Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)

Matters of the Heart
Studio album by Tracy Chapman
Released	April 28, 1992
Recorded	1990–1992
Genre	Alternative rock, Folk Rock
Length	43:34
Label	Elektra
Producer	Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Iovine
Tracy Chapman chronology
Crossroads (1989) Matters of the Heart (1992) New Beginning (1995)
Singles from Matters of the Heart
"Bang Bang Bang" "Dreaming on a World"

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. It also marked a switch in her sound from contemporary folk to alternative rock.

Track listing

All songs written by Tracy Chapman.

1. "Bang Bang Bang" – 4:21
2. "So" – 3:26
3. "I Used to Be a Sailor" – 3:56
4. "The Love That You Had" – 4:11
5. "Woman's Work" – 2:01
6. "If These Are the Things" – 4:40
7. "Short Supply" – 4:23
8. "Dreaming on a World" – 5:03
9. "Open Arms" – 4:34
10. "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 & 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 (tracks: 2, 3, 7, 10)
• Randy "The Emperor" Jackson – bass (tracks: 1, 8, 9)
• Larry Klein – bass (tracks: 6)
• Bob Glaub – bass (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

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
Rolling Stone	[4]

The album failed to go gold anywhere except the U.S., and performed at a lower level on the charts than Chapman's previous two albums did. According to IsraBox, it was "slightly too different for many of Chapman's early fans".^[5]

Charts

Album – Billboard (North America)

References