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Amazon.co.uk Review
Between Here & Gone, Mary Chapin Carpenter's first album of new material in three years, has been hailed as a fine example of pop music for adults. This is both true and misleading. In changing producers (from John Jennings to celebrated piano man Matt Rollings), the literate singer-songwriter has slightly broadened her sophisticated Americana sound, and although it's less rhythmic as a whole, her acoustic-folkie approach remains at the core of her classic style. And while Between Here & Gone--which addresses the theme of travel and transition, the fragility of life and the ephemeral nature of happiness--might be said to concern itself with grown-up issues, most of Carpenter's writing has always done just that. Yet this stunning album, informed both by her 2002 marriage ("Elysium", "River") and by the events of 9/11, is more introspective than much of her early work. The alto-voiced singer is compelling throughout, but never so much as on "My Heaven", inspired by Alice Sebold's novel, The Lovely Bones, or on "Grand Central Station", in which a New York City ironworker, standing on the bucket brigade at Ground Zero, hears the voices of the dead, desperate to find their way home. In moments such as these, Carpenter re-establishes herself not only as a world-class poet, but as an artist of the first order. --Alanna Nash
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I suggest that people who appreciate Chapin's art look for several things in the very best of its expression. First there's a lyricism that finds her using words economically but with great affect. Second there's an ear for great melody. Third there is the voice that John Jennings has described as 'an invitation to intimacy' and finally this is all informed by a deep appreciation of human dignity expressed in a way that universalises it for the listener. These qualities have never been better expressed than in the one true masterpiece of this album, 'Grand Central Station'. I have been suspicious of songs alluding to the terrible events of 9/11 but this tale of a worker at Ground Zero banishes all that. It is wonderful, profoundly moving and beautifully realised. The same can be said for most of this album. It is easy to get carried away with praising the latest offering from any artist as a new record needs to find its place in the overall body of work. But 'Beyond Here and Gone' is a beautiful record with the strongest set of songs since 'Come On Come On'. However, the feel of the album is more like 'State of Heart' with many of the songs having the same emotional clout as 'This Shirt' and 'Goodbye Again'. There are two songs here that are obviously influenced by Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones', 'In my Heaven' and the title track with its line, 'Could I have felt the brush of a soul that's passing on'.The same song also has the beautiful lines, 'Yeah I'm just wondering how we know where we belong. Is it in the arc of the moon leaving shadows on the lawn. In the path of fireflies and a single bird at dawn. Singing in between here and gone.' This is Chapin at her very best as is 'Goodnight America'; another classic. One could mention many other great lines, which illustrate the brilliance of her writing. Some reviews have mistaken the great production of this album, thanks particularly to Matt Rollings, for undemanding blandness. This, I think, completely misses the mark. Sure the playing is great, especially the strings and Rolling's piano. But this is an album that requires listening to. It's a deep and moving album that deserves the highest praise and attention.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After 10 albums notching up worldwide sales of 12million, Mary ChapinCarpenter proves that she is still capable of delivering.
Between Here And Gone is very different from Time*Sex*Love, her laststudio album recorded in London in 2001. Teaming up with Matt Rollings asco-producer seems to be the perfect combination to showcase Mary Chapinsformidable talents. Proving his worth on her previous albums such as theaward winning 'Stones In The Road' and the showcase 'Come On Come On',this album clearly benefits from their combined skills.
In a change from Time*sex*Love, this album (her first recorded inNashville) moves fiddles and guitars into leading roles. The first 6tracks are quiet and thoughtful explorations of life with 'My Heaven'combining Mary Chapins beautiful voice with a sound that washes over youto score maximum goose pimple effect. The pace picks up for 'BeautifulRacket' but the sentiment is still bitter sweet and one most of us willrecognise.
With all the tracks on this album written by Mary Chapin, her opportunityfor making a strong musical statement is clear and she does not pass on it- 'Grand Central Station' for example was inspired by her emotionssurrounding 9/11 and is a very moving piece of work.
This is a stunning album, give your self some space at the end of the dayand sit down and listen to it on a good hi-fi or set of headphones and youwill be reminded why we invented music.
