A John Prine Christmas
Featuring a crack backup band that includes Spooner Oldham, Benmont Tench, and Chris Etheridge,John Prine Christmasis positively electric and rocking coming from a guy known for his rustic charm. Prine recorded this eight-song EP with a vague Christmas theme as a stopgap between his "comeback" album, 1991'sThe Missing Yearsand 1995'sLost Dogs and Mixed Blessings. The live cuts (including collaboration with the Cowboy Junkies on "If I Were the Woman and You Were the Man") are charged with Prine's good stage sense and relaxed delivery. All exhibit his excellent wordplay and great musical sense.--Rob O'Connor