John Prine, Angel From Montgomery | Throwback Vibez

In the 196^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Angel From Montgomery” by singer-songwriter extraordinaire John Prine.

[nx_dropcap]T[/nx_dropcap]he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 196^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Angel From Montgomery” performed by John Prine.

[nx_pullquote]“I am an old woman named after my mother / My old man is another child that’s grown old.”[/nx_pullquote] Those are clever, thought-provoking lyrics that Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Prine (1946 – 2020) sings in his classic, “Angel From Montgomery”. Prine continues singing in the first verse, “If dreams were lightning, and thunder were desire / This old house would have burnt down a long time ago.” Prine’s poetic skill with his pen is one of the reasons “Angel From Montgomery,” the ninth track from his 1971 self-titled album, is so special. Another deceased legendary figure in music, Arif Mardin (1932 – 2006), produced it.  

“Angel From Montgomery” clocks in under four minutes in duration. Before John Prine sings one note, the musical accompaniment catches the ear.  What instruments make the accompaniment cook? It includes warm piano (Bobby Wood), soulful organ (Bobby Emmons), folksy acoustic guitar (Prine), electric guitar (Reggie Young and Johnny Christopher), an anchoring bass line (Mike Leech), and sound drums (Gene Chrisman). Prine is the star of the show, delivering strong but relatively easy-going vocals.  His songwriting continues to pack the most meaningful punch.  Tuneful melodies help out the cause, too.  “There’s flies in the kitchen, I can hear ‘em there buzzing,” he asserts in the third verse, and adds, “And I ain’t done nothing since I woke up today.” Oh my!  The chorus is the crème de la crème, where the angel comes into play.

“Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery

Make me a poster of an old rodeo

Just give me one thing that I can hold on to

To believe in this living is just a hard way to go.”

“Angel From Montgomery” in John Prine’s hands is marvelous to the nth degree.  To reiterate, it is the pitch-perfect songwriting that earns “Angel” its highest marks. Still, Prine delivers a well-rounded vocal, the melodies are tuneful, and the musical arrangement and production are top-notch, too.  You might say this song is angelic!