YouTube video of Chuck Prophet on Letterman
Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7raIAJTxeqA
I actually stepped away from my computer last night long enough to see this on TV, and was pretty much the best sounding thing that’s ever come out of those little three-inch speakers. It was the best musical performance I’ve EVER seen on television, and that’s saying a lot. I practically had my jaw dropped.
Made me warm and fuzzy that I actually know this guy. We’re not hella close, but I’ve been to his house, and jammed with him.
It’s nice to see Chuck getting the attention he’s deserved for decades.
In 18 months when every AlternaJock in America is sporting a “You Could Make A Doubter Out Of Jesus” T-shirt, I’ll be the first to proudly stand up and say “I knew him when.”
His wife Stephanie looks and sounds great, Chuck’s band is tight, and Paul Shaffer on glockenspiel tubular bells is so wrong that it’s right. Shaffer was perfect, but also made me laugh so hard I accidentally spit soda on my carpet. He looks like a mad scientist.
Was nice to have the house band augmenting the guest artist rather than just jamming over them, as they sometimes do. Nice hand claps, too.
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Mutual admiration society update:
I just noticed that on Chuck Prophet’s MySpace page he has a LONG list of heros. At the very end of the list it says:
Michael W. “I remember when sex was safe and music was dangerous….” Dean
January 10th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I remember this cat performing at the little Albion club many times. I too dug that he had Shaffer + the horn section augmenting the band– they are amazing musicians, why wouldn’t you have them playing on your tune instead of just standing there? The performance was energetic and the song grooved.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Good point. But it’s TV so they get paid just as much for the hand claps. lol…..
I think this song did fine without it, though yeah, there’s not enough great horns in modern music.
Been watching some Tom Waits on YouTube today (because this Chuck Prophet song’s feel reminded me of “Hang on St. Christopher”), man, that guy is the modern Cab Calloway. Singing style, look, and horns horns HORNS!
January 11th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I’ve fallen in love with a bass line…