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I would call her a singer-activist, for without doubts Tracy Chapman is a singer who can sings songs that cannot be termed comfortable, with sheer ease. She is direct, honest subdued yet uncompromisingly strong, and so very different.
Tracy Chapman is definitely not a face from the crowd. She belongs to a league of her own. She started writing poetry and short stories, quite early in life. Though money was a problem in TC?s house she diverted her monetary shortcomings to the best use. She won an academic scholarship enabling her to pursue high school in Connecticut, shifting base from Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born and raised by her mother. In 1988 TC came up with her first music album, and ever since she has been labeled as one of the finest contemporary songwriters and a performer of striking originality, grace and charm.
Coming from a black family, TC is one artist who loads her songs with lyrics that reflect her sharp observations, deeply rooted in her personal experiences of growing up in deprivation. Yet this is not all about TC, she is much more than that. To know her one needs to listen to her songs. Her stories lie in there. All those who buy any of her records would never be disappointed- that?s my promise. Artists like TC come once in a while.
Tracy Chapman Collection (TCC), is an assortment of songs which come from her previous albums. TCC was released in year 2000. It carries songs with different themes like revolution, love and inspirational. In all, the collection is the best a fan of Tracy can ever get.
TCC comprises of 16 tracks. Tracy makes magical use of her skills in songwriting, acoustic guitar and singing to create an effect that tempts the listeners to come back again, and again.
I list below a few numbers that happen to be my favorite from this collection.
Fast Car, the opening track of the album lies close to my heart. It starts on a slow note, TC confessing and expressing her desire and looks optimistically at the future. She also creates a picture that she is sharing this dream with someone. The song at once breaks in to a jaunty rhythm, as fitting to the title- Fast Car. This track is TC?s first hit single and conveys the hope for a better life. The lyrics,
I have a feeling that I Belong
That I could be someone........
do something to you each time you play this song. The song ends with the statement,
You got to make a decision
Leave tonight or die this way
Baby can I hold you tonight is a love song- one of the best ever written and no one can else can sing it better than TC. She sounds absolutely aamazing in it. Boyzone has actually sung a cover version for it but have failed to create the same magic as TC has. It is a simple song but then simplicity always stands out?.does?nt it?
Coming to my next favorite, I would like to call it The Promise. It is a song beyond any measures to call it the best. It is so gentle, smooth, honest, direct and so close to my heart. I am addicted to and so used to listening The Promise again and again. It plays on my walkman when I go to sleep, and then again when I open my eyes in the morning. The promise is a song of a gentle loving, with a sense of hope attached to it. The lyrics is absolutely amazing-
If you wait for me
Then I?ll come for you?
Crossroads is a superb song. When I listen to it, I wonder how on earth Tracy manages to sing it with such ease. It is one of the best songs that I have ever heard. Crossroads deals with maintaining a sense of self. The words,
All you folks think you run my life
Say I should be willing to compromise
lurk in your mind, ( as if playing in the background) long after you have listened to it. It clearly emphasizes the message that TC conveys, that she wont compromise her beliefs for anyone or anything.
Bang Bang Bang is another personal favorite, Its got a great tune, lyrics and is a powerful song about the social hypocricy regarding the gun violence. She?s got the ticket, is a song with a reggae like quality and has a similar theme like that of Fast Car. It is full of bright optimism and carries the message that we can all leave behind the hatred, corruption and greed and find our place in the sun.
TCC is a great compilation. It can be best enjoyed in solitude. Buy it and enjoy the magic of TC?s songs. The TCC music cassette is priced at Rs.125. Go for it.
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