Karen's Drumming

[Will]

I told a friend at work today that Karen was voted one of the best drummers. He could not accept this. I told him that the Carpenters were very talented musically and that she also sang while drumming. He wasn't impressed. He had someone else (whom I will identify tomorrow after I track down his name) in mind as a better drummer who sang while drumming.

Anyway I could use your help in explaining why Karen should be considered one of the best -- if indeed she is. Also, (and I know this subject is part of another thread but I need some quick answers) which drum solo and which drumming while singing should I direct this fellow to listen to so he can better appreciate her talent?

Thanks.

[Rick Henry]

Hi Will. for drumming while singing you will not find that on any carpenters albums, as the music tracks were recorded first and then vocal tracks added. to get the real thing you need to find a performance on DVD. In the DVD "Close To You: Remembering The Carpenters", there is an early clip (1970) of the "All American College Show". Karen, Richard, and Wes Jacobs as the Richard Carpenter Trio perform live "Dancing In The Street", karen is drumming and singing on this one. And she's really drumming - this is an upbeat rhythmic song.

Though to capture the essence of her drumwork - you can not compare her to other drummers. Karen was not a loud crash and thrash drummer. Instead Karen is more refined as a drummer. She's into intricate timing and patterns. She doesn't just keep a good rhythm, but she concentrates on scupltured patterns. Her drumming influences are Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Both are jazz drummers who were popular through the 30's, 40's, and 50's. I would classify Karen Carpenter as a fine jazz drummer. She is not by any means a rock and roll drummer.

Here is a great web page that features Karen Carpenter the drummer:
saullular.tripod.com/death/id7.html

To give this person a good example of Karen's drumwork I would choose the "Ticket To Ride" album most prominently "All I Can Do" - Karen's drumwork here is outstanding. Read the description of this song on the Albums: Song by Song thread for the "Ticket To Ride" album. Here's a link to that thread:

carponline.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=albums&action=display&thread=1080547671

"Your Wonderful Parade" from the "Ticket To Ride" also sports a wonderful drum solo.

Karen also shows off her fine drumwork on "Another Song", "This Masquerade", "Happy" and "Please Mr. Postman". Of course there are more songs than these four, but I feel these are some of her best performances.

[karen69roland]

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Karen's drumming and singing is also unique in *Mr. Guder* and *Help*..., see the video *Live At Budokan*(1974).

..., and, in that same show..., she does hit hard and do some like *Metal headbanging* in *Johnny Be Good*.

..., she was the best..., and ahead of her time, to me.



[glow=red,2,300]I love you, Karen

[/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]

[shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow]
[shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]

[Will]

Rick said:

Hi Will. for drumming while singing you will not find that on any carpenters albums, as the music tracks were recorded first and then vocal tracks added. to get the real thing you need to find a performance on DVD. In the DVD "Close To You: Remembering The Carpenters", there is an early clip (1970) of the "All American College Show". Karen, Richard, and Wes Jacobs as the Richard Carpenter Trio perform live "Dancing In The Street", karen is drumming and singing on this one. And she's really drumming - this is an upbeat rhythmic song.

Though to capture the essence of her drumwork - you can not compare her to other drummers. Karen was not a loud crash and thrash drummer. Instead Karen is more refined as a drummer. She's into intricate timing and patterns. She doesn't just keep a good rhythm, but she concentrates on scupltured patterns. Her drumming influences are Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Both are jazz drummers who were popular through the 30's, 40's, and 50's. I would classify Karen Carpenter as a fine jazz drummer. She is not by any means a rock and roll drummer.

Here is a great web page that features Karen Carpenter the drummer:
saullular.tripod.com/death/id7.html

To give this person a good example of Karen's drumwork I would choose the "Ticket To Ride" album most prominently "All I Can Do" - Karen's drumwork here is outstanding. Read the description of this song on the Albums: Song by Song thread for the "Ticket To Ride" album. Here's a link to that thread:

carponline.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=albums&action=display&thread=1080547671

"Your Wonderful Parade" from the "Ticket To Ride" also sports a wonderful drum solo.

Karen also shows off her fine drumwork on "Another Song", "This Masquerade", "Happy" and "Please Mr. Postman". Of course there are more songs than these four, but I feel these are some of her best performances.

Thanks so much -- I'll put this information to work tomorrow!

[Federico Cruz]

And what about her live drumming perform of the song And When He Smiles?. Superb!!

[karen69roland]

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Rick said:

Her drumming influences are Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.

..., just want to add The Dave Brubeck Quartet's Joe Morello as big influence for Karen on the drums.



[glow=red,2,300]I love you, Karen

[/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]

[shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow]
[shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]

[Rick Henry]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Here's another link to a web page which features Karen the drummer.

www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/features/top5/singing_drummers.shtml

[Will]

Thanks for the info. My friend was referring to Don Henley as his favorite, but now, I'm not certain if he is serious or if he was just wanting to be contentious.

Anyway, here's an interesting site that I believe we're familiar with that talks about Karen's drumming:

www.leadsister.com/articles/mdmemoriam.html

Also:

www.leadsister.com/articles/moderndrummer.html

And by the way Rick, I love the photo of Karen playing the drums and singing in her blue outfit that you currently are displaying as your background -- thanks.