Theres a good reason why the first two Pure Prairie League albums arent mentioned alongside country-rock standards like Grievous Angel and American Beauty. Shortly after the release of Pure Prairie League and Bustin Out in 1972, chief composer Craig Fuller, also a contentious objector, was forced to leave the music biz and work in a VA medical facility for the duration of the war. Without its top talent at the helm, the band eventually descended into soft-rock hell. To this day, this is the stuff most folks remember. After several false starts Fuller eventually rejoined the Prairies and released 2006s All in Good Time, the first album to contain Fullers compositions in more than 30 years. The production is a little too wedding band at times. But oh well. The tunes are just fantastic. All ages. JUSTIN F. FARRAR
Fri., Jan. 22, 8 p.m., 2010
