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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 7, 2006 14:27:47 GMT -5
Hi All!
I have to put KAREN CARPENTER as the 1st Album of the Day ( I couldn't pick just ONE song-thus the new category).
The whole album is light and breezy. A CELEBRATION ; )
Lovelines...All Because of You...If I Had You...Making Love In The Afternoon...If We Try...Remember When Lovin' Took All Night...Still In Love With You...My Body Keeps Changing My Mind...Make Believe It's Your First Time...Guess I Just Lost My Head...Still Crazy After All These Years...Last One Singin' the Blues
This is Karen. A grown up Karen. She was willing and wanting to take a chance on something new. This was a time for spreading her wings and flying away from the nest...for a little while. There would ALWAYS be CARPENTERS. She would ALWAYS work with Richard. She was not leaving their planned path. This was a little piece of just KAREN.
I wish R and the tops at A&M (and probably the home front, too) would have given her a little support and validation.
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 7, 2006 21:43:02 GMT -5
I have to go with Wisejster7, Karen Carpenter (solo) is my album of the day. What an outstanding album. I love every track on it.
I also wish A&M and Richard would have seen the enormous possibilities with this album - I think it would have helped to respark Carpenters career.
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makapipi
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
Posts: 172
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Post by makapipi on Sept 8, 2006 1:21:25 GMT -5
My album of the day , actually "night" is "Lovelines" Great to listen late at night for instance the song "Lovelines" starts with a sound like fingers moving along the strings of a harp which produces an effect like a "musical door" opening, then later on the 3rd song "The Uninvited Guest" Karen sounds like she is a ghost but is actually seeing one. The reverb and echo effects could also mean she is dreaming all this. By the 9th song "Honolulu City Lights" very peaceful , soft and lights out for me.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 8, 2006 8:44:28 GMT -5
Interestingly, Rick - I saw an old, old, old interview with Rich and Karen yesterday on YouTube. If I have the dates correct, it was right around the time that this album SHOULD have come out - but it was quite disguised during this interview - and neither one of them spoke about it. It was as if it didn't exist. I agree - it could have done SO MUCH for them....it was OBVIOUS when asked, Karen wanted to do other things....but stoic Richard did NOT, and said so. I'm SO glad these types of things are available to us, now. My album of the day today is going to be the wonderful "Voice Of The Heart." There are so many gorgeous songs in it, but one of my favorite, to focus on after such a miserable day yesterday, is "Sailin' On The Tide." What a GREAT, wonderful Tony Peluso creation. I love this song every single time I hear it. Every time I hear KAREN CARPENTER sing it, that is. A prophetic song to me in many ways, regarding Karen. But it's just tropical and fun, and beautiful.....in fact, I love this entire compilation. Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 8, 2006 10:11:51 GMT -5
Hi Tim, thanks for the interesting comments about Karen's solo album. I also remember around that time I heard about her solo album once - but then never heard anything else about it again. When we look back on it now - it's very strange that it was so "hushed up". I find it very sad that something Karen was extremely proud about and loved very well was kept quiet.
It has gone down in history that Karen's favorite song was "I Need To Be In Love" - and I'm sure in 1976 that was so - but I have to wonder as time went on that maybe a song from her solo such as "Making Love In The Afternoon" may have ended up being her favorite song. Afterall Karen's outlook and how she wanted to be perceived by the public changed tremendously by the late 70's and early 80's. I think such a song as "Making Love In The Afternoon" or "Guess I Just Lost My Head" most likely suited who Karen wanted to be much more so than "I Need To Be In Love". Just a speculation.
Anyway my album of the day is still Karen Carpenter (solo) - generally I will stay on the same album for about a week or two.
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Post by enigma on Sept 8, 2006 15:23:14 GMT -5
Yes I must say the solo album being hushed was deliberate I believe Karen never spoke of it because there would have been no point the issue was put to rest Richard did not want the album released and A&M refused to release it this decision was quickly made upon the first listen of the tape Phil Ramone and Karen played for Richard and the A&M execs. Talking about an album that at that point would never be released would have done no good and it was time to talk about Carpenters projects. Karen said until a week before her death she loved the solo record and was proud of it. Thats why I feel the solo record was not talked about or acknowledged in the interview. Just some info/thoughts regarding the interview My record of the day is going to be the solo record as well its different than the Carpenters record yet still has enough elements of Carpenters records to remind us that Karen was indeed part of the Carpenters if that makes any sense. Its a wonderful listen and like Tim I was happy it finally got released only I wish Karen has lived to see it happen. Even when I have not heard it in a while Karens solo record always sounds as good as when I first heard it I never tire of this wonderful record.
