Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Ashes and Roses”

By Ken Paulson

–It’s been 20 years since Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Come On Come On dominated country music, a top 10 album with seven hit singles. “I Feel Lucky,” “Passionate Kisses,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” and other tracks were equal parts energy, insight and irreverence.
Two decades on, Ashes and Roses reflects a much more somber Carpenter. Her albums have grown increasingly introspective, but this one more than most. A divorce, her father’s death, and an illness frame Ashes and Roses.
As with all Mary Chapin Carpenter albums, the playing and production are impeccable. For this outing, recorded in Nashville, she recruited frequent collaborator Matt Rollings, Russ Kunkel, Duke Levine and Glen Worff. They bring a light touch to Ashes and Roses, befitting the sometimes mournful and solemn lyrics.
“What to Keep and What to Throw Away” is particularly wrenching, literally a guide to the steps you take after a relationship falls apart.
On “Learning the World,” she sings:
“Grief sits silently on the edge of your bed
it’s closing your eyes, stroking your head
The dear old companion is taking up air
Watching you pretend that it’s not really there.”
Like much of the album, it’s powerful and poetic, and not something you’re likely to play as background music.
The mood brightens a bit on “Soul Companion,” an engaging duet with James Taylor and clearly a single if they still existed.
Ashes and Roses packs an emotional punch and contains some of Carpenter’s most lyrically compelling work.
Still, sorrow permeates this album. For her sake, you wish she’d drop by the Twist and Shout now and then.

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