Chuck Prophet "The Hurting Business" 2000

For most of his life, San Francisco has been Chuck Prophet’s muse... or more accurately, his drug of choice. “It can suck you under. That first hit. It really does a whammy to you. And if you're like me you can find yourself chasing the San Francisco dragon for the rest of your life. That's what the record is about.
”Now five records into a solo career, the former guitarist for Green on Red leaves his stripped-down, bluesy past behind, adding a score of Mellotron, saxophone, synthesizer, and sampling for a more urban mosaic. The result is a soulful medley where Prophet continues to follow the Dylan book of songwriting, arming his characters with compelling story lines and clever wordplay. The title track's account of a broken relationship proves exultant thanks to a playful Farfisa organ and splendid backing vocals by Prophet's wife, Stephanie Finch. Prophet mimics Tom Waits over a fierce J.J. Cale riff on "La Paloma." And radio programmers looking for a hit should check out "Dyin' All Young," a mother's ode to her young son's death. It's an instantly catchy, though forever haunting ballad that propels Chuck Prophet up another rung on the ladder of underappreciated songwriters. - Scott Holter
trax:
01 Rise 02 The Hurting Business 03 Apology 04 Diamond Jim 05 It Won't Be Long 06 Lucky 07 God's Arms 08 I Couldn't Be Happier 09 Shore Patrol 10 Dyin' All Young 11 Statehouse (Burning in the Rain) 12 La Paloma