Within five months following the release of her self-titled debut album in 1988, Tracy Chapman became the opening act for the 30^th September, 1988 ‘Human Rights Now’ concert held at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where this writer was one of the 70,000 plus attendees. The event, held to create awareness for both the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights on its 40^th Anniversary and to promote the work of Amnesty International, also featured other international artists and, in order of performance following Chapman, were Youssou N’Dour, Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Chapman’s debut album was first issued in India almost a year after its global release, thanks to music label Magnasound which had just become Warner Music’s exclusive Indian licensee, with the album being among the first 20 products on cassette, where this writer headed the international music vertical. However, for those not aware, the album was almost never recorded.

The person commissioned to produce Chapman’s debut passed away in a car accident well before the recording commenced. The label, Elektra (the “E” in WEA which, in its entirety, stands for Warner-Elektra-Atlantic), brought in a replacement with little known David Kershenbaum, who had previously worked with the likes of Joe Jackson, Elkie Brooks (who founded Vinegar Joe with Robert Palmer), Duran Duran, and Joan Baez.

The resultant production of the eponymously-titled album was a revival of sorts for the consummate singer-songwriter as Chapman’s 11 songs, ranging from two to almost five minutes, focused on social issues and political commentary.

The most obvious of them was the song that got Chapman signed in the first instance, Talkin’ ‘Bout A Revolution, where Chapman sang about those struggling to make ends meet, “Poor people gonna rise up / And get their share / And take what’s theirs”. However, it really was the first single off the album, Fast Car, which spoke about attempting to break the circle of poverty that really announced Chapman’s arrival to the world, “You got a fast car / I got a job that pays all our bills / You stay out, drinking late at the bar / See more of your friends than you do of your kids”. Then there was Baby Can I Hold You, an apology song that was made into a global hit by Irish boy-band Boyzone, in 1997. However, for this writer, the highlight of the album has to be the a capella Behind The Wall that talks about a husband’s abuse of his wife and, yet, there is no justice forthcoming from any law enforcement agency, “It won’t do no good to call / The police always come late / If they come at all.”

‘Tracy Chapman’, the album, in containing revitalized traditional folk ideals combined with social activism, remains as topical today as it did in the ‘80s with every song from Chapman featuring her gutsy, distinctive singing across a sound that remains both immediate and intimate. Little wonder then that it had worldwide sales in excess of 20 million units which will only get further enhanced with the passage of time.

Released on: 5^th April, 1988

Recorded: 1987-88

Duration: 36:11 minutes

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Parag Kamani

Parag Kamani has been part of the media and entertainment industry across 35 years, having worked for licensors such as Warner Music and EMI/Virgin in music, as well as Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures in the field of films. Parag continues pursuing his passion as a profession.