Live VPRO

LP version. For a self-confessed "journeyman" musician who has spent most of his 50-year career on the road live, Michael Chapman albums are curiously rare items and it's even harder to find one his earlier years. This one, recorded by Dutch "hippie" station "VPRO" in May 1971 is the earliest known live recording so far discovered of Michael Chapman after he started releasing records on the legendary Harvest label in 1969. This period is for Chapman fans of the classic period. A beautiful clear, warm and intimate recording of Chapman duetting with long-time collaborator Rick Kemp on electric bass of which documents material from all three albums in a free-flowing improv-inflected style. It is with this free-flowing vibe in mind that Blast First Petite have included the complete 90-minute concert via a download code so listeners can experience the whole set. Chapman sounds in a confident, gentle, and relaxed mood. The audience is initially tentative, possibly unfamiliar with Chapman's work but they gradually warm up to his complex, dexterous, "not folk" playing. The recordings make for a fascinating snapshot of the time, with a loose and open approach that offers a rare chance for guitar buffs to eavesdrop between songs on some those bespoke Chapman guitar tunings.