Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)
| Matters of the Heart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 28, 1992 | |||
| Length | 43:34 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Tracy Chapman chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Matters of the Heart | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Calgary Herald | C[2] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A-[3] |
| NME | 3/10[4] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [5] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
| The Village Voice |  [7] |
Matters of the Heart is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on April 28, 1992, by Elektra Records. It was her first not to be produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum.
Track listing
[edit]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
Overview
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]Matters of the Heart received generally mixed reviews from music critics.
Musical style
[edit]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,[8] and Israbox took note of the "subtle elements of world music, blues, and jazz" included in the record.[9]
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
[edit]- Tracy Chapman – acoustic guitar, vocals
- Manu Katché – drums (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10)
- Omar Hakim – drums (tracks: 6)
- 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
[edit]- 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
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[20] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[21] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[22] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Parisien, Roch. Matters of the Heart at AllMusic
- ^ Obee, Dave (May 3, 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Browne, David (May 1, 1992). "Matters of the Heart". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Maconie, Stuart (May 16, 1992). "Long Play". New Musical Express. p. 32.
- ^ Gettelman, Parry (June 5, 1992). "Tracy Chapman". Orlando Sentinel.
- ^ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (April 21, 1992). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Matters of the Heart - Tracy Chapman | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Tracy Chapman - Matters Of The Heart (1992)". www.israbox.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2009.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Tracy Chapman | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 54.
- ^ "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.
