Demographics of Carpenters Fans

[YesterdayOnceMore]

leo said:

By profession, I am a musician. All I ever wanted to do when I was a small child growing up by the sea 300 miles away, was to earn a living as a musician in London. In that sense, I have made it, and I'm very happy. I have been leading this steady life for over 6 years now. I sing and play the piano at hotels, bars, casinos, parties/occasions etc.

I also write and record my own material. As you know, it's a tough business, but I feel more creative now than I ever have before and I'm incredibly excited about the stuff I'm working on at the moment.

Thanks for sharing that information Leo...and you have made a significant difference here on this forum already. I enjoy reading your thoughts especially regarding the different recorded selections of Carpenters.

I did this same thing for about 30 years - playing in clubs, weddings, parties, events, etc. It's fun to do, and I supplemented my income a great deal. I loved it, but have finally given it up.

Welcome Karl - nice to have you aboard as well. Thanks for telling us a bit about you. Hoping we get to know you better and better "as time goes by".
Tim

[Rick Henry]

Thank you Tim for bringing this topic to the forefront again.

In the time since this thread was first started I think I have changed somewhat in my outlook on life. Life experiences have a way of changing others. I've always been pretty much a down to earth, open minded person. Though, I do tend to let situations get the better of me. I tend to worry about things too much. Recently, after another round of "life experiences" I'm at that point where I just know that I have to let go of things and not let situations get me down - but more so I need to learn to be victorious in situations. How to make the best out of tough times.

I consider myself to be more on the outgoing side, but really I'm somewhere inbetween extrovert and introvert (as Karl mentioned about himself). Such as when I'm in a shopping center or other public type place I prefer to be as anonymour as possible. I prefer draw the least amount of attention toward myself as I go about my business for the day. Though, at the same point I have no problem being the one who intiates a group conversation at a party.

I will continue with more on this complex discussion...

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Rick, I know what you mean....time has a way of changing all of us. I have gone through yet another metamorphosis of sorts....being unemployed for a time can take a toll on a person, physically, mentally and spiritualy. It's just a tough spot to be in - never knowing when the next job will happen, or when the next dollar will for sure be there. There are a lot of experiences that I have had, both good and bad, during the past 4 months, but I have to say, more good than anything.

One learns to trust more. At least, I found that true. I think one reason Palma's CD The Broken Cup resonated so with me was due to the messages. They are bound in encouragement. Yet, they speak so eloquently to the everyday things we all go through, and wonder about. I found these lyrics very profound and powerful, and the music was exceptional on top of it all.

I will be starting my new role as the Business Director for an employee leasing company next Monday. Hence, my posts will undoubtedly drop off somewhat. I plan to be very, very busy. And, happy to be!

But, all-in-all, during this hiatis from working an 8-5, I have rediscovered the magic of MAKING music. I had not wanted to sing/play/record because...well, I'm not sure why. It took effort I just didn't have. Thank God that is no longer the case. I can look forward to learning new material, and playing and singing old material. Just like listening to a good Carpenters song, making music for me is a release and a way to relax. But, I had stopped making music...stopped making rhyme....."no, I can't do anything to take me away, this time." Until now.....

I'd like to hear more from those of you out there on the forum. What's going on with your lives? What are the things you are enjoying doing these days? What kinds of jobs do you have, or, if you don't work, what sorts of things do you do? I find it fascinating to learn more about this family of Carpenters fans, and the more we learn...well, we can relate more easily than we do even now to each other.

Take a moment, and write a post here. Tell us more about you.

Thanks to each of you for all your support to me, and all of your well wishes. They mean more than you know!
Tim

[wisejester7]

Something Old ... Something New

I thought it would be interesting to revisit our old selves ... and maybe update the bios. Of course, those of us who have yet to write on this thread are invited to do so now.

Thanks, Tim, for directing me to the thread.

