Stones in the Road is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, released by Columbia Records on October 4, 1994. It became Carpenter's first album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and first album to reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 10. It also contains her first No. 1 Hot Country Singles hit, "Shut Up and Kiss Me", which also reached No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other charting singles were "Tender When I Want to Be" (No. 6), "House of Cards" (No. 21), and "Why Walk When You Can Fly?" at (No. 45).
The nostalgically themed title track was first recorded by folk singer Joan Baez for her 1992 studio album Play Me Backwards, to whom Carpenter first pitched the song during a joint concert appearance before she recorded it herself. It was also featured in the 1995 film Bye Bye Love. Carpenter earned two Grammy Awards in 1995 for her work on the album: Best Country Album and Best Female Country Vocal Performance (for "Shut Up and Kiss Me"), the fourth straight year she won the latter category. In 2006, Country Universe called it the best Contemporary Country Album of all time.Coyne, Kevin John (December 10, 2009), , countryuniverse.net, Retrieved April 24, 2010
The track "John Doe No. 24" was based off the story of John Doe Boyd, a Black deaf man who was institutionalized in Illinois for over 40 years and whose true identity is unknown.
Track listing
Personnel Adapted from Stones in the Road liner notes.
Musicians Kenny Aronoff - drums (2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13), percussion (11, 13) Paul Brady - tin whistle (10), background vocals (10) J. T. Brown - fretless bass (1, 8), bass guitar (4, 7) Mary Chapin Carpenter - vocals; acoustic guitar (all tracks except 12), background vocals (1, 2, 4, 10) Jon Carroll - piano (1, 7, 8), accordion (1) Shawn Colvin - background vocals (10) Don Dixon - bass guitar (2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13), arco bass (5) Stuart Duncan - fiddle (1), mandolin (1) John Jennings - electric guitar (2, 4, 5, 7, 13), acoustic guitar (1, 3, 4), baritone guitar (5, 6, 11), background vocals (2, 4, 6), Hammond C-3 organ (4), percussion (4), cowbell (6), plucked piano (8), bass guitar (8), "beach guitar" (10, 13) Robbie Magruder - drums (1, 4, 7, 8) Branford Marsalis - soprano saxophone (9) Alan O'Bryant - background vocals (1) Lee Roy Parnell - electric slide guitar (6, 13) Matt Rollings - piano (1, 4, 12, 13) Steuart Smith - electric guitar (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13) Benmont Tench - Hammond C-3 organ (2, 3, 11), piano (3, 6, 10, 11, 13) Robin and Linda Williams - background vocals (1) Trisha Yearwood - background vocals (5, 6)
Production Mary Chapin Carpenter - producer Dave Chavez - recording assistant Bob Dawson - recording, mixing Caroline Greyshock - photography John Jennings - producer Bill Johnson - art direction Denny Purcell - mastering James Saez - additional recording
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1994) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA Charts) 81 Canadian Albums (RPM) 29 Canadian Country Albums (RPM) 1
Year-end charts Chart (1994) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 39 Chart (1995) Position US Billboard 200 87 US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 13
References
External links Mary Chapin Carpenter's official website