John Prine Gets to Heaven
“I didn’t realize I’ve been here eight times,” puzzled John Prine Tuesday night shortly after Austin City Limits executive producer Terry Lickona noted exactly how many episodes the songman had taped. “I guess I’ll just keep doing it until I get it right.”
Following so-so renditions of day-oners “Six O’Clock News” and “Angel From Montgomery,” wherein his four-piece band sounded wooden and his voice emitted sawdust, the 71-year-old former mail carrier began to climb the Tree of Forgiveness, the respectable new album that delivers his highest charting release and first new music in 13 years.