Celebrating John Prine

#56 / Flood Time Capsule: New Playlist

Two years ago this week we were stunned and deeply saddened by the death of singer/songwriter John Prine, the first of our heroes and loved ones we’d lose to the horrific COVID-19 pandemic. (Later on we at least smiled a little when we learned that, in accordance with the wishes he expressed in his song "Paradise,” his ashes were indeed spread in Kentucky to float down his beloved Green River…)

That tune was among the first that David and Charlie worked up when they began jamming together 48 years ago, a duet that eventually would spawn The 1937 Flood.

And as illustrated by our new Prine Memorial Playlist, John’s music would always be part of The Flood’s DNA from today all the way back to the time of those wonderful hippy-dippy parties of the 1970s. (Click here to tune in for a near-dozen Prine tunes that we’ve played over the decades at parties, performances and rehearsals.)

It was the late Terry Goller, our dear friend and musical inspiration, who introduced to John Prime’s music at the very first of those parties back in August 1972. Terry came to the do with his wife Pat toting a passel of interesting new folk albums to share. Of the whole bunch, it was Prine’s self-titled first album, released a few months earlier, that completely blew everyone away.

Charlie and Dave immediately fell in love with “Paradise” (“…. and Daddy, won’tcha take me back to Muhlenberg County, down by the Green River where Paradise lay? Well, I'm sorry, my son, but you're too late in asking. Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away.”) This duo version of the song was recorded at a Spring 1974 music party in the south side of Huntington.

You Heard the Song, Now See the Movie

Oh, do you want some more from that 1974 party? It is the subject of this opening episode in our 2021 legacy film series, The Bowen Bashes, on YouTube. Enjoy the ride in your time machine!