Tracy Chapman - 2004.09.29
Kimo Theatre - Albuquerque, NM

taper:
Karl Frinkle (specialK)
kfrinkle@math.unm.edu
www.math.unm.edu/~kfrinkle

source: Sound Professionals Premium AT Slimline Cardioids > SPSB-3@69Hz Battery Box > Nomad Jukebox 3(Line-In)
location: 5 feet from the stage, to the right of center in the front row.
transfer: Nomad Jukebox 3 > Firewire > WAV > Wavelab
modifications: magik

disc 1 - 45:25 - Tracy Chapman
Hound Dog
For my lover
talking
Telling Stories
Say Hallelujah
All that you have is Soul
Come as you are
Fast Car
talking
House of the Rising Sun

disc 2 - 39:34 - Tracy Chapman
talking
The Promise
talking
Conquering America
Another Sun
Talkin' about a Revolution
encore break
Give me one Reason
Howlin' for My Darlin'

The Review (From Bobbi): Tracy Chapman's Driving Votes Swing Tour Tracy performed with drummer, and bass player in
an truly wonderful venue, the Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuqueruqe.Tracy came onto the stage and jumped right into
a rockin' Hound Dog (similar version to the Santa Fe 2003), swaying and singing. Afterwards breaking into a softly
sung For my lover. She then spoke of her mission, Driving for Votes garnering cheers and claps (apparently no
Republicans in the house--suprise, surpise). She broke into a soulful Telling Stories, then into a spirited Say
Hallelujah--the bassist jamming out. Of my three (which went from one to three as I reconsidered the concert) favorites
of the concert, All that you have is soul, brought tears to my eyes for Tracy's intensity and how she had combined into
words and notes such feeling. The surprise of the concert was a cover of Nirvana's Come as You Are that was (IMHO) as
good as the original (special note--except for Tracy's, I usually dislike covers). Tracy continued with Fast Car which
received a strong applause. And then again she spoke of her mission, discussing the importance of being a part of the
vote. Then she performed an extraordinary version of House of the Rising Sun which sent me back to New Orleans in a
flash. I could almost imagine her playing at some juke joint filled with smoke and whiskey. She mentioned again her
purpose--she had warned us at the beginning that she would mention at every opportunity--register to vote--especially
if you are democrats! It's incredible the emotion she generated with The Promise even so quietly sung. Tracy then
started to introduce a song she had written in 2000 although not released; she wanted to clarify because it was so apt
at this point in time in the United States and the world. At one point, during her discussion some male shouted "Sing"
which seemed to shock everyone into silence, however Tracy kept talking and begun Conquering America, which was one of
my three favorites and again drove me to tears as I mourned for the people who have been slaughtered for the gains of
a few and are now as we speak still being killed while "conquering America." I realized the ultimate purpose of music
and the genius of Tracy--her identification and exposure of those whose voices are silenced. After finishing, she said
as she pulled out another flyer announcing the Driving for Votes,"I'm doing this to annoy the guy who told me to sing." 
This received an amazing amount of applause from the audience, who finally getting over the shock, realized what had
happened. Another Sun started with a dreamy like intro and evolved into a soulful, almost trip-hop vibe--yet darker. 
Tracy loading up on the revolutionary spirit continued with Talkin' about a Revolution. She jaunted off afterwards and
the dutiful fans in front pounded on the stage, clapping, and cheering when she returned. Give me one Reason bringing as
always wild cheers flowed into the best version of Howlin' for My Darlin' that I have heard...wild applause followed as
the theatre lights came on. It was truly a wonderful show.

Addendum: My only complaint is a huge complaint and has nothing to do with Tracy, but her insensitive, rude audience. 
They gave Tracy and her band an extraordinary welcome and copious applause throughout the show and supported her mission
and overwhelmed the rude jerk who shouted 'sing' while Tracy was discussing her new old song. So what is my complaint?
Those rude fuckers who sing and talk while Tracy is singing and talking. They so overpower her voice on some of the
songs, that I could barely hear her sing. To all you rude fuckers, I CAME TO HEAR HER SING---not your third rate, out of
tune voice. Sing in your car. Sing in your house. Sing whenever you goddamn want to, but NOT at the concert that I paid
to hear TRACY sing. Shut the fuck up. I heard people discussing going to her other show, while she was singing...dimwits,
why pay all that money and waste all that time going to shows, if all you are doing is talking about bullshit? It's not
like you're solving world hunger or curing cancer--nobody really cares what you have to say anyway. You may go to her
shows, but you aren't paying attention so it doesn't count. This isn't social hour--go to coffee before or after; go to a
bar before or after--but during the show, shut up. You may think I don't want people to clap or applause--on the
contrary, clap along, cheer when appropriate, but shut your trap--shove another burrito in it. The total disregard for
others at the concert is not acceptable, however understandable since most people are rude, insensitive fucks to begin
with; however you, who claim to enjoy and appreciate Tracy, are talking and singing while she is performing. You are so
fucking rude. Fuck! This was dedicated to the fat fucks who sat behind me at the concert and wouldn't shut the fuck up.

Addendum to addendum: For those vapid talkers who were dismayed at Tracy's political statements, read her lyrics--look
at the concerts she has played--Tracy is very politically outspoken.

The Recording: The recordings came out pretty good. As with all Tracy Chapman shows, there are loud songs and quiet
songs. To this end, there is some contrast in volume on different songs, and when she is speaking, it is hard to hear
what she is saying. Overall though, these are small things, and everyone who likes Tracy Chapman will enjoy this
recording.