Did you ever predetermine what an artist or album sounded like just by the album cover?
I found an old issue of Uncut which featured Michael Chapman in its "Album By
Album" column. Without ever hearing a note of Chapman's work, I had
decided many years ago that from his looks and album covers alone, his
music was going to sound like Gordon Lightfoot. And with all respect to Mr. Lightfoot, I'm just not a fan. I liked a few singles, but also hated a few. "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" could make me leap off a building.
Then I read this article and saw things like "staggering solo guitar
playing," "Hunky Dory," Mick Ronson and Aynsley Dunbar. Well...
The record which the mag calls "The Uncut Classic" is 1970's "Fully
Qualified Survivor," featuring a pre-Bowie Mick Ronson on guitar, a
pre-Steeleye Span Rick Kemp on bass and Gus Dudgeon twiddling knobs. My mind was officially blown with one spin.
Yes, I'm sure it had a bit to do with my elation in not hearing anything
that resembles Mr. Lightfoot. But I cannot discount the fact that "Fully Qualified Survivor" is
not only right in my wheelhouse, but a brilliant and singular record
that quite possibly set the table for future works by David Bowie, Elton
John and Pink Floyd.
The record delivers songs like "Aviator" and "Soulful Lady" that have a
sound and feel so much like Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "The Man Who Sold
The World," it's hard to tell who was listening to who first. Or maybe
credit needs to be given to Mick Ronson and Gus Dudgeon, who were the
common denominators with both artists. ("Soulful Lady" could sit
comfortably on Side Two of McCartney's "Ram," as well. Check it out
below.)
Ronson's guitar work is unmistakable. If you're a fan, this will satisfy
you deeply. But a lot must be said for Chapman's acoustic work, as
well. Alongside the early rock and glam feel of the two songs I just
mentioned, there are songs like "Andru's Easy Rider" and "Naked Ladies
& Electric Ragtime" which show off Michael Chapman's ability at
acoustic slide blues and fingerpicking folk respectively, similar to Roy
Harper and Bert Jansch.
I'm sure I am preaching to the choir regarding "Fully Qualified Survivor." But just in case some readers missed out like I had for years, you should check out this record toot sweet.
12 comments:
Thanks for the reminder. I have this somewhere, but haven't listened for years. Too much great stuff back then; so much got swamped and forgotten as a result.
Glad to know I'm not alone in not liking Gordon L. And I've tried, repeatedly, but I just don't get it.
All three tracks are good, thanks. I’ve known Chapman as a solo acoustic guitar explorer. Can’t recall anything with vocals or a band. As for Lightfoot, I’ve managed to ignore him almost completely and don’t see a reason to change that.
- Paul in DK
In high school we called it The Wreck if the Ella Fitzgerald, and the 20 seconds of entertainment that brought me was more than any of his actual songs. I did like the SCTV fake commercial though
Hey! My apologies for posting something totally unrelated to this topic, but I just got a second here and it looks like the "Shout It Out Loud" box I normally would put this into is down....
Sal - just heard The Baseball Project is using this song as their walk-on for current shows.
Thought of you instantly - ever heard it? Dig it?
"Buzzsaw" by The Turtles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8JeONNEY9g
If you went to NRBQ shows way back in the day they had a bit they called "the Magic Box" where audience members could request any song at all (via slips of paper dropped in the box). I remember one time "Edmund Fitzgerald" was the song. They found lyrics and sang it on and on and on. The crowd was booing and (laughingly) begging them to stop. They didn't. It was hysterical.
Absolutely. It's from my fave Turtles album, "The Battle Of The Bands."
I think I have an NRBQ live verson of "Edmund Fitzgerald" somewhere in my Q archives.
I knew you'd know that song!
Please post the NRBQ "Edmond Fitzgerald" if you do have it! I'd love to hear it!
Captain Al
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z60VU2Nov_0
I can't swear to it but I seem to recall when the band came back out for an encore there was a long pause and then Terry started singing "Edmund Fitzgerald" again! Luckily the rest of the band quickly made him stop.
Thanks for the Chapman!
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