If you thought 2020’s “I Remember Everything” was the last original song you would ever hear from John Prine, I have good news for you. More new songs are coming. One has already dropped.
“I Remember Everything” was released shortly after the iconic singer-songwriter’s death from COVID, and it was almost too painful to hear at the time. Its wistful beauty was a fitting, albeit rather subdued, farewell to one of the greatest songwriters America has produced. And now it turns out that it is not his farewell. Not entirely, at least.
Oh Boy Records, the label Prine founded in 1981, recently announced the upcoming release of Found Dogs, a companion to Prine’s 1995 album Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings. That’s the album that contained Prine’s beloved classic “Lake Marie” along with several other gems like “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody” and “Day Is Done.” And there was more.
Five new John Prine songs arrive just in time to carry us into the end of the year
Prine's place in the pantheon of American songwriters is well-established. It seems that every few months, something appears to remind us of his greatness. But up until now, we have not heard new songs since "I Remember Everything."
It is not at all uncommon for songs to be recorded but not released immediately. Usually it is because they simply do not fit the tone and rhythm of the album for which they were intended. Especially with a writer as prolific as Prine, there were often simply too many songs to include on one release.
On October 9, one day before he would have turned 80, Found Dogs drops. It will feature ten tracks. Four are alternate versions of songs from Lost Dogs…, including acoustic takes on “All the Way With You” and “Humidity Built the Snowman.”
There will also be a demo recording of “Lake Marie.” I’m generally not a fan of demos, but this one – given Prine’s casual delivery and deep love of the song – might prove to be the exception to the rule.
And then there are the new songs. We got our first taste with “World Without Love,” an upbeat, medium-paced rocker about the necessity of … well, just look at the title. Benmont Tench, who played keyboards during the Lost Dogs… sessions, provides a swirling organ backdrop that gives the tune a majestic sheen.
We don’t know what the other tracks will sound like yet, but the titles are pure Prine. You can just imagine the shambling humor that will make up “Hey Ah Nothing” and the deep compassion that will imbue the closing track “My God Thank You, John.” At least, I can imagine them. But I’ll get to find out come October.
The release of Found Dogs is just part of a major Prine celebration that will be staged in and around Chicago between October 8 and October 11. For more info on the festivities, you can check out the John Prine fan page here.
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