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Post by shalalala on Mar 30, 2005 6:42:16 GMT -5
I'm sure many of you have listened to the tribute album "If I Were A Carpenter." One song on that album stands out to me -- Sheryl Crow's version of "Solitaire." While it can't match the beauty of the original -- come on, that would be impossible -- it is nevertheless very, very well done. Sheryl sounds great (even though she can't touch Karen's low notes) and her guitar-playing is excellent as well. Listening to this song gave me unexpected chills. Just wondering if you people have heard it and what you thought ...  (Karen even looks a little like Sheryl in this picture!) |
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Post by Carps1000 on Mar 30, 2005 10:03:45 GMT -5
#?? Im Not a Fan of SC but the collabaration she did on Stevie Nicks,s last album was good. Ken
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 30, 2005 11:37:04 GMT -5
I own the "If I Were A Carpenter" tribute album on cassette, CD and also a seven inch vinyl singles box set. Sheryl Crow's "Solitaire" is one of the album's highlights. Although I do feel it pales in comparison to Karen's outstanding vocal performance. I also like Dishwalla's altenative rock version of "It's Going To Take Sometime" - I love the heavier guitar parts on their version. "Superstar" by Sonic Youth is my favorite cut from the album. This track received a good amount of airplay on radio in Southern California. The tracks I do not like are Shonen Knife's "Top Of The World" - this is a joke - soory don't mean to offend anyone with this comment. Also "Calling Occupants..." by Babes In Toyland is pretty awful. 4 Non Blondes totally ruined "Bless The Beasts And Children". With the exception of these songs the tribute album is actually very good.  ;D |
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Post by cam83 on Mar 30, 2005 11:49:05 GMT -5
Hi All,
I actually liked BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN from the tribute album. Was not, and never a fan of Sheryl Crow...and her version of SOLITAIRE was not very good. TOP OF THE WORLD was just horrible. I loved SUPERSTAR by Sonic Youth. I loved LET ME BE THE ONE by Matthew Sweet which was one of my top favorites.
Cam
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Post by enigma on Mar 30, 2005 13:18:56 GMT -5
I like Sheryl Crow even if she lacks originality in her music but I do not like her attempt at this song. Its difficult to do a song that Karen did as far as I am concerned no one seems to match Karens voice, style and reading on a song. Sheryl does her best here and its listenable but is not Crows best work and has no chance against Karens version.
As for the rest of the album I did not like it the versions really paled in comparision to the originals and in some contributions it seemed like the artists were not even trying to do a good job and pay tribute to the Carpenters. I agree with Rick that Superstar was a different and pleasant surprise on this album.
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Post by shalalala on Mar 30, 2005 16:15:47 GMT -5
I respectfully disagree here. By no means am I saying Sheryl's version is comparable to Karen's. (You CAN'T duplicate that voice). But I think it's a fine tribute and very good in its own right. Some of the songs on that album are absolute crap. (Shonen Knife, I am looking at YOU.)  Then again, if you're anti-Crow, there was no chance of your liking it to begin with ... |
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Post by cam83 on Mar 30, 2005 17:07:54 GMT -5
Hi,
No I am not anti Crow...I think she has a great fan following, she just holds nothing compared to Karen. That's not to say Sheryl Crow is not a good singer...she is...just not in the same upper league as Karen, in my honest and humble opinion. Only a few singers, in my opinion are in Karen's league...Barbra Streisand, Sandi Patty, kd Lang...
It would have been way cooler, I think, had they made a TRIBUTE album from people who sing in a similar style to the Carpenters...For example...
Sandi Patty(big Karen fan...does Jesus Loves me imitations of Karen in concert)
kd Lang(excellant quality to her voice...fan of Karen's too)
Amy Grant(alto singer of Christian Contemporary genre)
Olivia Newton-John(best friend of Karen's)
Dionne Warwick(another great friend of KC)
Phoebe Snow
Karen Ramone(aka ITCHY)
Carnie Wilson(from Wilson Phillips)
Shania Twain(has Karen's phrasing and intonation down pat)
Cherry Boone O'Neill(confidante of KC...also a great singer in her own right with Boone family)
....these are just a few of the artists that could have paid homage to Karen...
My thoughts,
Cam
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Mariah Andrews
CERTIFIED SILVER MEMBER
29/Lesbian M2F TS/Nevada. Longtime Carpenters Fan.
