Search - Michael Chapman :: Fully Qualified Survivor

Incomprehensively Slipped Through The Cracks

Stephen Foster | Seattle, WA United States, via Scotland | 04/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Fully Qualifies As My Favorite Album

Philip Nilsson | Bay Area, California | 08/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."