Best of both coasts come together in scintillating show
ALL THE LATEST FROM THE JAZZ, BLUES & ROOTS SCENE WITH ALAN NICHOL
THE two contrasting coasts of the USA are drawn together in an attractive show in Gosforth Civic Hall tonight.
Californian musician/producer Chuck Prophet brings his wife and musical partner Stephanie Finch (guitar/keyboards) for their first UK tour as a duo. Joining them on the Jumpin’ Hot Club bill is the New York musician Jesse Malin (with his keyboard player). The two duos will play their respective sets before Prophet and Malin unite for a closing performance.
Chuck Prophet, from east Los Angeles, recorded and toured extensively with Green On Red during the ‘80s before recording his debut album, Brother Also, in 1990, although it was several years before the album was actually released. Prophet has recorded for several labels releasing over a dozen albums in the last two decades.
Apart from his solo work, he collaborated with the great Memphis musician/producer Jim Dickinson on a couple of records, and his guested as guitarist with a range of other artists like Kelly Willis, Kim Richey, Kim Carnes, The Silos and Dylan side-kick, Bobby Neuwirth.
His recent albums, such as the San Francisco-themed Temple Beautiful, and Night Surfer (with contributions from REM’s Peter Buck and Ezra Furman), proved that Prophet transcended categories like alt-country and country-rock.
The former, in particular, picked up rave reviews for the ambition and eloquence of the writing, allied to the fact that there are hooks aplenty.
The same forces drive Prophet’s most recent album, last year’s Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins – a reference to the late ‘60s Texas musician who had hits with I Fought The Law (later covered by the Clash) and Let her Dance and issued many others.
Fuller died in his car in Hollywood at the