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Post by shalalala on Mar 12, 2005 4:49:36 GMT -5
I recently purchased a DVD of the Carpenters' 1972 concert in Melbourne, Australia. (eBay is a wonderful thing.)
I have read that Richard and Karen were absolute perfectionists and expected that same perfection from their band members onstage. Well, something happens during their medley of Burt Bacharach tunes that makes me laugh -- and illustrates how truly demanding they were.
Twice during the song "Any Day Now," -- which is a terrific arrangement, by the way, and sung expertly by Karen -- the horn section in the orchestra conducted by Frank Pooler screws up. They basically have four notes to play in unison (when Karen sings "good-bye my love ... you'll be on your way") and they can't get it right -- or at least to Richard's liking.
The first time it happens, Richard shoots a glare at the horn section and kinda shakes his head. The next time through, the horns are a little bit off again and this time Richard makes eye contact with Karen and actually points at the trumpets with his left hand while he plays the keyboards with his right. (As if to say to Karen, can you believe they're screwing this part up, again?!)
Then Karen, in an attempt to steer the horns back on beat, and obviously a little ticked off, SLAMS her snare as she turns her head to the horn section to get a look at the guilty culprits.
These exchanges probably last only a few seconds, but I think they are telling in what they reveal about Richard and Karen's drive for perfection and their desire to give the audience the best show possible.
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Post by enigma on Mar 12, 2005 8:23:58 GMT -5
Hi shalalala
Yes Richard and especially Karen are famous for being no nonsense with regards to how their backup band performs. Karen was strict in here insistance that the band stick to the script no ad libs or impovinisation allowed or they would feel Karens wrath as they no doubt did that night. Dispite the fact he was agitated that night, Richard was generally more mellow than Karen in tolerance of mistakes. But this kind of dedication to perfection is what made the Carpenters music so great and their live shows great as well.
BTW if you see the live at the BBC concert during the Close To You Song Richard hit a wrong note on the piano which got a look from Karen so he was not immune to Karens perfectionist ways.
&^ *%
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Post by karen69roland on Mar 12, 2005 10:12:28 GMT -5
 Hi Shalalala
I would LOVE to see that show..., if you're interested maybe we could do a trade..., I have plenty of Carpenters on VHS..., all I have to do is find another VCR to duplicate them...
Let me know by private message or e-mail, when you have some time.
Thanks and welcome to the forum. [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300]  [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by Ming on Mar 12, 2005 10:29:37 GMT -5
It is difficult to avoid mistakes in a live concert. I think these minor mistakes doesn't affect the whole performances.Carpenters are always great. ;D
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 12, 2005 11:23:32 GMT -5
I recently purchased a DVD of the Carpenters' 1972 concert in Melbourne, Australia. (eBay is a wonderful thing.) I have read that Richard and Karen were absolute perfectionists and expected that same perfection from their band members onstage. Well, something happens during their medley of Burt Bacharach tunes that makes me laugh -- and illustrates how truly demanding they were. Twice during the song "Any Day Now," -- which is a terrific arrangement, by the way, and sung expertly by Karen -- the horn section in the orchestra conducted by Frank Pooler screws up. They basically have four notes to play in unison (when Karen sings "good-bye my love ... you'll be on your way") and they can't get it right -- or at least to Richard's liking. The first time it happens, Richard shoots a glare at the horn section and kinda shakes his head. The next time through, the horns are a little bit off again and this time Richard makes eye contact with Karen and actually points at the trumpets with his left hand while he plays the keyboards with his right. (As if to say to Karen, can you believe they're screwing this part up, again?!) Then Karen, in an attempt to steer the horns back on beat, and obviously a little ticked off, SLAMS her snare as she turns her head to the horn section to get a look at the guilty culprits. These exchanges probably last only a few seconds, but I think they are telling in what they reveal about Richard and Karen's drive for perfection and their desire to give the audience the best show possible. Hi Shalalala thank you for sharing what you saw in the concert video. I would love to see this one myself also. I've seen it listed on ebay. And once again this is another item which will be put on my list of soon to be ebay purchases. It's the attention to detail that made the Carpenters' music stand above most of their contemporaries in the 70's. And it's that's same attention to detail which has made their music transcend the test of time to become known as "classic".  |
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Post by shalalala on Mar 12, 2005 13:47:26 GMT -5
Another thing about the Bacharach medley: Karen's drumming is phenomenal. Each song has a different feel and tempo, and she executes them (and the transition between songs) seamlessly while singing with that incredible voice of hers.
Plus, she looks so darn cute banging away at those drums!
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Post by cam83 on Mar 12, 2005 15:05:24 GMT -5
Enigma,
I noticed that too. She gave a look to Richard, like she is surprised. It kind of threw her off almost. But I don't blame them for being perfectionists. It was THEIR music...THEIR name. And they treated their musicians better than any other group...sames hotels, same rooms, same jets etc.
Cam
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 12, 2005 16:45:12 GMT -5
Another thing about the Bacharach medley: Karen's drumming is phenomenal. Each song has a different feel and tempo, and she executes them (and the transition between songs) seamlessly while singing with that incredible voice of hers. Plus, she looks so darn cute banging away at those drums! Just another reason why I love Karen. She really did and still does stand out among her peers. |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 13, 2005 0:42:55 GMT -5
:(welcome to the forum here shalalala! I really love seeing the C's in concert...I wasn't blessed with going to one of their shows, so video and DVD...are great. I'm glad you shared this info. about their BBC concert. I have not seen that one. I do know that on one video I have, that during the singing of "when He smiles"....R. and K. do communicate with their eyes to each other and with the other band members, as signals to make sure they are all in sync on what they're doing. We sometimes don't think on how hard they did have to work to put out such great songs, it all comes so naturally it seems.
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DVB3
NEW TO THE FAMILY
Posts: 12
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Post by DVB3 on Mar 15, 2005 0:01:02 GMT -5
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Post by shalalala on Mar 15, 2005 2:09:04 GMT -5
DVB3, you rock!!!
Watching the concert as I type. Excellent picture and sound. You said to be on the lookout for more downloads to come ... I can't wait!
Thanks again!!
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 19, 2005 22:17:38 GMT -5
;D Thanks so much DVB3! I just now read this post and so I'll be downloading soon... |
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