Mary Chapin CarpenterCountry of origin:U.S. Type of music generally:Country rock, folk/rock, country/folk Status:Most recent album, The Dirt and the Stars (2020) See also:Mary Chapin Carpenter's site Comparisons:Patty Larkin, Shawn Colvin, Carrie Newcomer, Indigo Girls Covers/own material:Mainly writes or occasionally co-writes her own songs; some covers General comments:Mary Chapin Carpenter always finds a way to express the truth at the heart of the matter. From gentle ballads describing the smallest details of everyday life to uptempo songs guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and set your feet tapping, Chapin explores fearlessly the territory of the heart, and proves again and again why she has been one of the leading women artists on the U.S. country/folk scene for more than ten years. (Sherlyn.Koo) Recommended first album:Come On Come On or The Calling. (JoAnn Whetsell) Recordings:
Hometown GirlRelease info:1987—Columbia—40758 Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Recommended for country fans Produced by:John Jennings Comments:Mary Chapin Carpenter's debut album is a pleasant although not particularly memorable country album, mostly full of the kind of gentle ballads about life and love that Chapin does so well, all delivered in her lovely, wholesome voice. Highlights include the upbeat opening track "A Lot Like Me", about a man whom Carpenter met while singing in a bar; the title tune "Hometown Girl", and "Just Because", which muses on the mysteries of love ("Have you ever loved someone, just because?"). (Sherlyn.Koo) State of the HeartRelease info:1989—Columbia—CK44228 Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for country/rock fans Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Mike Auldridge—dobro, pedal steel Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:No pretensions here, just good old-fashioned country rock. The upbeat numbers include the rowdy playfulness of the opener "How Do" and the rockin' country of "Never Had It So Good" and "Quittin' Time", but perhaps the best song on the album is the ballad "This Shirt", which tells the story of an "old faded piece of cotton" and all the memories it holds. Chapin's songcrafting and ability to convey big feelings through the smallest details shine through especially on this track. Overall, an excellent album—one great song after another. Highly recommended. (Sherlyn.Koo) Shooting Straight in the DarkRelease info:1990—Columbia—46077 (US), 467468 (Australia) Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Recommended for country/rock fans Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Peter Bonta—keyboards, acoustic guitar, piano Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Another solid album, again produced by Carpenter and longtime band member and sidekick John Jennings. You can't help but think that Carpenter went through some kind of heartbreak while writing for this album; most of the songs are of the this-love-ain't-working ("What You Didn't Say", "Can't Take Love for Granted") or the I'm-gettin'-over-you variety ("Going Out Tonight", "The More Things Change"). But then again, both those subjects are typical country music fare, so perhaps not. At any rate, Carpenter manages to mainly avoid the trap of self-pity that many country writers seem to fall into. Especial highlights of the album include the Cajun-flavoured, guaranteed-to-get-you-dancing-along "Down at the Twist and Shout" (with added authenticity from guests Beausoleil), "Halley Came to Jackson" and the quietly sad "The Moon and St Christopher", one of Chapin's best ballads. Recommended. (Sherlyn.Koo) Come On Come OnRelease info:1992—Columbia—48881 (US), 4718982 (Australia) Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for country/rock fans Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:J.T. Brown—bass, vocals Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:A fine album, generally much more upbeat and with a much fuller "produced" (read "crossover mainstream", not that that's a bad thing) sound than any of Chapin's previous work. Standout tracks include the quirky "I Feel Lucky", in which our heroine stays home from work, wins the lottery and ends up flirting with Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yoakam; a cover of Lucinda Williams' "Passionate Kisses"; and Carpenter's first #1 single "He Thinks He'll Keep Her", which explores the motivations of a woman who leaves her husband of fifteen years to join "the typing pool at minimum wage". Including backing vocals from (among others) Shawn Colvin and both of the Indigo Girls, this is country/rock at its best. (Sherlyn.Koo) Stones in the RoadRelease info:1994—Columbia—64327 (US) 477278 2 (Australia) Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for country/folk fans Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Kenny Aronoff—drums, percussion Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Yet another excellent effort by Mary Chapin Carpenter, who shows that she is certainly not afraid to use music to tackle big issues. "John Doe No. 24" tells the life story, as Chapin imagines it, of a deaf and blind man who lived and died, nameless, in an Illinois mental institution. The title track describes the way that materialism has replaced patriotism and compassion in the post-war generation. But even under such deep subject matter, there is hope. The album's opening track, "Why Walk When You Can Fly", is unashamedly optimistic even in a world full of trouble and pain; "Jubilee" is about the power of love and friendship. Other highlights include the fun and funny "Shut Up and Kiss Me" and "The Last Word", an excellent addition to the field of "We're through" songs. Definitely recommended, especially for fans of country/folk. (Sherlyn.Koo) A Place in the WorldRelease info:1996—Columbia—67501 (US), 485185 2 (Australia) Availability:Available worldwide Ecto priority:Recommended for fans Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Pete Barenbregge—tenor saxophone Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:A Place in the World is