I've included four tracks by Michael Chapman in this week's show as he sadly passed away recently at the age of 80. I first saw Michael at a venue near Perth called the Bein Inn. My wife had known Michael for a number of years but hadn't seen him in a long time. We found him having a pre-gig meal in the bar and he instantly recognised her and asked us to join him.
Several years later we saw him play at Wigan Parish Church and more recently at the Cloudspotting Festival. I will always remember his unique way of playing slide guitar using his wedding ring as the slide. He was well liked and respected by musicians young and old and I've bookended this show with songs from his 2017 album 50. From the blurb on his Bandcamp page it says of this album -
"Backed by a collaborative group of friends and acolytes—Steve Gunn (who also produced), Nathan Bowles (Pelt), James Elkington (Jeff Tweedy), Jason Meagher (No-Neck Blues Band), Jimy SeiTang (Rhyton), and fellow UK songwriting luminary Bridget St John—Chapman tears into both bold renderings of new songs and radical reinterpretations of material from his revered catalog..."
Thanks for the music Michael and the chance to spend some time (however brief) in your company.
Michael Chapman - Sometimes You Just Drive
Joan Baez - Jessie
Cara - Lay Down Your Weary Tune
Johnny Cash - Man In Black
Michael Chapman - Caddo Lake
Sam Lewis - Texas
Drew Holcolmb & The Neighbors - Tennessee
Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm
Michael Chapman - High Heel Sneakers
Martin Stephenson & Jim Hornsby - Rag Time Groove
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Southern Accents (live)
Michael Chapman - The Mallard
