Although folks had told me for years that I would really like Chuck's music, I somehow missed it until we stepped into one of his shows at the South-by-Southwest music festival a few years ago and were absolutely blown away. Before the weekend was over, we'd seen him three times and I was on the phone to his agent to see if we could get him to Columbus. Although he usually plays with his great band (as he did at SXSW), I wasn't sure the walls of the Maennerchor (not to mention the Music Fans' ears) could handle the volume, so I went on a campaign to get him here solo. He hadn't done a solo gig in over three years, but we talked him into doing it and, in January, 2009, Chuck blew the Music Fans away with a fabulous one-man show. And, he ended up enjoying it so much, he asked if he could come back this summer and we've got him...on July 31!
Like so many of the artistes we bring, it's hard to characterize Chuck's music, which moves from straight up rock and roll to a folkier sound. A review in the Milwaukee Express said, "At the heart of this hugely underrated singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet's sound, there's always been a kind of tug-of-war among disparate eras. In turns Petty-esque, Springsteen like and generally rife with Stones swagger, there's also an undeniably coy, modern indie slant." The reviewer went on to call Chuck's music "old times, good times rock, but with a conscience."
Chuck is a rocker, but he's also a highly respected guitar player (over the years he's played with folks ranging from Warren Zevon to Lucinda Williams), producer and, especially, songwriter. (Chuck co-wrote all 12 songs on Alejandro Escevedo's "Real Animal" which topped many lists as THE best album of 2009.) The All Music Guide says, "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."
As Joe Ely said from the stage last week, he reached out to us about coming back after having so much fun here with the Flatlanders last November. It's so cool when folks like Joe, and Chuck, want to come back because THEY are blown away by you guys, the Music Fans. As I say so often, thanks for your continuing support of these shows. It's the only way it works!
See you on July 31....
P.S. Don't forget, you can have dinner before the show in the Rathskeller of the Maennerchor. Call (614) 444-3531 for reservations. Or, stop by Katzinger's at Third and Livingston the day of the show, present your ticket and get a discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Alec Wightman
184 East Beck Street
Columbus, OH 43206
614-222-0999