Betty's Diner: The Best of Carrie Newcomer

Carrie Newcomer

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 27, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0000WN0Y6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #63,244 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Carrie Newcomer wonderfully combines the earthiness and social conscience of contemporary folk with a strong flair for elegant pop melodies. Though she's a teacher, social activist, and practicing Quaker, this rich 18-song collection (15 songs from her eight previous albums, three new compositions) reveals an ambitious and surprisingly broad thematic range that goes beyond mere didacticism or inspiration. Sure, there's a trace of benevolent righteousness in songs like "When One Door Closes," "Hold On," and "The Gathering of Spirits." Yet compelling tracks like the cynical "I Should've Known Better," the cleverly satirical "Bowling Baby," and the evocative title track reveal a willingness to grapple with messier and more troubling worldly themes as well. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Gold, January 31, 2004

By	ellen j moore (elkhart, IN United States) - See all my reviews

As it is with all high forms of art, there are multiple levels at which an artist's work can be taken. Taken at its simplest level, Betty's Diner: The Best of Carrie Newcomer will delight new listeners with a great representation of her work. A good CD to begin to familiarize a person with her talents.

Yet no one should be lulled into thinking this is just some collection of light stuff. Because although Carrie can sing about the funny little things in every day life like no one else, she will also grab hold of your soul once you really listen. Enter the most precious levels of Carrie's music ... her unique ability to bring listeners into awareness of what matters most. And yet she never leaves you just hanging there. Somehow Carrie delivers a grace and peace and some kind of inexplicable healing love via her music that transcends far beyond human talent. It is a gift.

Betty's Diner, as with every other CD Carrie has ever released, will take you there ... if you let it. Long-time fans (and new fans alike) will be blown away (I think) by the first song on the CD, "Toward the Horizon". The only thing better than playing it over and over and over is hearing her sing it in person. Asking yourself what that lovely - yet painful - song might mean in your own life.

My preferences in music are all over the place. I'll try listening to about anything that is recommended to me. Yet there is something about Carrie Newcomer's music that is so necessary to me - it's like coming home, no matter where we have wandered, or what we have done while we were away. Betty's Diner - it's a good place to get fed a daily dose of what we all need.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of America's best singer-songwriters, February 27, 2004

By	B. E. Beechler "Doc Beechler" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Carrie can bond with a live audience or a listener to her CDs with equal ease. Her music is complex and simple at the same time, like warm coffee with a hit of bourbon. Carrie seems to have the uncanny ability to look into humanity's soul and find the tender parts. If you like Elizabeth Mitchell (of Ida), Nanci Griffith, or John Prine...take a listen.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You must have this CD!, February 12, 2004

By	"kc-chin" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

"Betty's Diner" really is the best of Carrie Newcomer's work! Carrie has a magical gift of translating her personal experiences to feelings, dilemmas, and questions that her listeners find familiar. This collection of songs reminds us that connecting to other people is the essence of life. Fishing with our dad, reluctantly saying goodbye to our mom, holding hands with our best friend, sharing eggs and toast with a confidant, or admiring a cute bowling baby from afar--these are the important moments of life to be treasured, Carrie reminds us through her music.