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Post by smoothie2 on Apr 23, 2006 23:16:19 GMT -5
AFD, thanks for posting this message, and for the email. Yes friends, the connection I had with Robert when we spoke last week (two cell phones with lousy connections) made me think he told me Jim died 3 weeks, not months ago. No wonder no one had heard from him in so long. No wonder..... I am personally having a very difficult time with this whole thing. I, like Dave, have never lost someone I only knew online. Jim and I spoke on the phone, and had a wonderful conversation, just last summer. We'd hoped to meet if I got to Florida, or he to Missouri, but of course, that never happened. One day, when I go to visit Dave, we'll go together to Jim's home town and pay him a visit. I want you all to know that GoodOldDreams did me a big favor and not only did he search for all of Jim's posts (all 523 of them), he also put them all on a PDF file for me, so I could send them to Robert and to Jim's mother. Thanks again, Ed. I appreciate very much that you did that. He did the same with this thread, as well. Robert, I know, will be quite touched to receive this. "...takin' my time, trying to find time to unwind.....nothin's gonna hurry me....nothin's gonna worry me....." Tim ..My heart is full of all kind of feelings, mostly sad. This must be such a tremendous greif for you and all those very close to him. I'm sorry that your plans to meet with him didn't happen. But you had his friendship and I think that in itself is a great thing to have. ???you take care.... again I'm sorry this is a painful time.
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Post by mrbillis4u on Apr 24, 2006 14:58:02 GMT -5
I was saddened to hear of jims passing. It made me feel very sad even though I did not know him personally. But I know he was a warm and caring man. When I first became a member of this fine group of people on this site, Jim was one of the few that sent me some e-mails that made me feel very welcome. I thought that was very kind of him and I will remember him for his kindness. My heart is with those left behind that loved him so dearly. Sincerely, Bill
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 24, 2006 18:52:30 GMT -5
First of all, thank you, Mary, for your lovely post. I'm Tim, and I'm the guy that Robert phoned last week. We had a terrible cell phone to cell phone connection, and it took a few moments for me to even figure out who I was talking with. Once I realized it was Robert, whom Jim talked to me about so often, I knew something was as terribly wrong as I had suspected. Jim and I typically spoke via email at least once or twice in a weeks time, and so for me not to hear from him for weks and weeks meant that something, somewhere, either with him or someone he loved dearly was wrong. I just didn't expect to hear what Robert told me. I apologize for having the time frame of Jim's death all wrong. Jim and I began corresponding almost immediately after I joined the forum because, besides having a strong love for all things Carpenters, and in particular the wonderful music they gave us, both of us also were fascinated by another artist that Richard helped along in his career, and even produced an album for - Scott Grimes. When Jim found out that I, too, liked Scott's music, we became friends for life. Jim was one of the most unselfish, generous to a fault individuals I have ever known. It never surprised me to find some sort of package on my doorstep, and it was also no surprise to see that it was from Jim. He loved referring to himself as "Santa Jim." He sent me some very raraties - a rare Japanese videotape - beautiful refrigerator magnets that are tiny replicas of most of the more popular Carpenter Album covers, and much, much more. Of course, he sent me a Scott Grimes album that he just "happened" to have a second of, and I swear, he must have searched and searched on E-bay for weeks because he wanted me to hear Akiko, the Japanese singer who he thought sounded so incredibly much like Karen. He found an Akiko CD, and of course, now I have it. And, I love it. It was always something wonderful, and always unexpected. He was the man who just kept on giving. Mostly, he gave of himself to me. He was so generous with his words, and his love. He was so funny, too. He would tell me stories about when he used to fly for a living, and some of the times he wasn't sure he'd make it back down to the ground. But he would always, always laugh. Sure, he would share with me a bad week here and there, but as long as he knew he had you, and he had Robert, he seemed to know that his world was intact. Thank you for your kind words to everyone on the forum. Once a person met Jim, they didn't forget him. He made significant contributions to this forum, and he was well loved. I continue to grieve for the loss I feel and the emptiness in my heart. I know Jim is in a great, wonderful place....but we shall miss him terribly here. I will be writing to Robert, soon. Also, I will be sending both you and he copies of all of Jim's posts since he began here. There are 523 posts altogether. I am sure you will enjoy them. I found a picture of him today - I'd asked for one to see what he looked like, and he sent me his "agency" shot. I will be sending it to Rick so he can post it online in May, as I believe he plans to do a "tribute page" to Jim. Jim seemed very fond of that picture, and even wrote on the bottom that he still looked the same as when the picture was taken. I'll cherish it and all of his many gifts forever. Jim, Mary, Robert....know that Jim's voice will remain with us as we continue our online communications with each other. Always my best..... Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 24, 2006 21:25:16 GMT -5
Yes, I do plan on posting a tribute to Jim on the main web site in May. It will include his Carpenters Favorites List which he compiled and wrote about a year and a half ago. I will also include some of the comments people have posted in this thread and the picture which Tim will be sending me.
