Tracy Chapman - One Bright Future

It’s been 20 years since Chapman shocked the world with the stark realism of her hit “Fast Car,” as powerful in its grim depiction of dead-end inner-city life as classic Bob Dylan protest songs. Although she’s written other Dylan-like numbers, including “Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution,” Chapman has never really lived up to her early promise. Still, her voice and story songs continue to express a deep conviction. Here, she even strikes a humorous note on “I Did It All,” a jazzy satirical number about celebrity culture.

Nov. 11