Rating: **** (4 out of 4)

Availability: Widely Available

In the folk music industry, John Prine is a name to conjure with. Considered one of the most prolific songwriters of the modern day, he is also one of the most successful in his circuit. You might have heard his music on NPR, if you listen to it. And if you don't, then why not?

German afternoons serves up Prine in old-timey country style, with steel guitars, mandolins, and fiddles. From the Carter Family-esque "Lulu Walls" to the novelty tune "Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian," Prine captures the country sound without resorting to the anti-intellectual elements that plague modern country music. Prine is a poet and a musician in every sense of the word.

Prine ends German Afternoons with the mining song "Paradise," a touching song of nostalgia and longing for the days of the old before the companies who are willing to chalk it all up to "the progress of man." German Afternoons is not for everyone. Some people can't stand the mountain sound. But for those who can find interest in music that sounds like the Carter Fold, German Afternoons is an album well worth looking into.

The opinions expressed in the above reviews are those of Glen Williams and may not represent the views of slac.com or any of its members. Compliments, complaints, and comments should be addressed to gandalf@tricon.net

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