Mary Chapin Carpenter Album: “Come on Come On”

At the time, this was her most versatile disc to date. It really moves away from the country feel of her previous two releases, and, at its heart, is folk-pop. Her unabashed feminist side shows on I Feel Lucky and He Thinks He'll Keep Her, up-tempo rockers. Her mid-tempo songs, like Walking Through Fire, I Take My Chances, and Passionate Kisses, have the same unapologetic bluntness - she's her own woman, and proud of it. Her voice also shines on delicate ballads like Come On, Come On, I Am A Town, and Only A Dream. She has a superb talent for painting vivid pictures: I see the empty room in Only A Dream, and I see her walking on the tracks in I Take My Chances. The only song out of place here is Not Too Much To Ask, a banal country ballad, but other than that one clunker, this disc is a delight.

The antithesis of Muzak, Come On, Come On is a rocking, touching, absorbing CD that massages your heart and engages your mind while it sends you for the air guitar, moves your feet, and compels you to attempt harmonies. This is the essence of a fully realized work, a stunning synthesis of pithy writing, memorable tunes, and enhancing arrangements. Four years after I bought it, I continue to play it once a week for grounding (and to work on my own harmonies) and I've given copies to dear friends because Carpenter's eye is so sharp and her words so observant. If you've read this far, do yourself and a friend a favor. Buy it.

"Show a little inspiration/Show a little spark." With these words, Mary Chapin Carpenter starts the listener on a thrill ride that proves that she has both in abundance. The feel good beat of I Feel Lucky and Passionate Kisses intermingle with the soulful harmony of Rhythm Of The Blues and I Am A Town. The spunky He Thinks He'll Keep Her and I Take My Chances demonstrate the MCC take-no-prisoners attitude that fans have come to expect. She may have done it The Hard Way, but aren't we lucky she did it?

I am going to start this with what I always say is such a cliche: this woman writes my life! Chapin and I are of similar ages, and I just connect to her music so much. I believe this is the place for the casual listener to start with Chapin-it's the album that is the easiest to listen to (State of the Heart comes close)and one of the best to appreciate her original style and her best cover (Passionate Kisses).

The opening songs on this collection (The hard Way and He Thinks he'll Keep Her) reflect her upbringing and class. (How many people remember the Geritol ad the latter song's title was based on? I thought so, all you people who understant Chapin)

I have read that many people don't care for Rhythm of the Blues on this CD. I feel that song so much, it really talks to me. That, and Only a Dream, and I am a Town. The thing that makes me smile wistfully in I am a Town is that, while she is talking about "a town in Carolina", I am from Michigan and many small towns in Central Michigan fit the lyrics of this song.

AS I said, THE CD for the person who wants to start listening to MCC, but once you have heard it, you will want the rest. I own all her CD's.

MCC has put out some self-indulgent work lately, and Time/Sex/Love drove me back to this album, which reminded me how much I liked her work of this era. This album, and those that precede and follow it (Stars; Stones) are full of thoughtful small-bore reflections on life and love. And they're catchy, to boot.