Posts: 49
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Post by Mariah Andrews on Mar 31, 2005 1:36:29 GMT -5
I happen to like Sheryl Crow. The fact that she covered a Carpenters tune shows her fanhood well. However, I wasn't too crazy about her cover of Guns & Roses' "Sweet Child Of Mine" because I still prefer the original version better.
Now imagine if Axl sang a Carpenters tune...
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 31, 2005 2:27:38 GMT -5
Hi, No I am not anti Crow...I think she has a great fan following, she just holds nothing compared to Karen. That's not to say Sheryl Crow is not a good singer...she is...just not in the same upper league as Karen, in my honest and humble opinion. Only a few singers, in my opinion are in Karen's league...Barbra Streisand, Sandi Patty, kd Lang... It would have been way cooler, I think, had they made a TRIBUTE album from people who sing in a similar style to the Carpenters...For example... Sandi Patty(big Karen fan...does Jesus Loves me imitations of Karen in concert) kd Lang(excellant quality to her voice...fan of Karen's too) Amy Grant(alto singer of Christian Contemporary genre) Olivia Newton-John(best friend of Karen's) Dionne Warwick(another great friend of KC) Phoebe Snow Karen Ramone(aka ITCHY) Carnie Wilson(from Wilson Phillips) Shania Twain(has Karen's phrasing and intonation down pat) Cherry Boone O'Neill(confidante of KC...also a great singer in her own right with Boone family) ....these are just a few of the artists that could have paid homage to Karen... My thoughts, Cam Interesting premise. Cam you're choices make sense. How about a tribute with the songs sung only by friends of Karen. You mentioned Olivia Newton-John, Phoebe snow, Dionne Warwick, Karen Ramone (who is known as Karen Kamon on her recordings). We could add other friends like: Herb Alpert Doug Strawn Petula Clark Quincy Jones Bob James Jane Morgan My own personal dream for a Carpenters tribute album would be done by today's best artists. Including: Norah Jones Diana Krall Coldplay Keane Three Doors Down Maroon 5 U2 Sarah Brightman Jack Johnson Elton John Bonnie Raitt Michael Buble Alison Krauss Josh Groban Martina McBride John Mayer Snow Patrol Los Lonely Boys Jimmy Buffett Alicia Keys That would make an interesting 20 track disc. and fortunately there are more than enough great Carpenters songs to assemble a serious 20 track tribute. ;D |
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Post by karen69roland on Mar 31, 2005 5:22:41 GMT -5
 When I first got that album, something I liked to do, was to compare the songs one after the other.
I never listened that album alone, I can't stand it.
So, when my friends wanted to listen to that album, that's what I'd do..., just compare..., ' just to make them(friends) realise how The Carpenters were in a special world..., a world of excellence.
I was surprised a month ago when the movie *The Last Supper* (1995) was on television..., that punk *Top Of The World* version was the main theme at the end of the movie.
As for the Sheryl Crow version of *Solitaire* I feel it's a little like the other songs on that album, it's not one of my favorite track of her.
*It's Going To Take Some Time* by Dishwalla is easily the best on that album.
[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 YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 31, 2005 21:58:21 GMT -5
 Very Interesting stuff. I have this CD - of course, as a collector, I had to have it. I have attempted to listen to it all of 1 time. I didn't make it all the way through, if I recall correctly - it was so long ago as I got the CD just after release. It's terrible, in my opinion. I was pleased that so many wanted to "honor", if that's what you call it, Carpenters by putting this compilation together, but, even though I tried my best to listen with an open mind, I thought it was just horrible! What nonsense to have these types of groups try to do Carpenters tunes. I agree with most of Rick's listing - I'd think John Mayer, Nora Jones, Diana Krall, et all could do a much better job of performing some of these songs. Also I have to completely agree with Cam in that Sandi Patti, kd lang, Itchy and Shania would have been great doing some select Carpenters tunes. Just my humble opinion  
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 1, 2005 4:08:40 GMT -5
The feeling I got after I listened to this album all the way through for the first time was that there was something missing. Although I do like about half the songs on the collection for the most part I was not thoroughly impressed. I don't think I have ever listened to it all the way through since that first time. I have although listened to Dishwalla, Sheryl Crow, Sonic Youth, Grant Lee Buffalo and Matthew Sweet several times. |
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