The guitar and voice of Michael Chapman first became known on the British Folk Circuit in 1967. Signed to EMI’s Harvest label (also home to Kevin Ayres and Syd Barrett) he recorded a quartet of classic albums.
The influential album Fully Qualified Survivor, featuring the lead guitar of Mick Ronson (of David Bowie fame) and Rick (Steeleye Span) Kemp’s bass, was John Peel’s favorite album of 1970. The record has been beautifully remastered to CD and restored to vinyl for the first time in decades by Light In The Attic Records, and is available now. Some kind words on Fully Qualified Survivor:
“A key influence on early 1970s Bowie. Stunning.”
– FIVE STARS – MOJO
“A gorgeous masterpiece. Sounds like a blasted troubadour back from a long cosmic odyssey.”
– 9 out of 10 – Spin
“One of the best psych-folk records recorded. Ever.”
– Popmatters
“Survivor is a remarkable record. It’s amazing that a guitarist of Chapman’s breadth and skill is so little known today.”
– American Songwriter
Fast forward to present and Chapman also has a brand new set of recordings available from the label Tompkins Square; Trainsong : Guitar Compositions 1967-2010 is a 2CD collection of 26 recently-recorded solo guitar versions of music spanning his entire career. It is a fascinating look at one of the most prolific and profound guitarists of our time. The album has received rousing praise in the press, including Record Collector (5 stars), MOJO, UNCUT (both 4/5 stars) and many more.
After decades of recording and touring, Chapman remains an obscure figure in the States – even though his fan base continues to grow with younger admirers like Devendra Banhart, Alela Diane, and Bill Callahan (Smog) spreading the good word. These limited dates present a rare chance to witness one of the masters of British folk perform in person.
Tompkins Square and Light In The Attic are proud to co-present a Michael Chapman tour of the United States this year:
April:
23 Fairfax, VA – Avant Fairfax Festival: Old Town Hall
24 Philadelphia – The Rotunda **
25 East Village Radio
26 New Brunswick, NJ – Court Tavern
27 Charlottesville, VA – Dust Warehouse
28 Carrboro, NC – All Day Records instore
29 Floyd, VA – Dogtown Roadhouse
30 Richmond, VA – Sprout
May:
02 Brooklyn, NY – Zebulon ***
June:
04 Columbus OH – Wexner Arts Center
16 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour *
17 Santa Barbara, CA – Soho *
18 San Francisco, CA – The Independent *
19 Big Sur, CA – Henry Miller Library *
22 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s *
* w/ Bill Callahan
** w/ Meg Baird
*** w/ Steve Gunn & Tom Carter
