Tracy Chapman New Beginning 30 Years On | Full Podcast with Original Band
To mark 30 years of Tracy Chapman's New Beginning, Stefan Evans sits down with collaborator Aurélie Moulin and the musicians behind the record for a rare, in-depth conversation.
Featuring:
Rock Deadrick (drums)
Andy Stoller (bass)
Adam Levy (guitar)
Glenys Rogers (percussion)
Kiki Ebsen (keys)
This episode explores how New Beginning was made, the creative process behind the album, and what it was like working with Tracy Chapman during one of the most defining periods of her career.
Topics include:
Recording sessions and studio approach
Musical direction and arrangement choices
Stories from working with Tracy Chapman
Stories from a world tour and mutiple high profile tv appearances
The legacy of New Beginning 30 years later
If you're a fan of Tracy Chapman, Give Me One Reason, or 90s singer-songwriter records, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the era's most important albums.
4 Apr 2025
The debut vinyl reissue with Jeffrey Smith of Discogs and Brittany's Record Shop
Stefan chats with Jeffrey Smith, Vice President of Marketing at Discogs, and Brittany Benton, owner of Ohio-based Brittany’s Record Shop, to discuss the reissue of Tracy Chapman’s iconic debut album on vinyl for its 35th anniversary.
25 Mar 2025
Paying Tribute with Yemi Bolatiwa: Finding Tracy’s Voice in Your Own
Stefan chats with singer and musician Yemi Bolatiwa ahead of her upcoming Tracy Chapman anniversary tribute show in Manchester. They explore what it means to pay tribute without impersonation, the lasting legacy of Chapman’s work, and how one approaches the art of the tribute act with authenticity and respect.
11 Feb 2024
What Tracy Chapman will do next following THAT Grammy performance with Luke Combs
Aurélie Moulin and Stefan discuss that Tracy Chapman and Luke Comb's now legendary Grammy performance of 'Fast Car'. How it happened and what is next for Tracy Chapman.
30 Oct 2023
Jay Blakesberg on the B.B King - 'The Thrill Is Gone' music video shoot
I had the opportunity to chat with photographer Jay Blakesberg about his early career, which involved photographing Tracy Chapman in San Francisco during the early eighties. He also shared his experiences, including shooting B.B. King's 'The Thrill Is Gone' music video and creating the artwork for the 'Let It Rain' album.
25 May 2023
35 years of Tracy Chapman's debut album with Drummer Denny Fongheiser
We celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Tracy Chapman's debut album with a chat to drummer Denny Fongheiser who performed on that album and toured with Tracy Chapman at various points in her career.
We hear how the record was made and get insight into some touring anecdotes.
21 Oct 2022
Drummer Butch Norton: Performing on the 'Let It Rain' tour
Celebrating 20 years since the release of the 'Let It Rain' album, Stefan Evans talks to drummer Jonathan "Butch" Norton about his time touring with Tracy Chapman.
Tracy's "Big Ears", long sound checks and their Austin City Limits performance.
25 Jan 2022
Roger Bennett on how Tracy Chapman inspired him to become an American
Journalist Roger Bennett talks to Stefan Evans on the Talkin' Bout Tracy Chapman podcast. Roger discusses how Tracy Chapman inspired him to become an American citizen and how 'Fast Car' is the "single most human track" he's ever heard.
17 Feb 2021
How Tracy commissioned the Telling Stories artwork from Tim Hailand
In this episode, Stefan Evans talks to LA artist and photographer Tim Hailand about how Tracy Chapman commissioned him to produce artwork for her fifth studio album 'Telling Stories'.
Tim also recalls a hilarious tale of Tracy Chapman and Bjork sharing a gym together at the Chateau Marmont hotel.
3 Nov 2020
Tracy talks of Revolution and asks you to vote on Seth Myers
Tracy Chapman makes a rare performance of 'Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution' on 'Late Night with Seth Myers' ahead of 2020 Election. This marks her first TV appearance in five years. In this episode, we break down the performance; Brandon Stansell contributes.
21 Mar 2020
Recording 'Give Me One Reason' with bass player Andy Stoller
This episode, I'm joined by Andy Stoller. Andy talks about his contributions to Tracy Chapman's albums from 'New Beginning' (1995) through to 'Let It Rain' (2002) and also talks touring with Tracy during that time.
We also discuss the fact that Andy played the bass guitar on the hit single 'Give Me One Reason'.
31 Dec 2019
30 Years of 'Crossroads' with Matt Hocter
As we close 2019, I speak to journalist Matt Hocter as we look back at the legacy of Tracy's second studio album, 'Crossroads' and consider how its message is still very much relevant today.
7 Nov 2019
Touring and recording with Steve 'Deacon' Hunter
Stefan chats to legendary session guitarist Steve 'The Deacon' Hunter about touring with Tracy Chapman in the late nineties / early naughties; as well as performing with Pavarotti and contributing to the 'Telling Stories' and 'Let It Rain' studio albums.
15 Oct 2019
How 'Fast Car' inspired 'Dreams' with Gabrielle
This week I'm joined by the brit award-winning singer-songwriter Gabrielle who shares her memories of Tracy Chapman's rise to fame as well as how the song 'Fast Car' was the spark that launched her own career.
5 Oct 2019
Shooting 'Fast Car' video and debut artwork with Matt Mahurin
In the first-ever episode, I'm joined by Matt Mahurin. Matt is an acclaimed photographer and videographer who took the photo which became the cover of Tracy Chapman's 20 million-selling debut album and shot the 'Fast Car' music video. He tells us about his experience working with Tracy to create both iconic works.
Inside a recent episode
Tracy Chapman New Beginning 30 Years On | Full Podcast with Original Band
Published 7 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] That was one of my favorite memories. Thank you. Thank you for that. So Rocco, your fondest memory of it? I think just the whole process. I guess my fondest memory is the first auditions that we did because that was something that meant a lot to me and still means a very lot to me. Chasey chose me to work with and build this album, that album. with just as she wanted you know hey let's let's put a band together i think that for me it was was quite profound it was a good moment for me you know and it's lasted that's my fondest memories just putting it all together and watching it grow yeah but there there are plenty of episodes there's plenty of episodes i um just to inform everybody that I mean, not for a real downer moment, but Alvin, you guys remember Alvin? […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
