Jack O'Rourke shares moving tribute to John Prine

As John Prine battles Covid-19 in hospital, fans around the world have rallied in support of the deeply influential singer-songwriter. Following moving musical tributes from the likes of Joan Baez, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker and The Decemberists' Colin Meloy, Cork singer-songwriter Jack O'Rourke has honoured Prine with a stunning cover of 'Hello In There'.

"Ever since my Daddy played me “Angel from Montgomery” when I was 13, I was hooked on John Prine," O'Rourke reveals. "Never has any songwriter written about America as sharply as Steinbeck or Faulkner or Tennessee Williams - his lyrics can make you howl in laughter or lament.  His wry wit “convict movies make her horny”, turn of phrase “you’ve broken the speed of the sound of loneliness”, ability to cut you fucking dead with a line “there’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes” character studies and understanding of the human condition tops anyone..."

"I’ve always gone to Prine or Waits for lyrics as much as Bowie, Mozart or Stevie Wonder for melody," he continues. "There’s layers of meaning. Here's one of his tunes, 'Hello In There', about looking out for the wise and the cherished senior members of our society – I played it at Christmas on my radio tour but it’s even more relevant now."

O'Rourke is currently working on his next album, following the release of his critically acclaimed Ivory Towers last year.

Listen to Jack O'Rourke's cover of 'Hello In There', recorded at his home, below: