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Chuck Prophet, ¡Let Freedom Ring!

CHUCK PROPHET
¡Let Freedom Ring!
(Yep Roc)

The title's punctuation pays tribute to this album's exotic recording-locale of Mexico City -- right when a major earthquake struck, no less. Though the geography is an intriguing side-story, it doesn't necessarily reveal itself the music; this isn't Chuck's mariachi record, in case you were worried. Musically, ¡Let Freedom Ring! is pretty much vintage Prophet songwriterly rock 'n' roll, very much in keeping with his body of work, even as he gets a little bit older and wiser each time out. There's a lot of juxtaposition between rough 'n' tumble and sweet 'n' soulful, sometimes in the same song: On "Sonny Liston's Blues" and "Barely Exist" especially, the verses contrast vastly with the choruses, but in a manner that's exquisitely complementary. The latter tune in particular is deeply affecting, its hard-bitten half-spoken stanzas melting away into a minimalist wave of heartbreak: "When you barely exist, who's gonna miss you when you're gone?" There is, probably, a stronger touch of the political, particularly on the title track, a new American anthem for the post-9/11 world, toasting the triumphs of freedom even while the country is crumbling all around us -- "As the rivers rise up over the banks, and there's nowhere a poor boy can hide." Such sentiment pairs pointedly with "Hot Talk" and its apocalyptic inquisition: "We're gonna see how Wall Street takes the news when Wall Street finds New York City's gone." Still, this record is ultimately more personal than political. "Love Won't Keep Us Apart" is as elusive as its title, swooning over a romance turned inside-out and upside-down, but ultimately unavoidable. And the final track, "Leave The Window Open", revels in the world's little mystical beauties as Prophet delivers one of his finest-ever vocal performances, full of passion and conviction, living only in the moment.
-- PETER BLACKSTOCK

Comment by Truersound on November 3, 2009 at 6:49pm: cool write up, loving this album here too.

Comment by judith on November 10, 2009 at 6:19am: In my car CD player now. Sweet sounds.

Comment by Lee. & Jen Cline on November 10, 2009 at 8:33am: I have really enjoyed this long awaited (for a CP fan) record. I'm loving
Barely Exist & Holdin On

Comment by Bob McCready on November 10, 2009 at 10:18am: Chuck Prophet is one of the great ones. His previous album Soap and Water was every bit as good - check it out if you haven't heard it. Like so many that ND reviews, there's no justice in a guy like him not making the very big time. Thanks for the great review.

Comment by William Michael Smith on November 10, 2009 at 11:39am: Holdin On is a heartbreaker for all of us of a certain age. Yeah, this album is a bomb with a slow fuse, it just keeps opening up listen after listen. And Hot Talk is one of my 4 yr old granddaughter's favorite songs, and the girl is a rocker, so 'nough said. Good write up, Peter. thanks

Comment by Lincoln Barr on November 10, 2009 at 11:50am: Thanks for the great review, Peter. This is Chuck's crowning achievement, as far as I'm concerned...the record I've been waiting for him to make all along. Can't wait for his Tractor show on 12/10!

Comment by Steven King on November 10, 2009 at 5:11pm: I've probably played this record more than any other this year. And it was just released on October 27th!! Loved your piece here, Peter, and agree with the others that this is some prime Prophet - in my opinion, his very best work. Just saw him on Friday and the band is in fine form. Several new arrangements of older songs, with the band seemingly focused on a raw, gritty dynamic that accented plenty of ace guitar work. A seriously inspired show. The cover of Springsteen's 'For You' - dedicated to the man having recently turned 60 - was a nice treat.

For those not in the know - the man is truly a national treasure. A gifted writer, singer and insanely great guitarist. Go see this tour!

Comment by Guy on November 10, 2009 at 6:46pm: Mr. Blackstock, as he usually does, has hit the head of the nail. Having had the privilege of hearing the songs on Let Freedom Ring! from very near their birth and having had the slightly lesser privilege of watching the record being made in Mexico City, I can say for myself at least that Peter really captured the spirit of this album. (And I was in no way a label geek or a promoter; just a fan and a friend in for one of Chuck's loony adventures.) The last sentence of this review gives me the most pleasure: I find these two songs my abiding favorites from an album I'll never have to listen to again, I've heard the son-of-a-bitch so many times. And he wrote a pretty funny essay about the stupendously crazy making of the record in The Huffington Post! Chuck Prophet in The Huffington Post.

Icewater in Hell.

Comment by chris sweeney on November 10, 2009 at 7:04pm: It's so good to hear so many positive comments about CP. I got on board with Age of Miracles and still think that is a mighty fine CD.
I agree with William Michael Smith that the new CD gets better with each listen.
And yeah, Holdin On rings so true.