Customer Reviews

New Beginning / Talkin Bout a Revolution

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I managed to get this CD from my sister and just listened to it

today. With most folk, blues albums it'll take me a couple of

listens to really like them, but this album was different.

Tracy's voice is powerful and on point. She also has a lot

to say and says it with feeling. I believe the folks who gave

a bad review because the whole album isn't like "Give Me One Reason"

did the album an injustice. These songs are still relevant today

and sound very good even 10 years later. That's saying a lot.

I heard "The Promise" over my car radio the day after my mother passed away - I knew it was Tracy Chapman but was unfamiliar with the particular song but somehow it spoke to me. I immediately searched for & purchased this CD and played the song, "The Promise" at my mother's funeral. I cannot tell you just how much it has meant to me...it was as though it was a sign from my mother. The lyrics are incredible as a stand alone poem and so moving when heard through Ms. Chapman's vocals. I have played this CD repeatedly and my affection for this recording as increased.

Every song on this CD cuts right to the soul. This is folk music tinged with blues and rock and soul...lyrics worth listening to. I only hope Ms. Chapman keeps putting her music out. I believe her negative reviews are coming from hiphopsters and rappers expecting somthing else. Tracy's music is folk. I dread the day where talented singer- songwriters are completely replaced by throwaway commercial [...] music. Make no mistake, each song on this CD is poetry, messages for the listener, pure art. I consider her right up there on the same level as Dylan. If your into quality listening...buy this one.

Ok, I understand the "Give me 2 reasons" review only because the radio release of Give Me One Reason was a bit of false advertising. But come on people, you can listen to a CD before you buy it now! This is, without question, my favorite of her collection. It is a rare gem that takes you on an emotional journey through the heart and the world. At this Point in My Life is as real as it gets in life. If you can't be this honest in love, then what's the point? The live performance of Promise at Lillith Fair in '97 made me cry and it was the first time I heard this song: my first Tracy Champan experience. Remember the Tinman? I think we all know the Tinman in this life and I wonder if this song refers to mankind. Lastly, I'm Ready is rightfully placed at the end. This song is enlightening and is reason alone to have purchased this CD. "Gonna wake up and know where I'm going...I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me". This is the most beautiful song I've heard from Tracy.

If you LOVE emotional music, buy this one and Tracy's debut album.

I have eclectic tastes in music (alternative rock, R & B/soul, reggae, folk) -- yet this is truly one of my favorite CDs...
I am not sure if it is truly brilliant, but I definitely emotionally & musically connect with it. Tracy has grown (up), demonstrated by the increased nuance and textures...
Surely one can't expect the naive & angry freshness of her debut... Instead this satisfies more, and yet avoids "middle of the road" status. "New Beginning", "Cold Feet:, & "The Promise" are amazing songs (melody, lyrics, textures).

Wonderful stuff.

Cheers.

I am a new devotee of Tracy after hearing a song on the radio. I love the whole CD, but "Promise" could break your heart. The feeling she puts in the song feels like she's been there.

It's a shame that Tracy Chapman doesn't do more recordings, but that is probably because she writes her own material and doesn't want to sound like everyone else. She definitely doesn't and that's an excellent thing! Among the 3 "favorites" that I have on this CD is the mellow "Smoke and Ashes," the bluesy "Give me Just one Reason," and "I'm Ready." This is good listening and would be comparable to a fine aged wine. Her Rich voice dominates, with mellow undertones. Class. Pure and Simple.

The is without question Tracy Chapman's best CD. I liked every song the first time I played the CD. Just as I did the first time I heard her debut. I fell in love with her music when a co-worker suggested her first CD to me. I had never heard of her before then. It was only after this that I began to here "Fast Car" on the radio. When I first heard The Tracy Chapman CD I was in love. I have everyone of her CD's. She must be doing something right. Her record company has not dropped her in all these years. I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert this past weekend and she was outstanding.
Critics refer to "New Beginning" and her comeback. I have never understood this. As far as I am concerned she has been consistent with her music. All of her releases deserve 5 stars. I buy all of her CD's without first hearing them. Tracy has not disappointed me yet. She has remained true to her art.

First and foremost let me say that i'm not a great lover of folk music. That said this album is absolutely fabulous. There's so much feeling and emotion in these songs you've just got to love it. And that's coming from an r&b, jazz, rap fan.

Like a previous reviewer, I purchased this CD primarily on the strength of the Give Me One Reason track. I thought that Tracey had decided to go down a different path. One more blues oriented. Although the album is predominately folk there's enough soul in them to satisfy open minded fans of the soul/r&b genre.

Most of all the album is a thought provoking social commentary on love, the environment, maturity just to name a few.

And there simply isn't a bad track on the disk. I have certainly found myself listening to this 'Serenity Disk' much more than I anticipated.

As this is my first purchased Tracey Chapman disk I feel that I need to revisit her previous recordings. Perhaps I as many other listeners just wasn't ready or didn't have the level of maturity or experience necessary to appreciate what Ms. Chapman has to say.

A PLUG AND PLAY DISC. Well worth the purchase price.

This CD is, in my opinion, Tracy's best work to date. The listener is taken from one emotion to another through Tracy's music. "One Reason" is impossible to sit still to. It has recieved so much air play that most everyone is familiar with it, but there is much more on this CD that deserves as much attention. "Cold Feet", "Smoke and Ashes", and "I'm Ready" are relaxing tunes with a serious message. There is something for everyone on this CD; a little blues, a little easy listening and a little storytelling, all classic Tracy. By far, my favorite offering by Tracy Chapman. A must have if you want to familiarize yourself with the music of this versatile and talented musician.