Vinyl Relics – Details, episodes & analysis

Guests: Andru Chapman, Bridget St. John & Steve Gunn.

In this Epysode we delve into the career of an artist that spanned 5 decades, who recorded more than 50 albums, was adored by generations of musicians and who critics fawned over...yet hardly anyone knows his name.  Michael was an immensely skilled guitarist and an excellent songwriter who released album after album to critical acclaim.  Even his last albums - more than 50 years after his debut were considered among his best.  Here was an artist who never settled, continually pushing musical boundaries...maybe that's why he remained on the fringes.  

Fully Qualified Survivor is universally considered his best album and we dive into it track by track, though an artist with this body of work has to be explored further, so we also make pit stops throughout the rest of his amazing career too.

Michael Chapman is a name most people have never heard of and that's a shame, as I can't think of another artist with this amount of incredible work who is more deserving of recognition.

I hope you dig Fully Qualified Survivor and the rest of Michael's incredible career as much as I do.

-FJ

===LINKS===

If you like this show, consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month.  As we are an independent program we rely on your support to continue bringing you more content like this.  Click this link below to become a member and enjoy additional content called "BonusTrax":

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Follow Psychedelic Relics on our social media:

Facebook @ psychedelic relics & other vinyl treasures

Instagram @ psychedelicrelicspodcast

X @ PsychRelicss

Tik Tok @ psychedelicrelicspodcast

Dig the music you heard here?  Here's a Spotify link to all the songs used in this Epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TrYk3aWbSHRb8cMBxOFGy?si=7ab618e97809468b

I used portions of two interviews with Michael for the show.  The first was by UK Rock History, and you can hear the full interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N190mQheNyM

The second was by Secret Records Limited and you can also hear that full interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1MBhckOTLo

===SONGS===

Songs used in this epysode, in order of appearance.  See above for a link to a Spotify playlist ( *denotes track is not available on Spotify):

THE ROSE GARDEN “Next Plane to London”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Rainmaker”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “No One Left to Care”

BRIDGET ST. JOHN “Ask Me No Questions”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Aviator”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Naked Ladies and Electric Ragtime”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Stranger in the Room”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Postcards of Scarborough”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Fishbeard Sunset”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Soulful Lady”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Rabbit Hills”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “March Rain”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Kodak Hills”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Andru’s Easy Rider”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Trinkets and Rings”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “An Old Man Remembers”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Wrecked Again”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Firewater Dreams”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Deal Gone Down”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Among the Trees”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Northern Lights”

*MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Heartbeat”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “The Resurrection of Clayton Peacock”

JACK ROSE “Kensington Blues”

STEVE GUNN “Way Out Weather”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “Memphis in Winter”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “That Time of Night”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “The Youth is Wasted on the Young”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “It’s Too Late”

MICHAEL CHAPMAN “New York Ladies (live)”

*BRIDGET ST. JOHN “Aviator”

?? MYSTERY ARTIST ?? Tune in to the next epysode to hear his story...

*NEWPORT ELECTRIC "Beauty In The Wasteland" (this song is not yet streaming and is scheduled for release later in 2024)

 

~~Hey.  See that beautiful face in the mirror?  That's the face of someone who is groovy~~

 

 

Guests: Rose Garden bandmembers John Noreen and Bill Fleming.

Mid 60's Los Angeles; a band called "The Blokes" were knocking out their versions of Beatles and note-for-note, immaculate copies of Byrds songs when a chance meeting with Gene Clark - who had just left the Byrds culminates with him joining the teenagers on stage for a couple of tunes.  Next thing you know, he's giving them some of his songs and writes one specifically for them to record.  He even considers managing them at one point.  

Adding a new lead singer, they change their name and record one folk-rock gem that spawns a hit and an appearance on American Bandstand.  The future looks bright, but some poor management decisions combined with Uncle Sam's draft notices derails their momentum and we're left only with the one album and a follow up single.  

With help from Rose Garden guitarist John Noreen and bassist Bill Fleming, we dive into this self-titled 1968 folk-rock beauty.

I hope you dig The Rose Garden as much as I do.

