Today whilst I was browsing on Amazon, (okay, so I should have been doing work) I stumbled across the Tracy Chapman self-titled album I used t listen to with my mum when I was little, and on the spur of the moment, I bought it.
Now, I used to live this album back in the early 1990’s when my mum and I would go for long walks and sing the songs as we went along, but now, at 22, I really can appreciate what an incredible singer she is.
The album itself hit #1 on both the US & UK album charts since it’s release in 1988, and 20 years on, it still brings a tear to my eye with the emotion and memories it brings with each song.
There are few albums which have longevity like this one, but with each song another memory of happy times with my mum is unveiled, and it’s no surprise to me that this album was critically acclaimed and helped to launch the 1990s female singer-songwriter movement, which included artists like Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan.
Of course, you have the iconic Fast Car, and Baby Can I Hold You, which was covered by Boyzone quite recently. But it’s the likes of Across The Lines, Talkin’ Bout A Revolution and For My Lover that stand out for me. Probably because I was two young to witness them as chart hits.
No shock then, that in 1989, the album was rated number 10 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Albums of the 80′s.”
To me, it’s one of my top ten albums of all time, the memories it holds are truly priceless.
Ruth. xx
1. “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” – 2:39
2. “Fast Car” – 4:56
3. “Across the Lines” – 3:24
4. “Behind the Wall” – 1:49
5. “Baby Can I Hold You” – 3:14
6. “Mountains o’ Things” – 4:39
7. “She’s Got Her Ticket” – 3:56
8. “Why?” – 2:06
9. “For My Lover” – 3:12
10. “If Not Now…” – 3:01
11. “For You” – 3:09
I’m going to see her perform this coming Tuesday in San Diego. A buddy of mine is part of her sound crew, so I’ll get to go backstage as well. I have fond memories of this album, as well, and an old folk band of mine used to cover “For My Lover”.
TRACEY CHAPMAN
I love her Passionate Vocals, her Sexy Rythms, her Unique, Soft-Strong Voice and her Funny yet Romantic, Lilting Melodies.
Why is it that the most depressing repetitive rubbish released by people who can’t sing are so often the ones people call “classics”?
Just because something is “critically acclaimed” doesn’t make it any better than the next whiney piece of garbage people are fed on mainstream radio.
There’s a reason Tracy Chapman disappeared from the music scene after her one and only hit “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution” and the only reason that one song got air play was because of the political message behind it.
Of course, I know you won’t post this response, because FF only posts replies that are in agreeance with the opinions of the author of the article.
As you can see Jimmathy, we did approve your post, and also, with regards to your comment (and lots of people disagree with the things i write);
“There’s a reason Tracy Chapman disappeared from the music scene after her one and only hit “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution†and the only reason that one song got air play was because of the political message behind it.”
You will be surprised to hear that Tracy has had a number of albums since, including one just last year… so try checking your facts because you start making such remarks, or you’ll just make a fool of yourself.
@Jimmathy
“because FF only posts replies that are in agreeance with the opinions of the author of the article”
then check this out!
http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/Little+Boots-27570.html
There are plenty of other examples, but no easy way to go through and dig them all out
The main reason that most comments appear positive is that a) most comments we get ARE positive! and b) most people who disagree do so in a fashion that includes liable/slanderous comments and uncalled for personal attacks
which we cannot really allow to go up for reasons of legality and good taste
@Jimmathy – You’ll probably find, as pointed out by the OP that Tracy has recently released her 8th Studio album ‘Our Bright Future’ to even more critical acclaim. She has also just finished a very successful 26 date European tour and is currently touring America.
On top of this its actually a song taken from her forth album ‘New Beginnings’ which gave Tracy her biggest hit in America ‘Give Me One Reason’ and her 4th Grammy Award!
Not so much a one hit wonder, but rather an artist of extreme talent and one who will go down as one of the best artists of her generation! You might also like to listen out for her collaboration with Herbie Hancock coming in 2010.
Ruth, Allow me to correct YOU on the facts. When I stated Tracy Chapman disappeared from the music scene, I was referring to airplay. Anyone can record an album, but if no-one is listening to it, they aren’t part of the music scene.
Admin, perhaps you shouldn’t be so worried about people posting liable/slanderous comments and uncalled for personal attacks ‘for reasons of legality and good tastes’ when members of your staff do that with tabloid articles every week.
[edited by admin] (from here it descends into similar remarks as we commented on previously)
@Jimathy: We are a celebrity gossip magazine website, and we deal in celebrity gossip! maybe you might find things a little close to the bone, but we still have PR people and agents queuing up to get their people featured on our pages and invite us to events
It is one thing to have staff members’ comments on our site, but random strangers is a more delicate area