Great Days: The John Prine Anthology cover

Great Days: The John Prine Anthology

John Prine · 1993

149 min · 41 tracks · country music

A tapestry of vivid storytelling woven through folk and country melodies, reflecting the complexities of everyday life.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Angel From Montgomery (live) — This live rendition highlights Prine’s ability to convey profound emotion through simplicity, making it a standout example of his lyrical depth.
  • →
    Illegal Smile Start here — The opening track encapsulates Prine's knack for blending humor with poignant commentary, setting the tone for the anthology's exploration of life's absurdities.
  • →
    Sam Stone — A haunting narrative about the struggles of a Vietnam veteran, this song showcases Prine's exceptional storytelling and social consciousness.
  • →
    Paradise — This track serves as a poignant reflection on environmental issues and loss, demonstrating Prine’s mastery in weaving personal and political narratives.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

71 /100
Alpine
Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

This anthology effectively showcases Prine's lyrical depth and storytelling across his career, though its length affects cohesion.

What we noticed

  • Many songs incorporate storytelling elements that unfold over several verses, often using vivid imagery and relatable characters.
  • Several tracks include live recordings, which introduce a different energy and audience interaction compared to studio versions.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • poignant storytelling with warmth
  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • reflective moments for quiet evenings
  • sing-along tunes with friends
  • bittersweet tales of everyday life

Maybe skip if you

  • seeks fast-paced instant gratification
  • prefers standalone catchy singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A comprehensive anthology that introduces new listeners to Prine's storytelling and musical style.
Themes
Vietnam veteran struggles· environmental loss· small-town absurdities
Career context
By 1993, John Prine was already a celebrated figure in American music, known for his insightful lyrics and unique voice. 'Great Days: The John Prine Anthology' marked a comprehensive retrospective of his work up to that point, showcasing both his classic hits and deeper cuts. This compilation followed his 1991 album 'The Missing Years', which further solidified his presence in the Americana scene.
Stylistic neighbors
Steve Goodman· Townes Van Zandt· Guy Clark
New to John Prine? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Illegal Smile Start here 3:13
  • 2 Spanish Pipedream 2:41
  • 3 Hello in There 4:32
  • 4 Sam Stone 4:16
  • 5 Paradise 3:15
  • 6 Donald and Lydia 4:30
  • 7 The Late John Garfield Blues 3:06
  • 8 Yes, I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You 2:10
  • 9 The Great Compromise 4:56
  • 10 Sweet Revenge 2:41
  • 11 Please Don't Bury Me 2:51
  • 12 Christmas in Prison 3:13
  • 13 Dear Abby (live) 4:22
  • 14 Blue Umbrella 3:31
  • 15 Common Sense 3:11
  • 16 Come Back to Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard 3:20
  • 17 Saddle in the Rain 3:35
  • 18 He Was in Heaven Before He Died 2:16
  • 19 Fish and Whistle 3:15
  • 20 That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round 3:22
  • 21 Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow) 5:20

Disc 2

  • 1 Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone 2:55
  • 2 Automobile 4:23
  • 3 Killing the Blues 4:38
  • 4 Down by the Side of the Road 5:04
  • 5 Living in the Future 3:26
  • 6 It's Happening to You 2:19
  • 7 Storm Windows 5:07
  • 8 One Red Rose 3:19
  • 9 Souvenirs 3:33
  • 10 Aimless Love 3:08
  • 11 The Oldest Baby in the World 3:07
  • 12 People Puttin' People Down 2:50
  • 13 Unwed Fathers 3:32
  • 14 Angel From Montgomery (live) 4:34
  • 15 Linda Goes to Mars 3:10
  • 16 Bad Boy 3:30
  • 17 Speed of the Sound of Loneliness 3:31
  • 18 It's a Big Old Goofy World 5:24
  • 19 The Sins of Memphisto 4:14
  • 20 All the Best 3:28

What to play next

The Missing Years
Listen next

The Missing Years

1991

Continues the storytelling with a mix of folk and introspective themes.
John Prine
Go back to

John Prine

1971

Sets the stage with foundational folk melodies and early storytelling style.
Full John Prine discography Where to start with John Prine Artists like John Prine

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Guitar Town

Guitar Town

Steve Earle

Shares vivid storytelling and a blend of country and folk, reflecting on life's struggles and small-town life.

High, Low and in Between

High, Low and in Between

Townes Van Zandt

Echoes similar themes of introspection and longing, with haunting melodies and poignant lyrics.

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

Combines rich storytelling with a rootsy sound, exploring complex emotions tied to place and identity.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata