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Anyone buying this record hoping for the upbeat M-CC of 'Come on Come on' could be disappointed as there is only one funky track 'Shut up and kiss me' (had me thinking Shania Twain, but it preceded 'Come on over' by a few months). The album is tuneful, the voice is enthralling and the lyrics are thoughtful, if a bit introspective. There is a recurring theme of loss and why it happens. 'Why walk when you can fly' has us expecting Randy Newman with the piano intro but then M-CC's soaring, unaccompanied contralto gets feeling all optimistic only to be reminded by 'House of cards' that it can be ephemeral. 'Stones in the road' starts by cosy reminiscence with her fan base of the sort of youth which most of probably shared then pulls us up with a wake-up call asking what happened to our good intentions for a better world. This is brought home even more brutally by John Doe No24 who never had much to lose because society only ever gave him its' small change. 'The last word'introduces the theme lost love carried by the pure mgic of 'Pirate days' and later by 'Jubilee' a celtic march of where the loss is another's but a shoulder is offered to cry on. 'When time stands still' is back to minor chords and moody navel gazing (the loss seems greater when it is yours, perhaps) the personal results of lost good intentions but 'This is love' changes the tempo with blank verse reaffirming that love conquers all if you let it. I enjoyed sharing her experience and being reminded that you reap what you sow.Read full review
This is a truly great album which I bought following purchase of two earlier Mary Chapin Carpenter albums. It has a good mix of tracks and includes the brilliant and emotive song "John Doe No 24", and the title track which is excellent too. If Nanci Griffith or the gentler side of mainstream cCountry is to your taste, you will really enjoy this album. I can't stop playing it and it sounds great on the Lexus sound system! Charlie Watts.
Not sure why I bought this, as I was looking for Jazz not Country ... but I sure am glad I did. Far more than 'Country Music' in that it overlaps many genres, all superbly written by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Some are thoughtful, some uplifting, some cynical, some sexy (eg the original and best 'Shut up and kiss me') but all are wonderfully performed. Even included a top jazz musician, if not out-and-out Jazz, on the poignant and beautiful 'John Doe 24'. Plus a mystery; what was the 'line that is missing' in 'Stones in the Road' ? ... feel sure that there is a story behind it. Terrific ... why had I never heard of this CD before? An inspired purchase.
Having heard a few tracks by Mary Chapin Carpenter on the radio I thought it might be a good acquisition and I was quite right. Not a bad track on this cd in my opinion. I love her use of words and melody especially in Pirate Days and John Doe No 24.
This is country,but it is not traditional nor is it Shania Twain.In fact on reflection it maybe more akin to the folk/singer songwriter scene. Whatever ,it is a fine introduction to a talented lady who has a great voice and writes thoughtful lyrics that avoid cliche and delivers hook-laden tunes.
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