Made In America...thoughts...

[cam83]

Hi All,
Yesterday, I bought the MADE IN AMERICA lp and boy, that brought back memories for me. As I have said many times before, this was the second album I heard of theirs...the first being the SINGLES 1969-1973, and the third album being A KIND OF HUSH...which explains why these 2 are one of my faves because they are the ones I heard at first.
I really loved the artwork on it. It gives it a special and nice look to it. She really does look like MARY POPPINS on the front cover. The artwork is joyful, and the music very delightful. It really has a contemporary feel to this album. Of course, sadly, the inside photo of them is airbrushed...as I have seen the ones which weren't retouched, and they show a thin Karen looking tired, if you look closely at her eyes. I love her hair though, although grown out from the 1980 photo session where she is wearing blue knitted top, and rich is wearing black shirt(LOVELINES cover)...the music is so sublime. I love also that they chose the different woman Carolyn Dennis, Stephanie, Spruill, Maxine Waters Willard to sing background. They did a wonderful job having a distinct voice yet blending nicely with Karen.

My thoughts,
Cam

[Rick Henry]

I really love "I Believe You" from the album. This is really quite an outstanding song. The arrangement is sweet. Richard did a fine job with it. And Karen's voice again as always is fantastic.

$&? $&? $&?

[enigma]

MIA was not the first record I listened to that ws Now and Then when it first came out but MIA quickly grew on me and other than a few less than great songs I like most of the material on MIA. As for the background vocalists they did the job but I did not favor them I always though Karen harmonised best with herself and/or herself and Richard these other background singers and the OK Chorale just were not the same. At best they get a passing mark. It was the same when Karen quit drumming something was missing then and is missing when she is not harmonising with herself.

&^ *%

[cam83]

On the other hand, I think, Karen was happy to be singing with these women. It shows in her work. I mean, they were called the Carpettes, which I find to be very cute. And if Karen had lived, I am sure, we would have seen more of them. They add a special quality to the songs...

My thoughts,
Cam

[Moe]

I enjoyed the additional backup singers and wished Richard would have used them vs. the choir in the following CD releases. As for MIA, there are some great tunes on it, but too many forgettable ones, too. (ie, When you've got what it takes and Beechwood 4-5789)For me, it falls short of what they can accomplish, but definitely not a bad CD. It is not in the league of Song for You or Horizon, but fits more with Kind of Hush and Passage.

my 2 cents....

[JIM]

::)I have always wondered if Richard wanted I believe you to resembe Close To You with the original ending. Bringing it to a close and then a strong reprise and ending? since so many songs from MIA seemed to revolve around a new beginning theme and CTY was there first hit. I always got that impression from I Believe You. I wondered also if anyone rememberd my post from years ago on the singer Siade Garrett who was featured on Kiss Me which according to Richard was a toss up to touch me but then later said that the technology to mix the vocals was not perfect at the time of MIA's mixdown so Kiss me was finished during a recording session around 89 where siade mentions that she worked on several ghost recordings for Lovelines. I read this at A&M corner before I found Capenters Online but the interview clearly leaves you with the impression that there are other recordings that were completed by she and richard around 89. Kiss Me was the only one she went into detail on. Since Kiss is one of my favorite songs I would be thrilled if there were others. I also thought that since she compliments karens voice so well, that she would be the perfect vocalist to mixdown some of the solo unreleased material there are at least 3 that I think would really make another Lovelines type release possible.

Still dreamin
Jim