| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
 Posted - 17/06/2012 : 11:17:22
|
Andy Cole wrote earlier "I see Radio 2 has "C" playlisted his (James Taylor) duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, possibly the best on a rather low key album which maybe needed more uptempos to lift it."
I couldn't disagree more, this is a work of great depth and reflection that needs listening to. Too bad if people don't have the attention span that a work like this demands. I love uptempo tunes, but apart from "I Tried Going West" the electric guitars rarely ring out. There is a lot of subtelty and nuance at work in this record and it will reward those prepared to put in the time. The duet with James, whilst decent, is a long way from being the strongest song on the record.
Wonderful pieces here that reflect my opinion:
http://performingsongwriter.com/mary-chapin-carpenter-ashes-and-roses/
http://www.allmusic.com/album/ashes-and-roses-mw0002357263
et/2012/06/12/review-ashes-and-roses-mary-chapin-carpenter/
I cannot disagree with a single comment of those written above, and yes I have ignored the negative reviews elsewhere on the net that don't reflect my opinion. Finally, I have no idea why there is a 3 week delay between its release in the USA and the U.K. release slated for 2 July.
|
|
|
andycole
Frequently Whispers
700 Posts |
Posted - 17/06/2012 : 22:00:06
|
The James Taylor duet is the lead-off single so they must have considered it to be one of the best tracks.
Reaction from Local regional DJ's much the same.
I've given it 2 runs through and read a lot of online reviews.
Its written from a honest standpoint which is where a writer draws from. A lot has happened in her life. There has been grief and loss.
You could say "From great pain comes great beauty"
There is no overlooking it is a sad recording which doesn't therefore equate to a commericial success and enjoyable listen from start to finish. Thats not to say it is a bad album but its no STONES IN THE ROAD. I still consider she has the best overall body of work than most artists in all genres. This lastest one has some templates of past work.
If Gretchen Peters career best HELLO CRUEL WORLD cannot make the Top 200 Billboard Albums then I fear the same fate for Mary Chapin. |
 |
|
|
The Lew
Frequently Whispers
827 Posts |
Posted - 18/06/2012 : 15:37:16
|
If it can't get in the Billboard top 200 and the local regional DJ's don't like it, then the album must be crap  |
|
|
|
gerry
Frequently Whispers
468 Posts |
Posted - 18/06/2012 : 22:31:00
|
Andy, you persistently seem to equate musical achievement in terms of units, charts, playlists, awards etc. People like MCC aren't motivated by such peripheral flim flam. Artistry, subtlety, integrity come first. If you're just looking for instant hooks, box-ticking gimmicks and catchy choruses that are likely to get on these precious playlists seek out some of the country pap acts instead.
MCC has been through that stage and emerged as another type of artist completely. I believe she's in the process of almost inventing a new genre that reflects a more mature and confessional creative force....this has been evident on her previous two almums but is increasingly pronounced on the new one. We're now dealing with a subtle, reflective, cathartic and soulful mood music.
Granted, she's come up with some great catchy country pop hits in her time.....but I won't be holding my breath for any songs like 'He Thinks He'll Keep Her' and "Shut Up and Kiss Me" any time soon.
Doubtless the number crunchers at her record company will be disappointed at all this (as will those here on Whispers).
C'est la vie.  |
|
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2012 : 16:51:32
|
Well Andy Cole's worst fears were not realised as "Ashes & Roses" debuted this week at #76 on the Billboard Top 200, at #16 on the Country Top 100 and #7 on the Folk chart. But as Gerry quite rightly points out musical achievemnt is rarely measured in sales or even radio play, it's how it hits the listener with it's message, it's music and it's soul.
