This year marks the 30th anniversary of John Prine‘s 12th studio album, Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings. In celebration, a curated archival release, titled Found Dogs, will be released on October 9th via Oh Boy Records (one day ahead of what would have been Prine’s 80th birthday).
The 10-track Found Dogs was originally released as a limited-edition run of 2,000 LPs for April’s Record Store Day. The collection includes acoustic solo performances, various alternate takes, and several unreleased Prine originals. Standouts include “Quit Hollerin’ At Me,” a solo acoustic version of “Humidity Built the Snowman,” the “Lake Marie” demo, and the unreleased “Hey Ah Nothin’” and “Dogs in Burlington.” A press release for Found Dogs calls it an “intimate look at his songwriting and studio process during a pivotal time era of his career.”
Tracklist and Preview
Our first preview of Found Dogs comes with “World Without Love,” another unreleased original composition. Whether you know the record itself or the corresponding “era,” Prine once again dazzles with a ditty that lands squarely in your chest. Below, watch a lyric video comprised of Super 8 footage from a Prine family vacation circa 1970.
Celebrating John Prine’s 80th Birthday
Found Dogs is just the latest in an extended celebration of Prine’s 80th birthday. Earlier this spring, his family released Prine: Live at Old Town School of Folk, the first-ever officially released complete concert recording from the late folk icon. Meanwhile, on October 8th, Oh Boy and the Prine family will host the Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute concert at the Chicago Theatre. Hosted by John C. Reilly, the event features performances from Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Segarra, Joy Oladokun, Margo Price, Ratboys, and Steve Earle, among many others. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
Other events from this year included May’s virtual premiere of the You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine concert film as well as July’s Songwriters Celebrate John Prine show at Vienna, Virginia’s Filene Center. (You can also find a list of other Prine-centric festivities right here.)
In conclusion, Found Dogs is a must-listen for fans of John Prine, offering a unique glimpse into his songwriting process and studio work. With its mix of unreleased tracks, alternate takes, and acoustic performances, this archival release is a fitting tribute to the late folk icon’s legacy. Be sure to check out the Found Dogs tracklist and mark your calendars for the Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute concert, celebrating the life and music of a true American treasure.
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