Welcome to The Karen Carpenter Solo Board!

[Rick Henry]

Hello Friend... Welcome to this little hidden place on the Carpenters Avenue where we can share thoughts, ideas, remixes, viewpoints, opinions and such on Karen's solo works.

Karen loved her solo work and this page is dedicated to her love for this special project... the solo album...

Click Here for purchasing info of Karen Carpenter's solo album


Click Here to see Karen Carpenter's solo album

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Thanks for providing this little hidden treasure, Rick. As you are aware, I, too, am a big fan of Karen's solo effort, though I'm not as familiar with all of the details of it as you are.

I do have to say there is some wonderful material here that should absolutely have been released at the time - and not only because of the music but it got me to thinking - perhaps, just perhaps if this album had been released, things with Karen's life might have changed, too - and she might still be with us today. I don't know if it could have made that significant of a difference, but it seems to me it might have played a role in Karen's recovery rather than just add to the already undue stress she was under.

Of course, just a thought and just an opinion.....but I wonder.......hmmmm......

It will be interesting to see the postings in this thread, I am sure. Thanks again!
Tim

[cam83]

I have always loved her solo album. I am very sure that it would have been a hit had it been released. I have many thoughts on this project...and the controversy it had, when it was unreleased for many years.

Cameron

[Rick Henry]

Jul 10, 2009 2:16:04 GMT -5 cam83 said:

I have always loved her solo album. I am very sure that it would have been a hit had it been released. I have many thoughts on this project...and the controversy it had, when it was unreleased for many years.

Cameron

I am with you Cam in that I have many thoughts on this album... especially about the controversy over it's shelving.

I am interested to hear your thoughts.

[cinscorp]

You know I feel the same way. It just goes to reinforce some of the politics and redtape that have also held back some other talented artists. Tragic.

[Rick Henry]

Aug 10, 2009 21:42:17 GMT -5 cinscorp said:

You know I feel the same way. It just goes to reinforce some of the politics and redtape that have also held back some other talented artists. Tragic.

Yes, I find it quite devastating that recording companies sometimes feel they must control every aspect of the musicians musical output. In Karen's case, though, I feel it wasn't just the recording company. I also feel that the reasons they decided to hold back her solo album are not the reasons they ultimately gave to the public. I think it was more personal instead of business.

[enigma]

I feel that from the record company's perspective it was all business however they may have been influenced by other participants with more personal agendas. I feel record company's are all about the money and since herb Alpert was not present at the meeting for the album release the personal element was removed Moss never liked the Carpenters but he did like the money they were making him and would not take a risk of losing his cash cow so i feel his motivation was purely business related the other participants were another story however.

[Rick Henry]

Aug 13, 2009 7:16:57 GMT -5 enigma said:

I feel that from the record company's perspective it was all business however they may have been influenced by other participants with more personal agendas. I feel record company's are all about the money and since herb Alpert was not present at the meeting for the album release the personal element was removed Moss never liked the Carpenters but he did like the money they were making him and would not take a risk of losing his cash cow so i feel his motivation was purely business related the other participants were another story however.

I always found it interesting that Herb Alpert was not there for this important meeting. Could it be he wasn't there because he disagreed with this decision? Or maybe he knew it would crush Karen? Maybe a combination of both? Or could it be something as simple as that he was on vacation?

I agree that for A&M (Jerry Moss) it was purely business. He obviously did not want to see the famous duo (a proven commodity) dissolve for something that wasn't proven. The only problem with that is the proven commodity had been slipping for the past four years and their next product (Made In America) faced rather weak sales... it did not prove to be the comeback that all were hoping for. I'm sure at that point (1981) many people with in the inner circle realized they made a big mistake. They had solid gold on their hands and they let the opportunity slip away.