[paddy]

Hi, fom paddy in bury, lancashire in England. I would like to hear from Carpenters fans acoss the usa on how you come about being fans. My dad brought me upon Carpenters & thats the only good thing he did.
I have now brought my 12 year old daughter up on them & she loves them to death.
My e-mail address is [e-mail] Please give me a shout

[YesterdayOnceMore]

OKAY, OKAY....where IS everyone??? I know some of you have already posted here long ago, but have things changed? I now, for instance, work for a great company that leases/contracts employees. Yes, I'm still the HR Director, although my title is actually Director of Client Services. Never been that before!

I'm now recording instead of just wishing I was....spent the past two nights - four hours at a time - singing, playing, recording, re-recording, and oh, yes - re-recording. Oofah! BUT the point is....I AM DOING IT...and I believe it was a pipe dream the last time this thread rolled around.

I still live here in MO - my daughter is still in St. Louis and her hubby is closer (MUCH CLOSER) to becoming a full-fledged Pharmacist. Jon lives in Chicago and works both as a businessman in a temp agency (actually AT the agency, not as a temp), and by night and on weekends he's a recording engineer at Electrical Audio.

So many things have changed,and I gotta say, all for the better.

WHAT ABOUT OTHERS OF YOU??

Let us know what's going on in your lives. PLEASE???
Tim

[Rick Henry]

For the most part things have not changed for me - though I have moved from one city to another city in Southern California. I now live more South Eastern in Orange County as opposed to Northern O.C.

The biggest changes for me are in my philosophies or maybe I should say my way of thinking. I'm learning to not to let things worry me or stress me out so much. Where as back in 2005 I was a complete stress case - well not completely - I've seen people much worse than me. But, I still stressed out over a lot of things such as deadlines, what people think of my work, doing the right thing, if I offended anybody with a comment I've made, deadlines and more deadlines. I find myself getting to a point where I realize it's not worth it. I'm becoming more relaxed with things - but still have a ways to go.

[carpentersgermany]

Wow, this was definitely a second step for me in this forum. At first it was just overwhelming to look around and read some of your really interesting thoughts (basically Carpenters-related). Some of them I could relate to, others gave me a different point of view on things or just enriched my knowledge.

I spent a lot of time here during the last few days and I have to say I got kind of curious to get to know a bit more about the people beyond their absorbing statements. And tonight I just came across this thread and found it really interesting to read about all of you.

So even if its really late right now, allow me to introduce myself, just in a few words.

I was born in April 1982, so I spend almost a year at least on our earth together with Karen Carpenter, even if I was born and raised miles away from her (and most of you) in Germany.
My father is from Turkey, my mother is German. My parents, like my whole family and close friends are really important to me.

I'd say, I'm quite a social person. I just love hanging out with my friends, going out for a meal together, seeing concerts, cruising around our city by night, sometimes go to a club, just nothing special. With the right company everything is fun..

Right know I'm working on my Master Degree in Industrial Sociology / Human Resource Management and as a side job I'm working at a Recruiting Company (I'm not sure if this is the right term, but we just recruit personnel for other companies).

I have to say that I'm not really a retro-style person, so I can't say I'm in to the music of the sixties and seventies in general, it's just about the Carpenters. But I have to say, they are may favourite group of all.
It happened one night (I had to work on a presentation for university), where I had the melody of "Sing" on my mind, a song I always loved. So I just looked it up on the internet and of course stumbled across the Carpenters. I found out that say performed some songs that I always used to like. So on that night I just forgot about my presentation and fell in love with the Carpenters.
I started buying their CDs, watching their videos etc. From that moment on, not a day passed without listening to the music of the C.'s: they are the first thing I hear when I wake up and (mostly) the last thing I hear when I go to bed. They're on my mp3-player, on my cd player, in my car, on my laptop, just everywhere..

So, besides the Carpenters I also like to listen to Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, but also Electronic Music and Classical Music.

As a child I sang in a choir (like I posted somewhere else in this forum, we had to perform Top of the World and I never liked it that time when I never heard of the Carpenters, the Carpenters made me love it), I played the trumpet and trombone.

I'm not that much into sports, but used to play soccer and volleyball.

I'm a vegetarian since 12 years now.

I love travelling, unfortunately never made it to the US so far, but I'm sure I'll get there one day!

