Zadie Smith’s recollection of seeing Tracy Chapman on TV (Zadie Smith on the magic of Tracy Chapman: ‘She didn’t just look like us – she was singing our songs’, 31 March) reminded me of attending a John Martyn concert at Sadler’s Wells in London in February 1988. When I enquired about who the support was, the reply was: “Just two girl singer-songwriters.”
First on stage was a quiet, shy dreadlocked young woman who performed her as yet unreleased debut album. Yes, Tracy Chapman. The audience were blown away. Second up was Tanita Tikaram, who was lovely and also went on to enjoy chart success. John Martyn was fabulous, as ever.
David Morgan
Fernwood, Nottinghamshire
• The excellent piece on Tracy Chapman may lead readers to think she dropped out of public view after her Mandela concert appearance in June 1988 until her Grammys performance in 2024. In fact, later in 1988 she appeared at Wembley stadium for the start of the Amnesty International world tour marking the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Trevor Brewster
Yeadon, West Yorkshire
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