Entertainment For Lively Minds
Michael Chapman
Posted by Steve Turner on 5 February 2012 - 9:37pm.
When:
Friday 3rd February,2012
Where:
The Station, Kings Heath, Birmingham
Comments:
Michael came to the stage in a lumberjack shirt and baseball cap somewhat at odds with his Yorkshire roots. So too his music which had a distinctive American feel to it. His songs recalled JJ Cale and his finger picking instrumentals were a revelation. His dexterity belied his 71 years and it was clear from his between song banter that he has lead an interesting life. He recalled a surreal night at John Faheys house where Fahey was naked except for a Nurenburg rally flag. Another tale focussed on a meeting in Waterstones Leeds where a woman approached him and said 'its Michael isn't it?' It took a while for him to realise it was a woman he had been married to for 4 years.
The Audience:
Small venue but packed to the rafters.Also a mention for the talented support artist Eliza Shaddad. She sang an hilarious old Blues song about a well blessed dentist who filled the cavities of his female clientele.
Food & Drink:
Splendid beers on tap but as I was driving was unfortunately restricted to one.
It Made Me Think...:
With the passing of Fahey, Jansch and John Martyn Michael Chapman is the flag bearer for songwriting with accomplished guitar playing. Highly recommended.
Michael Chapman
Endorse all of Steve's comments, nice to bump into another Wordie there too. Astonishing to find a musician of such talent performing in a room above a pub, even a relativelycommodious room. Props to the Lunar Society for putting on the gig. My Clapton-and-Zep-loving guest had her eyes opened to other things that the guitar can do. Buy Train Song, it's gorgeous.