How Come Chuck Prophet’s Not A Superstar?
For the same reason why a radio station here in Portland just changed from (blech!) oldies to (blah!), um, oldies, I guess.
Instead of your “favorite” 60′s and 70′s oldies, they’re playing your favorites 80′s “oldies”. Rock 40, I call it. Whitesnake and Guns N’ Roses and more Billy Idol than anyone should be forced to hear. They call it “The Brew”. Suggested tagline: 105.9, The Brew, For People Who Don’t Know Any F***** Better.
But, I digress.
Chuck Prophet‘s been around for years, starting in 1982 with his Green On Red recordings (which are an ongoing project) and including a total of seven solo projects (bouncing among 3 or 4 labels). The world gets musically smaller every minute; artists who combine a variety styles are no longer the exception. Artists who do it well are another story and Prophet, more than most, does it beautifully. Unrestrained by the need to date supermodels, Prophet is deeper than Beck and almost as cool as Todd Rundgren.
His second to last album, 2004′s Age Of Miracles, is on my hard-drive and getting major spins. His website says:
Age Or Miracles. 11 wondrous slabs of rock ‘n’ roll that allow soul, rock, pop, funk, blues and hip-hop to intermingle. A little grown up and a little juvenile, full of ugly truths and beautiful lies. The kind of thing we’ve come to expect. Features Pin A Rose, You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp), Just To See You Smile, Automatic Blues and more more more. Says Chuck, ” I think we got it right this time.”
The first three cuts show the diversity.
Chuck Prophet – Automatic Blues
I’ve always liked this record. I think a lot of other people would too, if the word got out. I can see him appealing to the Starbuck’s/NPR crowd. (That was not meant to be a put down, just a suggested marketing strategy.) These days making a smart pop/rock record doesn’t get you very far.
I agree (and I understand what you’re saying about the Starbucks strategy). Millions of records sold speaks volumes. Thanks for the comment.
They used one of his songs over the closing credits in the second season of True Blood, that’s what caught my ear. Thanks for the post!