J. L. Puckett has a review of the John Prine show at the Palace. Jim James made a brief appearance with Prine on “Paradise,” the first time he’s been onstage since injuring himself in fall onstage.

The Good Folk Fest at the Mellwood Arts Center returns on November 22 and 23, with a long lineup of ‘primitive’ artists and musicians. LEO has the story, focused on the eccentric Daniel Johnston.

‘Bonnie’ Prince Billie a.k.a. Will Oldham, is set to release a new project, Beware, courtesy of Drag City Records, ON mARCH 17. The preview press has some fancy things to say about it:

— “It blooms in low light and cold but thrives in the sun as well, showing enticing spots and eating small creatures as they wander into its jaws.”

— “Where fiddle and steel contribute their rustic timbre alongside guitars and voices, a thickening thud of low tone rolls beneath, giving the record a bottom that’s fun to watch bounce in new clothes.”

— “Song titles suggest half of a heated dialogue, perhaps just one side of a super-apocalypto phone call.”

— “Sometimes all you want to do is f**k.” (Publicist’s asterisks, not ours)

Check the Drag City website for performances around that time.

From the LEO blog: The Ladybirds will play a benefit for Louisville cyclists in hoinor of Jen Futrell, who was killed on September 30 after being rear-ended on Bardstown Road. Details at LEO.

The list of restaurant closures in Louisville grows ever longer each day, as the dismal economy takes its toll. Jennica’s Wine Bar on East Market will join that list on November 29. They have a good-by party planned, as well as a short of list of performers in the interim:

Southern Kentucky’s Black Stone Cherry has announced a headlining tour of Europe beginning on November 18 in Paris, France and ending in Dublin on December 1. BSC was on the cover of the September issue of Louisville Music News.

Christian musician and former LMN salesman Paul Turner got a nice profile in the Courier-Journal for his Love Outside the Lines CD. Turner sings backup with the Monarchs, plays with The Lost Boys and teaches music for a living.

South African singer and apartheid activist Miriam Makeba has died at 76, after performing a concert in Italy. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. Makeba was an internationally known star, often referred to as “Mama Africa,” who spent 31 years in exile after protesting agains South African apartheid. The BBC has the story.

Jazz and classical pianist and composer Harry Pickens has put together a special concert to benefit the family of Maria Ndimuzigo, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident recently. She sang with the World Refugee Day choir last year and leaves behind two young daughters.

Mat Herron at LEO has a good article on Steve Ferguson and the MERF Presents Shakin’ and Bakin’ For Steve show at the Phoenix on Sunday.