The first seven studio albums of John Prine’s career have been newly remastered for a limited edition 7-CD boxed set. Crooked Piece of Time: The Atlantic & Asylum Albums (1971-1980) was released on October 23, from Rhino. Prine, who died on April 7 at age 73, was one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of his generation and the recipient of the 2020 Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prine‘s career spanned over five decades, during which he created witty and sincere country-folk music that drew from his Midwestern American roots and incorporated sounds from rockabilly, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll.
The set includes the following albums presented in mini-LP replica sleeves: John Prine (1971), Diamonds in the Rough (1972), Sweet Revenge (1973), Common Sense (1975), Bruised Orange (1978), Pink Cadillac (1979) and Storm Windows (1980). The clamshell box also contains poster inserts and a 20-page booklet with new liner notes written by music journalist David Fricke. The cover art, commissioned especially for the set, is a painting by artist Joshua Petker that’s based on a photo of Prine taken by Jim Shea.
Listen to the remastered version of his cover of a Chuck Berry favorite
From the announcement: Crooked Piece of Time – which takes its name from a song on Bruised Orange – represents an essential and timeless American songbook and includes tracks that have become modern-day folk and country standards like: “Hello In There,” “Sam Stone,” “Illegal Smile,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise” and “That’s The Way The World Goes Round.” The expansive collection also contains favorites like: “Far From Me,” “Dear Abby,” “Christmas In Prison,” “Fish and Whistle” and “Automobile.”
Listen to the remastered versions of two of his best loved songs
Prine’s songs have been 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.
Related: Our Album Rewind of Prine’s debut LP, a quiet masterpiece
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