-FJ

==LINKS==

Like this show? Consider supporting our independent program by becoming a paid Patreon backer and enjoy bonus Epysodes.  Sign up here:

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Listen to all the songs used in this Epysode here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7skVY3785KJ7XYTZDVNzDB?si=67e9e41dcdb54d37

==MUSIC==

Songs used in this epysode (in order of appearance).  See above for a link to a Spotify playlist ( *denotes track is not available on Spotify):

BOWES ROAD BAND “Grass is Grass”

THE BYRDS “Feel a Whole Lot Better”

GENE CLARK “Till Today” (demo)

GENE CLARK “A Long Time” (demo)

*THE GIANT SUNFLOWER “February Sunshine”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Next Plane to London”

REDBONE “Come and Get Your Love”

THE ROSE GARDEN “I’m Only Second”

THE ROSE GARDEN “February Sunshine”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Coins of Fun”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Rider”

THE ROSE GARDEN “She Belongs To Me”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Flower Town”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Till Today”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Look What You’ve Done”

THE ROSE GARDEN “Long Time”

*THE ROSE GARDEN “If My World Falls Through”

*THE ROSE GARDEN “Here’s Today”

*ROTUNDI “Everyone and Everything”

THE DELEVANTES “Long About That Time”

SMITH “Baby It’s You”

?? MYSTERY ARTIST ?? Tune into the next epysode to hear his story...

NEWPORT ELECTRIC "Yippie-i-o"

 

~~You, my friend, are groovy~~

 

Guest: Bubble Puppy drummer David Fore.

In this epysode we learn how this Texan band came swinging right out of the gates with a smokin' hit in 1969.  After some unfortunate record company shenanigans they were forced to move to another label and change their name to Demian.  One album later and with a promising future ahead, it all falls apart.  "It was stupid.  Don't ever be in a band!", David said jokingly.

My thanks to drummer David Fore for joining the program to talk about his days with this awesome band.  David is still recording and performing live.  You can see his information at www.davidfore.com.  Also check out his substack if you want to get first-hand accounts of life as a rock 'n' roll star in the late 60's/early 70's.  It's a fantasatic read, always informative and entertaining.  Here's the link:  https://davidfore.substack.com/

We also end the debate as to which album is better - A Gathering of Promises or Demian.  David also assists in my pronounciation!

We need your support on Patreon to keep this show going.  Subscribe for as little as $1/month here: 

https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

If you have show ideas, suggestions or just want to chat about music, I'm at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.

PLEASE rate AND review the show!! Reviews help our show move up the rankings and get us noticed by more listeners.  You're cool, your friends are cool and they deserve to hear cool music.  Share Psychedelic Relics with everyone you know using this link: https://linktr.ee/psychedelicrelics

I hope you dig A Gathering of Promises as much as I do!

-FJ

Here's a Spotify playlist featuring all the tracks used in this epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bcYnBV8mlcbp1UKlQRbaj?si=a913d799b78b4d3a

 

 

 

 

Guest: Mighty Baby's Ian Whiteman. In this epysode, we hear how the UK mod/soul-inspired band "The Action" - who were produced by none other than George Martin - morphed into "Mighty Baby". Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ian Whiteman joins the show to talk about his memories of his days with this fascinating band that is often cited as "England's Grateful Dead" due to the improvisational elements of their live shows, which culminated as the closing act on day one of 1970's famous Isle of Wight festival in front of 600,000 people. "People compared us the Grateful Dead, but not really. We were more structured", Ian said. Ian shares some great stories about his bandmates, the songs and who was influencing them ("The Byrds had a seismic effect"). We do a track analysis, see what the critics had to say and of course we hear from Uncle Herff.   Support the show for as little as $1/month on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Share this show with your friends using this link:

https://linktr.ee/psychedelicrelics

You're cool, your friends are cool and they deserve to hear cool music.  Follow us on social media.

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS:  In this epysode I mistakenly credited the artwork for the Mighty Baby LP to guitarist Martin Stone; the design was actually the work of artist Martin Sharp.

Feedback? Questions? Ideas for future epysodes?  Reach out to me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.

I hope you dig "Mighty Baby" as much as I do.

-FJ

Here's a Spotify playlist featuring all the tracks used in this epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/213u6KIfJ8afGIFQ5fXh2S?si=04f3378794fe4f11

 

Guest: Blue Mountain Eagle drummer Don Poncher.

In this epysode, Farmer John unearths the fantastic self titled album by West Coast band Blue Mountain Eagle.  A unique band featuring 3 guitarists, 5 vocalists and 5 songwriters.

Hear how this band was formed from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield.  Fans of that band and of the West Coast sound that was dominant in the mid to late 60's should definitely explore this album.

Background information, track analysis, reviews and of course we hear from Uncle Herff.

Support the show for as little as $1/month here:

https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Feedback? Ideas for future epysodes? Email me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com

I hope you dig "Blue Mountain Eagle" as much as I do.

