Chuck Prophet Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Chuck Prophet began his musical career with the genre-defying group Green on Red, and since their demise, the now solo singer/songwriter/producer continues to duck all attempts at categorization. Soap and Water continues to muddy the waters, but in the most sublime of ways. Much of the set revolves around the blues or R&B, from the swampy sounds of "A Woman's Voice" to the jazzy, finger-snapping "Downtime," the porch-picking blues of "Small-Town Girl," and the Rolling Stonesy R&B riff that powers "Freckle Song." But other influences are equally strong, like the twist of the Beatles that's dashed across "Would You Love Me," the surge of new wave that splashes over "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" (a song that's the bastard child of the Cars and Mink DeVille), and the post-punk aura that throws shadows across "Doubter Out of Jesus (All Over You)." Invariably, though, the arrangements smudge up the styles, abetted by keyboardist Aidan Hawken, who often counterpoints the guitars with an entirely different genre, conjuring up lavish atmospheres and haunting auras along the way. It's all subtly done, with the productions creating a dreamy, magical quality to the entire set; there is brilliant work from Prophet and co-producer Brad Jones. The many dappled, introspective atmospheres beautifully showcase Prophet's lyrics and themes. Some of the numbers are exquisitely etched vignettes revolving around relationships; others are more fragmentary. "Naked Ray," for example, plops listeners into the center of a sticky situation, like tuning in at the middle of a soap opera. Some omit the back story; a few sketch in just enough details to whet your appetite for more; and others force fans to pen their own "Happy Ending." A master of the metaphor and inventor of brilliant analogies, Prophet knows how to turn a phrase to his advantage or inside out. With a beautifully understated wit, the songwriter amazes with his words and enchants with his music. A lavishly crafted album that one wants to bathe in forever. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
'Turn the Pigeons Loose'
Release Date 9/28/2004
Tracks 13
Label Cooking Vinyl
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Recorded at two shows (at Slim's and something called the Downtown Refugee Yard Sale Relocation Fundraiser Cook Off, typical Prophet humor) around his San Francisco home base in 2000 and finally released (it's available primarily on his website and at concerts) in 2004, this remains as of early 2008 the only full-length official live representation of a Chuck Prophet show. That's somewhat strange since he is known for his powerful performances and this is a good indication of why. Prophet was promoting his The Hurting Business album at the time, so it's perhaps understandable that ten of these 13 tracks originate from that. Regardless, his four-piece Mission Express band that includes wife Stephie Finch on keyboards, occasional guitar, and vocals, is top notch, and they churn through over an hour's worth of music with sensitive verve and subtle muscle. Whether rocking out on the hidden final track or "Credit," hitting a convincing soul groove on the "Dyin' All Young," or downshifting into a shuffling ballad lope on "Apology," the band both supports him and pushes the energy past the studio versions of these tunes. Prophet's deep talk/sung voice falls between Tom Petty, James McMurtry, and Dave Alvin as he navigates his own minefield of dry, wry lyrics. Although he's an accomplished guitarist, Prophet keeps his Telecaster work on low boil, preferring to inject short, sharp leads and fills that sustain the songs without hogging the spotlight as the guitar hero he wisely chooses not to be. When he does finally let loose on the title track to "Homemade Blood" it's with a gripping, twisted solo perfect for the song's underlying danger. While one might wish for a more varied set list, this is still a terrific example of how Prophet brings a live edge to his sound as he toughens up the arrangements and as such is required listening for all fans. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For his seventh album, Chuck Prophet updates the all-over-the-map quality that made Green on Red's early albums so bracing. Age of Miracles is rooted in the same country and folk influences as Prophet's other solo albums, but Prophet and co-producer Eric Drew Feldman add a quasi-psychedelic haze and some distinct blues riffs to the mix. The title track, for example, combines a Neil Young-style country-rock tune with a prominent string section playing a woozy high-register part, a funky wah-wah guitar riff that appears to be playing at half speed for full lysergic atmosphere, and a vocal part from Prophet's wife and musical partner, Stephanie Finch (the Emmylou Harris to his Gram Parsons), that's so high it's almost audible only to dogs. Similarly, the opening "Automatic Blues" has a swampy, creepy atmosphere that recalls Feldman's former employer Captain Beefheart, and the downright odd "You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp)" has a trippy electronic sheen and an unexpected rapped chorus. In this context, songs like the more traditionally minded "West Memphis Moon" are the ones that sound out of place! However, the combination of country twang and psychedelic weirdness works more often than not, and it makes a nice change from Prophet's recent albums, which were starting to sound a bit formulaic. It's not as big a change as Wilco made with Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but Age of Miracles has a similar restless quality. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Prophet's follow-up to The Hurting Business finds him in excellent form, still making American roots music but casting his net a little wider to bring in a few more influences. For example, "Elouise" kicks off with a rhythm straight out of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" before evolving into something looser and less threatening, and "Summertime Thing" has the laid-back vibe of the Young Rascals' "Groovin'" welded to some funky wah-wah guitar influenced by the Isley Brothers. With a voice suggesting that he's training to be Tom Waits when he grows older and occasional lyrics (as in "Run Primo Run") inspired by the vintage Dylan songbook (the Farfisa organ that recurs in the album only furthers the connection), there's a strong romantic streak running through his work, most evident in "No Other Love" and even the growing-older wisdom of "Old Friends." His songwriting continues to grow and his guitar skills (which he tends to hide under a bushel a little), never flashy or grabbing the spotlight, have become mature and sophisticated, a long way from his days in Green on Red. One of America's great underground artists, Prophet's slowly blooming into a major figure. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'The Hurting Business'
Release Date 1/1/1999
Tracks 12
Label Cooking Vinyl
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Singer/songwriter and cracking guitarist Chuck Prophet breaks the Americana mold on his fifth solo recording, and pops turntablism and noisy Tom Waits-style clanks into his formal songs as an experiment. It works: there's the bouncy Farfisa-toned title song, and "Lucky" is an absolute hit single right in the minimalist pocket with its guitar, drums, Hammond organ, and falsetto vocals (all certainly atypical on a Prophet-style production). "God's Arms" has a melodious Eastern hymn spin thanks to swirling Mellotron and mando guitar subbing for sitar. Though Homemade Blood was his high-water mark, new listeners may want to connect with this so-called departure before digging deeper into Prophet's wealthy storehouse of songcraft. ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A homey slice of modern roots-rock, Prophet and his band slide through rockin' originals like "Look Both Ways" (penned with Steve Wynn and Chris Cacavas), the swampy "Say It Ain't So" and the dark folk of "Scarecrow." Aided by Stephanie Finch on vocals and accordion and Chris Isaak band member Roly Salley on bass, these city folk make authentic back-porch blues and folk fused with rock. ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With Homemade Blood, guitarist and singer/songwriter Chuck Prophet created one of his finest achievements. The songs were inspired by a series of semi-autobiographical stories of growing up in suburbia only to enroll in the school of hard knocks and come out a fighter; it's simultaneously cynical and reverent. The band that backs Prophet's fiery guitar work is a roots rock unit tightened up from ceaseless European touring, and this live-in-the-studio recording suits their take-no-prisoners delivery. This record ought to bring Prophet some well-deserved kudos. ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This ballad-oriented solo outing from former Green on Red guitarist Chuck Prophet offers up spare swamp rock, setting the singer's dusky voice against a backdrop of slide, steel and finger-picked electric guitars. Opting for mood as much as content, the material is simple and homespun, adding touches of the blues and zydeco for an authentic backwoods feel. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
