Tracy Chapman’s eponymous debut reissued on vinyl

Tracy Chapman’s eponymous debut album will be reissued on vinyl in celebration of its 35th anniversary. 

Originally released by Elektra Records in April 1988, Tracy Chapman has long been unavailable on vinyl and this anniversary reissue has been prepared for release by Chapman and the album’s original producer, David Kershenbaum.

Pressed on 180g vinyl and sourced from an analogue master, the album package will also include an insert of translated lyrics, which accompanied the original international release.

Featuring the classic singles Fast Car, Talkin’ Bout A Revolution, and Baby Can I Hold You, the album earned three Grammy Awards and went on to become one of the most successful debuts of all time, peaking at No.1 in multiple countries and selling more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Dream Come True

Chapman said: “I was just out of college when the album came out and for a young singer songwriter it was a dream come true – making a record, recording my own songs, releasing my first album. 1988, that year marked the beginning of what has been a humbling and thrilling experience, seeing fans around the world embrace these 11 songs. I really wanted to mark the 35th anniversary of the album, and so I am grateful to have this opportunity to reissue the record on vinyl.”

Over the course of four decades and eight studio albums, Tracy Chapman has created a body of work that has been as consistently compelling as it is honest and uncompromising, eloquently telling stories with perennial appeal that are at once personal and universal.

Impervious to trends, she has commendably stayed her musical course, earning the approbation of fans, critics and peers. Beginning with 1988’s multi-platinum Tracy Chapman, her musical journey has continued with Crossroads (1989), Matters Of The Heart (1992), 1995’s multi-platinum New Beginning (which featured the Grammy-winning single Give Me One Reason), Telling Stories (2000), Let It Rain (2002), Where You Live (2005), Our Bright Future (2008), and two best-selling compilations, Collection (2001) and Greatest Hits (2015).

Along the way, in addition to her four Grammys, Chapman has earned an American Music Award, two Brits, and a Billboard Music Award.

Enthralling The World

Chapman made her breakthrough performance at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert in London in 1988. In the words of the Guardian, “It was during the height of the era of fast-buck capitalism, at a televised concert celebrating Mandela’s birthday, that Chapman came out of nowhere and enthralled the world with her songs about social injustice.  Just her, an acoustic guitar and a hushed Wembley Stadium.”

Since then, she has appeared frequently in support of social and humanitarian causes, including Amnesty International’s Human Rights Now! Tour, the annual Bridge School benefit concerts, the Nelson Mandela Free South Africa Concert, Farm Aid, Tibetan Freedom Festival, Vote for Change, the Driving Votes tour, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and many others.

New Audience

Last February, Chapman made a surprise appearance at the 66th Grammy Awards, collaborating with country superstar Luke Combs for an unforgettable duet of Fast Car. Introduced to a new audience, Fast Car achieved new chart peaks across genres (including No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and No.2 on the Hot 100), and won two awards at the 2023 CMA Awards – notably Song of the Year for Chapman, who made history as the first Black songwriter to win in the category.

Following the Grammy performance, Chapman’s original version re-entered charts around the world, including the Hot 100, as did her debut album.

Tracy Chapman is reissued on 4 April via Elektra/Rhino Records and will be available on Black LP, Orange LP (Amazon exclusive), Oxblood Red LP (HMV exclusive) and Transparent Orange LP (Indies exclusive). Pre-order here

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