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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 14, 2007 11:18:37 GMT -5
 What is it about the Carpenters/Karen that keeps us coming back year after year? Why do we conitnue to listen? Why are there new fans every year? Why do they still sell 3 million discs a year? Why is there such a big fascination? |
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Post by wisejester7 on Jan 14, 2007 13:32:06 GMT -5
For me, it is the classic structure of the Carpenters music, the professional way it was presented, arranged, written and performed. Even the styles and types of music reveal what this group and the individual members were about. The music of today doesn't even begin to compare. The Carpenters were presented as just another band, but they were NOT. They were gifted musicians who had so much music inside them that they just couldn't contain it. Their style went against the then popular wave of the times. Now, through the test of time, Carpenters music still stands strong. For new people just discovering the Carpenters, as well as for those people who are returning to the Carpenters, musical richness awaits. All of what makes 'good' music it there ... instrumentals, vocals, harmonies, and the emotional connection. My number one reason for returning to Carpenters music is Karen. Karen had a timeless beauty. Her vocals are rich with the tapestry of life. She captures the highs and lows of the lyrics and of the music itself. In her care, Karen brings the music to life ... and not just her life, she manages to touch us all. Karen's voice can blend with the music, stand out from the music, or become as another musical 'instrument' as she weaves her notes and casts her spell. Karen was one of a kind ... exceptional! Mundane ... without Karen. Maybe that is too harsh a word, and not quite what I'm trying to convey. What I'm trying to say is that even though the music is beautiful, it is Karen that sells and takes the Carpenters to the highest pentacle. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 14, 2007 21:26:35 GMT -5
Beautifully worded Wisejester.
There is much to love about Carpenters (and Karen). I single out Karen because like most Carpenters fans Karen is the premiere reason I keep coming back. Karen has one of those timeless voices that no matter which generation/era or genre you're from. Karen's voice has that ability to break barriers of language and genre and dig into the heart of matters and touch the soul like no other.
Though, the music itself is fantastic. Without Karen's voice there is still a body of intricatley produced music - spanning several styles and using a variety of musical sounds. The music is fantastic - after all Richard received 5 Grammy nominations for his musical arrangements - that in itself is quite a feat.
Though, as it is Karen is the reason I come back time and time again. she was a fantastic singer - no matter who produced and arranged her music - as witnessed by her fabulous solo album. Beyond the voice - she was a great drummer. The fact that she could play the drums and sing her beautiful songs to perfection added a sort of mystique to her persona which was absolutely irrisistible - and to this day continues to compel the masses.
But, then there's more. Karen had such a sweet and true personality. Amongst all her problems she maintained a humility and sincerity which rang true.
She was a beautiful woman - sometimes ackward looking but always a rare and unusual beauty. I would have loved to see more "fashion model" type photo shoots of her - she had such expressive eyes and a wonderful smile.
All this is more than enough to keep a person compelled for a lifetime and beyond but then there's the sadness. I remember when John Lennon died a friend of mine said all the greats die at a young age. I've always considered Karen to be one of the greats - but would have never ever dreamed that Karen would die at such an early age. I was so saddened by her death - it didn't seem right - it still doesn't seem right. But she is gone - though her memory and legacy lives on. Her death has opened the door for many whom suffer with anorexia nervosa and eating disorders.
Karen Carpenter is an icon for many reasons - but it all comes right back to her silky smooth soulful voice - no one comes close to the sheer beauty Karen possesses in voice. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Jan 14, 2007 22:26:54 GMT -5
You have touched on many points that I didn't delve into ... and for that I am grateful. Karen was all of those things you touched upon. She was a fantastic drummer and a fascinating woman. It is too sad that her life was so short, but my, my the things she was able to accomplish. We can be thankful she was alive in a time where her talents and snippets of her personality, the memories we have of her are stored on mediums that we can still partake in and enjoy. |
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Post by enigma on Jan 15, 2007 1:28:22 GMT -5
Some of this no doubt has been said but heres my reasons for comming back to the Carpenters and their music I just want to say something about the idea of grammy nominations and this is by no means attacking or criticising Ricks post. Richard was a decent music maker his grammy nominations don't really impress me nor do they really prove whether Richard is great or not in my mind. I feel award shows have their own built in biases and agendas just like the nominating commitees for thr Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they nominate great music but often overlook other great music and if an artist is blackballed by these nominating commitees they never get nominated no matter how great a piece of work they produce. I don't feel the grammy nominee's represent the greatest or best music of the year sometimes they get it right alot of times I feel they are way off. I can see why some artists snub the grammy's or don't feel they mean a heck of alot in the grand sceme of an artists creation. This may seem more my opinion than fact but there are countless examples of artists who produce timeless works and did not get nominated for that piece of work or never recieved a grammy nomination. Sorry to get off topic here. Anybody here who knows me knows Karen is the reason I ever became a Carpenters fan. I respect Richard and give him the credit I feel he deserves but for me I can't Imagine my owning a single Carpenters record if Karen was not there so I will focus on Karen here. I admit I do find Karen a fascinating person she is a tomboy yet quite feminine she is beautiful but it is an unusual beauty. Then you see her personality (or part of it) in her interviews, videos and TV specials. I find a woman that dispite being a serious perfessional in the studio and on stage also has a playful side and a sense of humour the lady is funny she makes faces she cracks jokes she just cracks me up at times. Of course there is the darker more mysterious side of Karens personality that keeps me guessing what this woman is really like and why she is the way she is and it does not help that everyone around