*Over in Love is available on the international edit, the US one has the instrumental version.

FIRST SINGLE FROM 'LET IT RAIN':

1. YOU'RE THE ONE
2. I AM YOURS
3. I AM YOURS (solo acoustic version)

SECOND SINGLE FROM 'LET IT RAIN':

LET IT RAIN WORLDWIDE RELEASE:

Switzerland: Oct 11, 2002
UK, Germany & Norway: Oct 14, 2002
USA, France, Canada: Oct 15, 2002
Italy: Oct 18. 2002
Spain: Oct 21, 2002

Co-produced by Tracy Chapman and John Parish (who already produced PJ Harvey, Eels, Giant Sand). The drummer Joey Waronker (REM, Smashing Pumpkins) and the guitarist Joe Gore (Tom Waits, PJ Harvey) participated to the album.

The PLANT STUDIO while recording
Let It Rain, summer 2002
Photo © Jay Blakesberg

LET IT RAIN OFFICIAL PHOTOS

Associated Press: Singer-songwriter Chapman
chills
By Kim Curtis, Oct 15, 2002

When Tracy Chapman burst onto the scene in 1988, her stunning debut, featuring "Fast Car" and "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," was an intelligent, pared-down folk oasis in a sea of synthesized dance music.

Chapman established herself as an angry young protest singer, but now, at 38, it's clear she's in love, and politics seems to have taken a back seat.

Her sixth and latest release, "Let It Rain," is full of soft, romantic ballads such as "In the Dark," "Almost" and "You're the One." They're all classic Chapman - brooding lyrics, rich vocals and understated melodies.

"Another Sun" is one of her best songs in years, with its funky bass line (performed by Chapman) and a bit of banjo (also played by Chapman) and steel guitar tossed in.

"Hard Wired" is the only track that even touches on political themes: "We've got a box to put in your brain/ Hard wired for downloading/ All the secrets and mysteries/ You've been selfishly withholding.

The Guardian [UK]: Tracy Chapman: Let It Rain
By Betty Clarke, Oct 18, 2002

Having sought universal change in the 1980s, Tracy Chapman has started to explore her personal inadequacies. The soft-centred sloganeering is replaced by lovelorn whispers, the youthful confidence mellowing to shy introspection. Wisely, she has chosen John Parish - PJ Harvey's producer - to bring an edgy sheen to these acoustic songs; he makes the most of Chapman's warm voice and slow-dripping emotion.

Another Sun, full of gorgeous gospel harmonies, is a sultry acceptance of death, while You're the One bristles with affection and nagging voices of dissent. Strangest of all is In the Dark, a nun-like tussle with self-denial. "Forbid the kiss/And leave us innocent/Of the things some do in the dark," she sings, her voice trembling with repressed desire. With spirituality and sadness joining forces in each carefully observed lyric, Chapman no longer needs a political conscience to be credible.

The Independent [UK]: Tracy Chapman: Let it Rain
By Andy Gill, Oct 18, 2002

Though the first flush of her career is well behind her, a substantial level of interest in Tracy Chapman endures. The retrospective compilation Collection was one of last year's surprise successes, shifting more than 350,000 copies in the UK, an achievement that the accomplished Let It Rain deserves to emulate. Her sixth album, it's co-produced by John Parish, whose subtle arrangements provide shading and emphasis for Chapman's songs without crowding them, leaving centre-stage free for her distinctive voice. Surrounding her acoustic guitar with faint touches of roots-music instruments such as banjo, dobro, steel guitar and accordion, along with occasional strings and vibes, the settings work with the material, led by it rather than forcing it in inappropriate directions. As ever with Chapman, it's the lyrics that are most striking, whether she's dealing with desire and sexual curiosity ("You're the One", "Happy", "In the Dark"), death ("Another Sun", "Say Hallelujah") or, in "Broken", the cultural dominance of photography: "A framed and frozen moment/ So far from perfection/ Not truth or transcendence/ Will set you free." The strongest political sentiment is probably contained in "Hard Wired", a song about the humiliations of reality TV, and the way that medium seeks to manipulate "all the secrets and the mysteries you've been selfishly withholding", turning them into "sit-com dialogue and advertising slogans". But she's just as effective in analysing the smaller-scale humiliations of being dumped in "Goodbye", noting how "It's all in the one word/ You hope will make you young again/ Goodbye."

BBC.co.uk: Tracy Chapman: Let it Rain

Fifteen years on from talkin' bout a revolution Tracy Chapman returns with her sixth album - and nothing's changed.

You're The One comprises twelve beautifully written, beautifully crafted, intelligent songs.

Tracy began singing in coffee houses and the streets surrounding Harvard Square whilst attending Tufts University, where she read Anthropology.

Her first album, Tracy Chapman, made her a star. It still makes appearances on album charts worldwide.

All the tracks are written by Tracy Chapman, co-produced by Tracy Chapman - You'll find her name under credits for playing acoustic guitar, clarinet, backing vocals, bass, hand claps, electric guitar - What doesn't she do? (Answer: Her name's not against the accordion credit.)

The singer-songwriter that produced Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You and Talkin' Bout Revolution hasn't lost any of her talent - but maybe some of her accessibility.

Cue the title track ---> Let in Rain. Rain. Never a crowd pleaser.

Track two. Chorus. 'If I never see another sun, If I never see another sun...' a song about leaving this world. Hmm.

There's hope. Track three : You're The One - even if others 'say you're bitter, think you're mean, uncouth, untamed and unrestrained.'

Life isn't simple in Tracy Chapman's songs - but then life isn't simple.

It's refreshing to have an artist who's music is very much her own, not the market fashion.

Music and songwriting with depth and feeling.

Tracy's rich voice, her chanting, enchanting.

Even reading the words of her songs is like reading from a poetry book.

Pour yourself a measure, turn the lights down low, sit back... and listen.

5/5