What Makes The Monkey Dance

I’ve been a sort of Chuck Prophet fan since I picked up Raisins In The Sun because I was a Jules Shears fan. Then I got Temple Beautiful and really listened and realized I was listening to the best thing I’d heard in forever. Then I saw him with his band and he became someone that I had to tell everyone about. This book traces his history and journey. He is a true explorer and fan who can’t sit still. In some ways it is the story of every music fan who becomes obsessed with and saved by music and is on a journey that keeps them exploring. Except that Prophet is a genius and lives that journey. I thought I knew him, but knew nothing. Quite a ride.

As a long-time fan of Green On Red and Chuck Prophet, I bought the book straight off the bat, and no regrets. It's extremely well researched. Many of the names of venues and musicians meant nothing to me, but that's okay. CP's story is worth reading, and this book does him justice. It covers the recording, the touring and the hassles with record labels, and is testament to the staying power of CP and Stephanie Finch. So - buy his music, go and see Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express if you can. Four stars for this book doesn't seem enough, so I'll give it five.

being a fan of Green On Red more than CP solo career I didn't particularly enjoy the book: I always find the first part of a bio, youth and formation, boring (but that is my limit), the GOR part is a bit rushed, the solo career becomes repetitive (record recording/record song to song review/press reaction/solo tour, over again)

Track down his records or pull up some YouTube vids if you need proof. But the book will give you the feel for what life as a working musician looks like for most people–a gritty game of chance conquered by not letting your success be defined by other people.

A good read , very surprised to find no mention of Richmond Fontaine/Willy Valutin .