Album of the Day

After critics hailed his debut but cooled somewhat to its follow-up, John Prine’s third album proved that success was SWEET REVENGE. Largely recorded in Nashville (with producer Arif Mardin), the 1973 Atlantic collection hews a bit closer to country than his earlier sets, and if the outlook has grown slightly cynical, it’s always leavened with humor. Prine remains a master storyteller on such tracks as “Christmas in Prison,” “Blue Umbrella,” and the live “Dear Abby,” and he’s more assured than ever as a singer and bandleader. The critics were back in John’s corner with the release of SWEET REVENGE (noted Village Voice scribe Robert Christgau gave it an “A”), and you’ll love it, too.