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Post by smoothie2 on Apr 24, 2006 23:29:29 GMT -5
???That sounds like an excellent ideal Rick. And I will again say that I'm sorry we've lost an important friend.
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Post by Carps1000 on Apr 25, 2006 7:16:48 GMT -5
Hi everyone. Carps1000 ( Ken) here. I didnt know the guy at all but I felt I did as Id read a lot of his posts. I am so angry at this waste of a obviuosly kind good honest hardworkin man who obviously put every one else first b4 himself. Why is it always the good go young & the scum of the world are left intact. I sometimes wonder wether there is a god. I have lost several people who I loved very much in recent years & so I know what Jims partner & Ma are going thru. Its horrific. The sun will shine again but you never forget. Love as always Ken x
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 25, 2006 10:56:42 GMT -5
I went into the archives and quoted several of Jim's posts which I thought would be interesting to read. So many memories. His very first post on the forum is included at the very end of all these quotes.All of the Capenters songs make me go wow!!! Since I need to pick my fav wows, I would have to say #1 Only Yesterday #2 Song For You #3Road Ode #4 Merry Christmas Darling Jim I would have loved to have worked with Richard in production. I can listen to a song over and over and never get tired of the repetition. I hope someday to work as an engineer but my only fear is that I am just way to stuck in the 70's and I just can't for the life of me find much to get jazzed about in what most people are into these days. I keep hoping that like fashion the style of the 70's returns as main stream. Brian Wilson songs are never left behind.. JIM Rick we like the same three songs in the same order! I know if it had been released Love Makin Love to You would would probably challenge Makin Love In the Afternnoon but My Body Keeps Changing My Mind and If I Had You are just simply studio masterpieces! I will never get over how complex they are from a vocal stand point. I think if that album had been promoted better when it was released at least one of those three songs would have charted, who knows maybe even to a top 10! I still believe there are a lot of people who are not even aware it exits, which really makes a big difference when an album is released. I know Universal would go out of business completely before considering a rerelease, only this time posters in record stores a couple of TV spots and everyone who missed it the first time would deffinetly take notice. Its just one hell of an album. Jim 8-)I recieved an extra special Carpenters gift from mom this June! While mom was going through some long forgotten boxes, she came upon the ticket stub from the Carpenters concert we attended in 1971! I was seated in section 7 floor level, row 4, seat 1! Price***************$5.OO! Can you imagine? I would pay $5.000 to see it now without a dought. Although I was 8 in 71, I can still remember how excited I was. All my best memories, come back clearly to me, some can even make me cry. Just like before, its yesterday once more. Jim ;)Hey guys! I can't tell you how big of a lump I got in my throat upon reading your all of your birthday greetings!!! I must say I was completely moved when I saw a seperate link comemorating yet another year of my life. Really though I feel I was old enough last year but its just a number, right? I hope I can still be silly once and a while, even though I know it drives Rick crazy! You guys are a great bunch and I am greatful to be a part of this site, dedicated to love we share for the greatest musical act of all time. THE CARPENTERS! A big thanks from the heart. Jim ;)Great thread Rick!, Enigma said it all TOUGH CHOICES. Sunshiny-Sailing On The Tide Relaxed-Boat To Sail Peacful-Now Happy-Only Yesterday Loving-Maybe Its You Warm-Sing Awed-Superstar Comforted-Its Going To Take Some Time Rainbow-When You've Got What It Takes Raptured-A Song For You Jim !@ Rick my man what can I say! I have always loved your site and over the past year I have enjoyed your unique style of allowing your members to be a part of this sites ongoing evolution. Your research is of course top notch but your genuine interest in each members contributions has created a truly family type atmosphere that is so greatly appreciated!! Wow Cam! 8 brothers and 5 sisters! I am an only child and that is so hard to comprehend. Hey,contradiction? I am gay and the last time I checked God stopped making mistakes from the time he took the job O.K. Shalalala. Yay another sax player!! All of you are a great bunch of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was born in 1963 in the middle of no where Algona Iowa. I am viewed as introverted and usually reserve my extroverted side to one or two unfourtnate friends. People who know me well think I should do stand up but for now my introverted side will not give me permission. In 1970 after hearing CTY I was hooked and I can't think of even a week of my life when I did not spend time listening to the Carpenters and my appreciation of there music grows deeper