Tracy Chapman

Oh sure, you remember “Fast Car,” the strummy singalong that launched Chapman in 1988 from the subway stations of Boston to MTV and beyond. But she’s had five albums since then, mostly working below the radar—the natural result, perhaps, of someone who helped usher in the now-dated era of the politically correct college-radio singer-songwriter. New Beginnings in 1995 brought her back to mainstream radio with the straight though sedate blues of “Give Me One Reason,” and now she’s touring on the strength of last year’s Let It Rain, a quiet folk-soul album that puts her clear baritone right up front where it belongs. Orpheum, 910 Hennepin Ave., (612) 339-7007, www.hennepintheatredistrict.com