Karen Carpenter appreciation thread — Page 2

dear dgrant, sorry, anyway I'm into the jane fonda work-out and throw-up plan now

AndyHardy - "Little Girl Blue" was not from Karen's solo album, it was recorded for a television special, and included on a compilation CD that Richard put together (primarily for the Japanese market). Also, I should add that while Herb Alpert and Richard were less than thrilled with Karen's solo effort, it was her decision to shelve it, not A&M Records' decision.

---

Feodor, thanks for the "Little Girl Blue" clarification.

I believe Auggie's statement about her (and her brother) being a "joke" was in regard to their wholesomeness and being perceived as being "un-cool". True, they were (and are) best selling artists, but I can recall people joking about her recording of "Superstar" when so many others (Midler, etc.) did their recordings of "Superstar" in such a sexual way. I prefer Karen's.

Thanks for this thread. Glad to know they were nice when you met them. I'm looking forward to going home and putting on some Karen

---

Speaking of Manilow - Richard passed on "Trying To Get The Feeling Again" and passed it along to Manilow who had a big hit with it. Several years after Karen's death, Richard was putting together a Karaoke CD for Japan, and came across Karen's work vocal (which she would do in one take and Richard would use it to do his arrangement. She would always redo the vocal for the final track). Anyway, he put an arrangement around it and released it on a compilation disc (same one as "Little Girl Blue"), and it's superb. I can't even listen to Manilow's version anymore (and I really like Manilow).

---

Karen's voice was so pure and perfect that it was almost haunting to listen to. I'd also compare Linda Eder's voice to that of Karen - not that they sound similar, but in the perfection of their voices.

"Superstar" was made fun of at the time partly because the recording changed "sleep with you" to "be with you." I do remember The Carpenters being ridiculed quite a bit in the seventies. It was not the thing at all to like them then; many people considered them on a par with the Osmond Brothers or Lawrence Welk. It took a while before Karen's unique voice and Richard's sophisticated arrangements and immaculate recording techniques were appreciated.

Yes, Midler in concert then would say things like "Jeez, what's with Karen Carpenter? Nice voice, but her drumming sucks!" I remember one year Karen presented a Grammy to Bette, whose first words were something like "I wasn't sure if you were going to hand me the statue or hit me over the head with it."

"The Uninvited Guest" is perhaps Karen's most hauntingly perfect songs. Gives me chills every time I listen to it!

ditto ditto! echo echo! karen was the vocalist of the century. i'm still amazed that richard and karen did ALL the background vocals on almost every one of their albums.

i'll NEVER forget being in the car, listening to the radio, when it was announced that karen had passed. they played GOODBYE TO LOVE. i stopped the car and just bawled like a baby.

---

I just had to bump this. I've been listening to the Christmas albums and she is just SUBLIME.

---

Wow! I just stumbled upon this and I am presently suprised by the out pour of love. I personally consider Karen one if not the greatest singers ever. Soley due to her pure and crstyal voice. I adore her individually and as a duo with her brother in every sense of the word. As previously said, their Christmas Album is pure classic and if you haven't checked out anyother music besides their christmas album I strongly recommend it.

---