From Austin to outer space :
Kelly Willis and Chuck Prophet expand Sings Like Hell’s horizons
TED MILLS, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Country singer Kelly Wills, center, was joined on a few songs by Chuck Profit and his guitar at Saturday

Hi Peggie,

I gotta say that Chuck Prophet wowed me - again, another "...music you've never..." for me. What a great band ensemble - I loved the way they communicated and smiled throughout their set. Lyrics, guitar talent, etc.. I asked Chuck a question backstage - prefaced by the warning that I felt "this is a stupid question" and he was soooo charming: the "bullet mic", and they way he said he manipulated it, was a creative addition to vocals that I liked. I purchased his latest CD - and I was impressed with it vs the live performance. Hale and I chatted recently about that issue - how sometimes a CD will be far better, or the live performance will always impress... or flip it and one or the other is such a let down. 

Every time I talk about my monthly musical adventure in Santa Barbara, telling someone where I'm going, or why I've been gone for the weekend - I find myself again reflecting on how you do such an amazing thing - an all encompassing job-commitment and I salute you for it.

 

Thank you again Peggie - and we'll see you soon.

Fondly,

Barbara Radford

 

night's Sings Like Hell concert at Lobero Theatre. DAVID BAZEMORE PHOTO   February 19, 2008 7:39 AM The Sings Like Hell concert series is slowly turning up the heat with its twofer lineups. With country singer Kelly Willis, we got a rock-solid set of sad tunes. And her small band didn't prepare us for Chuck Prophet's smoking hot pop-rock, which sent us out with our hair singed from Saturday night's concert at Lobero Theatre. Ms. Willis is rightfully punchy at this time in her life. She burst out of the gate in the late 1980s with an MCA recording contract, but she failed to get the sales she deserved. Many labels, a successful marriage and four children later, Ms. Willis now looks back on her early career as "several lifetimes ago." But those experiences make her good-love-gone-bad tales reverberate now more than ever. One song, she noted, was co-written by both her ex-boyfriend and her current husband (she said both had left her at some point) -- that kind of convolution "qualifies me as a country singer," she laughed. Ms. Willis' guitar playing remained simple, but she was backed by two fine musicians -- a steady bass player and an amazing lead guitarist who did some fine string-bending on just an acoustic, often sounding like Richard Thompson. Highlights included a smart cover of the Cannonballs' "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," with lyrics as good as the title sounds, and Jules Shear's warm and poppy "The More That I'm Around You." Ms. Willis also played songs written for her by husband Bruce Robison, including "Wrapped" and "Not Forgotten You," both feeling like intimate glimpses into the couple's home life. With Chuck Prophet waiting in the wings, Ms. Willis brought him and drummer Todd Roper out to play a few songs, including the rockabilly tune "Teddy Boys" and the aching "Too Much to Lose," for which Mr. Prophet played a sweltering solo. Mr. Prophet produced and co-wrote many of the songs on Ms. Willis' latest, but his own material only briefly checks in with the tropes of country music. Slide guitar might ring out, but, swathed in echo, the sound feels more psychedelic than anything. In the '80s, Mr. Prophet was part of the fondly remembered alt-country group Green on Red, and he has since continued to make music that drops hints of Lou Reed, '80s-era Americana and a strange dash of Tom Robinson. In short, Mr. Prophet writes intelligent songs that would be chart hits in a just world. "Small Town Girl," the second song of his set, explained this musical gumbo -- a funky bassline set against the syncopated rhythms of drummer Mr. Roper, and jazz chords in the chorus over which keyboardist and vocalist Stephanie Finch offered counterpoint. On "Soap and Water," Mr. Prophet's latest album, the song is intimate. At the Lobero, the band took it to an epic status. The same was done with his two hypnotic numbers, "A Woman's Voice" and the not-too-silly "You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp)." Both rose and fell on increasing spaciness and ace guitar work from Mr. Prophet and his band members. Yet the band seemed to know exactly when to rein themselves in and let the words do the work, as they did on "Let's Do Something Stupid." Mr. Prophet's band is so good, in fact, a live album from this tour would be a welcome addition to their discography. e-mail: life@newspress.com  


 

 

 

Sings Like Hell Blazes September 14, 2006
Into a 20th Season by Brett Leigh Dicks
Read the Article

Peggie,

It's a great article, and long overdue.  As someone who fondly remembers the "early days" when Peggy opened up her home to bring an eclectic mix of music and artists to her neighbors in the Santa Ynez Valley, I also appreciate the leap of faith she took in stepping up to produce SLH. I'd just like to say to Peggy and crew, thanks for all the hard work and dedication.  You've rocked our world.  (That being said, as much as I love the intimate confines of the Lobero, it will never compare to the experience of one of those great shows in Peggy's front yard.) Keep it up! You're doing everything right.
Rob Alexander
Solvang, CA

 

Peggie,
Great article.  It really captures the essence of SLH.  I liked the anecdote about your sneaking out for Fillmore shows.  Teddy was great. John


Hello Peggie:  What a great article!  Congratulations for riding this rocket sled for so long without falling off!  We all love what you are doing, and know it wouldn’t happen without you.  Thanks also for the nice phone message today.  I’ll get right on the Jackson Browne ticket thing.  I’m off to get a copy of the Independent……
Rich Phillips/CMC Rescue


hey peggy - great article!  great job you're doing.  more than great!  i've appreciated every concert and wish you many more years of success!  thanks for at least 12 great nights of my life every year.    chris seaton

 

howdy peggy, the article was great.....we really appreciate all you do to bring us live music junkies great affordable sounds on a monthly dose......have been pushin some friends to buy the series, so hope those numbers are up for you.

 Fabulous article & we're so happy that we were one of your original subscribers! I'm not sure where SB would be without SLH! Thanks for all the efforts & GREAT music you've gotten to this town. Can't wait for the next series & the next 20 after that! Looking forward to spending more time in hell with my fellow music lovers