Though “Fully Qualified Survivor” (Harvest 1970) is often regarded as Michael Chapman‘s masterpiece, his debut lp “Rainmaker” (Harvest 1969) is just as magnificent. “You say” is as delicate as any of Nick Drake‘s gems but one senses the same taste of disappointment that Tim Hardin voiced so elegantly … “No song to sing” betrays strong US folk influences but sounds very personal in the way it reeks of regret over yet another lost love. “One time thing” comes right after with the most weary, depressing lyric … but then again we’d been warned upfront by the lp’s opening track – the roaring lament of “It didn’t work out”! Make no mistake: “Rainmaker” darkens your days with grey gale force showers that announce a bitter winter of discontent, rather than refreshes you with a pleasant spring drizzle that makes you look forward to the annual dance around the maypole … Folk rock at its most ominous, and no madcap Harper in sight either. But what a poignant debut, Chapman‘s! Produced by Gus Dudgeon; organ by Norman Haines; drums by Aynsley Dunbar or Barry Morgan; bass by Rick Kemp, Danny Thompson or Alex Dmochowski; guitars by Clem Clempson & Michael Chapman. Hey and do check the 1976 remake of “It didn’t work out” on “Savage Amusement” as well – e.g. via the neat little “Dogs Got More Sense – The Decca Years 1974-1977” 2cd+dvd box set (2004) on Shakedown / Secret! 2012-01 update: Light in the Attic have just reissued the album on lp (no bonus tracks) and on cd (6 bonus tracks, 3 previously unreleased – see tracklist via the Second Disc), cat. no. LITA079.
[uzine] - since 1999 