2 John Prine

The Tree Of Forgiveness

OH BOY 2018, £12

You say: “His most autobiographical: an album full of songs that John Prine wrote about John Prine, rather than Sam Stone.” Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, via Facebook

The strangest things happen in Prine’s world of words, with coincidences that feel cosmic and scenarios that suggest surrealism. The Tree Of Forgiveness presents a situation so unlikely he might have scripted it in a tune: his first LP of new songs in 13 years – soul-deep reflections on grace, God, love, and acceptance at the end – was his final one, too. Cut with a cast of his Nashville spiritual progeny – Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile – it’s full of wisdom, tragedy, and humour on a par with his earliest work. The prescient finale, When I Get To Heaven, is a last act of ecumenical encouragement to be a little more alive before you’re dead.