Mary Chapin Carpenter is a singer-songwriter with lots to say, and a big heart for animals.
Carpenter, who just released "The Calling" on Zoe/Rounder Records, advocates for them in her liner notes. She encourages fans to "support your local animal shelters and local animal rescue." She thanks "Brent Jacques of Animal Connections for his help and his compassion toward all creatures that he finds loving homes for; Joey Clark for caring so perfectly for my dogs; the flamigos and the rest of the flock ... and all my love to the critters." That's her with her dog Cal, shot in California while touring in 1996.
You always know the things you're going to get with one of her albums: sophisticated lyrics, great melodies and music, and one heckuva message. On "The Calling," Carpenter has plenty to say in her cerebral and intimate way. She's a coffeehouse folkie who took a detour to mainstream country with "Come On Come On" and other albums, but signing with a less-corporate label seems to have unleashed her true calling.
On this album -- her first for Zoe/Rounder Records -- she rocks harder than she ever has, especialy on "We're All Right," "It Must Have Happened," a la Sheryl Crow with its driving guitar and big drum sound, and "Your Life Story," a Tom Petty-esque uptempo rocker about the legacy we leave.
Her smokey alto has never sounded so confident and beautiful, and shines brightest on the simple, elegant and spiritual "Twilight." Carpenter tells stories and paint pictures -- you can see the location she sings about in "Twilight" that is "down the hill/Follow the path known by heart/Down to the wide open fields."
What you also will find on "The Calling" -- and it benefits from repeated listens -- is a singer-songwriter-poet who is at the command of her art, and delivers a message that has never been so full. And a woman who loves her critters.
On this album -- her first for Zoe/Rounder Records -- she rocks harder than she ever has, especialy on "We're All Right," "It Must Have Happened," a la Sheryl Crow with its driving guitar and big drum sound, and "Your Life Story," a Tom Petty-esque uptempo rocker about the legacy we leave.
Her smokey alto has never sounded so confident and beautiful, and shines brightest on the simple, elegant and spiritual "Twilight." Carpenter tells stories and paint pictures -- you can see the location she sings about in "Twilight" that is "down the hill/Follow the path known by heart/Down to the wide open fields."
What you also will find on "The Calling" -- and it benefits from repeated listens -- is a singer-songwriter-poet who is at the command of her art, and delivers a message that has never been so full. And a woman who loves her critters.
1 comment:
MCC is a real dog lover, plus she rocks. Thanks for giving her a plug!!!
Post a Comment