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western
swing: an evening with tracy chapman
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HELP AMERICA CHANGE GEAR ] |
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Tracy
Chapman Embarks on Western Swing State Tour to Support
DrivingVotes.org
Tour
kicks off September 24th
Cities
Include Portland, Seattle, Santa Fe, Albuquerque,
Phoenix
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Seattle,
WA - September 9th, 2004 - Atlantic
Records and DrivingVotes.org
today announced that recording artist Tracy Chapman
will embark on a 5-date concert tour to benefit DrivingVotes.org,
a grassroots organization committed to reclaiming American
democracy by ensuring that Democrats in swing states
vote. The tour will kick off September 24th in Portland,
OR (See below for full list of dates and venues).
The tour, called "Western Swing: An Evening with
Tracy Chapman," will feature Tracy and her band
in a very intimate setting. These incredibly special
shows will help build on the momentum generated by the
Driving Votes Caravan, a cross-country trip that registered
thousands of voters, as DrivingVotes.org now transitions
its focus to getting out the vote. Tracy Chapman, an
artist whose concern for social and political issues
is reflected in her work, has frequently lent her voice,
her time and her passion to support political empowerment.
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Tracy
Chapman |
"The
upcoming presidential election is one of the most critical
in our nation's history. More than ever, every single
vote counts, and I want to do whatever I can to urge
every American to make their voice heard," stated
Tracy Chapman. "I am supporting Driving Votes because
they are doing an incredible job, reaching people on
the grassroots, personal level to make registration
easy. They are empowering new voters, those that previously
felt disenfranchised or unable to effect change. By
doing these small shows in these swing states, I hope
to remind each individual in those rooms, that they
can take action and make a real difference."
"We are thrilled to have the support of Tracy Chapman
as we translate our voter registration efforts into
getting out the vote," said Leighton Woodhouse,
Director of Field Organization. "Driving Votes
will be relentless in speaking with voters about the
stakes in the upcoming presidential election. Driving
Votes, through a network of volunteers in the swing
states and its collaboration with organizations like
America Coming Together and ACORN will empower voters
to take back their country from an administration that
is dividing America domestically and isolating it internationally."
Tickets for all shows will go on sale this Friday, September
10th. You can learn more about these events at www.drivingvotes.org
or www.atlanticrecords.com
Tour
dates and cities:
About
Driving Votes: Driving
Votes is a grassroots organization committed
to reclaiming American democracy by ensuring that
Democrats in swing states vote. The Driving Votes
website at www.drivingvotes.org makes it simple for
anyone to plan a grassroots voter registration drive.
The Driving Votes website has voter registration packets
for each swing state, information on which local groups
to partner with, and how to find areas with a high
percentage of Democrats. For more information about
Driving Votes, please contact Jennifer Kane, assistant
director of Driving Votes, at 415.505.5661 or jenny@drivingvotes.org.
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ARTICLE:
Tracy
Chapman tours the West
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 SEPTEMBER
25, Century Ballroom, SEATTLE, WA
Submitted
by: Bomb404
(originally on TC's official bulletin board)
Date: 09/28/04
I
didn't have the ticket and I thought they were all sold
out... But i heard about waiting at the door to buy
one so I did. Tracy Chapman performed a small venue
for Drivingvotes.org. She performed at the Century Ballroom
in Seattle on Capitol Hill. The Show was FIRE.
She
came out about 30 mins late, which was good cuz sometimes
it takes forever to start a show. She started out with
a song called "Hound Dog" i don't think it
was the Elvis version... the lyrics were different,
and the melody. The number was really bluesy and had
a rock edge. I was suprised how energetic she is on
stage. She was moving and swaying around with the band,
with her dreadlocks going everywhere. She was stunning
to see in person. Throughout the performace, she made
small statements about politics. I was shocked to see
how outspoken she was about her distaste for President
Bush. She even went far to say she was "#### off"
at the last election results. But Tracy was still kind
and subtle about how she said it, so it didn't come
off as mean spirited. It was interesting to see her
so open about her views, because it has been said that
she is very private. She said that we need to get as
many people as possible to register to vote, and hopefully
vote democrat. hehe. well anyway here is the list of
songs she performed in no particular order
hound dog
the promise
conquering america (her new anti-bush song its cool)
all that you have is your soul
another sun
telling stories
For My Lover
Fast Car (of course)
the house in New Orleans (nice cover)
come as you are (nice cover)
talking about a revolution (of course)
After
those songs, she left the stage and the audience was
still clapping and stomping away. She did the old leave
the stage too soon trick... and we begged for more.
She came out and did Give me one more reason... she
did the normal version and then immediately after she
did a more blues-soul version, saying the lines quicker
and with more vocal runs. The tempo of the song is a
lot faster than the orignal. She tore that stage up
and everybody was dancing. Then she did another blues
cover that was amazing... I didn't know that Tracy's
low vibrato had that much range. She was hitting the
high notes as well as the low. She had all the licks
and attributes of any skilled blues singer, in fact
after watching her i think she should do a whole blues
album. she has the skills for it. After that, the intimate
set was over. I feel lucky and blessed to witness such
a beautiful event. This concert proves that Tracy is
a true live performer and she isn't going anywhere....
SEPTEMBER 29, KiMO, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Submitted
by: Bobbi
Page
Date: 10/03/04
The Review: 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 begining
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 happend. Another Sun
started with a dreamy like intro and elvoled 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.
SETLIST
01.
Hound Dog (cover Big Mama Thornton)
02. For My Llover (Debut Album, 1988)
Talking
03. Telling Stories (Telling Stories, 2000)
04. Say Hallelujah (Let it Rain, 2002)
05. All That You Have Is Soul (Crossroads, 1989;
Collection, 2001)
06. Come As You Are (cover Nirvana, Nevermind, 1991)
07. Fast Car (Debut Album, 1988; Collection, 2001)
Talking
08. House of the Rising Sun (cover--folk song covered
by many people, probably Animals is most popular)
Talking
09. The Promise (New Beginning, 1995; Collection,
2001)
Talking
10. Conquering America (written 2000) lyrics below
11. Another Sun (Let it Rain, 2002)
12. Talkin'bout A Revolution (Debut Album, 1988;
Collection 2001)
Encore break
13. Give me one Reason (New Beginning, 1995; Collection
2001)
14. Howlin' for My Darlin' (cover--Lyrics: Willie
Dixon Music: Willie Dixon, Chester Burnett also performed
by George Thorogood and the Destroyers)
LYRICS
AMERICA
You
were lost and got lucky
Came upon the shore
Found you were conquering America
You spoke of peace
But waged a war
While you were conquering America
There
was land to take
And people to kill
While you were conquering America
You served yourself
Did God's will
While you were conquering America
The
ghost of Columbus haunts this worl
'Cause you're still conquering America
The meek won't survive
Or inherit the earth
'Cause you're still conquering America
America
America
America
You
found bodies to serve
Submit and degrade
While you were conquering America
Made us soldiers and junkies
Prisoners and slaves
While you were conquering America
America
America
America
You
hands are at my throat
My back's against the wall
Because you're still conquering America
We're sick and tired hungry and poor
'Cause you're still conquering America
You
bomb the very ground
That feeds your own babies
You're still conquering America
Your sons and your daughters
May never sing your praises
While you're conquering America
America
America
America
I
see you eyes seek a distant shore
While you're conquering America
Taking rockets to the moon
Trying to find a new world
And you're still conquering America
America
America
America
The
ghost of Columbus haunts this world
'Cause you're still conquering America
You're still conquering America
You're still conquering America
© Tracy Chapman, 2001
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