Disco de Mary Chapin Carpenter: “Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs Of Christm”

As I grew up, my siblings and I would eagerly anticipate Thanksgiving, knowing that on the way home from my grandparent's house, my dad would finally let us listen to Christmas music. Growing up in a Christian home with a definitive country flair, our favorite Christmas albums were sung by Alabama and Amy Grant. And now, as I am listening to the album tonight, in early October, I am immediately transported back in time. It feels like December 24th.

I've always been a fan of Mary Chapin Carpenter, but it was always for her uptempo fun pieces. Lately, though, I've been more appreciative of her "chill" factor. I highly recommend this CD! It's definitely not a get up and dance to celebrate Christmas album, but it is certainly a contemplative chill way to celebrate the holiday. The arrangements perfectly compliment her lush, raspy alto -- whether the songs are brand new or tried and true traditional.

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When I heard, earlier this year, that MCC was putting together a Christmas album, I made a mental note to look for it later. I'm a big fan of her work, and this album doesn't disappoint.

As another reviewer noted, this is first and foremost a Mary Chapin Carpenter album. If you're looking for Jingle Bells and Rudolph, keep looking; this is probably not the album for you. If, however, you are looking for something a little different, give this a listen. Soulful and reverent, warm and comforting, some of these songs bring tears to my eyes and give me goosebumps. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Mary Chapin Carpenter is the best artist that I've ever heard. I've been listening to her since I was a little kid. Her music inspires people and her music/lyrics can reach deep into your soul without even trying. This album is beautiful. The only thing I was a little upst with is that depending on where you buy the album, three bonus tracks include her version of Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy and Have yourself a Merry Little Chritmas. Unfortunatly I already downloaded the songs from Amazon and those bonus tracks are not available.

A beautiful set of tunes. A wonderful journey; emotionally rich and musically refreshing, this is definitely "Twelve Songs of Christmas," not "The Twelve Songs of Christmas;" as in 'another rehash of the same old over-done songs that show up on so many Holiday albums.' Carpenter wrote or co-wrote 6 of the 12 songs on the collection, and the others are either obscure traditional tunes or more contemporary compositions (i.e., one is a carol by John Rutter!). Taken together, they create a quiet sense of the solitude indicative of this the wonderful season, full of references to sacred themes and secular motifs, woven together in a way that speaks to the beauty of the season of the long nights. [She actually has a song on the CD acknowledging "The Longest Night of the Year."] Buy this one on CD, too, not as a download, as the booklet contains photography that complements the music; dark, quiet and snowy landscapes. Reading the lyrics as I listen to the set is amplified by the images against which the printed words are set. This CD is going to be with me for a long time. I recommend it highly.

This is the best music I have heard from Mary Chapin Carpenter in a long time. She renders each song with heartfelt simplicity. I find this CD to be truly elegant.