Album of the Day

Tracy Chapman breathed new life into the singer-songwriter genre with her eponymous debut for Elektra Records, released on this day in 1988. With spare production that places Chapman's strong voice front-and-center, the set recalls the sound of such early-'70s bards as James Taylor and Joni Mitchell as well as the political engagement of the early-'60s folk movement. While “Fast Car” was the album's biggest hit, all 11 songs are of a remarkably high quality, driving the album to multi-Platinum status and garnering three Grammy Awards. A touchstone album of the 1980s, TRACY CHAPMAN reached No.1 on the U.S. album chart, and its clear vision and passionate performances still shine brightly.