-FJ

Here's a Spotify playlist for all the tracks used in this epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4taWHCIXWSTaYZVOpjtjdd?si=9a056ac55a8d4da5

 

 

Guest: Musician/Arranger Bob Buckley.

In this epysode, Farmer John unearths the fantastic 1968 psychedelic album "Suddenly One Summer". Guest Bob Buckley worked on the album and acted as the arranger. Bob solves the mystery of which musicians played on this record (note: even the liner notes of a recent reissue have it wrong!).

Background information, track analysis, reviews and of course we hear from Uncle Herff.

Bonus content available on our Patreon page:

• Full Bob Buckley interview
• photos of the album
• photo of the "Fly" EP cover issued in France only
• photo of the 4 page insert on the most recent reissue
• photo of the insert for the While Whale label compilation LP "Land of Sensation and Delights"
• photo of Farmer John in his record room with his original copy of the LP
• Links to Bob Buckley's psychedelic band "Spring" on a 1969 CBC variety show
• visit https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

For more information on Bob Buckley's impressive career, visit www.bobbuckley.com.

Feedback? Ideas for future epysodes? Email me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.

I hope you dig "Suddenly One Summer" as much as I do.

-FJ

Here's a Spotify playlist for the tracks used in this epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6aBI7Udi8EMZwpC3P79xny?si=86d2ef69fcd44ee0

 

 

Welcome to Psychedelic Relics!  This is a short introductory epysode to give you an idea of what we're all about.

A full epysode is coming your way soon, stay tuned!

Bonus content will be available at:

https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

 

 

 

Guests:  All 4 Bowes Road Band Members - Alan Lewis, Phil Rawle, Dave Pescod, Ted Rockley and Jakarta Records label co-owner Jannis Stürtz.

In a Rodriguez-like tale, we hear how an album recorded 50 years earlier for a school project gets discovered in the unlikliest of places by the one person who can make a story like this happen.  This "band" didn't even have a name until 2023, and now hundreds of thousands of people have streamed their album and bought vinyl copies.  From an original private press of 50 copies to international attention, it's an amazing story about a wonderful album their creators made and then for all intents and purposes completely forgot about for 50 years.  With help from all four band members and the record label owner, we hear this incredible two-part story: the unbelievable fortune the band had to even get the album recorded in the first place and then the even more unbelievable tale of how it was discovered decades later.  "It's like digging up a time capsule", the band says.  As great as the story is...the music is even better!

BONUS: With approval from the band and record label, we are also happy to include a track left off the reissue, playing it in it's entirety here, making it the world-wide exclusive premeire of the track!

I hope you dig "Back In The HCA" as much as I do...

- FJ

===LINKS===

We need your support in order to bring you more content!  Support us on patreon for as little as $1/month here:

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicrelicspodcast/

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedelicrelicspodcast

X:

@PsychRelicss

A Spotify playlist has been created for all the groovy music heard in this epysode.  Listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BIN7NjJpResxbtoSNSqvD?si=1b9ec50582ae4f57

===SONGS USED IN THIS EPYSODE===

Songs used in this epysode, in order of appearance.  See above for a link to a Spotify playlist ( *denotes track is not available on Spotify):

CHRISTMAS "Heritage"

THE CREATION "Painter Man"

BOWES ROAD BAND "Grass Is Grass"

BOWES ROAD BAND "Tomorrow's Truth"

BOWES ROAD BAND "Goodbye To Rosie"

BOWES ROAD BAND "I Hear A Knocking" (aka "Inside My Head")

BOWES ROAD BAND "Doctor, Doctor"

BOWES ROAD BAND "Two Fingers"

*THE PHOENIX RISING BAND "North London Boy And Girl"

??MYSTERY ARTIST??...Tune in to the next Epysode to find out...

*BOWES ROAD BAND "Back In The HCA"

NEWPORT ELECTRIC "Yippie-i-o"

~~you are groovy~~

 

GUEST: Bob Bryden.

Welcome to Canada, eh! We’ve showcased albums from around the globe but this time out it’s an all Canadian affair as we discuss the incredible career of Bob Bryden.  From his early teen days as the “accidental musician” to his time with Reign Ghost and the formation of Christmas, “I wanted to start my dream band”.  We dig into each track of their fantastic 1970 album Heritage and discuss their follow up Lies to Live By and the ultimate dissolution of the band.  Bob’s story doesn’t end there though as we then chat about his other bands and his solo career as well as his time producing one of Canada’s premier punk bands.  He’s had a fascinating life in music with many great albums along the way.

