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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 29, 2004 8:08:23 GMT -5
@@ Just out of curiousity what are all the standard tunes that have been recorded and released by Carpenters. Here's a partial list: "When I Fall In Love" "Little Girl Blue" "I Got Rhythm" "I Can Dream Can't I" Definitely my favorite of all the standards K&R have recorded is "I Can Dream Can't I". They really outdid themselves on this one. It is remains true to the genre of the 40's yet somehow manages to fit well into the sound of the 70's. I've heard this song several times on the radio throughout the decades.  |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 24, 2007 23:31:37 GMT -5
:(Found this lonely thread started quite some time ago, and thought I'd put out some thoughts...I can't think of a lot of their tunes that are standards...but I can think of : "You're Just in Love" "This Masquerade" "From this Moment On" maybe some of you know of others if not, well, guess that's ok too.  |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Mar 25, 2007 1:56:41 GMT -5
There are quite a few others, including snippets embedded in medleys, duets and instrumentals:
"My Funny Valentine"
"Someone to Watch over Me"
"As Time Goes By"
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
"Strike Up the Band"
"White Christmas"
"I'll be Home for Chrismas"
and my favorites:
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"The Christmas Song"
We might also consider a few more modern songs that were written and performed in the style of standards from old 1940's Hollywood movies:
"Look to Your Dreams"
"Because We are in Love"
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 28, 2007 8:57:41 GMT -5
 Though I think the standard tunes recorded have now been named, I just wanted to say that if I could have a wish where Karen and Richard are concerned, (one) wish would be (I'm sure I'd have many by the time everything was said and done  that they would have done a whole string of standards. There are so many wonderful things Karen could have sung so well - and please, keep the OK Chorale out of it. Just Karen, with some piano, bass, drums, and perhaps a great string/oboe/sax arrangement or two. Songs like When Sunny gets Blue - Lush Life - Round Midnight - God Bless The Child - Ain't Nobody's Business - I'll String Along with You - I've Got You Under My Skin - those kinds of songs. YUM. I feel like Karen was born to sing these types of tunes, and we know she had a feel for them - and did the ones they recorded so, so well. I can dream, can't I? Tim 
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 28, 2007 11:07:15 GMT -5
Though I think the standard tunes recorded have now been named, I just wanted to say that if I could have a wish where Karen and Richard are concerned, (one) wish would be (I'm sure I'd have many by the time everything was said and done that they would have done a whole string of standards. There are so many wonderful things Karen could have sung so well - and please, keep the OK Chorale out of it. Just Karen, with some piano, bass, drums, and perhaps a great string/oboe/sax arrangement or two. Songs like When Sunny gets Blue - Lush Life - Round Midnight - God Bless The Child - Ain't Nobody's Business - I'll String Along with You - I've Got You Under My Skin - those kinds of songs. YUM. I feel like Karen was born to sing these types of tunes, and we know she had a feel for them - and did the ones they recorded so, so well. I can dream, can't I? Tim Good topic... and I love the instruments you mentioned Tim... piano, bass, drums, and perhaps a great string/oboe/sax arrangement or two.
Though, of course knowing Richard a bit of acoustic guitar would be added to the mix - and to offset things I'm sure some of these tunes would include a bit of the electric guitar - just the way Carpenters have always done things.
Just a thought... someone listed "This Masquerade" as a standard. I don't think "This Masquerade" is considered a standard - as it's actually a modern day (modern anyway for 1973) smooth jazz tune. The song was written in 1971-72 by rock music legend Leon Russell. Some may think it's a standard due to Carpenters lush treatment of the song, though.
I agree with you Tim... leave the OK Chorale out. I also agree that Karen was certainly born to sing these standards - but than again she was born to sing most any genre to perfection.
I just wonder if Carpenters would have ever released an album of only standards. My thought is that most likely not (again this is only speculation... one of those teasers for conversation - which I just love doing to spice things up a bit here). Carpenters were much into mixing things up - combining eras and genres. Combining a bit of jazz, country, soft rock, bossa nova, Motown, upbeat pop, dark ballads and some big band type standards. Even Karen solo for some reason I highly doubt she would have done an album completely filled with standards - as it's seems she wanted to be a dance-pop and/or smooth jazz queen as the 80's came around.
Just my thoughts... |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 28, 2007 11:34:33 GMT -5
I just wonder if Carpenters would have ever released an album of only standards. My thought is that most likely not. Carpenters were much into mixing things up - combining eras and genres. Combining a bit of jazz, country, soft rock, bossa nova, Motown, upbeat pop, dark ballads and some big band type standards. Even Karen solo for some reason I highly doubt she would have done an album completely filled with standards - as it's seems she wanted to be a dance-pop and/or smooth jazz queen as the 80's came around.
Just my thoughts...
