Tracy Chapman's "Let It Rain" is hauntingly beautiful. Wrapping her sultry, smoky voice around poetic lyrics, Chapman gives birth to an album that is just as remarkable as her previous work.
Although all of the tracks on "Let It Rain" are alike in soothing mellowness, each song tells a different story. Some, like "You're the One," are sweet and romantic. Others, like "Let It Rain," are optimistic and still others, like "Hard Wired," are dark and cynical.
Maybe it's the hopeless romantic in me, but my favorite song on the album is "You're the One." The lyrics describe the misconceptions everyone has about the narrator's lover. The narrator, however, is able to see past that, recognizing the beauty of her lover and confident enough to maintain that he's the one for her. The refrain sums up the song's theme: "Let 'em talk you down / Call you names / My mind's made up / It ain't gonna change / I'm sure in my heart / Happy and free / You're the one, you're the one / You're the one for me."
The title track is the album's first and is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Its lyrics remind me of Chapman's talent not only as a musician, but also as a remarkable poet: "Let it rain / As I walk these streets unknown / To no one named / Not even myself / When I'm low / Give me hope / That help is coming / When I need it most."
Throughout "Let It Rain," Chapman remains true to her roots. In every one of her songs, you can hear the influence of her background in anthropology and African culture, as she combines chant-like African rhythms with the folk music she used to perform in Harvard Square's coffeehouses.
Chapman is one of my favorite performers for a variety of reasons. For one, she has continued to produce gorgeous folk music in an age when so many musicians have enhanced their mediocre talent with computers and synthesizers. With Chapman's music, the listener is alone with the artist's raw voice, acoustic guitar and meaningful message. Thanks to the success of her music's raw production and lyrical honesty, Chapman is paving the way for a newer generation of folksingers and songwriters.
Secondly, Chapman uses her fame and influence for a wide spectrum of worthy causes, including human rights and racial equality. She has taken time out of her busy schedule to appear at charitable functions such as Nelson Mandela's Freedomfest and an Amnesty International concert in France.
I think her new work will please all Tracy Chapman fans. The same sincerity and raw talent that has won her a series of Grammys -- including Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Fast Car" 1989), Best Contemporary Folk Recording and Best Rock Song (for "Give Me One Reason" 1997) -- appear on this album. Her newer songs will not disappoint fans of her older hits, such as "Fast Car" and "The Promise."
Chapman never strays from the insightful and the meaningful, and she dares to walk the lines between genres. "Let it Rain" contains combinations of folk, spiritual and '40s-ish instrumentation. It's a poignant, worthwhile album, available just about anywhere, and I recommend you pick up your copy now.
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