John Prine

In 1991 John Prine released an album that took half a decade to make. The end result is nothing short of a masterpiece, especially where the emotionally revelatory "All The Best" is concerned. If you thought Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" threw punches, listen to "All The Best" with a mouth guard on your grill.

The Missing Years, John Prine's first studio album in five years and his best since Bruised
Orange, from 1978, is filled with idiosyncratic delights. The presence of a stellar cast of
supporting singers (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt) and players (David Lindley,
Mike Campbell, Albert Lee) reflects Prine's reputation. Yet the subtle production of Howie
Epstein (bassist with Petty's Heartbreakers) keeps the emphasis on arrangements... More >

Occasionally too fantastic but never too bitter, the sagest and funniest of the new Dylans writes like he's resigned to an unconsummated life and sounds like he's enjoying one. Augmenting his droll drawl and a band comprising his producer and his engineer, the studio all-stars might be visiting his living room, which is always the idea. He says he put a lot into his first album in five years because he figured it might be his last ever, which it won't be; I attribute its undeviating quality, gratifying variety, and amazing grace to talent, leisure time, and just enough all-star input. I wouldn't swear there's a stone classic here--just nothing I wouldn't be happy to hear again. (Grade - A-)