Michael Chapman

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Biography

Michael Chapman (born 24 January 1941, Yorkshire, England) is a highly regarded English singer-songwriter and a worthy guitar player.

With a back catalogue boasting such gems as ‘Rainmaker’ and ‘Fully Qualified Survivor’ (featuring Mick Ronson, Rick Kemp, and others), it’s a mystery to all why he hasn’t been afforded more mainstream recognition. With his often quirky songs and vocal style sometimes eerily reminiscent of David Bowie, one can only assume that Chapman’s hardy reluctance to bow to the commercial pressures of his record companies served only to afford him scant recognition from the record-buying public. With a muse falling somewhere between Kevin Ayers and Warren Zevon, Chapman is a folk-rock, psychedelic jazz troubadour. A quality artist both then and now.

1977 saw the end of Chapman’s Decca deal, and the beginning of an association with Criminal Records in 1978; both record labels released versions of The Man Who Hated Mornings. He continued to gig and record consistently, varying styles and sounds, sometimes working with a full group, more often working with Rick Kemp alone.

The 1980s was a quieter time for Chapman. He continued to make recordings that straddled musical genres and pushed his guitar playing to the fore, but had neither the profile nor sales of the previous decade.

The late 1990s onwards represented a period of continued rebirth for Chapman. He embraced the ‘elder statesman’ role and enjoyed critical acclaim for albums like Navigation, Dreaming Out Loud and Still Making Rain (a wry pun title that looked back to his debut album). With the 1997 release of Dreaming Out Loud, Chapman was releasing albums at the rate of one every two years, and still attracting high praise, if not great sales.
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  • islandis

    What evil has he done to be so unknown !

    14 Apr 5:20pm Reply

  • ijkidd

    "Deal Gone Down" dead good. Hasn't even got a page on last.fm. Criminal.

    12 Mar 7:43pm Reply

  • HushSettleDown

    I was shocked to see he only only has 9,000 listeners. This is quality stuff, and I could see this having been fairly popular. [2] (he has been gaining 1000 per year by the looks of it!) was great to finally see him live, with thurston moore too! hopefully see him again soon

    6 Mar 10:34am Reply

  • nuevasinecdoque

    I just listened to Rainmaker and goddammit this guy is awesome. Can't believe I haven't discovered him before.

    7 Jan 2:07am Reply

  • Kelvius

    I was shocked to see he only only has 8,000 listeners. This is quality stuff, and I could see this having been fairly popular.

    30 Dec 2012 Reply

  • ToughJohn

    I can't believe he only has 7000 listeners, it's not like he is inaccessible, his guitar work is phenomenal

    2 Sep 2012 Reply

  • bloodmaw

    sickkkkkk

    16 Dec 2011 Reply

  • solidfood

    I saw him open for Bill Callahan 2 weeks ago, his voice is much deeper/raspier now. But it was still an awesome show.

    29 Jun 2011 Reply

  • erikdardan

    whoa, his voice sounds so much like a twangier Bowie!

    4 May 2011 Reply

  • A-W-A-X

    Great and funny guy, amazing guitarist and songwriter.

    8 Apr 2011 Reply

  • TaylorJohnHouse

    William Tyler (Lambchop/Silver Jews) and Michael Chapman - 7th April 2011 @ Taylor John's House, Coventry http://www.last.fm/event/1874916+William+Tyler+%28Lambchop-Silver+Jews%29+and+Michael+Chapman

    1 Apr 2011 Reply

  • shaantigraphics

    I guess one can say it with added fervour...starring back at it headlong 41 years later... you definitely are A Fully Qualified Survivor!!! Love Mick Ronson's guitar work too!

    11 May 2010 Reply

  • KeithJones

    Fully Qualified Survivor is such a good album

    10 Feb 2010 Reply

  • Koalateeh

    this dude is the man

    30 Jul 2009 Reply

  • nigeD

    He's still out there - Still Makin' Rain!

    24 Jun 2008 Reply

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