Roger Chapman - Mango Crazy / Mail Order Magic (with The Shortlist)

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Roger Chapman - Mango Crazy / Mail Order Magic (with The Shortlist); Roger Chapman - Mango Crazy / Mail Order
Topic Started: Apr 16 2009, 08:54 AM (208 Views)
zeitgeist	Apr 16 2009, 08:54 AM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 4,443 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: November 5, 2005	Roger Chapman - Mango Crazy / Mail Order Magic (with The Shortlist) ‘Mango Crazy’ was Roger’s 4th studio album following the break-up of his Streetwalkers band. For Family fans the first two tracks might be a little disconcerting by their in your face commercialism (although the quirky rap of ‘Toys’ featuring Poli Palmer’s Fairlight shows the restless experimentation and intense subject matter- a ‘parody of 80’s nuclear paranoia’ and Thatcher’s Britain apparently- even in a more straightforward musical context). Once you get over the initial shock you realise on ‘I Read your File’ (Actually a ‘filler’ track!) that Chapman’s voice has lost none of its uniqueness and agility and Geoff Whitehorn’s fluid guitar solo takes us back to the ‘old days’like Nick Pentlow’s alto sax that graces many of the tracks on this album. The part spoken ‘Blues Breaker’ is more vintage Chapman with some great bass playing from Boz Burrell and a great slide guitar break from Steve Simpson. Chapman’s ability as a wordsmith is hard to surpass and as the album went on I hit a ‘comfort zone’ and no longer hankered after the Family level of creativity and experimentation. There really is enough on show here even if it is played in the context of 1980’s musical technology and a variety of musical styles (including the Latino feel of ‘Los Dos Baladairos’) The thudding bass on ‘Turn It Up Loud’ and Whitehorn’s fuzz guitar, Alan Coulter’s drum rolls and neat little Prophet synth break on ‘Let Me Down’ show just how this band can rock! It’s very interesting to hear the thinking behind the lyrics of songs like ‘Hunt the Man’ in Pete Feenstra’s characteristically meticulous sleeve notes. This song has an unusual rhythmic structure and, while being a period piece, is also quite timeless like much of the music on ‘Mango Crazy’. ‘Rivers Run Dry’ is one of Roger’s closest flirtations with the blues with some epic lines and some sensitive echoed guitar that the likes of Robert Cray would be proud of. It’s back to driving rock on ‘I Really Can’t Go Straight’ with (rightly so) economical use of voice box that doesn’t detract from an excellent number with some more clever lyrics. ‘Room Service’ is a satire on the 4 minute nuclear warning. There is one bonus track ‘Maybe A Shot In The Dark’ originally the b-side of ‘Toys’ and not at all commercial- check out the abrupt ending! While ‘Mango Crazy’ is an inventive album with some great songs, ‘Mail Order Magic’ with The Shortlist is even better. This was Chappo’s 2nd solo album released in 1981. There are some really classic songs on there like ‘Unknown Soldier (Can’t Get To Heaven)’, ‘He Was She Was’ and ‘Higher Ground’, a deliciously ironic ‘Barman’, a ‘dsitant cousin’ of ‘Sat’d ‘T’ Barfly’ and some wonderful playing- Geoff Whitehorn’s guitar breaks on ‘Making The Same Mistake’ for instance really hit the spot. The lyrics are as intriguing and incisive as ever and there are no fewer than five bonus tracks including a lengthy live workout of ‘He Was She Was’ and storming versions of ‘Unknown Soldier’ and ‘Ducking Down’ proving that the band could be even better live than in the studio. The band includes Poli Palmer on keyboards and vibes, John Wetton on bass and guitar and Mitch Mitchell on drums on some tracks. Time only allows me to an in depth review of ‘Mango Crazy’ (Can’t get that darned tune out of my head!) but Pete Feenstra pretty much sums up ‘Mail Order Magic’ as follows: ‘Roger’s music remains a unique concoction. There’s feel, passion, humour,lyrical double entendres and spontaneity, all topped by his undimmed, wailing vibrato and played by the top players of the time. It is this musical chemistry that infuses ‘Mail Order Magic’ with its vitality and originality’. Both CDs are highly recommended but if on a restricted budget go for ‘Mail Order Magic’ first. Reviewed by Phil Jackson Buy at Amazon Weekly Reviews For March 6, 2005 Edited by zeitgeist, Apr 16 2009, 08:56 AM.


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