with each passing year. I currently live in Ft. Lauderdale Fl. With my partner of 7yrs who is also a saxaphone player, only like Tim(Yesterdayoncemore)Rick and Roland fall on the proffessional side of the musical fence and I tag along as a sound man for his various gigs and other bands who don't have time to set up and tear down there sound systems due to work,family,etc. I am also a personal trainer and message therapist. I miss my day's as a flight attendant for an Interational charter but you can only fly around the world for so long until your body say's enough! I attend Religious Science of Ft. Lauderdale, A Place Of Infinite Possobilities which is there slogan kinda neat. Thanks for letting me get to know all of you a little more! JIM Hey Peter; I must agree, what were they thinking when they adhered this one to magnetic tape and thinking it would fly as a single. I can appreciate that Richard liked to experiment with different styles of music but Goofus is just as it sounds goofy! The only thing I like about this song is the section of lyric that matches my life. I was actually born in Ioway(Iowa) and I play the saxaphone. At one time I could not read notes and played by ear even in my jr. high school concert band which is not according to the rules which I am sure sounded goofus when I hit a wrong note but I was a flaming youth, yes flaming, luckily the flame went out and I learned how to read the notes. I am still unsure how to form a corn flake chord, it must be some kind of goofy enharmonic aug6th. Sorry for all of the goofiness. Goofing off for now. JIM Hey Roland! You did an outstanding job on your favorites list! It puts mine to shame. At the time I was working on mine I managed to lose my original draft during all of the chaos in preperation for the hurricane. I remember trying to get all of my information sent while the wind was howling, the lights were flickering and as soon as I hit send button we lost power for the next 5 days. Your Bio is also great. You are lucky to have so many talents. I am sorry to hear about MS. I also live with chronic medical disorder and I can relate to the frustration it must bring you. Never lose hope! I have a close friend with MS and I keep on top of medical research and they are closing in on fully understanding the nature of many chronic disorders. I would love to hear more about your composition and arranging techniques sometime. JIM HI Tim. I just spent 45min. listening to the end of If I Had You and like you I can not make out the words she singing. Still those Karen harmonies even without undestanding the words are just out of this world. You are so lucky to have a signed copy of this album. JIM HI Rob. I am bipolar and it took quite a while for me to get it under control. I spent a lot of my life feeling anxious about when my next period of depression would hit and wondering how long it would last. I was 37 when I discovered that I had bipolar disorder. So a lot of things started to make sense, like why antidepressants caused me to become manic. Serzone almost gave me a heart attack. People use to say just snap out of it when I was down. Boy does that make you mad or what! I hope you find relief soon. JIM Hey Roland. Thank You so much for waiting for me! I can't tell you how happy I am that you kept me in your thoughts. My partners mother passed recently and we are still adjusting. The last 10 yrs of her life were really bad, so we have comfort in knowing that her pain is over. My top 10 is always changing but I think these songs are constant. 1. SONG FOR YOU 2. BABY ITS YOU 3. ROAD ODE 4. YOUR WONDERFUL PARADE 5. MASQERADE 6. SUPERSTAR 7. KISS ME THE WAY YOU DID LAST NIGHT 8. LOOK TO YOUR DREAMS 9. LOVE MAKIN LOVE TO YOU (unreleased) 10. Midnight(unreleased) Well thats my top 10 as of 6:30AM Friday. It almost impossible to choose, when every song is a treasure. JIM Say Yeah the first track on the album really Grabs your attention. Your just not expecting Richard to open an album in this way. I still find Time way to Emotional to enjoy. I whish that RC would have included a few more cuts with Dionne. From what I unseratand Im Not In love Alone was the last song heard by Karen over the phone that was to be recorded on a future album. Hey Rick! I don't remeber how I came upon Carpeneters Online but I know it had something to do with More Offerings. I ordered two of the decals and I am going to send in a picture of the white one that is affixed proudly on my black Techniques work station. It looks like it was destined to find its home there, just like I have found a home here. I think all of you are really the greatest. JIM Sailing On the Tide is my get up and go song! I play it in the morning, with the volume cranked full tilt. Boat To Sail is a great chill out song. I love the ending after DeShannon is back where she exhales in the recording. JIM Hey Cam! I also love If I Had You and like you, I am so intrigued by the complex backing vocals on If I Had You and all of the other great solo songs. Phil Ramone has a web site and I Emailed him to tell him how much I love the solo work and asked if he could tell me how these vocal tracks are produced but he didn't write