Rating: 5/5
Review:
A cracking album
This is a cracking album from Michael Chapman. I’ve been a fan
since Rainmaker (50 years now); I’ve not always liked everything he
has done but True North is one of his best, I think.
I reckon that
Chapman was probably born sounding downbeat, world-weary and slightly
indistinct, and he certainly hasn’t changed that. His voice is
older now, but still has the evocative depth and delivery it always
did. His guitar work is wonderful, of course, with a full, rich
sound here and he understands the value of simplicity. There are
times when, for me at least, he has taken this too far (Pachyderm
springs to mind), but the balance here is perfect between melody and
his guitar and other backing. So, for example we get the lovely
instrumental Caddo Lake followed by the excellent Hell To Pay, a fine
song with really classy lyrics.
This really is a
very good album with no weaknesses and some very, very good stuff.
Warmly recommended.
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