Carlene Carter “Carter Girl” Album Review

Prime Cuts: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight, Me and the Wildwood Rose, Give Me the Roses

Listening to Carlene Carter's "Carter Girl" is like entering into a brave new world.  A world where no subject is a taboo and no mannerism can ever be accused of being politically incorrect.  On "Little Black Train" Carter sings of death coming like chugging black train ready to take the ballroom lady dressed in earthly pride.  Then on "Troublesome Waters" we meet a drowning man being rescued by the Savior described with such vividness that we can even feel the drops of water being wiped off the troubadour's brow by Jesus himself.  And if you think that romance of the feet wobbly kind is long dead and buried, be ready to be swept away by "Black Jack David" on this dangerous tale of thrilling romance.   "Carter Girl" finds Carlene Carter re-visiting some of the Carter's Family historic repertoire many of which come from a time where songs are deftly crafted with well-developed storylines and three dimensional characters.  This is a time where lyrics go beyond colloquialism to waxing poetic over well-ruminated thoughts that come from deep seated emotions and experiences.

One of the reasons why Carlene Carter sings the historic songbook of the Carter Family with such ease and familiarity is these stories are part of her DNA.  Carlene is the daughter of June Carter Cash and country music great Carl Smith, the granddaughter of Mother Maybelle Carter and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash.  Yet, throughout her lengthy career, Carlene can never be accused of nepotism.  Ever since the 1970s, Carlene has already carved her own career path first in the arena of punk rock before her big break in country music with her 1990 landmark record "I Fell in Love."  She was part of the new wave of neo-traditional country that torched the charts with hits such as the aforementioned "I Fell in Love," "Come on Back," "Every Little Thing" and "Something Already Gone."  After all these years of leaving her own mark, Carlene has returned back to her baby's milk of the music she has had grown up to. 

This Don Was (Bonnie Raitt, Rolling Stones) produced project is more than just a sepia-toned re-touched of the originals.  Though Carlene's voice is a shade rougher and deeper than on her earlier country records, she still adds her spunky attitude to June Carter Cash's murder-suicide ballad "Tall Lover Man."  And if you can't get over the sweetness of Carlene's crooning of her earlier ballads such as "Unbreakable Hearts," be prepared to be swept away by her rendition of "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight."  Though not possessing the most memorable melody, "Little Black Train" should be awarded for its bravado in dealing with the issue of death's imminency; a subject that few dare to touch today.  Along the same trajectory is "Give Me the Roses," a song about making the most of every opportunity as we may not know when heaven is calling its roll.    

Being a songwriter par excellence, Carlene herself throws in two of her own compositions. "Me and the Wildwood Rose," a track that first appeared on her "I Fell in Love" record, gets a more sedate acoustic update where Carlene recalls with nostalgia her days she spent touring with the Carter Sisters.  "Lonesome Valley 2003," a song she shares writing credit with A. P. Carter, is Carlene's updated version of the Carter Family's song of the same titular.  "Lonesome Valley 2003" is tear-inducing stuff as Carlene recalls with great perspicuity the day her mother passed away.  Vince Gill who is often noted for his high lonesome tenor is the perfect accompaniment to Carlene's plaintive vocals as together they mourn over such a loss.  

If there's one thing "Carter Girl" cannot be accused of, it is that this is not a light hearted album.  In fact, it presents lofty themes of death, grief, family, love, faith and salvation within stories that are so gripping that once when you start listening to them, it's impossible to hit the "stop" button.

Tags : Carlene Carter Carter's Girl