back. Recently I found a collection of carpenters hits that contain a note by note transcription of the vocal harmonies exactly the way they were recorded. My work station has a collection of vocal sounds, doo, ahh,daa,ooh,Mmm and I can modify them! So I have been having a great time recreating them. I wish I had a way to modify them to match the tone and resonance of Karen and Richards voice. JIM I find the intermission on A Song For You is very funny! Will be right back after we go to the bathroom! That was just crazy. JIM This is a question that I think about a lot. I am glad it was posted. If I met Karen today, she would be 54 and the events in her life would be completely different. I would introduce myself and ask her if she had a few minutes to tell me about her fantastic talent. Then I would tell her how much joy she has given me thru her music. Another dream I have is having the a way to travel back in time to 1968. I would take all of there albums, biographies and anything else that would outline there life. Of course if I met them in 68 and presented there history to them they would be quite shocked but with this information they could avoid all of the mistakes in there life. Today we would still have Karen and tons of great music by the greatest singer in the world. I know this story is way out but thats my dream. JIM Like the rest of you, I feel Karen and Phil had the right idea, at the right time! I have stated this so many times but I feel that Richard should have taken Karens lead for a change. As much as I love MIA, I have to say that it is weak compared to LoveLines. I wish that Richard and A&M could have recognized the need to release a radically new sound to capture the publics attention. In an ideal past it would have been nice have seen a colaboration between Rich and Karen concerninng a come back album In retrospect it seems that Richard and A&M where very bullheaded and determined not to tamper with the Carpenters image but in my opinion this was a total lack of vision. As others at the site have said and I totally agree, this hurt her at a time when she needed all the support she could get. JIM Crystal Lullabye has always been a huge favorite for me and then its segways right into another great power ballad Road Ode, which segways into A Song For You reprise which is so hauntingly beautiful! All three of these songs really touch my soul musically. I can't imagine how they would come in so low in a poll. It is interesting to note that there is not one song from Horizon on the list. I wonder if this makes Horizon there #1 album? And to think Richard thought it was weak. JIM I love giving Carpenters music as gifts. Freinds and relatives who sometimes don't understand my great love for them, will always call me and say how they had forgotten how beautiful her voice was and say now I can see why you talk about them so much. Also most people only remember them for there big hits and fall in love with one of the many hidden gems that were not big hits. One of my favorite happy tunes is Sailing On The Tide. When Its a sunny Saturday I often play this in the morning. I live in south Florida so thats quite often! JIMBALYA Wow! I can't beleive that Richard thought that Horizon was bad... If I were forced to only keep one album it would be Horizon in a heart beat! JIM For me A Song For You still moves me just as much as the first time I heard it, its a very emotional collection. Horizon is the Album I listen to the most, it always puts me in a great mood! I could listen to Only Yesterday a 10000x and then some and never grow tired of it. JIM Coolest. Only Yesterday Chill Factor. A Song For You Rythm. Say Bwanna She No Home Tears. Now Smile. Sailing On The Tide Warning! All Favorites are subject to change at any monent! JIM Hi All! I know I am junping in late on this poll but my favorite song from Horizon was Love Me For What I Am. It seems to get me right in the heart every time I hear it. I must agree with Rick, Horizon was ther best project! I love every song on it!!! I know it is difficult for all of us to nail down an all time favorite, they made everything great. JIM Cams right! along with the show! forgive me CAM but today I saw this picture and although it is a departure from the norm. Karen was human and I think she would laugh if she knew how much attention it received. Its is a rare glimpse into the more candid side of two very human people. The Carpenters Forever!!!!!!! JIM Hey guys! I am also a musician.I play college level sax, and also have spent some time on vocal training. My vocal instructor said my voice is similar to James Taylor but I have never performed professionally. My partner is a professional Sax player and usually gives me a hard time about my love for the CarpenerS. He thouht they were a manufactured type band until he saw Karen playing drums and singing on the CarpenterS 2000 video during a live performance. He now respects the sh...t out of there work and his band covers a few C tunes. I am currently taking private lessons in chord theory for keyboards and can see even more of the genius in Richards arranging techniques. My goal is write music. Some day I will work up the nerve to step up to the mike and sing. And this last post was Jim's very first post on the forum...At present there were two left I got one for myself and one for a fellow CarpenterS Fan. Pepperland sounds like an interesting place! I know of nothing like it in South Florida. I have heard about some of these songs and am looking forward to listening to them. Thanks again JIM
