A single and radio airplay are traditional ways of finding an audience for an album and that is how in 1988 I discovered the first album by the American artist Tracy Chapman. The single was Talkin' 'bout a revolution the second single from her self-titled debut album. Like most of the albums I have been listing, I bought this initially on vinyl. Apparently, many were not keen to record this album but it eventually got done in Hollywood, California in only eight weeks.
The lyrics are pretty political or to do with social issues but it is the music itself that is the attraction. people generally liked the album, especially its simplicity and her vocals. The socialism is noted too. It was a Number 1 in the UK, the US and many other places. Millions of copies were sold.
Three singles were eventually released from the album, the most commercially successful being the first Fast Car (one of the last songs recorded for the album). It was performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. The third single was Baby can I hold you?
I always thought Revolution sounded rather dated and it is no surprise to learn that it was written in the seventies. If not now... is a favourite track as I think this is a universal question applicable to all sorts of areas.
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