DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH (SYEOR 2018 EXCLUSIVE)

Personnel: John Prine (vocals, acoustic guitar); Steve Goodman (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion); Dave Prine (vocals, dobro, fiddle); Dave Bromberg (acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin); Steve Burgh (bass). Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York. John Prine's first album made the singer/songwriter's reputation, but the follow-up, DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH, effectively solidified it. With remarkably sharp material and a more intimate feel, DIAMONDS gets as close as any record to the core of what Prine is about. His zen-like amiability and simple folk/country-derived musical templates contrast with deceptively sophisticated lyricism and an emotional center as deep as that of Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen. From the existential waltz "The Late John Garfield Blues" to the wistful, nostalgic "Souvenirs," Prine masterfully mates his winning sense of humor with an artistic perspective worthy of any great American short-story writer. DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH is indispensable Prine, as fine an album as any he ever recorded.

• Genre: Rock
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 01/16/2018