Standard Songs for Average People

by Mac Wiseman, John Prine

Overview

The title tells the story well enough on Standard Songs for Average People, a set of 14 country-leaning classics interpreted by venerable singer/songwriter John Prine and bluegrass balladeer Mac Wiseman. While Prine has never possessed a classically strong voice, he knows how to communicate a lyric well enough (even lyrics he didn't write himself), and it's clear that he loves the songs he's selected for this project (Prine also co-produced with David Ferguson). Whatever Prine may lack in vocal polish, Wiseman easily brings to the table; if his voice is a bit sandier than it was years ago, he can still make the weepers sound convincingly sad and the uptempo numbers bring a smile when he's singing. The arrangements and production recall the smooth but homey sound of Nashville's countrypolitan era, and the pickers bring the songs across with a simple but impressive aplomb (especially Tom O'Brien on guitar and banjo and Joey Miskulin on accordion). And the songs...well, certain songs become standards because they're so good almost no one can go wrong with them, and on this set "I Love You Because," "The Blue Side of Lonesome," "Saginaw, Michigan," and "Old Rugged Cross" sound fresh and engaging, even though you've probably heard them hundreds of time before. And while they may not be as well-known, Tom T. Hall's "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine," Kris Kristofferson's "Just the Other Side of Nowhere," and Bob Wills' "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age" sure sound like classics coming from Prine and Wiseman. The craft is strong on Standard Songs for Average People, but at its heart it sounds like two friends singing some old songs they love on a quiet evening, and that's part of the album's strength -- these are 14 songs sung by two guys who know a great tune when they hear it, and they allow these numbers to work their magic simply, which serves them very well. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	04/24/2007
Label:	OH BOY
UPC:	0094012003821

Tracks

1. Blue-Eyed Elaine
2. Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age
3. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
4. I Love You Because
5. Pistol-Packin' Mama
6. Saginaw, Michigan
7. Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine
8. Old Cape Cod
9. Death of Floyd Collins
10. The Blue Side of Lonesome
11. In the Garden
12. Just the Other Side of Nowhere
13. Old Rugged Cross
14. Where the Blue of the Night

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Prine   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Mac Wiseman   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Charles Cochran   Piano (Electric)
Jack Clement   Dobro,Guitar
Pat McLaughlin   Guitar,Ukulele,Mandolin,Harmonica,Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Baritone)
Jamie Hartford   Guitar (Electric)
Lloyd Green   Pedal Steel
Ronnie McCoury   Mandolin
Mike Bub   Bass
Tim O'Brien   Banjo,Guitar
Pat McInerney   Drums
Joey Miskulin   Accordion
Stuart Duncan   Fiddle
Lester Armistead   Vocal Harmony
Kenneth Blevins   Drums (Snare),Percussion
Dave Jacques   Bass
The Carol Lee Singers   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

David Ferguson   Audio Production
John Prine   Audio Production,Arranger,Producer
Bing Crosby   Composer
Cindy Walker   Composer
Ernest Tubb   Composer
Charlie Feathers   Composer
Roy Turk   Composer
Leon Payne   Composer
Tom T. Hall   Composer
Al Bunetta   Management
C. Austin Miles   Composer
Kris Kristofferson   Composer
Fred E. Ahlert   Composer
Claire Rothrock   Composer
Allan Jeffrey   Composer
David K. Shipley   Mastering
Milton Yakus   Composer
Bob Wills   Composer
Stan Kesler   Composer