The Last Protest Singer

The Last Protest Singer includes songs Harry Chapin was working on at the time of his death. These songs were being written for a politically-themed musical Harry was planning. Sandy Chapin mentions the martyred Chilean folk singer Victor Jara as an influence on this play.

The initial recordings for the album were made in the spring of 1981 shortly before Chapin's death. At the time Boardwalk Records held the rights to the music. The music was in limbo after Niel Bogart passed away and Boardwalk Records went bankrupt. Sandy Chapin acquired the right to the music 1985, resulting in the 1988 release on Dunhill Compact Classics label subsequently rereleased on the family's Harry Chapin Music label in 2002.

Track listing

1. "Last of the Protest Singers" - 4:41
2. "November Rains" - 3:46
3. "Basic Protest Song" - 4:28
4. "Last Stand" - 4:38
5. "Sounds Like America to Me" - 4:27
6. "Word Wizard" - 4:14
7. "Anthem" - 3:48
8. "A Quiet Little Love Affair" - 2:48
9. "I Don't Want to Be President" - 4:00
10. "Silly Little Girl" - 3:26
11. "You Own the Only Light" - 4:11

Performance credits

• Harry Chapin - six and twelve string acoustic guitar
• Tom Chapin - six and twelve string acoustic guitar
• Steve Chapin - acoustic piano
• Pat Coil - acoustic piano
• Bill Lanphier - bass guitar
• John Wallace - bass guitar
• Howie Fields - drums and percussion
• M. B. Gordy - drums and percussion
• Grant Geissman - electric guitar, six and twelve string acoustic guitar
• Doug Walker - electric guitar
• John Cobert - synths, acoustic piano
• Clair Marlo - synths

Production credits

• Keith Walsh - mixer, production
• Steve Hoffman - mastering
• Claire Marlo - production
• Marlene Bergman - art direction
• Dennis Garrels - cover photo
• Steve Stout - booklet photo
• David Gahr - disk photograph

Release history

Country	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1988	Dunhill Compact Classics	CD	DZS 041

External links

The Harry Chapin Archive include notes on the production of this album.