I would agree with you, Rick, in the notion that Karen seemed to have wanted to be a dance-pop and or smooth jazz queen as the 80's came around. However, at some point in her career, using that "smooth jazz" influence, I think she may have considered doing something like this....and the standards I would have loved to have heard would have all been jazz influenced with such stylists as Billie Holliday, and writers like Jerome Kern, Sammy Fain, etc. Yes, again, I have to agree that I believe Karen had a lot more "at the moment" music in mind as is evident with her solo effort.....but someday down the line......perhaps she would have contemplated giving us a bunch of these older goodies.....well - I just can't help but wish................  Tim |
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 28, 2007 11:41:13 GMT -5
I just wonder if Carpenters would have ever released an album of only standards. My thought is that most likely not. Carpenters were much into mixing things up - combining eras and genres. Combining a bit of jazz, country, soft rock, bossa nova, Motown, upbeat pop, dark ballads and some big band type standards. Even Karen solo for some reason I highly doubt she would have done an album completely filled with standards - as it's seems she wanted to be a dance-pop and/or smooth jazz queen as the 80's came around.
Just my thoughts...
I would agree with you, Rick, in the notion that Karen seemed to have wanted to be a dance-pop and or smooth jazz queen as the 80's came around. However, at some point in her career, using that "smooth jazz" influence, I think she may have considered doing something like this....and the standards I would have loved to have heard would have all been jazz influenced with such stylists as Billie Holliday, and writers like Jerome Kern, Sammy Fain, etc. Yes, again, I have to agree that I believe Karen had a lot more "at the moment" music in mind as is evident with her solo effort.....but someday down the line......perhaps she would have contemplated giving us a bunch of these older goodies.....well - I just can't help but wish................ Tim I would have to agree with that sentiment. I do think that at some point in time a "standards album" may have been recorded - much like Diana Krall's recent release. And yes Billie Holiday and ella Fitzgerald type works would be fantastic - let's throw in a bit of Andrews Sisters for those great harmonies. |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 29, 2007 16:24:33 GMT -5
:)I agree with what's been said so far...
Yes, there were quite a few standards, or bits of the standards recorded, and how lovely a whole album would have been of only standards.
With Carps. they covered so many different sytles of music, and surely could cover very well just about any song.
RICK ...yes, I mentioned along this thread that "This Masquerade" was one of the standards, but not long after I posted that, I did have a doubt floating in the background of my
mind about it really fitting in as a standard. So, thanks for clearing that up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first time I heard the C's version was some years back on one of their albums...maybe it was the "Now and Then" c d.
Anyway, of course, I recall the guitar jazzy version from way back
by some artist George someone...and I did not care for his version.
so, when I heard Karen singing it...well WOW...OF course
WOW!
She was (is) a SMOOTH CROONER.....!
seemingly effortless
yes, such a song like "What'll I do?" (heard in R.Redford/Great Gatsby movie)
or that one that's in a Fred Astaire show..."Heaven...I'm in heaven...etc."
;D ;D ;D
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 29, 2007 22:39:00 GMT -5
 RICK ...yes, I mentioned along this thread that "This Masquerade" was one of the standards, but not long after I posted that, I did have a doubt floating in the background of my mind about it really fitting in as a standard. So, thanks for clearing that up. ;D ;D ;D Hey Kathy... no problem... I myself even think of the song as a standard from time to time. I think that may be because it's the beginning of the great Karen/Ella Medley. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The first time I heard the C's version was some years back on one of their albums...maybe it was the "Now and Then" c d. Anyway, of course, I recall the guitar jazzy version from way back by some artist George someone...and I did not care for his version. so, when I heard Karen singing it...well WOW...OF course WOW! She was (is) a SMOOTH CROONER.....! seemingly effortless yes, such a song like "What'll I do?" (heard in R.Redford/Great Gatsby movie) or that one that's in a Fred Astaire show..."Heaven...I'm in heaven...etc." ;D ;D ;D George Benson is the one who remade "This Masquerade". Leon Russell wrote the song and recorded it first. Carpenters recorded it second in 1973. Benson's release came in 1976. I actually liked Benson's recording - he's a great jazz musician.
On Karen's voice, Richard has stated that Karen is a crooner. He says a crooner is someone who doesn't sing as loud as they can - but they sing softly. This is definitely Karen. Even on the upbeat songs she still sings in her silky tender tones. |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 29, 2007 23:22:12 GMT -5
Oh yeah, George Benson.....ok...yes, I agree he's very talented.
....who knows what Richard and Karen would have done ...or if
they would just go their separate ways somehow...
We know definitely that they surely headed into the 80's w/
the newer sounds then of pop/disco...or whatever...
We know Karen really enjoyed making her own album, even though I'm sure she didn't want to hurt Richard at all.
...That album of hers was very important to her and I'm glad she
was able to do that.
We can only speculate surely.
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