Ordinary Songs for Average People (Oh Boy Records OBR 038) is a studio album presenting the collaborative work of John Prine, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, and Mac Wiseman, three distinct voices from across American roots music united by their shared commitment to plainspoken songs and direct performance — Prine the Illinois-born working-class folk poet, Clement the legendary Nashville producer and songwriter, and Wiseman the Crimora, Virginia tenor who had recorded with Flatt & Scruggs before building one of the longest solo careers in traditional music. Prine plays guitar and sings; Clement plays guitar and sings; Wiseman sings; and Mike Bub holds the bass. Oh Boy Records — Prine's own label — provided the context for this multi-artist project connecting bluegrass, country, and Americana through the shared register of songs written to be sung plainly and heard without elaboration.
Tracklist
- 1 Blue eyed Elaine 2:32
- 2 Don't be ashamed of your age 2:23
- 3 I forgot to remember to forget 2:59
- 4 I love you because 4:20
- 5 Pistol packin' mama 2:43
- 6 Saginaw, Michigan 2:53
- 7 Old dogs, children and watermelon wine 4:33
- 8 Old Cape Cod 2:23
- 9 Death of Floyd Collins 3:22
- 10 The blue side of lonesome 4:08
- 11 In the garden 3:07
- 12 Just the other side of nowhere 2:32
- 13 Old Rugged Cross alt version 3:31
- 14 Where the blue of the night 2:57
