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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 25, 2005 13:23:35 GMT -5
Hi Ken! that is some interesting information. I have heard that Alice Cooper loves Karen, but didn't know about Lemmy. karen Carpenter truly does appeal to a wide demographics of people. Probably wider than we realize. Just another comment on the solo album. I know that I get somewhat emotional about the album, but I must state that I truly believe and support Karen's vision here. Beyond all the, "would it have been a hit or would it have been promoted", I just really love this album. One because the music is outstanding and I love hearing a different side of Karen's amazing vocal abilities. And two because this is Karen stepping out and showing us who she really was. I feel she identified to these songs much more so than others that were recorded for "Made In America". I am not putting "Made In america" down when I say this, because I love MIA. I just feel the songs on KC solo reflect more of who Karen was. A young and fun upbeat person. Ken you mention something about Carpenters quiz time. that sounds like fun. Maybe you can start a whole new thread on that so we can have fun with that one. thanks Ken.  @@ Rick, I have to agree with you here. Aside from all the discussion, at the end of the day, Karen Carpenter is a fantastic CD. It's fresh, it's invigorating, it's incredibly well done as those vocals took an emense amount of time to do, and it's just plain great listening. KUDOS to Karen for such an outstanding CD. It's one of my favorites. Ken, your quiz sounds like fun. Let's do it. Pirate! Tim  |
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Post by enigma on Mar 25, 2005 20:22:38 GMT -5
Hello, Ken. If you haven't figured me out by now, I'm a humourist (note the British spelling) who, when a topic's discussion gets close to the redline, throws something out there to try to make people see the situation. I've been guilty of adding too much heat myself on occasion, but it's all in fun. Yes, Richard should have done this or A&M should have done that but at the end of the day, we're arguing about things that are 25 years or more in the past. If we all got together at one time in one place, it would most likely turn out like the bar scene in "Airplane". Dave lets face it anything we discuss on this forum happened 20+ years ago and hence is in the past. This topic is quite unique because alot of us feel strongly not only about Karen but this record. Its true we can't change the past and I would question the wisdom or ethics of doing so if I or anyone could. There is always a bigger picture to consider when thinking about changing anything in the past. Its just interesting conversation that everyone has an opinion on however strong, emotional or heated it gets. I consider it an interesting topic even if it seems we go around in circles and seem to get nowhere with it. My strong feeling on this album stem from the fact that not only to I consider it a great record but also a gift from Karen. Its what I always wanted to hear from the time I first became a Carpenters fan. I always wanted someday for Karen to have the opportunity to see if she could sucessfully do something on her own without Richard and different from the Carpenters. I love the Carpenters and Richards contributions but when I hear theres no Karen without Richard, Richard was pulling the strings or Karen needed Richard to be a sucess I not only felt that those statements were inaccurate but strongly disagreed with them and this was in the 1970's before the solo project came about. I did not want Karen to leave Richard but I did want her to prove that she could do it on her own and was eager myself to see what a solo project would be like from Karen. When I finally did hear of this solo project in 1979 I was excited to hear it then I got then news it was shelved and was a little disappointed. I am glad it finally got released and when I heard the end product how different but so good it was I will admit I was a little bitter about its shelving and when I learned how it went down it did get me a little upset. This long winded story is the best way I can explain why I feel so strongly about this album. The fact that this was all Karen top to bottom she put all her heart and soul into this record and that just makes it all the sweeter each time I listen to it. &^ *% |
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Post by cam83 on Mar 25, 2005 21:20:19 GMT -5
Enigma,
You phrased it beautifully! Well said.
Cam
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Post by shalalala on Mar 26, 2005 2:54:45 GMT -5
I just want to thank everybody for encouraging me to buy this terrific album.
I love it. I find myself listening to it ahead of the Carpenters now ... is that sacrilegous?
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 26, 2005 22:27:05 GMT -5
$? Okay more thoughts on KC solo. It's been said that this album does not contain the "chill factor". Then this thought came to me that an album does not need to contain the so-called chill factor to be a great album. Yes, a few of the songs on KC solo do have that chill factor such as "If I Had You" and "Make Believe It's Your First Time". But really what this album does have is a "fun factor" about it. I don't think Karen went into the studio with Phil Ramone and said let's produce an album with the chill factor. I get the feeling that she went into the studio with the frame of mind of creating something fun, upbeat and exciting. And this is exactly what she did. Songs like "My Body Keeps Changing My Mind", "Still In Love With You", "Guess I Just Lost My Head", "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" and "Making Love In The Afternoon" all have that exhilerating "fun factor" about them. They are all musically sound with classy musical arrangements and outstanding vocal mixes. And Karen seems to enjoy singing these song. You can hear a certain lilt in her voice. No, the songs don't have that deep dark vocal Karen was famous for. But the vocals are still outstanding as KC has always done. The quality in her vocals here is no less than on any classic Carpenters song. So KC solo may not contain the "chill factor" but it contains the just as important "fun factor" and this is what makes this album excellent. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 26, 2005 22:31:18 GMT -5
I just want to thank everybody for encouraging me to buy this terrific album. I love it. I find myself listening to it ahead of the Carpenters now ... is that sacrilegous? Sacreligious - no way. For the past two years I've listened to KC solo more than any other Carpenters album. But that doesn't mean that I like Carpenters any less. "Horizon" is still my favorite of all albums KC sang on. I also listen to Karen's unreleased solo songs more than most anything else these days. I truly love "Keep My Lovelight Burning" and "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again". Two excellent dance tunes. |
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Post by shalalala on Mar 27, 2005 2:17:18 GMT -5
Where can I find Karen's unreleased solo songs -- I mean that aren't on KC's solo album?
