Customer Reviews

Tracy Chapman

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After almost 16 years and over 7 million copies of this album sold, each of these songs still bears an importance to just about anyone who is willing to listen carefully. Tracy Chapman tells stories, sometimes entertaining, always emotional, through her songs. Whether she is singing acapella or with accompaniment, her voice, lyrics, tone, and just about every facet of her tracks are inspiringly unique. Tracy Chapman is without imitation or contenders, for this album is truly without flaws. Besides being a work of art, it is excellent listening as well.

I think enough time has gone by that this album should finally be called a classic.

With a voice this expressive, lyrics this blunt, and a musical sensibility this exciting and haunting ... Tracy Chapman deserves legendary status for this album alone -- even though she's made more good ones since.

Hard to imagine anyone going through teenaged years without lying in bed and listening to this at least once or twice. It's gritty and honest -- brutal, yet strangely comforting all at once. Made a whole generation want to buy guitars and make up their own songs!

Winner of 3 Grammys in 1988 for Best New Artist (one of the few winners that were the best of their years), Pop Female performance (Fast Car), and Folk Album. It was also nominated for Album of the Year, and Best Song & Record. I was shocked to find out that she lost Best Song to Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy". While I remember McFerrin's song, it has not aged well. But "Fast Car" still sounds relevant, with its telling lyrics about people who reach for a better life. A theme in her album is a cry to the lowly to try to rise above their conditions. While she doesn't give an answer how, she gives words of encouragement to let others know that there is hope.
On this album a lot of musical genre influences can be heard. You can hear things from Pop (Fast Car) to Reggae (She's Got Her Ticket). This was labeled as Folk music but it has such a blend of styles that you really can't categorize it. It's a great album and is mentioned many times when people talk of great debuts and great albums of the 80's.

i love the song fast car. it is one of the most beautifully tragic songs ever.

Tracy Chapman debut album has become one of those classic albums you can't get enough...so well constructed, such an amazing lyrics driven, I can remember listening to this album before goin' into bed when I was 9 years old...I thought Tracy was a man...but then...she has such a magestic voice and a gifted talent to write songs, this debut should be consider her masterpiece, many highlights songs are crowded here, it's not fare to say that some are better than other, but for their meaning and their touch "Talkin Bout A Revolution", "Fast Car", "Across The Lines", "Behind The Wall", "Baby Can I Hold You" stand out, this is a classical album that still sells like a new record, great owning......

Tracey Chapman's self-titled debut is stunningly delicate and straightforward all at once. All the songs are ones of sheer beauty. Despite the fact there are no intruments in the song, Tracey pulls off the eerie "Behind the Wall" and uses her warbly voice as an instrument to speak out against domestic abuse. All the songs on here are more than listenable, but I don't particularly care for "Fast Car" (the one and only big hit). I myself prefer side 2 (still got my worn-out tape), but the only made-for-radio songs (Fast Car and Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution) are on side 1. If you decide to buy Tracey's debut, I suggest starting on the second half of the disc or tape, and then you'll appreciate her delicate beauty even more. This isn't a happy album, but that doesn't mean it's depressing, either. It's just realistic. It's also very insightful and inspiring, and I hope you love as much as I do

Standouts:
She's Got Her Ticket    
Why?    
For My Lover    
If Not Now    
For You
Mountains O' Things

This album is an essential recording in any collection, not matter what type of music you like. Tracy Chaoman's smooth vocals on a heart wrenching album with take you on an emotional journey only a few other artists (like Jeff Buckley) will take you on. My favourite effort here is Behind the the wall. A song that has no music and only tracy's voice, utterly spine-chillingly captivating. The album showcases what true talent can do on a debut album. Go get yourself a copy, it will be worth whatever you pay for it.

This CD is my favorite, it is probably tracy chapmans best, i think it really tells a story of tracys life in the songs as well as really keeping your ears in love with the music!!

I'm 13, and yesterday my dad was looking through his record collection for music I would like. He pulled out this CD, and set the needle down. It was beautiful. When her voice goes down for "whisper" in "Talkin about a revolution" I was hooked. This in an absolutely beautiful album, even better if you can get it on record. I can't say enough, you just need to hear it.

I cannot put this album in higher regard. This is one of the greatest records of all time. Chapman enters issues such as Racial Tension, Poverty, Domestic Violence, Love with such beauty. This is emotive music, Beautiful acoustic guitaring combined with a real 80's style faint drumming in usually the chorus.

This album is worth the money it sets you back. They don't make them like this anymore. No matter how many times those Boyzone f**kwits remake "baby can i hold you", they will always slaughter it. Tracey you are a genius.