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 8, 2006 16:25:17 GMT -5
I have seen the interview of which Tim was speaking. There are some ackward moments when they are asked what they did with their time off (3 years, according to Joan Lunden). You can almost see Karen biting her tongue not to say anything about her solo album. (She had so much she wanted to do and give).
Of course, Richard's therapy was not a topic to be brought up and talked about either. What could they say? R didn't want K to release her album and for whatever reason or pressure they put on her...it worked...at least in her life time.
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 8, 2006 16:29:06 GMT -5
BTW...my album of the day is still KAREN CARPENTER. I am playing it right now ;-) Ah, I love'Making Love In The Afternoon'. I wish K had done a lot more duets with other artists...both male and female.
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 8, 2006 17:07:04 GMT -5
Checking back in... I just went on 25 minute road trip to visit a friend and took KC solo with me (amongst other CD's - one by a group named Edison Glass). I listen to "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" and "Guess I Just Lost My Head" - I love both songs. I really love the doubled tracked vocals on "Guess I Just..." - this song would have been a perfect choice for release as a single.
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 12, 2006 9:06:01 GMT -5
A SONG FOR YOU is my Album of the Day.
There were so many hits from just this one album. The Carpenters are still so fresh here and WOW were they hot. Everything they touched soared to the highest of heights.
Side One: A Song For You Top Of the World Hurting Each Other It's Going To Take Some Time Goodbye To Love Intermission (I love their humor here AND it's classical, to boot)
Side Two: Bless The Beasts And Children Flat Baroque Piano Picker I Won't Last A Day Without You Crystal Lullaby Road Ode (very telling) A Song For You (Reprise)
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 12, 2006 9:24:38 GMT -5
WJ7 - I'm certainly glad you posted this as I really got my albums mixed up in the post I had made earlier, but deleted just now cause I was so embarrassed. Yikes! Carpenters of all groups, and I get the album names mixed up - guess it comes with age. How many times have I listened to them, eh? MILLIONS - but that doesn't mean my memory is any good.... I have to go with your album of the day - it's the beautiful Song For You. I have always loved that song in particular because of Karen's reading of it. Its simplicity is exemplary, and no one does "simple" like Karen Carpenter. Really, there is nothing simple at all about trying to sing a song like this with very little accompaniment, especially in the beginning of the song - it's quite difficult, actually - trying to stay on pitch - trying to be expressive - trying to create, from the onset, the feel of the song. Karen does this, seemingly, effortlessly. The entire album is wonderful, and well....it's just a perfect album of the day. Sorry gang, I really DO know Carpenters stuff....just had a senior moment! Suppose I'm entitled, eh? Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 14, 2006 23:40:29 GMT -5
My album of the day (week) is "Now and Then". I particularly love this album because Karen plays drums on all but one track. I love Karen's drumwork and have always felt she should have been able to play drums on every one of their songs.
I mostly listen to "I Can't Make Music" - I can play that one three or four times in a row without tiring of it.
p.s. still listening to KC solo regularly...
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 14, 2006 23:58:55 GMT -5
WJ7 - I'm certainly glad you posted this as I really got my albums mixed up in the post I had made earlier, but deleted just now cause I was so embarrassed. Yikes! Carpenters of all groups, and I get the album names mixed up - guess it comes with age. How many times have I listened to them, eh? MILLIONS - but that doesn't mean my memory is any good.... I have to go with your album of the day - it's the beautiful Song For You. I have always loved that song in particular because of Karen's reading of it. Its simplicity is exemplary, and no one does "simple" like Karen Carpenter. Really, there is nothing simple at all about trying to sing a song like this with very little accompaniment, especially in the beginning of the song - it's quite difficult, actually - trying to stay on pitch - trying to be expressive - trying to create, from the onset, the feel of the song. Karen does this, seemingly, effortlessly. The entire album is wonderful, and well....it's just a perfect album of the day. Sorry gang, I really DO know Carpenters stuff....just had a senior moment! Suppose I'm entitled, eh? Tim No problem Tim, I thoroughly think age has something to do w/ your memory loss...or more than likely you're just tired out from this day!...anyway yes, I love a Song for you the album also. and the song itself.
