John Prine - Live On Soundstage 1980 [DVD]

John Prine's songwriting strengths are many, but his portrayal of ordinary folk and their ordinary lives is exceptional - full or sorrow, humour and pathos, this is folk music at its finest.

Live on Soundstage 1980 is a classic performance on DVD taken from from the original PBS TV show, mixed with documentary clips of Prine revisiting his old stomping grounds, acting as a tour guide in a particularly snazzy vintage car.

Prine's Angel From Montgomery is included of course, and Hello In There, another tear-jerker. Billy Lee Riley, a Sun Records rockabilly legend joins the proceedings towards the end of the set, and throws in some energetic rock standards for good measure.

Live On soundstage 1980 is an excellent introduction to John Prine, the man and his music. The DVD lasts approximately 60 minutes with a dozen or so performances along with the documentary clips.