I suspect, despite being a big fan of Gretchen's, that the reality is that MCC's worst selling album has sold more than Gretchen's entire catalogue, such is Mary's popularity across the States and here in the U.K. |
|
|
|
The Lew
Frequently Whispers
827 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2012 : 18:43:09
|
Maybe a 'rather low key album which maybe needed more uptempos to lift it' and maybe 'a sad recording which doesn't therefore equate to a commercial success and enjoyable listen from start to finish' but it gets into the Billboard top 200  . What's the world coming to johng |
|
|
|
andycole
Frequently Whispers
700 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2012 : 22:25:35
|
Yes good to see Mary Chapin charted at #72 Top 200 and #15 Country. Her debut sales which will have included a presale period was rounded to 7000 copies. She should enjoy a couple of weeks on the Top 200 chart.
As a 2 time CMA Female Vocalist and Grammy winner she must have built a sizable following that have remained loyal and Rounder label have promoted it well.
I would imagine that Gretchen Peters has a bigger following these days in the UK with constant touring. Her 45 BBC Radio 2 spins helped to shift 2500 copies on her UK debut week.
Enjoyed the 'What To Keep and What to Throw Away' track on Bob's Country show. There is one date announced so far in October in Dublin with Shawn Colvin. As Bob says the rest of the dates will be disclosed next week. |
|
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 10:24:04
|
Nice to see Mary on the BBC Breakfast sofa this morning talking about her new album.
Andy - Mary sells out venues like Hammersmith Apollo, capacity close to 3,000. Gretchen sold out Bush Hall earlier this year, I was there, capacity around 500. There is a world of difference in the commerical pulling power of Mary and Gretchen. |
|
|
|
leskneeling
Site Admin
770 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 18:01:07
|
| Shame it had to be Charlie Stayt...surely the most irritating interviewer on the planet. |
|
|
|
rws
Occasionally Whispers
73 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 18:33:11
|
| Tickets for Mary C C plus Shawn Colvin at Royal Festival Hall on 22 October are already on sale...and going fast! |
|
|
|
jela
Frequently Whispers
792 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:34:23
|
Thanks - bought ours this evening!
|
|
|
|
gerry
Frequently Whispers
468 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 08:29:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by leskneeling
Shame it had to be Charlie Stayt...surely the most irritating interviewer on the planet.
If she'd been drawing straws I reckon Bill Turnbull would have been the shortest, Les
When Mary met Charlie http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vf3t4 |
|
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 10:02:41
|
| Bill interviewed Joe Walsh last week on the breakfast sofa and was so in awe of his guitar hero he almost melted into said sofa. Charlie is good, he shows a certain knowledge and asks pertinant questions. |
|
|
|
leskneeling
Site Admin
770 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 16:08:28
|
| Trouble is...by the time he's finished asking the question the programme's nearly over! |
|
|
|
gerry
Frequently Whispers
468 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 19:13:14
|
| Bill reads the researchers notes but sometimes not carefully enough...I remember him asking Don McLean where he got the inspiration to write his hit 'Crying'. To his credit Don used immense tact in informing him it was in fact a Roy Orbison standard... |
|
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
|
|
tincanman2010
Occasionally Whispers
95 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 13:41:49
|
I'm not entirely sure why Mary Chapin Carpenter should be the more popular/respected/bigger seller than Gretchen Peters, but I suspect it's because MCC was off the Nashville bandwagon quicker.
I understand the comparisons. Both at their best deceptively tell a simply story with many nuances, and Suzanne Vega is a good non-country touchpoint that way.
Hello Cruel World was Gretchen stretching herself. It is unquestionably very good and her head-poking-above-sand emergence as an artist. The semi-orchestral melancholy remains a hide-behind though, as it's been (or was? pre Calexico) for fellow 'safety' buddy Tom Russell.
As hard as she's worked touring this album, and to her credit, she's probably another one or two collections of really good songs away from being fully accepted/recognized. |
|
|
|
andycole
Frequently Whispers
700 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 21:14:50
|
quote:
Originally posted by gerry
Andy, you persistently seem to equate musical achievement in terms of units, charts, playlists, awards etc. People like MCC aren't motivated by such peripheral flim flam.
