Tracy Chapman (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Tracy Chapman
Type = studio
Artist = Tracy Chapman


Released = April 5, 1988
Recorded =
Genre = Contemporary folk
Length = 36:11
Label = Elektra
Producer = David Kershenbaum
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:oe811v0jzzca~T1 link]
*Robert Christgau (B+) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1617&name=Tracy+Chapman link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tracychapman/albums/album/107504/review/5941277/tracy_chapman link]
Last album =
This album = "Tracy Chapman"
(1988)
Next album = "Crossroads"
(1989)

"Tracy Chapman" is the self-titled debut album by singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music).

History

The album was critically acclaimed and helped to launch the 1990s female singer-songwriter movement, which included artists like Tori Amos, and Sarah McLachlan. Although the song "Fast Car" was a huge hit, subsequent singles failed to replicate its success.

"Tracy Chapman" was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album and "Fast Car" gained Chapman an award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 31st Grammy Awards in early 1989.

In 1989, the album was rated number 10 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Albums of the 80's." In 2003, the album was ranked number 261 on "Rolling Stone's" list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. According to Media Traffic "Tracy Chapman" is the 74th most successful album of all time [http://www.mediatraffic.de/alltime-album-chart.htm] .

Track listing

#"Talkin' Bout a Revolution" – 2:39
#"Fast Car" – 4:56
#"Across the Lines" – 3:24
#"Behind the Wall" – 1:49
#"Baby Can I Hold You" – 3:14
#"Mountains o' Things" – 4:39
#"She's Got Her Ticket" – 3:56
#"Why?" – 2:06
#"For My Lover" – 3:12
#"If Not Now..." – 3:01
#"For You" – 3:09

Personnel

*Tracy Chapman – acoustic guitar, percussion, rhythm guitar, vocals
*Ed Black – steel guitar
*Paulinho Da Costa – percussion
*Denny Fongheiser – percussion, drums
*Jack Holder – organ, dulcimer, dobro, piano, electric guitar, Hammond organ, sitar
*Steve Kaplan – harmonica, keyboard
*Larry Klein – bass
*David LaFlamme – electric violin
*Bob Marlette – keyboard

Production

*David Kershenbaum – production
*Brian Koppelman, Don Rubin – executive production
*Kevin Smith – engineering
*Kevin Smith – mixing
*Carol Bobolts – art direction
*Matt Mahurin – photography

Charts

Album