Party Doll & Other Favorites

Mary Chapin Carpenter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000J290
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,200 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

In addition to subverting the conventions of greatest-hits discs--only 5 of these 17 tracks appear in the hit versions from Carpenter's studio albums--Party Doll does a better job of balancing the singer/songwriter's moods than any of her releases since 1992's Come On Come On. Here, upbeat celebrations such as "Down at the Twist and Shout" (included in a live Super Bowl take) and "I Feel Lucky" comfortably rub shoulders with the quietly sweet ("Dreamland," originally on an early-'90s various-artists set of lullabies) and brooding ("Stones in the Road") sides of Carpenter's work. Finally, her rendition of Mick Jagger's title tune hints that she has vital work yet to do. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Only 5 of the 17 tracks here represent the original hit versions of tunes heard on Mary's studio albums, making this greatest-hits release rather unconventional-but it's a welcome change! Includes Can't Take Love For Granted; Wherever You Are; Down At The Twist And Shout (live from Super Bowl XXXI!); I Feel Lucky; Dreamland; Grow Old With Me ; the title track, and more. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Party Doll, music for the the heart, mind and spirit, June 7, 2000

By 

Martin Gerster (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Party Doll & Other Favorites (Audio CD)

Mary Chapin Carpenter is an extraordinary artist, one of the few capable of accurately reflecting the nature of being in your 20's and 30's and living in modern America. The selection of tracks on this CD proves over and over again that her singing comes from both the heart and the soul. Anyone interested in her musical career would find their money well-spent by buying this "greatest hits" colection. The mix of live performances and studio recordings is a rare treat to listeners, showing Carpenter's full range of talents. Although she is recognizably a throwback to Folk Music of the old school, Carpenter's songs comprise such crossover Pop, Blues and Country hits like "Passionate Kisses", "Down at The Twist and Shout", "You Can't Take Love for Granted", "I Feel Lucky", and "I'll Take my Chances". Thus, making her a peer of other such great performers as Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Trisha Yearwood, and the Mavericks. While this is a "greatest hits" CD, her career is still young and her listeners still have many more years of hearing more excellent music from her to look forward to! It was almost dissapointing, however, with all of this great music, much of it never having been released before, it was almost disapointing to see that the always moving "I am a Town" wasn't included on this CD.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Party Doll will touch your heart and soul., July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Party Doll & Other Favorites (Audio CD)

Mary Chapin Carpenter is an extraordinary artist.The mix of live performances and studio tracks are great to have on a "greatest hits CD" I find it wonderfully amazing how well the songs were sung with heart and soul in her live verisons and how her voice could draw you in and make you feel like a close friend. If all live performances sounded just like the recording, why would we spend our money going to concerts when we could listen to a CD. I LOVE the new song "Almost Home" and have been touched by it in a very deep way. I will be seeing Mary in concert for the first time this Friday in Springfield Missouri so I cant comment on her stage presence, but I know she'll be wonderful.I have no expectations, I applaud her for having the guts to get up in front of thousands of people and sing her heart out.As my friend Oprah would say-"You Go Girl"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best!, June 16, 2000

By 

Mary G. Longorio "Texasbookgirl" (Eagle Mountain, UT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Party Doll & Other Favorites (Audio CD)

This CD can be classified as a greatest hits/ live collection. Many of MCC all time best are here. The added dimension of hearing them while she is in a performing venue only adds to the appeal. I love to hear the little asides MCC makes as she is introduced and as she begins to sing. They are priceless. It must have been hard to choose what went on the CD. The highlight is the hauntingly beautiful 10,000 Miles, first heard in the movie "Fly Away Home". I have searched high and low for a recording of that song. There is a good mix of old and new, an outstanding "I'll Take My Chances' and a breathtaking acoustic version of "Dreamland". This is a great CD and a must have for any MCC fan