Music review: Tracy Chapman, Greatest Hits

Tracy Chapman

1988 was the year when Tracy Chapman went from busking in Harvard Square to a memorable assault on the American charts, the Billboard Music Awards, and the Grammy Awards, with her first single Fast Car.

Her sound was fresh, unadorned and catchy and has remained so over the 27 years since.

Remarkably this is the first collection of her significant contribution to pop music's history over the last three decades. And let's just say the long wait has made it's delivery even more special.

Tracy Chapman has collected four Grammy Awards along with a clutch of gongs from the Brit Awards, the Billboards, the American Music Awards and MTV.

Once you start listing the string of hits that followed Fast Car it's easy to see why her success happened.

Give Me One Reason, Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution, Baby, Can I Hold You, Crossroads, New Beginning and Telling Stories all remind us just how different and compelling Tracy Chapman's sound is.

Tracy Chapman

Greatest Hits brings together 18 of her most notable songs, including a version of Ben E King's Stand By Me performed live on one of the last episodes of the Late Show with David Letterman.

Tracy Chapman's Greatest Hits is a timeless journey alongside a massively talented singer songwriter.

4/5 stars