The Elektra Albums

Acoustic guitarist and singer songwriter, Harry Chapin, who was born in New York, was a pioneer of the elaborate story song, a style whose roots lay in folk and country music. Chapin explored the very limits of the genre, with songs often breaching the 10 minute mark. After working in documentary film making, Chapin signed with Elektra just before turning 30. He was immediately successful with his 1st single, "Taxi", and the album "Heads & Tales" in1972.

More popular with listeners than critics, Chapin toured relentlessly. His bestselling album was 1974’s "Verities & Balderdash", which included "Cat’s In The Cradle", his sole US #1 single. He began using his enlarged platform to campaign for an end to world hunger, founding several charities and increasingly spurning payment for his performances, so that the proceeds could go towards his favoured causes.

This 6 CD box, the 1st serious, multi disc reappraisal of Chapin’s work, presents the 9 albums he issued from 1972 to 1978, "Heads & Tales", "Sniper & Other Love Songs", "Short Stories", "Verities & Balderdash", "Portrait Gallery", "Greatest Stories Live", "On The Road To Kingdom Come", "Dance Band On The Titanic", and "Living Room Suite". After Elektra, Chapin signed with Boardwalk for a final album before dying tragically and prematurely in a car accident in 1981.

Cherry Red Records, March 25th, 2022.