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Post by cam83 on Mar 27, 2005 4:57:40 GMT -5
Go on Napster, or Morpheus...and you will find them...
Don't Try To WIn Me BacK Again
Truly You
It's Really You
Midnight
Love Making Love to You
I Do It For Your Love
Jimmy Mac
Keep My Lovelight Burning
Something's Missing
Cam
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Post by enigma on Mar 27, 2005 8:05:43 GMT -5
Rick I like the term you used "fun factor". I also found this record upbeat and energetic. I think that was the whole point to the record were it to have a chill factor or deep dark vocal then Richard would have been right the solo record would be copying the Carpenter sound or sound like a Carpenters record. I am certain Karen was concious of this and did not want to release another record like she had as part of the Carpenters. She wanted something new and fresh and she achieved that. I love the fun nature of this record just listen to Still In Love With You and the oohs and aaahs in the song Karen was letting loose and eminating the fact that she was having fun doing the song in fact the whole album is that way with a few exceptions like the slower numbers but even here Karen was avoiding the dark haunting reading she did on Carpenter records. That is why this record is such a breath of fresh air the listener can feel the fun that Karen was having just as they felt the emotion in her Carpenters songs. This album should have been titled something like Karen unleased or Karen having fun being Karen thats the feeling I get when I listen to it it always lifts my spirits.
As for the betrayal thing I feel no betrayal to the Carpenters by likeing KC no more than it is a betrayal to like another artist besides the Carpenters. In either case my love of the Carpenters is not changed. For me I just love Karen in everything she does Carpenters related or not and do not feel I am betraying the Carpenters by doing so she is the chief reason I am a Carpenters fan after all. You can love the solo record and the Carpenters so enjoy KC free of any guilt Shalalala.
&^ *%
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Post by enigma on Mar 27, 2005 8:12:42 GMT -5
I don't think that you're long-winded by any means, Enigma. As you know, I can get emotional as well. We all can, and passion is a good thing. When I see us having to rationalize our viewpoints, or apologizing to each other, then I have to take a good look at what I've said. I've deleted many of my emotional "rants" over on the "Too Hot To Handle" forum, because they seemed extraneous and totally irrelevant when Russell joined in with the wealth of information he has from being there and contributing to the solo effort. I wanted everyone to read what Russell contributed, not the "lunatic ravings of a complete madman" (if you remember what movie that's from, remind me!). But, as someone who is an admitted "expert", doing John Madden impersonations isn't good for one's blood pressure. As you told me once, it's sometimes frustrating to know as much as you do. I only know a small fraction, but it's frustrating nonetheless. Dave I never apologise for any post I make I only apologise for any hurt feelings or negative emotions they may cause. I try not to ruffle feathers too much and, after a past incident that got way out of hand to the point where Rick had to delete the thread and I went into self exile for a period to lick my wounds, I stay on the safe side to avoid a repeat of what happened and keep things from getting that ugly ever again. I do not know everyone on this forum as well as I know you or Rick I know you can handle the heat but some can't which is why the Too Hot To Handle part of the forum had to be created. I will still state my opinion and it is not to start an argument as some may think but it is to have my voice heard and state my view as well as give information if I have any to give. My posts seem strong because thats who I am honest, direct and opinionated its never about getting personal or being disrespectful to anyone.   |
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 27, 2005 11:19:25 GMT -5
Dave I never apologise for any post I make I only apologise for any hurt feelings or negative emotions they may cause. I try not to ruffle feathers too much and, after a past incident that got way out of hand to the point where Rick had to delete the thread and I went into self exile for a period to lick my wounds, I stay on the safe side to avoid a repeat of what happened and keep things from getting that ugly ever again. I do not know everyone on this forum as well as I know you or Rick I know you can handle the heat but some can't which is why the Too Hot To Handle part of the forum had to be created. I will still state my opinion and it is not to start an argument as some may think but it is to have my voice heard and state my view as well as give information if I have any to give. My posts seem strong because thats who I am honest, direct and opinionated its never about getting personal or being disrespectful to anyone. Very well written Enigma. what you said about your posts is exactly how I feel about what I have to say here. Thank you for putting this into intelligible words. Dave, you said earlier that you edited or deleted some of your posts in the KC solo topic on Too Hot to Handle. I just wanted to comment that I have for a reason decided to keep every statement made in that thread intact- even the rude ones. I feel every comment in that thread is important exactly as is. I feel this because it shows how very strongly some of us feel about Karen's solo album. This album for some reason elicits strong feelings from several of us. That in itself tells me something about this album. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 27, 2005 19:47:13 GMT -5
You know, we never did say whether or not to listen. Based upon the empirical (piratical?) evidence, I'd say "yes".  Well said, Dave! Bravo! Piratical evidence? Well...okay Pirate! Tim |
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 27, 2005 21:59:02 GMT -5
Well said, Dave! Bravo! Piratical evidence? Well...okay Pirate! Tim Gee, you guys have me thinking of "The Pirates Of The Carribean" at Disneyland. "yo hoo hoo and a bottle of rum". |
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