The legendary British guitarist/songwriter Michael Chapman is certainly not one to be found resting on his laurels. He has released nearly as many records as his years, starting in 1967 with Live At The Folk Cottage and his latest being 50, released last year. In February 2019, he will add another to that number: True North. According to the good folk over at Paradise of Bachelors who released albums by the likes of Hiss Golden Messenger, Mike Cooper, Nathan Salsburg, Steve Gunn and The Weather Station we are in for quite a treat.
Due for release February 08, 2019 on Paradise of Bachelors, this authoritative set of predominantly new, and utterly devastating, songs hews to a more intimate sonic signature—more atmospheric, textural, and minimalist than 50, stately and melancholy in equal measure. Recorded at Mwnci Studios in rural West Wales, True North unflinchingly surveys home and horizon, traveling from the Bahamas to Texas to the Leeds of Chapman’s childhood, haunted by the mirages of memory and intimations of mortality. Joining him on this introspective journey is a cast of old friends and new disciples: once again Steve Gunn produces and plays guitar, and fellow UK songwriting hero Bridget St John sings (interviewed here), collaborating with cellist Sarah Smout and legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole, who has accompanied everyone from John Cale to Scott Walker, Elton John to Terry Allen, Felt to Björk.
The elegiac True North navigates the treacherous territory of time, resulting in the most nakedly personal album of his career, his most authoritative, unguarded, and emotionally devastating statement. The album begins with the gnawing regret of “It’s Too Late,” and every song Chapman sings thereafter directly references the passing of time—its blind ruthlessness, its sweet hazy delights—in noirish language almost mystical in its terseness and precision.
Live Dates
27/03/2019 Hebden Bridge – The Trades Club
28/03/2019 Preston -The Continental
31/03/2019 Newcastle on Tyne -The Cluny
02/04/2019 Guildford – Holy Trinity Church
03/04/2019 Sheffield – The Greystones
04/04/2019 Chester – St Mary’s Creative Space
06/04/2019 Reading -South St Arts
Pre-order True North directly via Paradise Of Bachelors (LP/color LP/CD): http://www.paradiseofbachelors.com/pob-044 or other retailers (all formats): http://smarturl.it/PoB44
True North Tracklist:
1. “It’s Too Late” 4:25
2. “After All This Time” 4:06
3. “Vanity & Pride” 3:34
4. “Eleuthera” 2:50
5. “Bluesman” 3:35
6. “Full Bottle, Empty Heart” 3:20
7. “Truck Song” 6:08
8. “Caddo Lake” 5:55
9. “Hell to Pay” 4:13
10. “Youth Is Wasted on the Young” 4:02
11. “Bon Ton Roolay” 2:43