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 15, 2006 0:07:27 GMT -5
Very interesting thread we have going here!... I choose the album of the day for me is the Live in Japan 1974 cd... I also have this video. Mainly I love to hear R. and K. speak and laugh and having a good time... I love the oldies medly of course...especially Leader of the Pack, which has a bit of drama to it the way Karen "hams it up" grabbing the mike...after that awful CRASH of the boyfriend... "I felt so helpless but what could I do?....I'll never forget him the leader of the pack..."
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 15, 2006 7:37:17 GMT -5
ANTHOLOGY is my 'album' of the day. Here's why: from DISC ONE: A SONG FOR YOU (...and when my life is over, remember when we were together...) TOP OF THE WORLD (yes, they were on top of the world...it made for a greater fall, in terms of K's loneliness). I make the direct comparison to AS4U (above). WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN (K was only 32) AVE MARIA (beautiful, just beautiful)
from DISC TWO: DESPERADO (..."you better let somebody love you before it's too late") SUPERSTAR ( a song of longing) (WANT YOU) BACK IN MY LIFE AGAIN JOHNNY ANGEL (K's voice is rich and full of meaning on this) OUR DAY WILL COME (hopeful and sure)
from DISC THREE: I JUST FALL IN LOVE AGAIN HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS SWEET, SWEET SMILE NOW
from DISC FOUR: I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN GOODBYE AND I LOVE YOU MR. POSTMAN (waiting, always waiting...'for just a card, or just a letter"...) I NEED TO BE IN LOVE I KEPT ON LOVING YOU TWO LIVES BACHARACH MEDLEY (LIVE) (the 'live" is what makes this so fantastic...you can hear just what a dynamic thing they had going). My favorites are ANY DAY NOW and MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF (the longer version).
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 15, 2006 10:22:47 GMT -5
Hi Smoothie and Wisejester7...
Both have great choices.
I would have never thought of "Live In Japan" - what an excellent album. Carpenters were really outstanding in concert. I especially enjoy "Leader Of The Pack".
"Anthology" is another one I would not have thought of. My two favorite selections from the extended "Bacharach/David medley" are also "Make It Easy On Yourself" and "Any Day Now".
And, although, I usually stick with my album of the day for about a week - today my album is "Live In Japan" - that one is an all-time favorite.
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Post by enigma on Sept 15, 2006 19:14:42 GMT -5
Good choices here both Live In Japan and Anthology are great albums to listen to. My Album of the day is going to be Horizon by the Carpenters, The album has so much going on on every track there are new discoveries each time I listen to every track no mater how much I listen to them. Also even when I have not listened to it for a while when I listen to this record again I can only call it brilliant not a bad song on the record. The production and arrangement are really head and shoulders above about anything that was released in 1975. I go through the same chills and emotions everytime I listen to this records, whether it be Karens amazing lower register or Richards ambitious and beautiful arrangements, I never tire of this, what I consider the Carpenters finest hour; a Carpenters masterpiece. Every artist or band has their finest record when they were at their best and I think this is the Carpenters version of that type of album. What can I say I simple eat it up and love every minute I listen to Horizon.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 15, 2006 20:43:31 GMT -5
Good choices here both Live In Japan and Anthology are great albums to listen to. My Album of the day is going to be Horizon by the Carpenters, The album has so much going on on every track there are new discoveries each time I listen to every track no mater how much I listen to them. Also even when I have not listened to it for a while when I listen to this record again I can only call it brilliant not a bad song on the record. The production and arrangement are really head and shoulders above about anything that was released in 1975. I go through the same chills and emotions everytime I listen to this records, whether it be Karens amazing lower register or Richards ambitious and beautiful arrangements, I never tire of this, what I consider the Carpenters finest hour; a Carpenters masterpiece. Every artist or band has their finest record when they were at their best and I think this is the Carpenters version of that type of album. What can I say I simple eat it up and love every minute I listen to Horizon. Hey Enigma, what is it they say about Great Minds? I, too, have chosen Horizon as my Carpenters Album of the day. I enjoy every single note within this album, each and every time I hear it. There is nothing about this entire masterpiece that I don't enjoy listening to. And, today, I have enjoyed it, yet again - and several times. Horizon is brilliant. BRILLIANT. Karen's incredible vocals, and Richard's unparalled arrangements..........Fabulous! Tim
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