Storm Windows

by John Prine

Overview

Released in 1980 by Asylum, Storm Windows would be John Prine's last attempt to record on a major label. One reviewer referred to the album as Prine's "best-sounding record," but one could argue that the production removes a great deal of the singer/songwriter's rough charm. While earlier albums like Diamonds in the Rough (1972) had seemed almost non-produced, Bruised Orange (1978) found the perfect balance between gruff and professional. Storm Windows isn't a bad album, but the songs and "studio musician" production lack the bite of Bruised Orange. The five-minute title track digs deepest, with Prine offering lovely lines like "And down the beach the sandman sleeps/Time don't fly it bounds and leaps." One has to wonder, however, if lyrics like "The spirits were high, til' the well went dry" are autobiographical. Both "Storm Windows" and "Sleepy Eyed Boy" hint at disillusionment, as though an older Prine is looking back at his younger self. In this way, Storm Windows seems more confessional than early efforts like Sweet Revenge (1973). Other catchy pieces like "Shop Talk" and "Just Wanna Be With You" rock harder, but they're more or less throwaways. While Storm Windows captures Prine on autopilot, fans will enjoy listening to his reflections at this transitional stage. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/29/2021
Label:	Elektra
UPC:	0603497846245
Rank:	2460

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Prine   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Wayne Perkins   Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Electric)
Barry Beckett   Piano
John Burns   Vocals,Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Rachel Peer   Vocal Harmony
Robert Hoban   Organ,Piano,Fiddle,Mandolin,Vocals (Background)
Tom Piekarske   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Bob Hoban   Organ,Piano,Fiddle,Mandolin,Piano (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Leo LeBlanc   Guitar (Steel)
Angie Varias   Drums

Technical Credits

Steve Goodman   Producer
Steve Melton   Engineer
Ava Aldridge   Composer
Cindy Richardson   Composer
Robert Vosgien   Mastering,Digital Editing
Al Bunetta   Direction
Dan Einstein   Production Coordination
Barry Beckett   Producer
John Burns   Composer
John Prine   Composer
Johnny Wyker   Composer
John D. Wyker   Composer
Dick Cooper   Production Assistant
Dawn Bunetta   Production Coordination
Mary Beth McLemore   Engineer
Jim Shea   Photography
Norm Ung   Design