Stones in the Road

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002A5J
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,855 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

The 1994 sequel to her mainstream country breakthrough on Come on Come On further underscores Mary Chapin Carpenter's true identity, more Ivy League folk rocker than new country cowgirl. Her coolly delivered, deeply felt songs include meditations on family, community, and social injustice without rant or cant, never more so than on the gently incisive midlife reflections of the title song, which filters historic milestones and childhood lessons through its delicate verses. Elsewhere, she sketches a heart-breaking, restrained speculation on the inner life of a blind, deaf mystery man ("John Doe No. 24") with the economy and detail of good short story. The set's many love songs are no less intelligent, emotionally authentic, or moving. Chapin Carpenter's elegant yet earthy alto is beautifully framed in the settings, coproduced with longtime collaborator John Jennings, that balance jangling guitars, rippling piano, occasional fiddle and crisp rhythm sections closer to the best of L.A. country rock than what normally emanates from Nashville. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let this album change you, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

Let me tell everyone out there, this is the best album I've ever listened to. I have always had a distant respect for Mary Chapin Carpenter but was not aware of much of her work. Because I recently used another Carpenter classic 'Grow Old with Me' as the first dance at my wedding, I decided to see her perform within weeks to learn more. What I found was an eye-opening experience. I recall after she played 'Stones in the Road' turning to my new bride and saying "that was a GREAT song". Later she told the story and played 'John Doe #24'. She had everyone captivated by this compassionate masterpiece which had people weeping and speechless. The following day I purchased my first 2 Carpenter albums - 'Come On, Come On' and 'Stones in the Road'. Her performance, and this album are, to borrow the commercial phrase, "priceless". The emotional roller-coaster ride that MCC puts you on will change you as long as you have the depth of character to allow it. If you are into soundbites, political correctness, and special-effect laden superficial movies you probably will not like this album. But for those of you who find the human spirit both joyous and disappointing, and are willing to peel back the layers of protective covering that we surround ourselves with, will not be without reward. 'Stones', 'John Doe 24', 'Where Time Stands Still', 'Jubilee', 'A Keeper for Every Flame'. All are tremendously written and the album is not without fun on 'Shut Up & Kiss Me'. This lady is something special. I beg everyone to get in touch with what it's all about, and this album will take you there ...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, April 16, 2003

By	James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley" (Sanatoga, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Mary Chapin Carpenter is one of those rare artists who revealed dramatic growth in her choice of subject matter and expanded her musical stylings with each new album. Until this release. Stones In The Road takes a few steps back to the ballad-heavy, acoustic sounds of 1989's State Of The Heart, her breakthrough album.

Lyrically, Carpenter's songs are as richly detailed as ever, if not more so. Be it helping someone overcome an addiction on "Jubilee" or pining for a lost love on "The End Of My Pirate Days," Carpenter makes ample use of metaphors in creating some fine poetry. Especially compelling is "John Doe No. 24," a somewhat biographical tale of a deaf-blind-mute. Branford Marsalis' exquisite sax accompaniment generates a vibe that makes it one of the standout tracks on the album.

The wry social commentaries and humorous novelty numbers (which contributed so strongly to the success of Carpenter's previous album Come On Come On) are in lesser abundance here. The leadoff single "Shut Up And Kiss Me" and the tropical "Tender When I Want To Be" are the only light-hearted songs on the album, while "House Of Cards" - which deals with hidden fears and anxieties - and the gentle, philosophical "Why Walk When You Can Fly" provide the sociological observations.

Carpenter wrote all thirteen songs on Stones On The Road by herself, admirable to be sure. Still, the second half of the album (which is comprised solely of moderately paced songs), cries out for one of her rousing covers, like Gene Vincent's "Right Now" (from Shooting Straight In The Dark) or Lucinda Williams' "Passionate Kisses" (from Come On Come On). Even with the limp finish, Stones In The Road is a very fine album. But after Come On Come On, it was natural to expect more from Mary Chapin Carpenter.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some of the saddest songs I've ever heard, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

After riding high on the upbeat "Come On Come On" album, Mary Chapin followed that up with "Stones In The Road," a more mellowed out album. There are some upbeat tracks like the toe-tapping "Tender When I Want To Be" and the infectionous "Shut Up And Kiss Me," but this collection of songs contains slow to mid-tempo ballads. And they are the saddest songs I've ever heard. A story about a deaf and blind man who's identity and family were never known is in the song "John Doe No. 24" is a definite tear jerking. "Outside Looking In" is a sad look at harsh reality when dreams of love and marriage don't always come true. "Where Time Stood Still" is a song about reliving the past where happier events took place that seem long, lost, and forgotten. The title track, "Stones In The Road" take a close look at our society and how we take material things and status quo like an obsession. What makes these songs so sad is that they're true. This album gives a harsh look at reality and just goes to prove that she has good observation skills and all in all a great writer.