Customer Reviews

Where You Live

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tracey Chapman is one of the more underrated performers of the last twenty years. Every two or three years she releases an album filled with quality songs. Where You Live is no exception to this rule. The album is an appealing mixture of socially aware and deep lyrics set to an easy flowing mid-tempo beat. Ms. Chapman has one of the warmest voices in music and she employs it to perfection on tracks like "Never Yours", "3,000 Miles", "Before Easter" and the highlight track "Talk To You". "America" is another classic political charged song from Ms. Chapman and lets hope she continues to shine a light on the issues as she has done so admirably well for so long.

I wanted to post a review on this site to tell everyone that I recently attended Ms. Chapman's Edinburgh concert on 6th November which was part of her world tour. I've always had the greatest respect for her music and own most of her albums. Her "Debut" and "Matters of the Heart" albums have always been my favourites. She spoke to the audience on several occasions and came across as a shy, lovely and warm person. She sang all her most famous songs and many of the less well-known, yet equally powerful numbers from all of her albums. I can't begin to describe how this live concert confirmed in my mind just what a great gift to music her art is. It was truly affecting how she clasped her hands together in front of her while singing "Behind the Wall" and later performed "The Promise". It was all so incredibly moving. Of course, she sang about 4 or 5 numbers from her new album "Where You Live". She appeared so dramatic standing between two large drums (which she played), with her guitar around her shoulders while singing "America". It forcibly struck me how powerfully her songs communicated in the context of a live concert when perhaps certain of her more abstract songs are a little difficult to understand in the more intimate setting of one's own room or on a discman. I enjoyed this new album. It continues her tradition of great song-writing, offering thought-provoking, moving, conscience music. Treasure her America! She's that rare breed of an enduring Artist whose music is more relevant than ever in a somewhat jaded world.

With "Where You Live," Tracy Chapman continues to build on an important body of work. Her most consistent virtue (one among many!) is the choice she obviously made from day one, to use her wonderful writing and performing skills as tools to strip away the veneer of our daily comforts, and talk to us honestly about who we are, and where we are going. For many Americans, listening to the songs in this moving release will be like looking into a mirror, and for the rest of us, I hope they serve as an alarm of sorts, and an indelible reminder that this is where we all live. On several of these songs, Tracy's voice reminds me of the late great Nina Simone. Given the substance of their respective bodies of work, I believe both of them would be very comfortable with this comparison. This is a great record!

When her eponymous debut appeared in the summer of '88, Tracy Chapman was compared by many to Joan Armatrading, the most immediate and likely comparison people could think of--Joan, like Tracy, had a deep, soulful voice that she used to great effect on some really fine original songs. Frankly, however, that's where the comparison really ended.

As a fan of both, I can say there are significant differences--both have warm voices, but Joan's is more suited to jazz and R&B ("Someone said she's too black/And someone else said she's not black enough for me"), whereas Tracy's voice is folkier and a bit more raw in places. Perhaps a fairer comparison would be between Tracy Chapman and the legendary (and still performing in 2006) Odetta, since Joan hasn't worked in the folk genre since her very first album, Whatever's For Us (1973). Furthermore, their choice of material is very different; Tracy sings many more social and political songs, whereas Joan sticks mainly to love and relationship themes (especially notable on her most recent studio album, 2003's Lovers Speak, which I highly recommend, by the way...but I digress).

That said, Where You Live is truly a return to form for Tracy. Tchad Blake produced this album and remained faithful to Tracy's vision of a more stripped-down album, much in the vein of her first two albums; after those, she became very uneven. I didn't care greatly for 1992's Matters of the Heart and thus strayed away, only really paying attention when individual tracks like "Give Me One Reason" and "You're the One" would receive airplay. Tracy at 42 is certainly no less bracing than Tracy at 24, but her material is more diverse in its subject matter and more pensive--"Change" and "3,000 Miles" are the strongest proof of this--and the sociopolitical songs are still confrontational but less in-your-face ("America," a fine song, and a fairly direct indictment of the Dubya administration). The closing track, "Be and Be Not Afraid," has a very Buddhist feel in its message, and the spiritual colouring in Tracy's music is very welcome. Here's hoping Tracy continues to release material like this; it's nice to have her still around after all this time.

"Where You Live" is Chapman's 7th studio album, and it continues much in the same musical vein as her previous two albums, 2002's "Let It Rain" and 2000's "Telling Stories". Lyrically, Chapman is always on the money, and here she plies the same thematic ground familiar to her listeners such as racism, caste systems, oppression, relationships, the environment, and self-assessment. Every album of hers is consistent in the songwriting department and "Where You Live" is no exception.

So let me say this, as a Chapman fan from the very beginning, back when "Fast Car" was played on MTV (yes, that biodegradable music channel). I believe that musically, 1988's "Tracy Chapman", 1989's "Crossroads" and 1992's "Matters Of The Heart" had more to them in the melody and variety departments. Chapman's more recent work appears to be lacking in originality, but not in sentiment or honesty. With 17 years of recording behind her, why not take some musical chances? I really enjoyed "America" because it seemed like something new. I think she could have a hit with that one. The rest of the songs are finely written, but musically nothing new from Ms. Chapman. She's proven herself as a female Bob Dylan, and even sits next to Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, Carole King, Carly Simon, Janis Ian, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen as a great songwriter, but the difference is most of those artists stretched themselves creatively and musically as artists.

One weakness about Chapman is her deliberateness. in 17 years not a trace of irony, humor or lightheartedness.

"Where You Live" should satisfy core fans like myself, but if you are new, try starting at the beginning with her self-titled debut and work your way up.

I must say that "Never Yours" is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and I highly recomend this Cd to anyone who likes acoustic guitar, inspirational lyrics, and great vocals. I became a Tracy Chapman fan as a young boy and to this day I still enjoy hearing her songs.

Where you live is simple in its musical execution and, as always, brilliant in its lyrical depth. Tracy is as vital a song writer as America has.
The musical framework is a textured, understated mix of blues and folk and, after so many years of quality music, her voice shines through every song as strongly as it ever has.
The album seems to start off rather slowly (after the obligatory mid-tempo rocker, Change, to open with) then seems to pick up steam and settles into some of the most beautiful music Tracy has ever done. America, Love's Proof, and Before Easter are brilliant in my mind. There are no weak cuts, however.

A new Tracy Chapman album is a cause for celebration.

With an aged artist, expectations are frequently made only to disappoint, and considering Chapman's past success, they had to be high amongst her avid fans. With "Where You Live" Chapman meets these expectations only to surpass them. No disappointment here.

For years Tracy Chapman continues to amaze us with beautiful lyrics and astonishing songwriting abilities. On "Where You Live" this trend continues. All songs are powerful and really touch the heart. With the way things are shaping up today, there could not have been a better time to release this album! Congrats Tracy....I love your music!

Tracy always continues to amaze me with her stellar songwriting skills. Simple melodies, complex lyrics make Tracy Chapman one of the best singer/songwriters who have passed the test of time. This album shows and defines the true artistry of what is "folk music". Expresses emotion that very few artists can do.

I would highly recommend this CD. Probably one of Tracy's best, besides Telling Stories and Let it Rain.