Customer Reviews

Fully Qualified Survivor

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*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE '2011' CD REISSUE ***

Seventies Rock aficionados will no doubt have read gushing reviews before telling them to invest their hard-earned wonga in 'long lost classics' - and having been burned a few times before - would view another such review with a certain amount of scepticism. But this is a 'Light In The Attic Records' release and after 60 peerless reissues of obscurities that truly deserve reappraisal - LITA have done it again. Beautiful presentation, extraordinary sound quality and songs that beggar the question - how the hell did this little gem get 'lost' in the first place?

Michael Chapman hails from Leeds in England and was 28 when he recorded his second LP "Fully Qualified Survivor" for EMI's progressive label imprint 'Harvest'. His debut album "Rainmaker" issued in July 1969 was only Harvest's 5th LP at that time and signalled the arrival of a major guitar player and Rock singer-songwriter.

"Fully Qualified Survivor" was released March 1970 on Harvest SHVL 764 in the UK and Capitol/Harvest SW-816 in the USA - and even though it actually charted in the UK at 45, it's a rare record on vinyl and UK originals can command upwards of £100. This February 2011 reissue on Light In The Records LITA 060 is a straightforward transfer of that 1970 album remastered from the 1st generation EMI tapes by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London (46:32 minutes). The sound quality is FABULOUS - clear, warm and full of presence and fully realizes the original quality production values of GUS DUDGEON (of David Bowie and Elton John fame).

The original gatefold artwork has been retained but upgraded to a lovely 'silver' effect on the card digipak (they've also issued it on a beautiful VINYL version using the same silver effect artwork - a future collectable). The booklet is an impressive 32-pages long with liner notes by MICK HOUGHTON that feature new interviews with Chapman in 2010. Photos and archive material provided by the artist himself feature black and white snaps of him and the other musicians in the studio, on tour, reproductions of press releases and reviews and so on.

It opens with the epic "Aviator" - a nine and half-minute long acoustic song that has touches of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake in its languid pace. The cello is by Paul Buckmaster and the Violin by Johnny Van Derek. But - and this is a matter of taste - you're met with his nasally drone of a voice which you will either embrace or loath. It all sounds a bit effected now, but if you give it time, there's rewards later. Chapman was also a very accomplished guitar player (Bert Jansch, Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn jump to mind) and there follows the first of the album's three acoustic-instrumentals "Naked Ladies & Electric Ragtime". With his foot tapping in the background, it's a very pretty ditty and it also emphasises the superlative NICK ROBBINS remaster. The sheer musicality of "Postcards From Scarborough" is shocking - and the strings added by Dudgeon are lovely. "Fishbeard Sunset" is the second instrumental and is a 40-second introduction to a great song - "Soulful Lady". It also heralds a major playing talent - MICK RONSON on Guitar. He crops up again on "Kodak Ghosts" and his contributions are so exciting - rocking like a madman - loose and inspired ("The Man Who Sold The World", "Ziggy" and "Hunky Dory" with Bowie lay ahead).

Side 2 is far better than Side 1 in my book - giving a run of truly superb tunes. "Rabbit Hills" is my favourite on here - a beautifully realised acoustic song with warm words and a haunting melody that still sounds sweet four decades on (lyrics above). "March Rain" with its Cello, Strings and Acoustic guitar arrangement could be Nick Drake circa "Bryter Layter" - so impressive. Mick Ronson adds lovely electric guitar licks to the treated Chapman acoustic guitars on the mid-tempo "Kodak Ghosts". The fantastically bluesy "Andru's Easy Rider" starts out with him on Piano but then goes into this huge John Fahey 12-string slide-guitar blues-boogie that you wish would overstay its mere two-minute duration. It segues into a funky Tabla and Guitar album finisher called "Trinkets & Rings" which features his trademark nonchalant vocals and electric guitar licks in the background. It's impressive stuff, it really is...

To sum up - like his fellow Harvest Label mate Roy Harper (and nearest musical comparison), Chapman remains a bit of an unknown even in deep rock circles (Keef Hartley, Bryn Haworth, Mick Greenwood, Judee Sill, Karen Dalton and Fred Neil are others). But you have to say that this is a smart reissue on the part of 'Light In The Attic Records' in a long line of them (Lou Bond, Kris Kristofferson (reviewed) and Rodriguez come to mind) and I'm glad I took a chance on it. I've subsequently bought the 2006 remaster of his "Millstone Grit" album from 1973 on Deram and it's a cracker too.

At the age of 70, it probably seems slightly 'odd' to Michael Chapman now to be the subject of adoration and rediscovery for Folk/Rock he penned some 41-years ago - but better late than never.

A top job done boys and a major reissue for 2011.

Unquestionably Chapman's finest hour; in "Fully Qualified Survivor" he reached a peak of brilliant musicianship and starkly harrowing imagery. Evocative lyrics,vocals which grip you by the throat, guitar style ranging from nimble to beefy and restrained string arrangements make this a sadly overlooked British contemporary folk classic on a par with Nick Drake's "Bryter Layter". Highly recommended - worth getting for "Kodak Ghosts" and the title track alone.

You would think that by the 1970's the music industry would be fairly efficient, in the sense that every spectacularly-talented musician could be heard by everyone who would recognise his/her talent for what it was.

Not so, and Michael Chapman is the proof. Oh sure, his voice is a little styled, when the fashion at the time was for "completely natural" voices like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor et al. News for you, kiddies: Michael Chapman was just a tiny little bit more styled than those paragons of naturalness.

