Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
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Free Music Notes for Tracy Chapman
Free Music Review: The Chiding
Hit: 1 Stars
'Fast car' was a remarkable single for it's time. We all talked ourselves into the rest of the filler on this cd, about which the best you can say is it's all extraordinarily average. If however art to you is didacticism, you will be in heaven. This has twee rhetorical questions ("Why are the missiles called Peacekeepers?"), exhausted imagery (I know somewhere in here a baby is crying) and worst of all an acapella sermon. All it lacks it some sort of "Save the bunnies" track. All of this gets filtered through Chapman's self-annointed "nobler than thou" suffering and humorless delivery, and of course that ridiculous all-purpose quaver. She doesn't exactly deliver a message subtly. Oh Tracy, won't you be my conscience?
This schtick had no future and noone bought her follow-up C.D.. But this garbage is still being pushed on us by "enlightened" radio stations, and I still hear the lesser songs from this cd all the time. It's a shame. I HATE these songs. To paraphrase the movie Bull Durham, "Aw, Tracy Chapman is as full of cr*p as anyone." You wouldn't know it from all of this unbearable condescension. I think her dream job would involve a cleric's collar and a pulpit.
Some liberals feel that music is just another place to be a drag. (And these remarks are coming from a massive liberal!) I don't subscribe to that hogwash. 10,000 maniacs, Midnight Oil and Tracy Chapman are the bottom of the barrell; a very humorless barrell.
This CD is an unrefined brow-beating.
Free Music Review: The Something Greater Inside Than Fast Car
Hit: 5 Stars
Fearless, forthright, emotional, committed, heartbreaking are all excellent words by others here used to describe this album. And while I like Fast Car which gets a lot of deserved attention. My main reason for reviewing this album is more than its songs but to also note the emotionally gripping tapestry in which they are arrayed. And I'd like to address the really impactful moment on this album; which is up there with the endlessly resonating chord struck at the end of the Beatle's A Day in the Life. It is Tracy's transition from the heartbreaking acapella in Behind the Walls which drops the listener into a hopeless moment of sadness followed by reverent silence only to be broken by the gentle guitar and lifting emotion of the words "Forgive Me" in Baby Can I Hold You. This maybe three to five seconds are one of the great album moments of all time far outstripping the number one hit. This singular moment in music history is the number one reason to experience this classic album. However you will be blessed and charmed with its abundant riches throughout. Free Music Review: Virtualy flawless work. Stunning first release.
Hit: 5 Stars
A grand album, with extreme talent, great hooks, clear intent and purpose. Tracy Chapman's musical talent shines through on every track, from the rockin socially conscious "Talking about a revolution" to the reflective "Fast Car." It was hearing the track 'Fast Car' that motivated me to turn around, drive to the music store, & buy this disc, when it was first released on album and cassette tape.(way back when) I was blown away. Well, I found the tape in my basement, recently, and popped it in. (I still play tapes) I was reminded of what a rockin' talented musician and writer Tracy Chapman is. Buy it, you'll like it. Strong, positive, honest and pure music that jams. Goes well with fighting global warming, too. Thanks Tracy.Free Music Review: Mind-blowing album from a genius songwriter
Hit: 5 Stars
Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album is as confessional as it is striking. It's nothing innovative or new, you'll hear plenty of the songwriters of old, but you'll also hear a voice that with enough attention will captivate the listener.
This album made her a household album and quite simply exploded. She was a sensxation all on the basis of one song "Fast Car". But Tracy's music has just so much more depth than the commentarial lyrics of "Fast Car".
Firstly she is a superb guitarist, simple yet captivating, her style is nostalgic of Baez and Mitchell. Secondly her voice, fusing elements of Nina Simone, Joan Armatrading and Natalie Merchant, it entertains throughout.
This was on eof the albums that kickstarted the female rock movement of the early to mid 90's. Even though Chapman doesn't try anything new, she pulls off her deliberate simplicity well. This album is more upfront and with experimentation would lose some of its allure.
There are an array of stylistic songs on offer here evrything from the alt-country/melodic rock of "For My Lover" to the a'cappella "Behind The Wall". This is so much more than just a simple pop record.
Her subsequent albums have failed to mtach the hype of her initial fame (save "New Beginning"), this shows an artist who is as honest as they are humbling.
Free Music Review: A stunning, fearless debut
Hit: 5 Stars
Tracy Chapman exploded onto the scene in 1988 with her debut single "Fast Cars." I was working in radio at the time, and recall when my Elektra rep told me she was going to send me something she knew I would love (she had a pretty good take on my personal taste). The CD single of "Fast Car" arrived, and it hit me like a sucker punch. The devastating lyric about social class and poverty entrapment was unlike anything on the radio at the time, and I knew it was something special. I am still proud to say that the station I worked for at the time was one of the very first to add the single to our playlist, and I had a platinum album of Tracy Chapman's debut in my office when the album hit number one.
"Tracy Chapman" is one of those fantastic moments in popular music; when an artist emerges fully formed with a debut that is prescient and fearless. Chapman had both a husky voice and a strong sense of melody, and yet the social voice she invested into her songs stormed over the average easy-listening pop. Her vocal assault of "Behind The Wall" is stark and haunting, echoing the violence of the song's lyric. "Talking About A Revolution" went straight for a lyrical jugular, there was no passive resistance here.
There was also a core of tenderness to be found here as well. "Baby Can I Hold You" was sentimental enough that Neil Diamond once recorded it. "If Not Now" is a plea to a lover to commit. And as a simple plea for peace amid the contradictions, "Why" is hard to beat. ("Why are the missiles called peace-keepers when they're aimed to kill?") Chapman also exudes confidence for the CD's 11 songs, enough that her notorious shyness is something you'd never guess at.
"Tracy Chapman" re-zoned the playing field in 1988 and won Chapman a best new artist Grammy. It remains her best recording (even though all her albums have fine moments, this is the CD that every song is top-notch). The full digital recording was one of the first from the early days of the CD and still sounds incredible. All the way around, a classic album.