Between Here And Gone is very different from Time*Sex*Love, her laststudio album recorded in London in 2001. Teaming up with Matt Rollings asco-producer seems to be the perfect combination to showcase Mary Chapinsformidable talents. Proving his worth on her previous albums such as theaward winning 'Stones In The Road' and the showcase 'Come On Come On',this album clearly benefits from their combined skills.
In a change from Time*sex*Love, this album (her first recorded inNashville) moves fiddles and guitars into leading roles. The first 6tracks are quiet and thoughtful explorations of life with 'My Heaven'combining Mary Chapins beautiful voice with a sound that washes over youto score maximum goose pimple effect. The pace picks up for 'BeautifulRacket' but the sentiment is still bitter sweet and one most of us willrecognise.
With all the tracks on this album written by Mary Chapin, her opportunityfor making a strong musical statement is clear and she does not pass on it- 'Grand Central Station' for example was inspired by her emotionssurrounding 9/11 and is a very moving piece of work.
This is a stunning album, give your self some space at the end of the dayand sit down and listen to it on a good hi-fi or set of headphones and youwill be reminded why we invented music.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I think MCC's voice is beautiful and her lyrics quite ethereal. I've been hooked since first seeing her in concert a few years ago and haven't been disappointed since. It's taken until 'Between here and gone' to notice that her voice matches the instruments in a way that transcends mere harmony (listen to the way she sings when the slide guitar is going and you can see why the Indigo Girls got her in just to sing a total of 1 word in 'Hammer and Nail'). My wife on the other hand thinks she sings through her nose too much....can't please everyone I suppose.
Surprise surprise, she doesn't disappoint again. This qualifies as country for reasons best known to record classifiers but it's really folk with subtlety. It's a window on the world of North America and a darned good listen too. Of note is 'Grand Central Station', not just another 9/11 track - no politicising of the human cost a la Darryl Worley, this has heart and soul. My favourite track has to be 'Beautiful Racket' but it's just another gem in a bag of diamonds.
I'm just not eloquent enough to do justice to this album - is it any good? of course it is!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mary CC at her lyrical best
Another great CD and I echo all the very positive comments made by other reviewers. Don't think it all needs saying again, but in brief - a great compellation by an excellent... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sussex Jude
why bother with CDs?
nice music BUT I did not want to download : I wanted a nice CD with lyrics , artwork etc.....it is not the case! Read more
Published 15 months ago by dodu
I think it is her best album
I had this as mp3 music and lost it ina computer crash, I know back up! But it is such a beautiful album I didn't hesitate to buy it straight away. Read more
Published 18 months ago by C. Edwards
Chapin Carpenters Masterpiece
This is the first album of MCC's I bought (since then I've bought many) & I seriously believe it's one of the greatest 'popular' recordings ever made. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Jonathan Haskell
A reflective album
'Between Here and Gone' is another offering from MCC. It encompasses her considered lyrics reflecting on aspects of life with great musicality and careful production. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2010 by J. Kiely
Meditative song cycle
'Between Here and Gone' is a song cycle united thematically and musically. These literate meditations on the human condition explore through the lens of ordinary lives, love,... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2008 by M. G. Wilson
Heaven
Not very good at this, so will just say as thought. . . . Best have heard for a while. Great cd to chill out to.
Every song is better then the last one. Read more
Every song is better then the last one. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2007 by M. Maguire
Could have benefitted from a bit more bounce.
I liked 'Stones in the Road' so much that I wanted another MCC album. Having read various Amazon reviews, I went for this one. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2007 by John Williams
Worth having in your collection for one track alone
.."Girls Like Me."
Sends shivers up my spine each time I hear it. I stuck this CD (my first MCC)on my ipod at the request of an Ex, and promptly forgot about it - until... Read more
Sends shivers up my spine each time I hear it. I stuck this CD (my first MCC)on my ipod at the request of an Ex, and promptly forgot about it - until... Read more
Published on 11 April 2007 by Lady Bouy
Tedious; repetitious; a grave disappointment
I've been a fan of Carpenter's work for many years, treasuring the clarity of her voice and inventive lyrics. Sadly, this album fails in almost every area. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2007 by whatlep
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