John Prine's first post-neck cancer studio album finds him duetting on a slew of country classics and rustic obscurities with some high-caliber talent. Throughout IN SPITE OF OURSELVES, the main theme bounces between lovin' and cheatin' in different circumstances, be it swapping spouses ("Let's Invite Them Over," with Iris DeMent) or being discreet in a small town ("In a Town This Size," with Dolores Keane). Backed by crying pedal steel, mournful dobros, and rippling piano, Prine makes the kind of classic country that was pouring out of Nashville in the late '60s and early '70s.
Prine's laconic singing style meshes perfectly with such contemporary country superstars as Trisha Yearwood (Roger Miller's "When Two Worlds Collide") and Patty Loveless (Webb Pierce's "Back Street Affair"). Other notable partners included Lucinda Williams ("Wedding Bells/Let's Turn Back the Years"), Melba Montgomery ("We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds" and "Milwaukee Here I Come"), and Emmylou Harris ("I Know One"). Of all these notable vocalists, Iris DeMent turns out to be Prine's perfect partner. With her Carter Family-inflected twang, DeMent fits hand-in-glove with Prine's relaxed delivery, particularly on the George Jones/Tammy Wynette nugget, "(We're Not) The Jet Set."
Personnel includes: John Prine (vocals, acoustic guitar); Iris DeMent, Connie Smith, Lucinda Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Melba Montgomery, Emmylou Harris, Dolores Keane, Patty Loveless, Fiona Prine (vocals); Jason Wilber (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Jim Rooney (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Marty Stuart (acoustic guitar); Dan Dugmore (pedal steel guitar, dobro); Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle); Phil Parlapiano (mandolin, accordion, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer piano); Shawn Camp (fiddle, background vocals); Glen D. Hardin (piano, keyboards, background vocals); David Jacques (acoustic bass, background vocals); Pat McInerney (drums, percussion, background vocals); Kenny Malone (drums); Duke Duczer (background vocals).
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
IN SPITE OF OURSELVES was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
- Format: Vinyl
- Released: 07/29/2016
- Genre: Country, Folk
- Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from our official JocoRecords website!
Track Listing:
A1 (We're Not) The Jet Set -w Iris DeMent
A2 So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) -w Connie Smith
A3 Wedding Bells/Let's Turn Back The Years - w Lucinda Williams
A4 When Two Worlds Collide - w Trisha Yearwood
A5 Milwaukee Here I Come - w Melba Montgomery
A6 I Know One - w Emmylou Harris
A7 It's A Cheating Situation - w Dolores Keane
A8 Back Street Affair - w Patty Loveless
B1 Loose Talk - w Connie Smith
B2 Let's Invite Them Over - w Iris DeMent
B3 'Til A Tear Becomes A Rose - w Fiona Prine
B4 In A Town This Size - w Dolores Keane
B5 We Could - w Iris DeMent
B6 We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds - w Melba Montgomery
B7 In Spite Of Ourselves w Iris DeMent
B8 Dear John ( I Sent Your Saddle Home)