her remains mum about this darker side it makes Karen all the more mysterious and keeps my attention to a degree. I always a curious person so darker mysteries always keep my attention. Then there is Karens musical talents as we know Karen plays the drums this is still unusual today a woman playing drums and when Karen played them it was even more rare. It always facinates me when I see a woman playing instruments traditionally men played and doing it as well if not beeter than the boys. Watching Karen playing the drums live (no lyp syncing) and singing always gets my attention its like still to this day unusual and alien to me to see a woman doing that and doing it so well I never tire of seeing Karen playing her drums. Also when I see how much fun and enjoyment she gets out of playing drums I always get a happy feeling inside. Next is the obvious one Karens voice no one has a voice like Karens she is the master of her voice its pure, its controlled, its near perfect and always delivers as far as getting some emotional response from me its a connection I cannot explain but it is definately there and no matter how much I listen to Karens voice or even when I having listened for a while the minute I hear her voice the connection I had from the start is still there. Finally another thing that keeps me comming back is the quality and timelessness of the music, the variety of styles on each Carpenters record and to this day I still discover new things Richard has buried in his arrangements and its that "wow I never heard that before, I did not know that instrument was in that song etc" that keeps me listening to this day after all the times I listened to Carpenters music I am still making new discoveries and listening to songs in a whole new way. Also I must add that I really have not heard music that is anything like what the Carpenters music they were a unique combination that wont likely be duplicated. I feel alot of what I said in this post is the reason why people are still listening to the Carpenters and they are gaining new fans simply put the music is timeless, unique and of great quality and once people listen to it they realise this and like what they hear and want to hear more.   |
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Post by ps11932 on Jan 15, 2007 12:16:17 GMT -5
These are excellent summaries posted here. For starters, the works are masterfully written and/or adapted, arranged, and engineered. LIke Enigma said, there are often new things I am picking up though I've heard most of the songs dozens of times, minimum. The totality of their genius yields a group like none other. I wasn't a big fan in the 70's, but to what extent I did follow music they were the best, in my mind- and from 1980-2004, when asked what my favorite style of music, or group was, there was never any hesitancy in answering The Carpenters. So when my interest was revived in June 2004, it was a natural step- but with so much to learn. And as you all have said, Karen's incomparable gift, and the ability to relate to the listener through her voice, truly stand out as the best in recorded history. Seems to me that the purpose in her brief life was accomplished, and indeed is being accomplished. And while we are sad that she is gone- really, she isn't; I totally believe her impact and legacy live on, and much good is being accomplised by those she is inspiring- including many greats, right here on this forum.
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karl
NEW TO THE FAMILY
Posts: 35
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Post by karl on Jan 15, 2007 13:15:37 GMT -5
Hi
The reason i love listening to Carpenters music is mainly because of karens voice besides being one of the most beautiful voices i haver ever heard,I would descibe it as eternal and completly seductive to the listener and can be also addictive.I will never tire of hearing karens voice.she sang some of the most beautiful songs ever composed in the pop canyon.Im not suprised the carpenters are gaining new fans all the time as some of the music of today is pretty dire.Also would like to mention richards contribution on developing/arranging the carpenters sound,richard and karen seemed to have complimented each other perfectley.It would have also been great if karen would have been able to spread her wings and been able to have done more solo work whether it be albums/movies etc.
karl.
uk
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Post by smoothie2 on Jan 16, 2007 0:38:27 GMT -5
;DI surely agree with all that's been said and don't think I could ever express all that as well.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ;D As for myself, the C's were part of my growing up yrs. and even though life wasn't easy always during those days, in hind-sight, those pre-teen through adulthood,
especially the teen yrs., I really like to reflect on those innocent
yrs. Music was always a big part of my life, as well as tv.
The C's...the outstanding music...happy and sad, has always
been a real enjoyment for me.
>>>>>>But yes, mainly Karen more than ever...my love for her and Richard just continues to grow the more I learn about them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ;D
The Carps. were and still are CLASSIC THE BEST...
Even tho there naturally is the "too sweet" image
they loathed, that's an image that was present then and to some
extent maybe still is.
>>>>>>>>>> ;D Folks who grew up loving the C's, continue to do so and new fans come about all the time....
why....? Quality...honesty......these are values that will always
be associated with their music...because those things
never die.
Yes, beautiful Karen touched many hearts and that'll always be.
There's always been a need for calming music, fun music, music
you can sing to...and that's why new fans are born every day!
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Post by Carps1000 on Jan 17, 2007 8:55:59 GMT -5
In a nutshell why do we come back...  ? Because the sound/ songs/music of the Carpenters are the sounds of your heart & are timeless & never date & when all the plastic groups/artists reality no hopers who cannot sing for tuppence have been & gone the Carpenters music & sound will still be here as fresh as ever, welcoming old & new alike...pity some of the harsh critics didnt realise that a few years ago......Just Like B4 Its Yesterday Once More. Ken Carps 1000 |
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Post by Ming on Jan 18, 2007 11:56:37 GMT -5
Because we cannot live without the music of the Carpenters.
Ming
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makapipi
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
Posts: 172
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Post by makapipi on Jan 19, 2007 3:04:49 GMT -5
A lot of their songs are peaceful and relaxing and Karen voice on song like "We've Only Just
Begun is total purity. Her voice on other songs is bold but at same time delicate like a feather
stroke. and if you don't listen for long time and try again it is almost like rediscovering the
Carpenters.
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