Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on May 15, 2006 18:44:27 GMT -5
Rick, I mused about something strange, at least to me... Out of all of the songs in their catalog, if Richard could pick 10 or 20, which would he choose? Not songs we like, the songs he likes, and maybe he might explain why. As I've said, three songs he doesn't like were solid hits. As far as "outtakes" goes, if a song has an obvious defect, like a blown line or a misstruck note, then I can agree. "The Rainbow Connection", and "Sing", which have such a beautiful simplicity about them, carried by Karen's vocals, and Richard's excellent piano work on "Rainbow" , are two Carpenters songs no one should miss. Like I said before, it would be grand if he "cleaned up" a few songs, and bounced them off folks like Tim, Palma, and some more of us, so he could get some honest feedback. I still think that there are more than a few diamonds in the rough in there. Even the fact that so many unreleased songs are being bootlegged says volumes about something called "pent-up demand". I think I mentioned once upon a time about Richard releasing an album of "unfinished" songs. What the hey, Brian Wilson released "Smile" last year...only 35 or so years late! And it still sold well. But, at the end of the day, it's still how Richard feels about the songs, and if they don't sound right" to him, well, who are we to push him?
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on May 15, 2006 20:28:42 GMT -5
I'd wanted to respond to this earlier, but was waiting to hear back from Palma. I have to agree, DAve - I bet there ARE more gems out there. For example, there is a song that Palma sent to Carpenters, which I'm sure made the gold box, though I cannot get Richard to affirm this, yet....it's called Everything To Me. It was written KNOWING that Karen would surely choose to record it. Heck, Palma sounds incredibly like Karen as she is singing it. It certainly has all the Carpenter markings - lots of beautiful backing harmonies, just in Carpenter's style - it has that aching vocal line, and the story is one Karen sang a million times - love that slipped through her fingers - but alas. Palma copyrighted it in 1977, and feels positive she sent it in to be considered. This, as we know, was at a time when Karen was, seemingly, attempting to break away from "what had been done before." But this song would have called to her, I have no doubt. One couldn't have sXXXXX fed a song more fitting to Karen for her to have sung. I wonder.....DID she sing it? Is there an arrangement of this and many other tunes that we're just going to get a "no" answer to, because of whatever reason Richard doesn't want to "deal" with these? I bet there are numerous songs that were recorded, or demo-ed....but of course, how would we EVER know unless Richard is honest about it. (I'm not saying he isn't, but perhaps he's leaving out some details he just doesn't want to have to deal with - and explain)! So, from that confirmation, I feel certain that there are more recordings - outtakes, etc., but it sure sounds from Richard like we're not ever going to hear those "rough diamonds" Dave. Too bad. Everything To Me was a perfect vehicle for Karen Carpenter. I wish she could have made more of her own choices; all the way round. Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on May 16, 2006 23:01:13 GMT -5
Beth... I'm happy to hear that you were able to listen to the broadcast. I somehow accidentally deleted your post as I was trying to quote it for this post. I think I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. Silly me!!!
Kathy... I still plan on transcribing the interview for those of you who do not have sound on your computer.
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Post by BethMosior on May 17, 2006 14:44:32 GMT -5
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Post by ps11932 on May 17, 2006 15:01:19 GMT -5
First, this is another really great topic and it's really enlightening to think about it and read all the sharp insights- thanks for all the contributions. I'd have to say that the most outstanding attribute I see in Carpenters, as it relates to life, is indeed the voice and reflection it gives to all of the emotions. There are songs that can almost move me to tears even after hundreds of times, and others, such as "Sing" that can always give a lift. I agree, Beth, that there is a lot of healing available. I am glad for all the Carpenter material I hear (and I'm still pretty much a novice), even the lighter stuff, that maybe isn't mastepiece work of numbers such as "Masquerade", but sure makes me feel energized and in a better spirit. I know for sure Carpenters have helped make me a better person. O.E.
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