Earl ‘The Earl of Old Town’ Pionke…Club Owner and a True Legend of the Chicago Music Scene Has Died
Earl Pionke, known even more around the Chicago music scene as “The Earl of Old Town” has died. He passed away this afternoon April 26th at 2:30 PM. For years Mr. Pionke owned the popular “Earl of Old Town” pub in Chicago that spawned the careers of many future household names such as John Prine, Steve Goodman, Bonnie Koloc and many many more. The news of Mr. Pionke’s passing was announced by his close friend Marina Jason: “It is with deep sadness that I must report that Earl J.J. Pionke died this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. There will be no funeral services as Earl requested that his body be donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. The family...
Billy Prine ‘Billy Prine’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#824 in the Series) is Billy Prine, Billy Prine “You can’t make a living on a song and a prayer. The men in those taverns are too drunk to care.” from “Goodbye Virginia” by Robbie Fulks It was 1987 or maybe early 1988 the first time I saw it happened at Earl Pionke’s Pub on Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue. It was once the majestic (according to some reports) Somebody Else’s Trouble’s, the now named Earl’s Pub was more tattered and worn through like an old shirt. Earl’s more famous club on Wells at North, THE Earl of Old Town, had recently closed for good. Holstein’s, a club a door or two north of...
Various Artists “Tribute to Steve Goodman”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#338 in the Series) is Tribute To Steve Goodman. 26 years. It’s hard for me to believe that Steve Goodman has been gone for over 26 years. It’s seems like yesterday that I was seeing him at Harry Hopes or Braden Auditorium in Bloomington, Illinois. Steve passed away in September of 1984. Shortly after his passing, many of his friends gathered at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. They told stories, played some of his music and some of theirs as well. I was lucky enough to be there. For those who weren’t, we’re treated to this recording. One of Steve’s closest friends was John Prine. We get lots of John here! He...
Live Streaming of Sunday’s “Earl of Old Town” Reunion Concert from FitzGeralds Night Club.
Live Streaming of Sunday’s Earl of Old Town Reunion Concert from FitzGeralds. This should be a real treat! This weekend, Saturday actually, is Earl Pionke’s 80th birthday. Earl is a legend of the Chicago scene. He founded and ran The Earl of Old Town for many years. The Earle of Old Town was more than just a folk club decades ago. It was a club that launched the careers of many of the greats of the folk / singer –songwriter genre. Names like John Prine, Steve Goodman, Bonnie Koloc, Ed and Fred Holstein, Harry Waller, Michael Johnson, Jim Post, Bryan Bowers and John Burns all kicked off lengthy careers at the club. Many of those names are going...
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Will The Circle Be Unbroken-Vol. II”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#588in the Series) is The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume II. Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol II is, obviously, the follow up to the 1971 album. If you’re not familiar with the two, they were a pair of albums released by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that featured a roomful of guest stars. The original album gave us names like Roy Acuff, Merle Travis, Vassar Clements etc. Volume II continued the tradition. Some wonderful names are on this release. Here we find, Johnny Cash, Sam Bush, Bruce Hornsby, EmmyLou Harris, Levon Helm, John Denver (Before he made a big splash), John Hiatt, John Prine, Rosanne Cash, Randy Scruggs, Roger...
John Prine “John Prine”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#508 in the Series) is the debut from John Prine It’s hard to believe it’s now been over 40 years since we first met Donald, Lydia, Sam Stone, the Angel and the Quite Man and all the great characters and interesting people that John told us about on his wonderful debut album. Yet again, the stories are so fresh that when we hear them again it’s almost like hearing them for the first time. Thirteen songs can be found here. I challenge you to find a debut album that has as strong a track listing as this album. It still amazes me that a songwriter could have this many pure and powerful numbers...
Jimmy Buffett “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#438 in the Series) is Jimmy Buffett, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean Well it took us well over 400 albums but we have our first Jimmy Buffett entry. Not only that, but we’re going way back, all the way back to 1973. This was before he broke out. He was just getting out of playing folk clubs. Here in Chicago he was still hanging out with all the folkies like John Prine, Steve Goodman, Fred + Ed Holstein etc. In fact, Steve Goodman was a ‘Coral Reefer’ for this album. He played some really nice lead acoustic on it. Also, this album was the first time that Jimmy used the...
Joan Armatrading “Joan Armatrading”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#328 in the Series) is the self-titled album from Joan Armatrading. There are so many great Joan Armatrading albums in which to choose. I almost went with Show Some Emotion, since I think that’s my favorite song from this British singer-songwriter. I also could have gone with later works such as Me, Myself I or Walk Under Ladders, also great works. In fact, I’m sure through time, we’ll get to them as well. Today however, it’s her self-titled third album, Joan Armatrading. She did have two earlier releases but this was the first time she tasted success, sales-wise. It was the first album that really let me hear her voice and songs as...
John Prine "Bruised Orange"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#139 in The Series) is John Prine, Bruised Orange. John Prine’s debut album, called simply John Prine is considered his masterpiece, and rightly so. It’s quite the feat when you think that he wrote Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Donald and Lydia, Angel From Montgomery, Paradise, Six O’Clock News, You’re Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore and of course, Hello in There ALL before he was 25. Looking at that track list you can see why that album is held in such high regard. I am, however, going to feature Bruised Orange. I’m not sure why this album was always so high on my list of Prine classics. Part of it might...
Steve Goodman "Somebody Else’s Troubles"
Today’s Cool Album of The Day is Steve Goodman, “Somebody Else’s Trouble.” We’re going back to the Singer/Songwriter genre today. If you look up Singer/Songwriter in the dictionary you’d see Steve Goodman’s face on the description. He was one of the best. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone 26 years now. “Somebody Else’s Troubles” was Steve’s third album. It’s full of goodies! The album starts with one of his most well known songs, “The Dutchman.” It’s one of the few hits that Steve did not write. It was written by Michael Smith. Other tracks you might know include ‘Lincoln Park Pirates, Chicken Cordon Blues,’ and of course the title cut, ‘Somebody Else’s Troubles’ which features an uncredited Bob Dylan...
