Artists | Issues | CD Reviews | Interviews | Concert Reviews | DVD/Video Reviews | Book Reviews | Who We Are | Staff | Home
 

Chapman Whitney

Streetwalkers

Review by Gary Hill

This is perhaps not the proggiest thing I’ve included under the progressive rock section, but it does have a decent amount of that genre within its running time. Additionally, the fact that this is a spinoff from the band Family secures the spot under that heading here. The music here is eclectic and intriguing and covers quite a range. This is a fiftieth anniversary edition that is augmented by a number of bonus tracks.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Parisienne High Heels

Somehow this reminds me of the rockier side of early King Crimson to some degree. There is a funky, bluesy rocking vibe at play, but it also has plenty of intriguing prog twists and turns.

Roxianna

Bouncy, driving folk meets rock and roll and prog is the concept here. This is perhaps less prog rock oriented than the previous track was, but it’s also very cool. The vocals remind me of Tyrannosaurus Rex to some degree. There are some jazzy excursions here.

Systematic Stealth

There is plenty of folk music in the mix here. It’s a classy kind of piece that has proggy elements at play, too. While it’s not a favorite for me, it has its charms and lends some variety.

Call Ya

With more of a classic rock groove at play, I like this one a lot. The instrumental section later in the track really makes me think of Traffic. There Is plenty of jazz at the core of a lot of this song.

Creature Feature

Driving rock sounds are at the heart of this, but the track is also augmented by some classical strings late. This is another intriguing track.

Sue and Betty Jean

This is a proggy sort of folk rock song with some hints of jazz in the mix. It’s another classy tune.

Showbiz Joe

I like this bluesy cut a lot. It’s perhaps not the proggiest thing here, but horns later bring some jazz to the table. There are some cool twists and turn built into this, and it gets really powerful later. It also gets proggier as it does.

Just Four Men

Now, this is decidedly art music. It has a mellow proggy instrumental arrangement. There are spoken vocals along with that. This seems to move straight into the next track.

Tokyo Rose

Coming out of the last track, the intro to this is full melodic progressive rock. It shifts to more of a quirky rocking approach for the entrance of the vocals. The track keeps evolving as it marches forward.

Hangman

This is a smoking hot rocker with some proggy elements at play at times. It’s a driving tune, and I like it a lot. The strings add something special to it, too.

Bonus Tracks:
            
The Crack (B-side Of Single Released in 1974)

This tune has a classy bluesy rocking sound at its heart. It works well.

Call Ya (First Mix)

I absolutely love the jazzy groove on this song. I think I prefer this to the version on the actual album. It’s so powerful.

BBC Radio 1 John Peel Session
                          
Get Out of My Life, Woman)

Here we get another powerhouse rocking tune. I love the bass on this. I dig the piano work later and the jazzier tendencies that show up, too.

Roxianna

Bouncy and playful, this has a lot of jazz in the mix. It’s energetic and inspired.

Systematic Stealth

I really love the instrumental arrangement on this so much. It features some killer guitar work and more. It’s a magical.

Tokyo Rose

This rocker works pretty well, but it’s not as strong as the other version to me.

Hangman

I really like this bluesy rocker so much. It has a great energy and vibe to it.

 
Return
 
Google

   Creative Commons License
   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

    © 2025 Music Street Journal                                                                           Site design and programming by Studio Fyra, Inc./Beetcafe.com