Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)
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Matters of the Heart is the third album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music). It was her first not to be produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum.
Track listing
All songs written by Tracy Chapman.
- "Bang Bang Bang" – 4:21
- "So" – 3:26
- "I Used to Be a Sailor" – 3:56
- "The Love That You Had" – 4:11
- "Woman's Work" – 2:01
- "If These Are the Things" – 4:40
- "Short Supply" (Jigten; For Richmond) – 4:23
- "Dreaming on a World" – 5:03
- "Open Arms" – 4:34
- "Matters of the Heart" – 6:59
Personnel
- Tracy Chapman – acoustic guitar, vocals
- Manu Katché – drums (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10)
- Omar Hakim – drums (tracks: 6)
- Alejandro "Alex" Acuña – percussion (tracks: 8, 9)
- Mino Cinelu and Steve Thornton – percussion (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10)
- Michael Fisher – percussion (tracks: 5, 6, 9)
- Nellee Hooper – percussion (tracks: 9)
- Tony Levin – bass guitar (tracks: 2, 3, 7, 10)
- Randy "The Emperor" Jackson – bass guitar (tracks: 1, 8, 9)
- Larry Klein – bass guitar (tracks: 6)
- Bob Glaub – bass guitar (tracks: 4)
- Roy Bittan – accordion (tracks: 5), keyboard
- Charles Judge & Larry Williams – keyboard (tracks: 9)
- Mike Campbell – bouzouki (tracks: 2), mandolin (tracks: 3, 5), electric guitar (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 7)
- Vernon Reid – electric guitar (tracks: 1, 7, 8)
- Waddy Wachtel – electric guitar (tracks: 1, 6)
- Bobby Womack – acoustic Guitar (tracks: 9)
Production
- Producers: Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Iovine
- Engineers: David Bianco, Niko Bolas, Nellee Hooper, Femi Jiya, Bradshaw Leigh, Thom Panunzio, Mark "Spike" Stent
- Assistant engineers: Chad Blinman, Greg Goldman, Ed Korengo, Chad Munsey, Joe Pirrera, Rick Plank
- Mixing: Bob Clearmountain, Femi Jiya
- Mastering: Bob Ludwig
- Coordination: Susie Tallman
- Art direction: Tracy Chapman
- Photography: Herb Ritts
Musical Style
The record marked a notable switch in sound from Chapman's earlier works. Allmusic labeled it as "less bold and angry" than her preceding record,[1] and Israbox took note of the "subtle elements of world music, blues, and jazz" included in the record.[2]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C[4] |
| Rolling Stone | [5] |
| The Village Voice |  [6] |
Matters of the Heart received generally mixed reviews from music critics.
Charts
Album – Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The Billboard 200 | 53 |
| Sweden Top 60 Albums | 37 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[7] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[8] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/matters-of-the-heart-r55800
- ^ http://www.israbox.com/1146320298-tracy-chapman-matters-of-the-heart-1992.html
- ^ Parisien, Roch. Matters of the Heart at AllMusic
- ^ Browne, David (1 May 1992). "Matters of the Heart". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ Rolling Stone review Archived July 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Christgau, Robert (21 April 1992). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1992 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Matters of the Heart')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ "American album certifications – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2012.