ENTERTAINMENT

John Prine to play 1971 debut album at Station Inn

Juli Thanki
jthanki@tennessean.com
John Prine, preceding Bonnie Raitt, performs at the Grand Ole Opry House Oct. 29, 1975.

In his 2015 book, “John Prine: In Spite of Himself,” music journalist Eddie Huffman writes, “Prine’s songs will be his most lasting legacy. A big chunk of his legend rests on the tunes from his self-titled 1971 debut album.”

Released on Atlantic Records, when Prine was in his mid-20s, “John Prine” includes some of his most masterful compositions, such as “Sam Stone,” "Illegal Smile," and the oft-covered “Paradise” and “Angel from Montgomery."

During his Americana Music Festival showcase, which begins 10:30 p.m. Thursday night at the Station Inn, Prine will perform the 13-song album in its entirety. Although many of the songs on the record are played during his live shows, this will be the first time in several years that he has played the album in full.

Prine will release a new album on Sept. 30. Titled “For Better or Worse,” the project features duets with Iris DeMent, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Amanda Shires, and several other top-notch women artists.

The album will release the same day he kicks off a sold-out, two-night stand at the Ryman Auditorium, less than two weeks before his 70th birthday.

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