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Biography
Most bands don’t arrive fully formed, and it’s unreasonable to expect that they should. Pure Prairie League are one of the alpha examples of this, as between the conception of the band and the formation of their first solid line-up, it took five years for the band to truly come together. It was a further two before they actually released an album together. To put that in perspective, The Smiths formed and split up in five years of era defining creativity. The Beatles went from a Hamburg based rock ‘n roll covers act to releasing “Rubber Soul” in the same amount of time, but Pure Prairie League are still around to this day, something that neither of the previous two bands can claim. The band was named in 1970 by the band’s first drummer Tommy McGrail, and strangely enough, for a band who took so long to form, they managed to secure a record contract with RCA Records a little more than a year after they’d been together.
However, the band didn’t see much success with the label, releasing two critically acclaimed but low selling albums and were dropped when lead guitarist Craig Fuller was arrested for draft dodging and spent six months in prison. Fuller was arguably the band’s frontman before his arrest, but after his release he was not keen to return, so their bass player Michael Reilly took up the reigns of the band, employed a new singer and guitarist in the form of Larry Goshorn, and finally scored a hit in the form of the 1974 single “Amie”. The band spent the rest of the seventies as one of the most consistent bands around, but their fortunes faded at the dawn of the 1980’s, as they were dropped from RCA again, picked up by Casablanca records, who then went bankrupt, and the band were left without a record label by 1982. The band remained an in demand live act, however, and were able to support themselves by playing club gigs to their devoted fanbase until 1988, when they finally split.
However, the band came back together in 1998 with as much of their classic line-up as they could find and some newer faces on the country and rock scenes, including future Jack White sideman Fats Kaplin. Ever since then, their live shows have taken them all over the world and their 2005 studio album “All In Good Time” has been hailed as one of the best records of their career. It’s a stunning comeback that any band of their time would kill to have, and for that, along with a back catalogue to make anyone green with envy, Pure Prairie League come highly recommended.
Live reviews
I caught a Pure Prairie League concert earlier this year when they played with Poco at Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, California. My friends and I had a pretty rough day at the tables and so after consoling ourselves with a healthy serving of buffet food, we decided we might as well check out the concert before making the drive back home.
It actually turned out to be a pretty good day, and that’s all thanks to Pure Praerie League. None of us really listen to country rock music, but in spite of that the music really cheered us all up for some reason.
There’s this soothing, euphoric quality in the music that really helps you forget all about the heartache of losing money at the blackjack tables. Usually I’d be in too sour a mood and a concert or whatever else I did that day would be ruined by association if I lost a lot of money gambling, but on this day I didn’t even really mind losing the money – I was just so happy that I stumbled into this show.
It’s weird, but Pure Praerie League really just had us all forgetting about our worries and looking forward to the future. I can’t wait to see them again, and I’d highly recommend everybody else check them out too – especially if you’re having a rough day as we were.
PPL is a great band live and I am planning on seeing them for a 3rd time in early 2021. They were one of the earliest to really create good country rock and Craig Fuller's writing is on par with Henley & Frey - just not as prolific or well known. Their first two albums are absolutely sensational - so much more than the single "Amie" which everyone knows. John David Call is one of the best slide/pedal steel guitar players I have ever heard (every bit as good as David Lindley of Jackson Browne fame) and the dueling interplay between his pedal steel guitar and the electric lead is absolutely wonderful and very unique to PPL songs IMO. The long version of "Country Song" demonstrates this at its best. If you haven't heard them before, go download their work and get familiar with it and then go to one of their concerts - you won't be disappointed. These guys are really, really good and the show is upbeat and a lot of fun. See them while you can.
david-marshall-33
The concert was great. The sound staff did a good job and the band was so on harmony it was amazing. It was so great to hear their old music and the new songs. My feet were tapping the whole concert.
Then Jim Messina came on with his band and the evening just got better. That was the best 3 hours I have spent in a long time. I will say that everyone was good in Jim's band but his horn person, Greg was phenomenal. They too had such great harmony.
Thanks to both bands for sharing their music and their talents and giving us a very enjoyable evening.
mary-mcbride-2
They were awesome. Connected with the audience. Played many of my favorites. They met with the audience after the show, signed autographs and actually carried on conversations with us. It was a fun night. Please come back to Utah soon.
geary-holody
Great show!!! 2 hours of non stop music! No opening act....just them! Can't wait to see them again!
The Center for the Arts in Natick is an awesome venue. Small and intimate like they are playing in your house!
margot_bloom
The group was outstanding songs were awesome Amy was fantastic sounded as good as the 1970s good to see that they are still recording music sound as Good as back in the day.
tim-gentile-1
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