Artists
who's who and who's doing what?Michael Chapman
- country:United Kingdom
- style(s):Songwriter Acoustic
- label:Rural Retreat
- artist submitted by:
The guitar and voice of Michael Chapman first became known on the Cornish Folk Circuit in 1967 working alongside Ralph McTell. Playing a blend of atmospheric and autobiographical material he established a reputation for intensity and innovation. His 1969 debut, 'Rainmaker', established him as a gifted songwriter with a trademark plaintive delivery. The follow up, the influential album ' Fully Qualified Survivor', featuring the guitar of Mick Ronson and Rick Kemp (Steeleye Span), was John Peel's favourite album of 1970 and featured the Chapman hit 'Postcards from Scarborough'.
Throughout the decades, Michael has continued to build his live reputation, touring solo and with a variety of bands. He was a regular session contributor to the John Peel show on Radio One, and BBC TV broadcast two Chapman Band performances as part of their Sight and Sound series.
A lively and accomplished performer and improviser, Michael has gained a reputation for re-working material, both before an audience and on record. Songs are seen as standards, themes to be explored, extended and varied on stage and in the studio. Michael breathes new life into earlier material, showing him to be a jazz musician in spirit if not in sound.
His sound has developed to take in both acoustic and electric influences, even embracing sampling in the nineties on the track 'Geordies Down The Road'. Lately the companion albums Americana and Americana 2 have chronicled his travels in the States.
In a career spanning forty years he's still going strong. With his uniquely English melancholic perspective and emotive guitar style Mike Chapman is one of the true greats and innovators of English folk and blues.
'As compelling as anything Ry Cooder might muster'
Q Magazine
'A brilliant folk guitarist'
The Independent
'Twenty one albums and he is still amazing'
MOJO
'This is the sound of a real songwriter who's lived a real life and all that entails'
Q Magazine
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