Those pointers are part of the facts and figures of the music business. I noticed that BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt was only too happy to reel them off in Mary Chapin's intro.
Mary Chapin on Facebook this week said "we're #1 on Amazon uk pre order!" so she is taking notice of those all important charts.
It looks like it's just going to be the 2 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 for ASHES AND ROSES. It saw a weekly sales loss of 56% (3,127 copies sold) with 10,327 sold in 2 weeks. It fell from No.72 to No.182 on the Top 200 and dropped down to #34 on the country chart. In time maybe she'll reach 100,000 sales in America. Perhaps in years to come her UK market will be the equal of America.
Monday Oct 15, 2012 The Sage, Gateshead
Tuesday Oct 16, 2012 National Concert Hall, Dublin
Wednesday Oct 17, 2012 The Assembly Rooms, Derby
Thurday Oct 18, 2012 Symphony Hall,Birmingham
Friday Oct 19, 2012 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Saturday Oct 20, 2012 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Monday Oct 22, 2012 Royal Festival Hall, London
Tuesday Oct 23, 2012 Corn Exchange, Cambridge
http://www.marychapincarpenter.com/2012/06/uk-tour-dates-announced/
|
|
|
|
andycole
Frequently Whispers
700 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 22:12:10
|
After Johng's posting it seems thousands of invisible Whisperers + Aled Jones and Bob Harris Radio 2 fans, BBC Breakfast viewers and Radio 4's Woman's Hour listeners have gone out and bought the album.
With sales of 5,259 copies, Mary Chapin Carpenter's new album ASHES AND ROSES has debuted at #26 on the UK Album Chart and #1 on UK Country Album Chart. Ashes And Roses is Carpenter's 11th studio album, and equals her highest chart placing, as set by Stones In The Road in 1994. Ashes And Roses' immediate predecessor, The Age Of Miracles, reached only number 101 in 2010.
I'm surprised by the sales figures, her promotional tour works and she still has a healthy UK fanbase.
That's about 3000 more than Gretchen Peters HELLO CRUEL WORLD shifted after heavy Radio 2 playlisting for 6 weeks. |
|
|
|
johng
Frequently Whispers
290 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2012 : 09:00:50
|
| Andy, two of Marys' previous albums "Stones In the Road" and "Come On, Come On" were certified silver here in the UK way back in the 90s, meaning sales of over 60,000 each. She has sold in excess of 12 million albums in the States to date in her career and has been a top live draw for over 20 years on these shores. I remember her selling out Wembley Arena back in the 90s. |
|
|
|
chrislee
Occasionally Whispers
150 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2012 : 11:59:23
|
Always admired Mary Chapin but I hope I don't cause any offence by saying that I much prefer her earlier works she seems to have morphed into something dangerously close to MOR of late and I miss all those up tempo numbers she used to do - Passionate Kisses etc.
She's still a class act and no real surprise she outsells Gretchen Peters in spades.
|
|
|
|
andycole
Frequently Whispers
700 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 20:33:03
|
Hi Chris
I agree, Taken as a whole I prefer Mary Chapin's earlier albums.
I was surprised that Mary Chapin outsold Gretchen Peters on first week UK sales by nearly 2,500. I'm sure music fans are drawn to both artists, both writing honestly from personal experiences. I believe Gretchen has toured every year since 2005 as a solo act and with Wine, Women & Song. Radio 2 have got behind her bigtime. Mary Chapin's touring in comparison has been more patchy but she was a much bigger name through the 90's. That UK following has remained very loyal to her.
John - You spoke about Mary Chapin selling out Wembley Arena with Lyle Lovett "by her side". She actually was honest enough to say she didn't think that format really worked, lacking the intimacy her music deserves. Lucky for us the next time were her incredible 7 nights run at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith playing to 350 each night with Catie Curtis supporting! What's happened to Catie? |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Mary Chapin Carpenter
