And Duke Levine's guitar keeps things moving. The rhythms are pure pop. Curtis pushes her hometown to look at the world beyond its narrow boundaries in What's the Matter . Some famous friends, Melissa Ferrick and Jennifer Kimball, provide harmony vocals. Jimmy Ryan's mandolin provides a note of sweet poignancy and hope.
Roses is a stunning song.
It tells the story of two brothers from Ireland. One makes it to the shores of the U.S., while the other stays behind and becomes a soldier. Wounded in battle, he reflects on who he is, where he is going, and where he will stay. Beautifully crafted and sung with great emotion and care, it's a thing of great beauty. Of course Mary Chapin-Carpenter's accompanying vocal only adds more to the perfection of this tune.