Didn't I say I wanted to introduce myself in a few words?! I think that didn't work out really, I'm sorry.

But for now I really have to go to bed, because I have to work tomorrow..

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Well, CG, that was an awesome post. Thanks so much for telling us some about yourself - and I was just smiling the whole time I was reading about how you found and fell in love with The Carpenter's music. Isn't it just awesome? How fun for you. I have two children - close to your age....actually, a bit older than you. My daughter, who just turned 30, also just loves Carpenters, though she was sXXXXX-fed this music from the womb, practically! So, she didn't have much choice, I'm afraid. She seems to like lots of other groups - Rascal Flatts is one she really likes who is current. It's all about the beautiful harmonies and gorgeous melodies. My son is more into the harder rock n roll stuff, though he thinks Billy Joel is wonderful, just like his father.

So pleased to read this about you. Thanks again for sharing. It's nice to have you here.
Tim

[GoodOldDreams]

Hi carpentersgermany,

What a wonderful biography!

Although I studied German for several years during my junior high and high school years, my fluency with the language is no where near your mastery of English. In my vacation to Munich and other parts of southern Germany one year, I was fortunate to be a able to remember enough German to get around and communicate with an elderly couple who didn't speak English at all on the train ride down along the Rhine River. I would love to visit Berlin and other parts of Germany if another opportunity arises.

Like you, I like the melody of "Sing," especially how different singers were shown lip-synching to the Carpenters in the 2004 VH1 commercial (you can see it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVSIKDZFE00 ).

Thanks for sharing your diverse range of interests and skills. I am so glad you are here on this forum!

Ed

[carpentersgermany]

tim: Really nice to hear about your children and you sharing your love for the Carpenters music with them. Since I'm not as yet a mother, I'm presenting the Carpenters music to my family and friends. I'd say for my parents and aunts/uncles it's "Yesterday once more" (they remember their good old times, when the C.'s music was popular in Germany) whereas for my friends it's mostly "We've only just begun" (because they never really heard of the C.'s before I introduced their music to them - but it cheers my heart when I see one of them starting to sing along to a C.'s tune after they listened to it a few times).
Apropos of Billy Joel: I just know his biggest hits like We didn't start the fire, Leningrad etc and always really liked them. But when I read your message I remembered his song "The river of Dreams" and me and my friends being absolutely nuts about it when it was released back in 93/94. I'm just listening to it while I'm writing these words. I love this song! Thank you for reminding me of this one!

@goodoldtimes/Ed:thank you for you're flattering words about my English. Besides meeting all you wonderful people here and reading your knowledgeable thoughts on my favourite band, I get the chance to hone my English skills. What more can I ask for?? ;-)
Although I'm living in the western part of Germany I stayed in Munich for a few month because I did an internship there. I just love this city and whole Bavaria with its beautiful landscape and castles (Neuschwanstein Castle second to none of course) - and the Oktoberfest of course
Germany is looking forward to welcome you back one day, Ed. Just let me know, and I'd be happy to give you some tips for your visit!

I just forgot to mention an artist, who means really a great inspiration to my life in my last post.
As I said, I'm really in to music but not fanatic about a special group or singer, except the Carpenters of course. But there's an artist from another genre that I care about a lot.
Her name is Pina Bausch a highly considered dancer and choreographer.
If you ever get the chance to see one of her performances, take the opportunity and go there.
I promise you, you'll see something you never saw before. A lot of my friends, who where really skeptic about it (Modern Dance Theater?! That's nothing for me!) where just abuzz after seeing one of her shows.
She's touring in Asia and Europe right know, but sure will return to the US next year..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEXcbWRh6Fo
(an advertisement for one of her appearances in Canada last year)

Her shows are " a breath of fresh air in troubled times" says Time Magazine. That's what it's all about, isn't it. And somehow an expression I could relate to the C.'s music, too..

[Rick Henry]

Nice to learn more about you CG. You certainly have a command over the English language. One would think you're a native speaker.

