Cozy Chapman Shares Her Satisfaction

What to wear to a Tracy Chapman concert?

Pajamas and a cozy afghan would have been perfect Tuesday at the Wiltern Theatre. That’s not to say it was a snooze. Though Chapman and her band often pushed the envelope of low-key, there was almost always something to keep the interest--from Chapman’s firm, understated vocals to her charming fumble through a story setting up an earthy version of the blues song “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.”

But, overall, there was such a sense of comfort and warmth that the effect was rather lulling.

“Let me speak the word, speak the word,” sang Chapman over and over again, mantra-like, at the end of the new “Speak the Word.” Of course, the word was “love,” whose glory she praised and whose security she coveted in song after song. Five albums and 12 years since she emerged as a restless, socially conscious troubadour with “Fast Car” and the simmering “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution,” that personal satisfaction is the predominant theme of her music, especially in 1995’s album “New Beginnings” (which returned her to commercial heights she hadn’t visited since her debut) and the new “Telling Stories.”

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In that context, 1988’s “Behind the Wall,” a solo a cappella tale of domestic violence, came as a rude shock half an hour into the show--though she quickly returned to the cozy vibe with “If You’ll Be Waiting,” featuring lovely viola tones from Allison Cornell, a new presence in the band, having only auditioned Tuesday afternoon.

However, Chapman closed the night by balancing her agitator side with her love songs. After playfully picking up the pace with not one, but two consecutive versions of 1995’s hit “Give Me One Reason” (the familiar bluesy style and a funky reworking), she encored with a robust take on Bob Marley’s call to action, “Get Up Stand Up”--a welcome wake-up that helped keep this from being a slumber party.