I hope you dig Heritage as much as I do.

-FJ

==LINKS==

1)  Become a Patreon backer for as little as $1/month.  This show is completely independent and relies on support from listeners.  Join here and enjoy additional bonus content:

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Thank you for your support!

2)  Check out Bob’s music at https://bobbryden.bandcamp.com

3)  Check out Bob’s YouTube video for the song “Cowboys are Guys you can Trust”, dedicated to Cousin Bill here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfc3nqr7ZD8

4) Here's a Spotify link to all the songs used in this epysode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SRrlKdAWtNEHT0ytQwn9J?si=54e2b2cacbed46fa

==SONGS==

Songs used for this Epysode (in order of appearance).  A Spotify playlist for this show has been created - see link above.

(*denotes a song not available on Spotify)

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Heart Without a Home”

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE “Saturday Afternoon”

THE DOORS “The End”

BOB BRYDEN “Cowboys Are Guys you can Trust”

REIGN GHOST “Reaching”

REIGN GHOST “Southern Hemisphere Blues”

REIGN GHOST “Enola Gay”

REIGN GHOST “Long Day Journey”

REIGN GHOST “Solar Nice”

CHRISTMAS “Just Suppose”

CHRISTMAS “Jungle Fabulous”

CHRISTMAS “Don’t Give it Away”

CHRISTMAS “Zenith”

CHRISTMAS “Rise Up”

CHRISTMAS “Goin’ To Oklahoma”

CHRISTMAS “Something Borrowed”

CHRISTMAS “Point Blank”

CHRISTMAS “Zephyr Song”

CHRISTMAS “Bustin’ Out Tonight”

CHRISTMAS “Blues on an Iceberg”

CHRISTMAS “April Mountain”

CHRISTMAS “Heritage”

CHRISTMAS “I am a Song (Sing Me)”

CHRISTMAS “When Night Falls”

*PRESTON WYNN “Happy Man”

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS “Voice in the Wilderness”

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS “The Factory”

*BENZINE JAG “Heavy Water”

AGE OF MIRRORS “Talk to the Crowd”

BOB BRYDEN “Love in the Atomic Age”

THE FORGOTTEN REBELS “No Beatles Reunion”

??MYSTERY BAND?? tune in to the next Epysode to find out...

NEWPORT ELECTRIC “Yippie-i-o”

 

GUEST: Blonde On Blonde vocalist/guitarist Dave Thomas.

In this epysode, we dive into this Welsh band's 2nd album, Rebirth.  Dave Thomas provides detailed background information of the band's formation, their time on the BBC, touring with major acts, their 1969 Isle of Wight performance and the recording of their third and final album when they knew it would be their last.  We also discuss Dave's resurgence, decades later ("I signed my second recording contract at the tender age of 70").  

Blonde On Blonde mixed folk, psychedelia, blues-rock and prog all into a unique style all their own.  

It's a great story of a great band and album.  

I hope you dig "Rebirth" as much as I do.

-FJ

==LINKS==

1) Become a Patreon backer for as little as $1/month.  This show is completely independent and relies on support from listeners.  Join here and enjoy additional bonus content:

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Thank you for your support!

2) Check out Dave Thomas's website at https://davethomasblues.uk

3) I used a portion of the following fan review of Ralph Denyer's book "The Guitar Handbook" in the show.  To listen/watch the full review, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ0bqjfW50o

4) Here's a Spotify link to all the songs used in this Epysode! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40eD3PNpfPl1XtpYLYuXpl?si=6017ee4a1fba41c9

==SONGS==

Songs used for this epysode (in order of appearance).  A Spotify playlist for this show has been created - see link above. The final song is my band’s latest single. (*denotes a song not available on Spotify).

FUCHSIA “Shoes And Ships”

JIMMY REED “Bright Lights, Big City”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “All Day All Night”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Country Life”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Eleanor Rigby”

AQUILA “Flight of the Golden Bird”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Castles in the Sky”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Broken Hours”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Heart Without a Home”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Time is Passing”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Circles”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “November”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Colour Questions”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “You’ll Never Know Me/Release”

BLONDE ON BLONDE “Happy Families”

*CRYSTAL SUSPENSION “Boats”

GREENSLADE “Country Dance”

G AND T “Green and Pleasant Land”

DAVE THOMAS “One More Mile”

??MYSTERY BAND??...tune into the next epysode to find out...