I especially liked what you said about not being a retro-style person, and that generally you're not in to the music of the sixties and seventies, with the exception of the Carpenters.

I am somewhat similar in a different way, in that I am generally a fan of classic rock such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Doors and Eagles. Although, Carpenters are my exception into the softer side of music. Karen's voice is absolutely fantastic.

I do certainly keep up with today's music... I pretty much like alternative-rock and brit-rock. Current day favorites are Edison Glass, Mars Volta, Coldplay, Bjork, Adrian Belew, King Crimson, Blue October, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons, Joe Henry, Mando Diao, Editors, Deerhoof, The Rapture, Silversun Pickups, Kate Bush, Cat Power, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), MuteMath, Radiohead, Interpol, Jack Johnson and John Mayer.

I also love New Wave 80's with artists like Klark kent (Stewart Copeland), Lene Lovich, Magazine, Japan, Howard DeVoto, David Sylvian, The Specials, Talking Heads, Ultravox, Visage, Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Kate Bush, The Police, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Billy Idol, B-52's, Devo, Madness, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Adam & The Ants, Gary Numan, Wall Of VooDoo, English Beat...

As you can tell I'm a big music lover.

[carpentersgermany]

Rick, you're such a wheedler! Your comment on my English made me smile. I'd like my former English-Teacher to read your words. I reckon that he thinks differently about it ;-).

I'm really impressed by your truly distinguished taste of music. I especially share your fondness for Kraftwerk. They are such an amazing band!!

I once met David Gilmour back in 2006. That was really impressing.
Besides my job at the Consulting Company, I'm working in the Philharmonic Hall of my hometown. David Gilmour was performing a really special concert there. Our hall has only 1500 seats, so the atmosphere was very intimate. Actually our concert hall is made for classical orchestras.
The smoke machine they used worked so hard that it made our fire alarm almost explode - during the concert! Thats an episode we'll never forget, I think.
But he is a true artist for sure..

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

Rick, you're such a wheedler! Your comment on my English made me smile. I'd like my former English-Teacher to read your words. I reckon that he thinks differently about it ;-).

I'm really impressed by your truly distinguished taste of music. I especially share your fondness for Kraftwerk. They are such an amazing band!!

I once met David Gilmour back in 2006. That was really impressing.
Besides my job at the Consulting Company, I'm working in the Philharmonic Hall of my hometown. David Gilmour was performing a really special concert there. Our hall has only 1500 seats, so the atmosphere was very intimate. Actually our concert hall is made for classical orchestras.
The smoke machine they used worked so hard that it made our fire alarm almost explode - during the concert! Thats an episode we'll never forget, I think.
But he is a true artist for sure..

I would love to see David Gilmour live... he has a fantastic voice... smooth and even toned.

Recently Kraftwerk released their excellent live album "Minimum-Maximum".

You must check into some of the more unusual Carpenters tunes including...

"B'wana She No Home"... this is a great jazz-fusion song along the lines of what you'd find done by Grover Washington Jr primaarily from his "Mister Magic" era. Musically "B'wana" is one of Carpenters' finest moments... listen to on headphones to grasp every nuance of the music... there's a lot there to hear.

"Road Ode"... Karen's voice is deep and rich and the music is explosive.

"Another Song"... Many Carpenters fans do not understand this song... several even say they skip over the song... but I feel it's an essential Carpenters tune as it shows the Carpenters' range and diversity. The jam at the end is very similar to what one might hear from jazz-fusion artists such as Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra... musically this song is rich and full-bodied. This is a dramatic tune. This is another that shows the Carpenters' diversity in musical tastes and proves that Carpenters were more than just singers of love songs.

"Only Yesterday"... is quite possibly Carpenters' finest "hit single". It's has layers of sound in both the vocals and musicianship. Listen to this one with headphones.

"Boat To Sail"... This is one of the Carpenters' most creative tunes. They use chiming sounds made with the electric vibraphone and have taken the layered vocal effect to a new level... giving the vocals a heavenly ethereal sound.

"Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing"... Is a great tune which melds folk-rock with pop-rock melodies. I love the harmonizing of vocals and the great drum and keyboard parts.

