There was a palpable air of expectation in Oran Mor as Chuck Prophet led out this latest version of his band.
That expectation, it would be fair to say, was fulfilled, if not exceeded, in all respects.
From the opening chords of Townes Van Zandt's Dollar Bill Blues, to the climax of the final encore, Who Shot John, Prophet and his band gave it all they had. It had been 10 years since I had last seen him play (in King Tut's), but the energy levels were even greater now than they were then, helped considerably by the presence of guitarist James DePrato, whose abilities appeared to push Prophet's own playing to greater heights. Some of their duelling was reminiscent of The Allman Brothers at their best.
The tour is promoting Prophet's 12th studio album, 2012's Temple Beautiful, a paean to his hometown of San Francisco – and most of it received an airing.
Castro Halloween, the rock doo wop of White Night Big City, The Left Hand and the Right – dedicated to brothers everywhere – and the excellent Willie Mays Is Up At Bat had been beautifully honed into shape by incessant touring.
Mrs Prophet, Stephanie Finch, took the lead vocal on All Is Forgiven and dueted with her husband on a cover of Sorrow. She was also the subject of an extended story concerning the tour van breaking down in Tuscon and her pushing it back to San Francisco, all of which served to introduce the outstanding You Did, which closed the set proper.
Justice has always been in short supply in the music industry. Were this not the case, Chuck Prophet would have been a massive star years ago.
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