In 2011, we reissued Michael Chapman’s second album, Fully Qualified Survivor. We’re kicking 2012 off right with a deluxe CD and LP reissue of his debut album Rainmaker (originally relased on Harvest in 1969). Like the ‘FQS’ album, Rainmaker (LITA 079) is a psychedelic-guitar-folk delight and features one of Chapman’s best known songs, “It Didn’t Work Out.”
A true stylist in his own right, Chapman holds a middle line between John Martyn and Bert Jansch with the provocative electric rock of Martyn juxtaposed against the traditional folk so wonderfully espoused by Jansch. Along for the ride on other songs are acoustic bassist Danny Thompson (Pentangle, John Martyn, Nick Drake) and electric bass player Rick Kemp (later to join Steeleye Span). All of the proceedings were produced by Gus Dudgeon who also did Chapman’s “FQS” album as well as David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” single – and a ton of the early work of Elton John.
We’ve reproduced the gatefold jacket in its exact original form (including a deluxe gatefold “tip-on” jacket), while the CD version includes 6 rare bonus tracks from the Rainmaker sessions, including 3 previously unreleased songs never heard else-where! And if that wasn’t enough, journalist Byron Coley (Ecstatic Yod, Wire & Arthur magazines) penned 5,000 words of new liner notes taken from a fresh Chapman interview detailing the recording sessions. All packaged with many unseen photos of the era. For a look at all the goodies contained within, check out the “What’s Inside?” videos below.
For audio samples, more info, and to pre-order, click here!
