Legendary singer-songwriter John Prine has been back in the spotlight of late. In April, Prine released The Tree of Forgiveness, his first album of new material in 13 years. The ten-track LP was produced by Nashville vet Dave Cobb, who also served as the producer for recent records from Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, and more.
Today, John Prine has released a brand-new summertime music video for the album’s cheerful “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door”, which captures the nostalgic reminiscings of a protagonist who’s down, but not out, pushing through hard luck behind memories of better times—”knockin’ on your screen door in the summertime.”
The video, directed by photographer David McClister follows Prine around to various spots in Nashville, where he links up with fellow Music City superstars like Simpson, Isbell, Cobb, Margo Price, Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Elizabeth Cook, Amanda Shires, and more to play, laugh, and break bread. As Rolling Stone notes, Prine visits his various guest stars “at some of his favorite Nashville landmarks, including the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, the Station Inn and Arnold’s Country Kitchen. Putting Prine’s freewheeling and somewhat self-deprecating nature on full display, the cast is all smiles as they casually jam on acoustic instruments or gather for a meal, helping bring the loose, down-home feel of the tune to life.”
Throughout the roughly two-minute clip, each of the contemporary hit-makers Prine visits is visibly elated to be playing with the elder legend—we dare you not to smile. With its weathered yet optimistic viewpoint and foot-stomping, sing-along melody, this video is sure to be in our rotation all summer long. Watch the new video for John Prine’s “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door” below:
John Prine – “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door” (Official Video)
[Video: John Prine]
You can stream The Tree of Forgiveness, John Prine’s first album of new material in 13 years, in its entirety below:
John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness – Full Album
John Prine is on tour now to support his new release. For a full list of his upcoming dates, head to his website.
[H/T Rolling Stone]