Also incomprehensible is how his unique guitar work slipped under the radar: he owns an entire branch of the Tree Of What Can Be Done With The Guitar, and it is all on display on this album. There isn't a dud track anywhere, but the 4-song sequence that starts with "Rabbit Hills," is a 15-minute arc of pure guitar/vocal beauty.

And when he decides to rock, he rocks. Bringing in Mick Ronson was a touch of genius, because most of the album is quiet, but then the two of them go at it...

Definitely one of the top ten albums of the 1970's. Just a mystery that it is so unknown.

This is a classic album which coincidently introduced Mick Ronson to the world. Chapman is an extremely gifted song-writer who moved his talents from the British folk scene to more abstract and imaginative compositions. One of the great 'unknowns' of the 60's/70's.

Ace guitarist Chapman growls his way through his strongest collection of songs here..."Postcards of Scarborough", "Kodak Ghosts" and "Rabbit Hills" are etched deep with lonliness and regret; "Stranger in the Room" and "Soulful Lady" are tougher rock pieces with killer guitar from future Spider Mick Ronson (Rick Kemp is in there on bass), while the opening "Aviator" is a doomy masterpiece with fine orchestration by Paul Buckmaster. You also get a couple of nimble ragtime guitar tunes to lighten the tone. All of Michael Chapman's albums are good - this one is superb.

Every time I manage to mention the name Michael Chapman to somebody, they invariably don't recognize him nor do they know of his music. Yet, Michael Chapman is an artist whose music deeply affects me, and his album Fully Qualified Survivor is undoubtedly one of my favorite albums to listen to through and through.

The songs are all strung together perfectly, the orchestration is spectacular throughout, and Michael Chapman's mature vocals give the entire album a feeling of mastery. The instrument work is flawless to my ears. Every song is a memorable one here, from beginning to end.

Aviator is epic; Naked Ladies & Electric Ragtime rollicking; Stranger in the Room lyrically and musically admirable; Postcards From Scarborough touching and brooding; Fishbeard Sunset and Soulful Lady are rocking; Rabbit Hills is emotional, touching and beautiful; March Rain enchanting; Kodak Ghosts classic; Andru's Easy Rider technically amazing; and Trinkets and Rings the perfect song to ride away on.

I honestly can not comprehend why this album is so unknown, however it does always seem that the truly great things in this world are enjoyed by so few. May you be one of those few.

I've got no clue about how Michael Chapman only got to enter my musical universe at this point in time. But, well, things got their own way of happening, don't they? I picked Fully Qualified Survivor when browsing Amazon for ideas... God, you've got to love all these very real virtual connections! Being long introduced to British folk artists such as the Incredible String Band, Roy Harper, Nick Drake, Al Stewart, Tir Na Nog's great 1st album, Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch to name but a few, Michael Chapman was mysteriously unheard of by me - until now.

Recorded in a parallel world to Woodstock and Miles Davis' Bitches Brew in August 1969 and released early in 1970 on the Harvest label, Fully Qualified Survivor is a gem of the highest order, and I'm glad I got to know it in this lifetime.

From the slow beginning of Aviator through beautiful acoustic guitar instrumentals and songs like Postcards of Scarborough, Soulful Lady, Rabbit Hills, Kodak Ghosts and the percussive closer Trinkets And Rings, Michael Chapman's unique craft is there for all to hear - a highly distinctive voice, strong and fluid playing, and great songwriting with insightful lyrics.

Produced by Gus Dudgeon - the guy who also around that time produced David Bowie's Space Oddity - and introducing the undeniable talents of Mick Ronson on electric guitar, who would then join Bowie for the classic The Man Who Sold The World, this 2011 remastered Light In The Attic edition is the one to look for as not only it brings flawless sound but a thick, comprehensive booklet with lots of info. An excellent, most needed reissue which comes with a somewhat curious collectable sticker that states in bold letters, quote: "the perfect album for a lazy day and a joint".....

I discovered this amazing album while searching for Roy Harper CD's, and I absolutely love it. An incredible balance of Folk, Rock, and adventurous dynamics. Chapman is a fantastic guitar player and song writer. The coolest thing about the album though, is that I can't help but picture scenes from the Big Lebowski when I listen to it. I reckon if the Dude were to cut a solo album it might have sounded like this.

BUY IT... it's a classic.

Folk, electric, and slide guitar melded together with hightly evocative lyrics and creative, original songwriting. British; melancholy but uplifting. A quality album - the songs and themes flow very well together. Should have brought much greater stardom for Michael Chapman.

You would think that by the 1970's the music industry would be fairly efficient, in the sense that every spectacularly-talented musician could be heard by everyone who would recognise his/her talent for what it was.

Not so, and Michael Chapman is the proof. Oh sure, his voice is a little styled, when the fashion at the time was for "completely natural" voices like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor et al. News for you, kiddies: Michael Chapman was just a tiny little bit more styled than those paragons of naturalness.

Also incomprehensible is how his unique guitar work slipped under the radar: he owns an entire branch of the Tree Of What Can Be Done With The Guitar, and it is all on display on this album. There isn't a dud track anywhere, but the 4-song sequence that starts with "Rabbit Hills," is a 15-minute arc of pure guitar/vocal beauty.

And when he decides to rock, he rocks. Bringing in Mick Ronson was a touch of genius, because most of the album is quiet, but then the two of them go at it...

Definitely one of the top ten albums of the 1970's. Just a mystery that it is so unknown.