Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman

In 1988 a clear and distinctive voice gained well deserved critical acclaim when a gutsy and politicised Tracy Chapman released her eponymous debut album. Heralding in a new era of highly original female singer songwriters that included Sarah Mc Lachlan and Tori Amos.
From the simple unblinking clarity of Why "Why are all the missiles called peacekeepers when they're aimed to kill" to the almost painful tenderness of Baby Can I hold You, Tracy Chapman provided the Bush Sr. era with a radical, brave and confrontational voice, wrapped up in simple and clean production.
The stand out single is Fast Car. Chapmans biggest hit to date it took on social class and poverty in modern day America with unapologetic confidence. Similar themes are tackled with the album opener Talkin' About A Revolution "They're standing in the welfare lines, crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation"
In Across The Lines the black/white divisions "kill the dream of America" and the haunting acapella Behind The Wall lays bare the realities of domestic violence "Last night I heard the screaming,Then a silence that chilled my soul, I prayed that I was dreaming, When I saw the ambulance in the road"
These are protest songs, and Chapmans melodic ability and distinctive voice took them to the airwaves and the charts.
This is a timeless album, tackling themes that unfortunately almost 20 years later, are even more relevant today.

Track Listing
1. Talkin' Bout A Revolution
2. Fast Car
3. Across The Lines
4. Behind The Wall
5. Baby Can I Hold You
6. Mountains O' Things
7. She's Got Her Ticket
8. Why?
9. For My Lover
10. If Not Now
11. For You