Sweet Revenge

by John Prine

Overview

Prine's third album is louder and more jaded than his first efforts, a set of rowdy country-rockers that tear along at a reckless speed. Sympathy takes a back seat to cynicism here, and while that strips the record of some depth, Prine's irreverence is consistently thrilling, making this one of his best. It's not as uniformly brilliant as the debut, but it did steer his music in a new direction -- where that record is often hallmarked for its rich sensitivity, Sweet Revenge established cynicism as Prine's dominant voice once and for all. Although he could still crank out a great ballad when he felt like it, from now on his records largely followed a more conventional rock & roll muse, a choice that eventually gained him more mainstream attention. "Please Don't Bury Me," "Christmas in Prison," "Blue Umbrella," and "A Good Time" are a few of the jewels on this one. ~ Jim Smith

Product Details

Release Date:	01/24/1990
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678143021
Rank:	22352

Tracks

1. Sweet Revenge
2. Please Don't Bury Me
3. Christmas in Prison
4. Dear Abby
5. Blue Umbrella
6. Often Is a Word I Seldom Use
7. Onomatopoeia
8. Grandpa Was a Carpenter
9. The Accident (Things Could Be Worse)
10. Mexican Home
11. A Good Time
12. Nine Pound Hammer

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Prine   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Ralph MacDonald   Percussion
Reggie Young   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
John Christopher   Guitar
Mike Leach   Guitar (Bass)
Raun MacKinnon   Vocals,Vocal Harmony,Gut String Guitar
Bill Slater   Bass,Percussion
Dave Prine   Guitar (Acoustic),Banjo,Dobro,Fiddle,Guitar,Vocals
David Briggs   Organ,Organ,Piano,Keyboards
Steve Goodman   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Gut String Guitar
Kenny Ascher   Piano,Keyboards,Piano (Electric)
Bobby Woods   Piano
Jerry Shook   Harmonica
Steve Mosley   Drums
Deirdre Tuck Corley   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Leo LeBlanc   Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Kenny Malone   Drums,Tambourine
Cissy Houston   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Hugh McDonald   Bass,Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Doyle Grisham   Guitar (Steel)
Johnny Christopher   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Judy Clay   Guitar (Steel),Vocals (Background)
Mike Leech   Bass,Bass (Upright)
Deidre Tuck   Vocals (Background)
Bill Salter   Guitar (Bass)
Steve Burgh   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Bobby Wood   Keyboards
Grady Martin   Dobro,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)

Technical Credits

Steve Ham   Engineer
Ira Friedlander   Design
Dave Prine   Group Member,Musician
Wendi Lombardi   Photography
Bob Liftin   Engineer
Brad Davis   Engineer
Frank Hubach   Engineer
Merle Travis   Composer,Lyricist
Arif Mardin   Producer,Brass Arrangement,Horn Arrangements
Grady Martin   Musician
John Prine   Composer,Lyricist
Jimmy Douglass   Engineer