Roger Chapman

Roger Chapman - Walking The Cat - 1989 - Maze Records, SPV (Germany)

Roger Chapman is a British rock legend, and one of the great icons of British rock music. He is best known for for his spectacular stage presence and amazing powerful vibrato vocals, and for leading the hugely talented and original British band, Family, (who called it a day in the early 70’s). During their seven year lifespan, Family had achieved an almost unequalled standard of musical output and musicianship. Arguably, at least four of their eight albums can be regarded as rock classics. Family were regarded by critics, and by the public in general, as one of Britain's finest rock bands. John Peel, the late, great BBC Radio 1 DJ, once said that he would travel any distance to see Chappo perform. By the late seventies, Chappo had practically disappeared from the music scene.The mechanics of the music business, e.g, glam rock, the dawn of punk, new wave, and romanticism, dictated the demise of many great rock and progressive rock bands, who had dominated the music scene, (especially in Britain), for so long. That is not to say that these new genres did not produce some talented and original bands. However, the music scene at this time did not suit Roger Chapman's style of music, and never one to bow to commercialism, Chappo went to Germany in the early eighties where he still spends most of his time, and is a cult figure there. He has also received well deserved Artist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the German people. In 1989, when Chappo's partnership with guitarist Geoff Whitehorn ran its course, he returned to pure rock form with "Walking The Cat" which is one of Chappo's more obscure albums (Aren't they all?), and also one of his best. The album features the great guitarist Alvin Lee and old friend Bob Tench of Streetwalkers on guitar and vocals. This is a great rock album by the legendary vocalist and songwriter. You will find it hard to find a review of this album anywhere. It's no wonder Roger got disenchanted with the music scene. "Walking The Cat" is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Roger's brilliant 1979 album, "Chappo." It is also an education in music to listen to Family's "Music in a Doll's House," "Bandstand," and "Fearless " albums. Search this blog for other Roger Chapman related releases, and support real music [Tracks @ 192 -320 Kbps: File size = 61.4 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Kick It Back - Chapman 4:21
2 Son Of Red Moon- Chapman 3:46
3 Stranger Than Strange - Chapman 4:41
4 Just A Step Away (Let's Go) - Chapman 5:35
5 The Fool - Lee Hazelwood 2:53
6 Toys '89 - Chapman, Palmer, Whitehorn 5:13
7 Walking The Cat - Chapman 5:13
8 J & D - Chapman, Hinkley 3:35
9 Come The Dark Night - A. Bown, Chapman 4:55
10 Hands Off - Chapman, Hinkley 4:03
11 Jivin' - S. Simpson 2:58
12 Saturday Night Kick Back - Chapman 1:51

N.B: The 1989 German Polydor CD release omits Track 6. Other issues include Track 6 but omit Track 8. The album posted here is the original 1989 German CD issue on Maze Records

MUSICIANS

Roger Chapman - Vocals, Harmonica
Alvin Lee, Mick Rogers - Guitar
Micky Moody - Slide Guitar
Bob Tench - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Steve Simpson - Guitar, Fiddle, Backing Vocals
Joe Hubbard - Bass
Tim Hinkley - Keyboards
Geoff Seopardi - Drums
Nick Pentelow - Saxophone
Mark Feltham - Harmonica
Andy Blackwood, Keith Wilder, Linda Wilder, Tracy King - Backing Vocals

SHORT BIO

Roger Chapman is best known for his barbed-wire voice, used to front British '70s rock acts Family and Streetwalkers. He began a long-awaited solo career in 1978 that has led to over a dozen full-length releases. Never heard of them? It's not surprising; album-wise, he's been camped out in Germany for 20 years. His first album and tour got high praise in his British homeland, but critics cut into him soon after. When the hassle-free German market beckoned, Chapman began to focus all subsequent work there, where he has become a musical hero, the "Working Class Artist." Chapman split with his longtime writing partner, Charlie Whitney, after the breakup of Streetwalkers in 1977. He surrounded himself with ace session musicians to cut a debut solo effort, Chappo. It was an album of strong rock which catered to the singer and not the musicians. An appearance on Germany's Rockpalast TV show and the ensuing hit single, "Let's Spend the Night Together," gave Chapman the shot of success he needed, so he set up operations in Germany. Live in Hamburg was a reassuring second album, demonstrating the live energy of this experienced yet stage-crazed performer. Studio albums over the next few years blended straight power rock with funk, R&B and soul, all topped with Chapman's characteristic vocal style. In the 1981 German music awards, Chapman was voted Best Singer, and his Hyenas Only Laugh For Fun won an award. Chapman and his backing band, the Shortlist, released two alter-ego albums in the early '80s as the Riff Burglars. These releases honored roots and classic rock by artists like Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon and Leiber & Stoller. A lead vocal on Mike Oldfield's 1983 hit, "Shadow on the Wall," also added to Chapman's diverse repertoire. Chapman's mid-'80s foray into polished studio sounds did not fare well with his audience. When his extended partnership with guitarist Geoff Whitehorn ran it's course, Chapman returned to pure rock form with 1989's Walking the Cat, which featured Alvin Lee and old friend, Bob Tench. Two compilations filled a silent period in the mid '90s, but 1996's Kiss My Soul was a comeback for the guy who never went away. It even got attention and a pressing in Chapman's British homeland, where he often tours but has no domestic releases. This was followed by 1998's A Turn Unstoned? and the 2-CD Anthology; the next year saw re-releases of Chappo and Mail Order Magic. Moth to a Flame was issued in early 2001. © Patrick Little, allmusic.com