“Sometimes” has more world weary observations on life gained, no doubt, through the experience of over forty years on the road. Uplifting, it is classic Michael Chapman. “Fahey’s Dance” is a joyous slide blues. “Ponchatalla” is another pristine instrumental of the sort that would have some selling their soul at the crossroads to be able to replicate.
“Dewsbury Road/That Time Of The Night” is a simply gorgeous piece. Deeply reflective many of us can identify with the line ‘you know I don’t scare easy but I do get scared’. “Little Molly’s Dream” is another truly luscious instrumental piece played as near flawlessly as ever. “In The Valley” has an intricate introduction to a near spoken piece that simply mesmerizes.
The beautiful “Caddo Lake” flows smoothly and atmospherically. Likewise with “Memphis In Winter” which has a darkness despite its ringing guitar. It is the definition of melancholic cynicism. Sadly with songs such as this, you quickly realise that what he says, is what he has seen.
The instrumental blending of “Silverking/Dust Devils” lifts the spirits. The chiming guitar of “Vanity & Pride” brings the album to a strangely unfinished ‘finish’ that seems to challenge you not to start the process off again.
There is an extraordinarily magical intimacy to this album, like he is seated in your house with just a few friends and a bottle or two of wine. Self produced, the album has an honesty and integrity that is truly refreshing in this over dubbed, re-mastered, download age of condensed ‘perfection’. If it is perfection you are looking for, then start with acoustic guitar playing like this.
That guitar playing has amazed and entertained people for a long time and will continue to do so on Time Past Time Passing. I would give almost anything to play like that just once in my life. However, a trip to the crossroads is really not such a great long-term plan, so I’ll make do with listening to the master himself, Michael Chapman.
Journey with Michael Chapman on his official website. Better still get to see him live – the dates are on the above link.
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