"Guess I Just Lost My Head"... from Karen's solo album. Karen shows her playful side on this smooth jazz tune. This could have been a hit in 1980 for Karen. This stellar keyboard solo in the middle is excellent as performed by Rob Mounsey... a great musician that Karen seemed to warm to quite famously.

I am always up for the other side of Carpenters.

[enigma]

Hi carpentersgermany

I enjoyed reading your post here and found it quite interesting like Rick I like all kinds classic rock as well as a fondness for the arena rock (Styx Journey Kiss Kansas etc) Also I generally dont listren to soft or easy listening music but like Rick and everyone in here there was something about Karen whether it be her voice her persona or a combination of the two that drew me to Carpenters music. Just wanted to compliment you on an interesting post.

[Rick Henry]

enigma said:

Hi carpentersgermany

I enjoyed reading your post here and found it quite interesting like Rick I like all kinds classic rock as well as a fondness for the arena rock (Styx Journey Kiss Kansas etc) Also I generally dont listren to soft or easy listening music but like Rick and everyone in here there was something about Karen whether it be her voice her persona or a combination of the two that drew me to Carpenters music. Just wanted to compliment you on an interesting post.

Hey "E"... I like how you mentioned whether it be Karen's voice or her persona or a combination of the two.

There are several reasons why I love Karen Carpenter. She has this fantastic voice that really permeates your soul and digs deep into the root of your emotions... but at the same time she had this most wonderful smile and deep look in her eyes that really draws you toward her. I love the expression in her speaking voice. She really knew how to keep a conversation going. She had her own view on life which I found quite interesting.

[carpentersgermany]

rick: Like I always say, i fell in love at first sight with the C.'s music. The songs you listed may not be love at first sight songs, but sometimes love at second (or third, forth..) sight grows even stronger.
So, I had to listen to "B'wana she no home" several times until it became one of my favourites.
But I have to say, that I don't really understand what this song is all about. "B'wanna she no home"!? You can't find that one in my dictionary

"Guess I just lost my head" I always liked, like most of Karens solos.

"Boat to sail": I was sure that this must be one of your favourites. "I'm a California label from the top of my head.."

With "Only yesterday" I can't agree 100%. I really love the verse, but just don't like the chorus at all..

Actually I listen to music most often with headphones - and not only for the sake of living in peace with the neighbourly people.. ;-)

enigma: Thank you for your nice words.
It's really interesting that you mentioned this singer-persona-relation.
I think with such an artist like Karen you can't part the one from the other. With the moment I heard her singing, I wanted to know more about her as a person and still enjoy watching her interviews, reading about her etc.
More over a lot of her persona is expressed in her singing (the sadness the joy in a body for instance)..
I think I don't have to tell you how much I like both, artist and persona (at least as much as I know about it).

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

rick: Like I always say, i fell in love at first sight with the C.'s music. The songs you listed may not be love at first sight songs, but sometimes love at second (or third, forth..) sight grows even stronger.
So, I had to listen to "B'wana she no home" several times until it became one of my favourites.
But I have to say, that I don't really understand what this song is all about. "B'wanna she no home"!? You can't find that one in my dictionary

"Guess I just lost my head" I always liked, like most of Karens solos.

"Boat to sail": I was sure that this must be one of your favourites. "I'm a California label from the top of my head.."

With "Only yesterday" I can't agree 100%. I really love the verse, but just don't like the chorus at all..

Actually I listen to music most often with headphones - and not only for the sake of living in peace with the neighbourly people.. ;-)

enigma: Thank you for your nice words.
It's really interesting that you mentioned this singer-persona-relation.
I think with such an artist like Karen you can't part the one from the other. With the moment I heard her singing, I wanted to know more about her as a person and still enjoy watching her interviews, reading about her etc.
More over a lot of her persona is expressed in her singing (the sadness the joy in a body for instance)..
I think I don't have to tell you how much I like both, artist and persona (at least as much as I know about it).