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 25, 2006 11:08:47 GMT -5
That last post of Jim's was regarding the three disc readers digest collection. The "fellow Carpenters fan" he referred to was ME. Thank you, Jim. Thanks Rick for these wonderful memories. Palma - Jim had never had the opportunity to really meet you, but did you notice one of the posts Rick pulled out - Love Me For What I Am was his favorite song from Horizon. How cool is THAT? Thanks again, Rick. I have been going through my personal emails from Jim, looking for items to share, as well. In the next day or so, I will happily share some of them with you all. Tim
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Post by smoothie2 on Apr 25, 2006 22:45:23 GMT -5
:DThanks so much for sharing Jim's posts Rick. Reading through them brings a lump in my throat, but I realize now that he was a very loyal fan of the C's. and It's obvious that he loved writing here on the forum. I've learned more about him reading through his posts and I'm glad for that.
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Post by BethMosior on Apr 26, 2006 16:18:56 GMT -5
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Post by beaner on Apr 29, 2006 21:13:21 GMT -5
My deepest, deepest condolences to Mary and Robert. Jim will be missed for sure. He left many internet friends here on the forum.
Prayers,
Beaner (Mary Ann)
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Post by Moe on Apr 30, 2006 6:55:11 GMT -5
Thoughts and prayers with you all. I don't get to post as I would like, but was sorry to see this message as I returned to our forum. It is amazing how Karen and Richard's music bring people together from all over the world and connect with each other.
May you have peace...
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Post by centurycity on May 21, 2006 16:33:09 GMT -5
god bless - most upsetting - my heart felt thoughts
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on May 30, 2006 3:41:08 GMT -5
Hello all: I've thought a lot about Jim today (well, Yesterday, now, since it's early Tuesday morning) on Memorial Day....plus, when I went into my music room, I noticed the poster he sent me announcing A Kind Of Hush being released, the Carpenters logo transfer he also sent, and the wonderful magnets, each miniature album covers of at least 10 Carpenter albums. Santa Jim..... I wanted you to know I will be sending this thread to Jim's mother this week, as well as to Robert. I received a very sweet letter from Mary Hutchinson just a few days ago. In it, she told me that Jim was her best friend. Mary said that Jim's love of "giving" just the right gift came from his father. He, too, was like that.....and that she was glad to know that Santa Jim had paid me a visit a time or two. She said that one time when Jim was visiting her, he mentioned me, and that we had become good friends. She indicated she was skeptical how people could become "friends" via cyberspace. After Jim's death, and my letter and Dave's phone call....AND, most importantly, after she read these lovely messages throughout this thread, she "knew" that what Jim had told her was true. He was loved and he had a lot of friends. Mary indicated that yes, Jim loved Carpenters, and that she would always think of him whenever she heard a Carpenters tune. She lost both husband and son in the same year.....but she is carrying on bravely, and wishes everyone here the absolute best. Mary also told me that Robert has visited her several times since Jim's death, and that he is truly struggling. We send you our best Robert, and know that you have a community here that loved Jim, and you can join us anytime to talk about him. I know Mary and Robert will be touched by the lovely words expressed here by you all. Thanks. Tim
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Post by BethMosior on May 30, 2006 16:02:12 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 5, 2006 9:55:10 GMT -5
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 5, 2006 20:54:56 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 5, 2006 21:24:47 GMT -5
Rick, what a truly nice thing to do. It certainly brought a tear to my eye to read that Jim will be an honorary member of this forum. An honor quite fitting for Jim, indeed. And that today would have been Jim's 43rd birthday....well, we should just celebrate the life he HAD...he would want us to, I'm sure. And, thanks for that last post. Jim told me he really would love to go and meet Richard, and hear that show. It was not meant to be. "...You gave me the courage I need to win....to open my heart and to let you in....and I never really knew how, until now.............until now...." Jim you are so missed. Happy birthday, my friend. Tim
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