John Prine - John Prine (SACD Analogue Productions)

On April 7, 2020, John Prine died a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic after a storied career as a singer/songwriter. His first album, John Prine, released in September 1971, marked the beginning of Prine's long musical journey. But Prine's start as a talented songwriter began years before that in Maywood, Illinois.\n\nMusic journalist Erin Osmon, who traced the history leading up the album, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio about the brilliance of Prine's songwriting and how he could write such memorable songs.\n\n\""I think he did it because he kept it simple. When we think about great Midwestern songwriters, of course Bob Dylan comes to mind. But you know, many people compared Prine and Bob Dylan when Prine's self-titled album came out,\"" Osmon said. \""But with Prine, there was such a sense of simplicity and modesty. Prine never wanted to alienate the listener. On the contrary, he wanted to invite as many people as possible. That's why he wrote such simple yet profound statements thros