Hey CG... Let me reword myself on "Only Yesterday" in the technical sense of musicianship and vocal arrangements, "Only Yesterday" is one of the Carpenters finest hit singles. This song time and again tops the list of die-hard fans favorite in almost every poll taken of favorite Carpenters songs.

Yes, the line "I'm a California label from the top of my head" is a big factor in why I like "Boat To Sail"... but I also like the song for it's creativity and all the wonderfully layered vocals and the electric vibes... which creates those great chiming bell like sounds buried in the music.

The following are several different comments (from different sources) I've made on the song "B'wana She No Home"... hopefully this will give you a bit more insight into this fantastic song.

Written by mellow jazz artist Michael Franks (Franks had hits with "Popsicle Toes" (1975), "The Lady Wants To Know" (1977) and "Your Secret's Safe With Me" (1985) - he wrote all his songs.
"B'wana She No Home" marked a great growth in the spectrum of The Carpenters' musical landscape. It is jazz and soft rock fused together to create a wonderfully full sound encapsulated with Karen's smooth yet authoritative vocal.

Jazz is a genre Carpenters specialized in. They've done many jazz styled recordings true to the genre... my favorite example is "B'wana She No Home" which is a jazz fusion song recorded with some of the finest jazz musicians in the business and produced with complete authenticity... again this is the real thing... not a pop group trying to do jazz fusion... musically this song fits right in with something Grover Washington Jr would have done on his "Mister Magic" album in 1975.

"B'wana..." was recorded live in the studio which gives the song a certain energy. Famed session musician Tom Scott plays tenor sax and alto flute to perfection. It's the mix of wood winds, keyboards and guitar which really bring this song home in the instrumental at the end.

* * * * *

One of my favorite songs in the entire catalog of Carpenters music. I enjoy this one for it's adventuresome nature. Written by smooth jazz master Michael Franks for his 1997 album "Sleeping Gypsy". With it's electrifying guitar chords and rhythmic percussion Carpenters turned this song into a jazz musicians dream, containing many of the same musical elements found in Grover Washington Jr's 1975 jazz fusion masterpiece "Mister Magic". The "cool" and "seductive" vocal arrangement, which bought out a new dimension in Karen's voice, was composed by the talented Gene Perling.

* * * * *

This song is an absolute essential. This one is a reminder to us all that Carpenters were and have always been more than just singers of love songs. They were very versatile musicians. They were musicians in the highest sense.

Musically speaking this is one of Carpenters' very best works with it's intricate electric jazz guitar chords, smooth flowing R&B percussions and outstanding woodwind and keyboard parts. All this is topped by Karen's seductive and silky smooth vocal.

In this song I hear bits which remind of Sade, Santana, War and tons of Carpenters.

In one word OUTSTANDING.

I salute the Carpenters for being brave enough to go out on a limb and record the types of songs they really wanted to record.

* * * * *

"B'wana She No Home" is such an unusual song and one that I am fascinated with. The lyric really paints any interesting picture. It's a master and servant role in the lyric. The master (who in my mind is a famous star... maybe a silent pictures star) is very demanding on her servant. Her servant must speak English perfectly and must smile and be polite. The servant can not have her boyfriend over to the master's house. The servant must tell anybody who knocks on the door or calls that "B'wana She No Home" and must learn to say the words perfectly or the master will send the servant back to Guayaquil ( a city in Ecuador). The main purpose of this servant is to make sure that "B'wana" is left alone.

B'wana is a recluse and may be bitter about a lost love (send away the mad puppeteer who seems to think this is home). B'wana is obviously wealthy (I don't care if you drive my 350 honey, don't let 'em steal my chrome. I don't care if you spend all my money honey, long as you leave me alone). B'wana's expectations of the servant are high.

I think B'wana may quite possibly be Greta Garbo.

* * * * *

Another tidbit on "B'wana She No Home"... the term "B'wana" is a form of respectful address in Africa... very much like "Sir" or "Ma'am".

What I like about "B'wana She No Home" is that it gets me out of myself... away from being too introspective and gets me to think about cultures and lifestyles... this song really paints an interesting picture for me.