tjt (02/15/83)
I was just listening to some of my records at home, and I thought
I would recommend several artists which I have long admired.
Tom Chapin is the brother of Harry, and although Harry writes a better
lyric, Tom is a MUCH better musician, singer, and showman (obviously
my own opinion). The place where most of you may have heard him is the
old "Make a Wish" show (supposedly for children) shown (I think) on Sunday
mornings. He was the narrator, and they took two words each show and went
through all the possibilities on it (e.g. for 'bird': mocking'bird',
free-'bird', fire-'bird', giving-the-'bird'(sorry, all I could think of,
hee hee). The 'Make a Wish' theme song is very catchy (although short)
and I wish it was on one of his albums.
In any case, I have two Tom Chapin albums ("Life is like that" and "In the
City of Mercy"). I like the first better than the second, but the song
"Jeannie" on the second has a tremendousy catchy and rousing chorus.
If anyone knows of any other Tom Chapin albums, I would be deeply
appreciative if you could let me know what they are.
Michael Johnson is a folk-ballad type performer, but very similar in
style to Tom Chapin. He had one brief hit, "Bluer than Blue" a few years
ago. His albums are mostly other people's stuff, done with tremendous
style and with a wonderful voice. The albums I have are "Ain't Dis
Da Life", "The Michael Johnson Album", and "Dialogue". They are masterful
renditions of ballads written by other people.
I went to a concert in college that had Michael Johnson as the 'opener'
for Tom Chapin. I don't think I've even been to a more entertaining
concert.
I would love to hear from anyone who has current information on the
activities of these two performers.
===Tim Thompson===BTL/Holmdel===hocda!tjt===