a pleasant enough album although overall it seems to only display flashes of the brilliance displayed by Carpenter on her previous two albums. Highlights include the catchy "Keeping the Faith" and the gentle "Ideas Are Like Stars"; other tracks like "Hero in Your Own Hometown" are somewhat overproduced ("Hero" in particular shows great promise lyrically but the message of the lyrics is somewhat lost amidst an over-elaborate arrangement). Not a bad album, but not Carpenter's best work either. (Sherlyn.Koo) Between Here and GoneRelease info:2004—Columbia Records—CK 92429 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar, Leslie guitar Guest artists:Chad Cromwell—drums Produced by:Matt Rollings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:It's good, I like it better than her last one. Not amazing though, I tend to find her stuff really nice but tending to sound the same. The more I listen to this the more I am liking it though. So if you like her, it's a good one. If you don't like her, this probably won't change anything. The CallingRelease info:2007—Zoë Records—01143-1111-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, background vocals Guest artists:Russell Kunkel—drums, cajon, percussion Produced by:Matt Rollings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Mary Chapin Carpenter's last album, Between Here and Gone, was the best album she'd made in years. But The Calling just blows it away. That's partially because it's a more up-tempo album. But there are beautiful ballads here too; they just don't feel quite so slow. Overall, in the lyrics, the playing, there's more energy, more passion, more fight. Where the last album was more reflective, The Calling is more determined, taking a stand on personal politics and philosophy. (JoAnn Whetsell) Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of ChristmasRelease info:2008—Zoe Records—01143-1123-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar (3, 4, 7–10), harmonies Guest artists:Jon Carroll—piano (1–7, 9–11) Produced by:John Jennings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:A gentle and peaceful album that I believe is destined to become one of my holiday favorites. It's also fresher than most Christmas albums because the material is fresher—half the songs (6 in all) are originals, 3 are covers of songs I'd never heard before, and 3 are less-often performed traditionals. Together they address peace, hope, love, solstice, Thanksgiving, and religious and cultural meanings of Christmas simply, honestly, beautifully. (JoAnn Whetsell) The Age of MiraclesRelease info:2010—Zoe Records—01143-1133-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals Guest artists:Russ Kunkel—drums, percussion, shaker Produced by:Matt Rollings & Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Doesn't quite match the greatness of The Calling, but that album will likely stand as the pinnacle of her career, in other words, a lofty comparison mark. The Age of Miracles is probably about on par with Between Here and Gone. It starts out with a bang, fumbles a little in the middle, but gets back on track with the brilliant title track and the final song, which sends you off itching for a road trip. (JoAnn Whetsell) Ashes and RosesRelease info:2012—Zoë—01143-1150-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—vocals, acoustic guitar Guest artists:Russ Kunkel—drums, tambourine, foot, shaker, percussion Produced by:Matt Rollings and Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Songs of love and loss, of looking back and moving forward. A thoroughly beautiful album, similar in style to The Calling and The Age Of Miracles. (JoAnn Whetsell) Songs From the MovieRelease info:2014—Zoë Records—01143-1147-2 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Medium-low Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter Guest artists:Vince Mendoza—orchestra arrangements and conducting Produced by:Vince Mendoza, Matt Rollings, Mary Chapin Carpenter Comments:Some re-recording projects are unnecessary, with little differences between the new versions and the originals. This one is too often schmaltzy, not only adding an orchestra, but arrangements that really make the songs sound like a film score (complete with the sweeping phrases that film music is often derided for). Too bad, because the quieter moments when the orchestra is backing Mary's vocals are often quite lovely. But then the orchestra gets its Grand Moments of cheesiness and I really wish I were just listening to the original studio versions. (JoAnn Whetsell) The Things That We Are Made OfRelease info:2016—Lambert Light Records—LLR001 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals Guest artists:Chris Powell—drums (1, 3-11); percussion (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) Produced by:Dave Cobb Comments:A lovely album. A bit world-weary, the tracks are mostly mellow and reflective, though the middle section is more upbeat. The two bonus tracks (digital version only) are well worth having. I enjoy this more with each listen. (JoAnn Whetsell) Sometimes Just the SkyRelease info:2018—Lambert Light Records—LLR021 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Mary Chapin Carpenter—acoustic guitars, vocals Guest artists:Duke Levine —electric guitar, ebow, acoustic guitar, mandolin (7) Produced by:Ethan Johns Comments:A beautiful and instantly likable album, on the quiet and mellow side. Something of a retrospective, these are new recordings of old songs—one from each of her albums. But it all flows together, and I wasn't even aware these were re-recordings until I got to "Rhythm of the Blues" and "The Calling," the songs I'm most familiar with. It's high praise to say that I like these new renditions a lot (if not quite as much as the originals). I think this album is a good introduction to new listeners as well as a great addition for fans. (JoAnn Whetsell) Further info:Mary has a DVD, Jubilee: Live at Wolf Trap (1997). Thanks to Sherlyn Koo and JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry. 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