SPRING ON THE PRAIRIES

   Well, it really has been a long winter, a 'things often went wrong winter', etc., for many of us.  But the budding flowers and the warmer air of spring are finally here.  The arrival is especially valued by the citizens of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the prairie provinces of Canada.  This appreciation is illustrated by the simple pleasures of growing up on a farm in Connie's classic "Spring On The Prairies". 

   To celebrate, we've provided THREE full versions of the song:  The widely released version from Connie's definitive prairie album Wood River, the rare first studio recording of Connie with help from Bob Evans on the album Prairie Grass, Prairie Sky, and a live version of the song from last year's taping of "@ Wood River Hall" that reunites Connie and Bob.

   Of course, I couldn't continue without delving into the raging controversy of, "is the title IN or ON the prairies?"  The greatest minds of our times have debated this point for over a quarter-century, and still nobody has been able to come forward with the answer.  On every version of the song, Connie sings "IN", and even in the liner notes of Wood River, the song is listed as "IN".  However on the back of the album cover of the same record, the song is listed as "ON", as well as on PGPS and the closing credits to "@ Wood River Hall".  Well, since the song is entitled "ON" more than "IN", I'll personally have to go with that. 

   Of course, there's only one person that can give us the ultimate answer.  And if she's reading this, it's up to Connie whether or not -- in the spirit of the spring season -- she would want to enlighten us, or keep us guessing.  Now all we have to find out is whether it's "LONG TO" or "LOVE TO" on "Saskatoon Moon"...

   In the meantime, it's springtime!  Click on the link below for lyrics and audio of the different versions of "Spring":

PRAIRIE GRASS, PRAIRIE SKY (with Bob Evans) - 1975

WOOD RIVER - 1992

@ WOOD RIVER HALL (live with Bob Evans) - 2003

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