Mary Chapin Carpenter Album: “The Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter”

If there is an ultimate Mary Chapin Carpenter album, "The Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter" is it: a beautifully compiled collection that consists not only of Carpenter's biggest hits, but an astonishing selection of the best songs she's ever written.

How insightful is the song selection on this disc? You expect Grammy-winning hits like "I Feel Lucky" and "Down at the Twist and Shout" to be included. But brilliantly written album gems like "Only a Dream" and "Halley Came to Jackson" would normally be excluded in order to include a hit or two from her lesser albums, such as "A Place in the World," which is unrepresented here. Care was even taken to showcase the two best tracks from the tragically hitless "Time*Sex*Love*": "Late for Your Life" and "The Long Way Home." And then there's quite possibly the best vocal performance of her career, the majestic "10,000 Miles" from the film "Fly Away Home."

My only complaint? Where is Carpenter's poetic and beautiful masterpiece, "This Shirt," from "State of the Heart," which is frequently cited by fans and critics alike as quite possibly the best song she has ever written? (Which is saying a lot for this particular songwriter.) But this is a small quibble considering the terrific material that is presented.

In short, anyone wishing to be introduced to this vital and important singer/songwriter need look no further than this brilliant collection, which eclipses her previous greatest hits collection "Party Doll and other Favorites." Thank you, Columbia Records, for doing right by an artist of tremendous taste and integrity. She deserves it, and you did her proud.

MCC is, like John Mellencamp a populist singer-songwriter-storyteller.

This is MUSIC. Real, fun, with points to make, lyrics that matter. But none of the points get in the way of the enjoyment, in fact, they add to it.

The sound quality on this CD is very good. And there is really no off song the entire way. One of those pleasant CDs you can pop in and listen all the way through. I'd say for anyone who likes folk-pop that this is arguably one of the top 10 CDs put out in the last 3 years.

I have to credit Mary Chapin Carpenter's former record label for compiling this "Best of" CD, which includes splendid songs from virtually every album she recorded for them. As a "Greatest Hits" album, it compares favorably to relatively recent ones from Elton John and Billy Joel, demonstrating the tremendous depth of her artistic talent, which, sadly, most in country music have ignored apparently. Without question, fellow Brunonian Mary Chapin Carpenter ranks among our finest female country songwriters, whom I can compare favorably to both Lucinda Williams and Nancy McCallion of The Mollys, the Tucson, AZ-based country/folk band that I regard as among our very best. For a long time I have greatly admired Mary Chapin Carpenter's superb songwriting craft, having utmost respect, appreciation and admiration for her elegant, sophisticated lyrics and melodies. Among my favorite songs on this CD are those which I regard as long-time personal favorites: "Stones in the Road", "I Feel Lucky", "Down at the Twist and Shout", "Passionate Kisses" (It was actually composed by Lucinda Williams, but it became a major hit for Carpenter.), "He Thinks He'll Keep Her", "The Hard Way" and "Almost Home". Much to my amazement, the elegant ballad, "This Shirt", which I regard as finely crafted a ballad as the best bluegrass/country rock ballads from Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is missing, as well as the slightly honky tonk-inflected "Can't Take Love for Granted", another gem from Mary Chapin Carpenter. If you're not familiar with Mary Chapin Carpenter's music, then this CD represents a fine introduction, demonstrating why she still remains one of our great country songwriters.

This CD was a gift - I wanted to share it with my sister, because I recently purchased another copy for me. It's great listening for the road.

Mary Chapin Carpenter is one of our musical treasures. This album just personifies that fact. One of my favorites. I originally sought out this album to get the "10,000 Miles" tune but found that the rest of the album was also a treat. Well worth purchasing for your collection.