I am a webdesigner and copy-writer, and write for a number of magazines. "The Guardian" de...
I am a webdesigner and copy-writer, and write for a number of magazines. "The Guardian" described my web site for www.rishworth-school.co.uk as "a classy piece of work", and my W@P sites have won acclaim in obscure publications worldwide. Read on...
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Expecting the same kind of derisory comments from my son as if I had played the Teletubbies album, I pressed a button on the car CD and selected Tracy Chapman, the 1988 classic album by.. guess who?
His girlfriend said “great” and announced that she too had the album that was released when she was still in nappies!
My daughters already knew “Baby Can I Hold You”, a perfectly crafted track that had been copied (quite badly) by one of the conveyor-belt boy bands.
What is it that makes this album such a classic, with such staying power and appeal across the generations?
Tracy Chapman was one of the singer-songwriters who helped to put the genre into the forefront of popular culture during the 1980’s, along with other artists, such as Joan Armatrading. Not only is Chapman an accomplished musician, her lyrics are confessional, assertive, and heart-rending – “Across the Lines” describing the struggle of African-Americans, and “Behind the Wall”, a voice solo with no backing track, which is a recital on the plight of women in violent relationships. These two tracks contrast brilliantly with the love songs, such as “Baby Can I Hold You” and “For My Lover”.
This multi-platinum debut album crept up on the music scene from nowhere and is here to stay. As a black working class woman from Cleveland, Ohio, Tracy Chapman played the guitar as a child, and followed a successful education, ending up at Tufts University, reading anthropology and African studies. It was here that she started to perform her own songs, eventually recording a few tracks for the college radio station.
Elliot Roberts, who had a track record with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell became her manager and helped to sign with Elektra records in 1987.
“Tracy Chapman” was released in the spring of 1988, and such was the interest and appreciation of her debut album, she was invited to play at Nelson Mandela's Seventieth Birthday Party which was televised world-wide. Her performance was so successful that the single from the album, "Fast Car", climbed the charts, and, within a few months the album had gone multi-platinum. In 1989 Tracy Chapman won four Grammys, including Best New Artist.
Unfortunately, if your first album is this brilliant, it is difficult to improve, and her subsequent releases, although warmly received by the critics, have not had the same commercial success.
The album “Tracy Chapman” is a definite classic, and could almost be described as a cult record, such is its following.
Her acoustic guitar playing is gifted, and her voice full of character and emotion; every track on the album stands well on its own, and makes a classic set when played end to end. If you haven’t heard the album, now is the time to get hold of a copy, broaden your musical horizons, and find out what you have been missing for all these years.
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In depth look at the album, and her. A perfect review of a near-perfect album.
comicgirl21 08.11.2002 09:39
A great review on one of my favourite albums - ironically I got my copy in the bargain bucket at Woolies whilst at Uni, only to discover almost everyone in my Hall had a copy too! Definitely a timeless classic, that forever sits near my CD player.
Did you know TC will be touring the UK in March 2003? I've got my tickets already and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing her live! Cheers, Kath
BadBoy 11.07.2001 04:24
Although I am a true fan of rap/hip-hop , it is really nice to sit back and listen to a truly gifted artist.I think we would have to search long and hard to find someone as good as her.
One of the most striking debut albums ever released, this disc instantly established ... more
Chapman as a musical force, and with good reason. Immediacy, integrity of purpose and unqualified artistry are apparent in nearly every song. And while "Fast Cars...
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One of the most striking debut albums ever released, this disc instantly established ... more
Chapman as a musical force, and with good reason. Immediacy, integrity of purpose and unqualified artistry are apparent in nearly every song. And while "Fast Cars...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Strong songs that can make you think and catchy songs that can make you sing. Disadvantages: When you listen to 'Baby can i hold you', the memory of the Boyzone cover version - Ronan, for the sake of humanity, STOP WEARING CRAP LEATHER TROUSERS!
Advantages: Strong songs that can make you think and catchy songs that can make you sing. Disadvantages: When you listen to 'Baby can i hold you', the memory of the Boyzone cover version - Ronan, for the sake of humanity, STOP WEARING CRAP LEATHER TROUSERS!
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