…
