CD: The Age of Miracles by Mary Chapin Carpenter (Tracks 10-12)
What am I doing? The introduction’s here.
Track 10: Iceland
Simply breathtaking.
This is the song that deals most overtly with her near-death experience. An out of the blue pulmonary embolism forced her to cancel tour dates and drop active support of a new album. The on-the-move musician became grounded in a way that I imagine she hasn’t been since her early twenties. Who are you when your whole life changes?
I’m looking over the lyrics to decide what to sample here, and it’s seeming like if I try to start, I’m just going to end up transcribing the entire song. I’m sure part of my attachment to this song is related to my delayed realization of how close I was to losing her so suddenly and unexpectedly. That thought still chills me. But also, this song is just an amazing poem, set to music.
The madness created by an actual Iceland volcano is just a strange coincidence. I guess it’s just another wonder of our mysterious world.
Track 11: The Age of Miracles
As a history nerd, I study a lot of why and how things change. The problem with the study of history is that we always figure out that A led to B, which resulted in C. But as a kid, I remember the absolute wonder of 1989. This communist bloc country fell. Then this other one fell. Until…
On the evening of November 9, 1989, I was studying for a big test that was going to happen the next day. I got called to the TV to see people dancing on top of the Berlin Wall.
I remember that no one saw it coming. I remember that everyone, even all the experts on TV, were amazed, enthralled, and joyous. Part of the joy, I believe, came from the realization that they could still be surprised.
I remember being so thankful that this momentous event happened in my lifetime. I. Lived. History!
As a kid in the suburbs, I didn’t think anything exciting was ever going to happen to me. And that’s the sentiment that she expounds on here.
We’re in an environmental crisis. Natural disasters take out hundreds and thousands of us at a swoop. We still hate indiscriminately, irrationally, and violently.
But boy, you just never know when something AWESOME is going to happen.
But I woke to find monks pouring into the streets
Marching thousands strong into the rain
Now if courage comes dressed in red robes and bare feet
I will never be fearful again
Because there are people still trying out there. You just never know when that message in the ether is going to flare up and win.
As a history nerd, I’m just tickled pink that Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Ivy League degree is in American civilization, and that she’s someone capable of not only earning it but also capable of using it.
Track 12: The Way I Feel
We end the album in flight.
This one’s a hand-tapping head bob-er.
Cause when I’m all alone on a midnight highway
There’s nothing like two hands on the wheel
And the radio playing I Won’t Back Down
Baby that’s about the way I feel
Hey, if she’s ready to get back on the road, I’m ready to meet her.
All the way down 81
I’ve got some friends in Nashville
Atlanta it’s been way too long
By morning I’ll make Asheville
Did you know the unofficial MCC fan-clubbers (flamingos) flock down to Atlanta’s Chastain Park on every tour? There’s nothing quite like a lighted pink flamingo conga line during Down at the Twist and Shout and then group pictures backstage later. Since MCC and the band mates all play along, it’s a great time. You gotta join the mailing list to find out more.
I’m sad I won’t be able to join in this year, but I have my other tickets ready to go. Come on, tour!
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