Princeton native Mary Chapin Carpenter goes ‘On With the Song’ in a benefit concert for Corner House.
By: Susan Van Dongen
Standing tall in defense of the Dixie Chicks who famously ran afoul of their fans when they expressed displeasure with George W. Bush singer- songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter penned "On With the Song." The incendiary original is one of 13 tracks on her new CD, The Calling (Zoe/Rounder Records).
Ms. Carpenter is unapologetic when she writes:
"This isn’t for the ones who would gladly swallow/everything their leader would have them know/bowing and kissing, while the truth goes missing/bring it on, he crows, putting on his big show."
Casual listeners who just know her hits might not realize that
she’s always been a bit of a political songwriter. The Princeton native, who
recorded "Passionate Kisses," is equally passionate about her causes.
"I’ve been told by a lot of people that I’m fairly political," says Ms. Carpenter, speaking by phone on the eve of her spring tour. "I’ve always thought of myself in that way and over the years I’ll throw in a topical song here and there. But I’ve always been very straightforward about my politics and have never shied away from expressing my opinion.
"’On With the Song’ is certainly showing solidarity with the Dixie Chicks but it also takes a fairly broad view of things," she adds. "It’s clear who I’m writing it for and who I’m not writing it for."
Ms. Carpenter returns to her Princeton roots with an appearance at McCarter Theatre April 10. The concert is the centerpiece of the Corner House Foundation’s annual benefit. The foundation’s evening of entertainment includes cocktails, dinner stations and the performance in the Matthews Theatre.
Established 35 years ago as a joint agency of Princeton Borough and township, Corner House has been a leading force in the Princeton community’s response to substance abuse and youth crisis issues. Money raised from the benefit will allow the agency to maintain quality, affordable treatment and prevention programs.
It’s appropriate that Ms. Carpenter is the guest entertainer because for years she’s been involved in numerous humanitarian causes, performing in support of cancer and AIDS research, U.S. troops overseas, the Campaign for a Landmine Free World and hunger relief efforts, among others. Interestingly, the new song "On and On it Goes" addresses the importance of staying connected and being aware of the world at large. Ms. Carpenter writes:
"You can say that you’ll never matter, lose or win/ The world won’t care and it’s hard to bear such a lonely wind/ But you can change a stranger’s life by letting yours begin."
It’s a bittersweet but hopeful song.
"The reality is that everything is connected," Ms. Carpenter says. "I saw a bumper sticker that said just this and I thought to myself ‘Aha.’ It doesn’t matter if it’s a bird flapping its wings in the rainforest, which is affecting a weather system up north. All events around the world are connected and it’s important not to hide your head in the sand and think that your actions don’t mean anything. Actions do make a difference even though they may seem small at the time."
In the lyrics she implies that the average person might watch the TV news or read the reportage about the various wars going on, environmental crises, natural disasters, domestic violence, man’s basic inhumanity to man and think "what’s the use?"
"(Absorbing the bad news) can certainly throw you off balance," Ms. Carpenter says. "I’m not alone in feeling despair about the situation the world is in, but there are enough people to inspire us to try over and over again to make a difference."
With a career spanning two decades and with 10 albums in her catalog, Ms. Carpenter’s music has a wide appeal, with a huge base that includes pop-rock, acoustic and country music fans. She is the winner of five Grammy awards and twice was named "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the Country Music Awards. Ms. Carpenter attended Princeton Day School, but her immediate family is scattered across the country now.
"But many old friends are still here," she says.
The Calling is Ms. Carpenter’s topical, energetic debut on Zoe/Rounder Records. The 13 songs navigate the acute personal, political and spiritual struggles of the most recent years of her life and of America’s history.
The recording’s title addresses a number of the fundamental vocations the songwriter questions and reaffirms over the course of the work. In the title track and elsewhere, Ms. Carpenter decries the abuse of "calling" the invocation of God or some other authority to justify one’s actions while acknowledging the importance of maintaining hope and faith in something greater than ourselves, even something that remains unseen and undefined.
Probably the song that best captures this belief is "Why Shouldn’t We." Written during the 2004 presidential election campaign, it also encourages listeners to be politically engaged.
"And we believe in things that will give us hope/ why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we/ let your voice be heard, celebrate your vote/ why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we."
"Houston" is an especially poignant piece, and imagines the New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina waiting for help, taking their seats on the buses to Houston, families separated and traumatized and the Crescent City sinking under the weight of a broken heart. Ms. Carpenter and her band were among the first musicians to support the city after the hurricane, playing at the very first convention held in New Orleans after Katrina.
"I’ve played in New Orleans and traveled through the Gulf Coast region many times," Ms. Carpenter says. "The first convention was about a year later, for the American Librarians Association. I had read a lengthy article in ‘The New York Times,’ laying out the fact that New Orleans always had a thriving convention business but after the hurricane people canceled left and right. The American Librarians Association took a vote and wanted to support the city. It was one of the most inspiring events we’ve been associated with 7,000 people supporting this amazing wonderful place. To be able to play there meant a great deal to us."
Mary Chapin Carpenter will perform at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, April 10, 8 p.m. Regular admission tickets cost $38-$48. For information, call (609) 258-2787. On the Web: www.mccarter.org. The Corner House Foundation benefit event includes cocktails, dinner stations and the performance in the Matthews Theatre. Tickets cost $225 ($100 is tax deductible). For information, call (609) 924-8018. Mary Chapin Carpenter on the Web: www.marychapincarpenter.com