Crooked Piece of Time: The Atlantic and Asylum Albums 1971-1980 is the title of the new box set that will be released as a memory to John Prine, one of the best folk musicians of recent times. The set will be issued by Rhino on October 23, 2020. It will include the first seven Prine albums – John Prine (1971), Diamonds In The Rough (1972), Sweet Revenge (1973), Common Sense (1975), Bruised Orange (1978), Pink Cadillac (1979), and Storm Windows (1980).
These albums include some of the best Prine songs like “Hello In There,” “Sam Stone,” “Illegal Smile,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise,” “That’s The Way The World Goes Round,” “Far From Me,” “Dear Abby,” “Christmas In Prison,” “Fish and Whistle,” and “Automobile.”
The set will be released as a limited edition and will include a 20-page booklet written by David Fricke, a renowned rock critic who is a senior editor at Rolling Stone. The artwork for the set was specially commissioned and includes a painting by artist Joshua Petker, based on a photo by Jim Shea.
As Rhino notes, “One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of his generation – and recipient of the Grammy’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award – John Prine was a master storyteller whose work was often witty and always heartfelt, frequently offering a sly but sincere reflection of his Midwestern American roots. While Prine’s songs were often rooted in folk and country flavors, he was no stranger to rock & roll, R&B, and rockabilly, and he readily adapted his rough but expressive voice to his musical surroundings. His songs were recorded by a long list of well-respected artists, including Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, George Strait, Norah Jones, John Denver, Miranda Lambert, The Everly Brothers, Bette Midler, Paul Westerberg, Tammy Wynette, and Dwight Yoakam.”
