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Post by wisejester7 on May 30, 2007 9:21:30 GMT -5
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Post by Rick Henry on May 30, 2007 11:09:38 GMT -5
Good article. Thanks WJ7 for bringing this to our attention. The article does run a bit short and leaves out quite a few groups which I find far better than the Osmonds or Pointer Sisters. Some of the information in this article is a bit incorrect - but it's still a good read. Here is what they said about Carpenters... The Carpenters: Made up of a brother and sister who did away with sibling rivalry and, instead, sang love songs to one another, The Carpenters were record breakers and trend setters. A duo comprised of Karen and Richard Carpenter, The Carpenters crafted themselves as leaders in the genre of soft rock. They added melodies and harmonies to their music, creating something that was both unique and appealing. One of the most influential and important adult contemporary acts of all times, The Carpenters produced a record fifteen number one songs and remain one of the best selling musical artists of all time. What could have been, however, no one will know: Karen Carpenter, at the age of 32, died on February 4, 1983 of cardiac arrest, brought on by her battle with anorexia. On October 12, 1983, The Carpenters received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.***Rick's note... Carpenters had 15 number one hits on the adult contemporary chart... on the actual pop charts though they had 3 number one hits. Also Karen and Richard did not sing love songs to each other... they sang their love songs to the world.
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Post by Ming on Jun 3, 2007 11:28:29 GMT -5
Thank you finding it, wisejester7. Ming
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 5, 2007 7:24:58 GMT -5
You're welcome, Ming.
Rick, I agree with you that the author should have written that Karen and Richard sang their love songs to the world. I think the way it was written is an intentional tiny jab to the Carpenters ... or at least their image.
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 6, 2007 13:37:37 GMT -5
:Dinteresting article wisej....ooh, yes, that burns me, intentional or not, about "sang love songs to one another"....how dumb...well, the fans world over as well as R. and K. themselves, know better!
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 6, 2007 21:11:56 GMT -5
It just seems that people wanted to talk about the Carpenters, but it wasn't the cool thing to do. They found they could still get attention, and maybe some brownie points among their peers, if they made fun of the C's in some way. Too bad folks can't be more mature and stand by their own judgements and convictions.
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 6, 2007 21:16:35 GMT -5
true indeed wisej....the friends I had as I was growing up, I went to a small school, but anyway, I'm glad they were "pro-Carpenters"... but I very well know in thinking back, of several people that were of the "wild bunch", I guess u might say, that were strictly into Hendrix, Cream, and some really hard rock too. You just know that guy who's name was Charles, but known as Chuck, and he just had to be "bad" since his mom was a popular teacher!ha... And then, probably when Chuck got married to Miss Prissy...she must have ( I sure hope so!) had "We've Only Just Begun", and Close to You played at their wedding! OK...don't get me wrong, I had kind of a "nerd" for a boyfriend in hi school, but I didn't care. My siblings were popular growing up. I just poking fun a bit at this crowd who truly must have been "CLOSET CARPENTER FANS!" It just strikes me to really think of those for and "against" Karen and Richard! I guess I really hadn't seriously thought of those people like this! Actually, Perhaps, WOULD you think there might be MORE "Closet fans" today than like in the 70's.... And I ramble on dear me...(I hear some of you out there with mumbling saying...oh no...Kathy's taking up the whole soandso Board once again!!) oh well...seldom it seems that I get any real thoughts to put out here!
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 6, 2007 21:26:48 GMT -5
It just seems that people wanted to talk about the Carpenters, but it wasn't the cool thing to do. They found they could still get attention, and maybe some brownie points among their peers, if they made fun of the C's in some way. Too bad folks can't be more mature and stand by their own judgements and convictions.
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 6, 2007 21:48:14 GMT -5
WOW!...I can't even imagine what that type of success would be like...that many records....Carpenters have always been in a whole class to themselves...and their music has always been really classic . I feel the same about Abba also, but I grew up with Carps., so I'm more sentimental about them!
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Post by beaner on Sept 7, 2007 5:13:01 GMT -5
Nice article but it bothers me, too, by what they said about "singing love songs to each other". On the other hand, maybe they were listening to Richard and Karen singing "You're Just in Love". I sure wish Richard would have left John Davidson singing it rather than put his voice to it.
I really don't like hearing Richard sing the lyrics knowing it is a duet with his sister. Just doesn't sound too swell....."rub down with a velvet glove"....YIKES!!
Have a great weekend everyone! It's getting up to 93 degrees here today but that might be the end of it for this year.
Beaner
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Post by BethMosior on Sept 10, 2007 4:29:57 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 12, 2007 19:36:28 GMT -5
I think it's just a shame that some people, still today, cannot get over the fact that Karen and Richard had such success. So, they are flippant about saying they "sang love songs to one another." They do go ahead to get it right, indicating their innovation, etc. But, it's sad they have to ruin a great article with trite "scandalous sounding" words like that. I think it was also quite interesting those they chose to highlight - the Pointer Sisters - The Jackson Five. Now, I'm a fan of the Osmonds - I think their voices blended so incredibly well with one another, no matter which combination of Osmonds were singing. The second generation Osmonds sound pretty good, too - but the original sounds of Osmond Brothers were awesome. They could sing anything, and they tried a lot. No, they didn't have the charisma that Karen and Rich had - they didn't innovate their sound like Carpenters - but they could definitely sing. Of course, I can't go without mentioning Billy (Joel) - according to RIAA, he is the 6th biggest selling artist in the US, selling over 150 million albums worldwide. What an outstanding artist. Pink Floyd is awesome. David Gilmore and Roger Waters were quite the innovative duo, for certain. INteresting article, and interesting thread. Thanks. Tim
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 13, 2007 15:27:41 GMT -5
I saw the original Osmonds about 1972 and I always liked them, and then when Marie came in she just added more and blended right in. She's always been one of the most gorgeous women of all time also. Of course, then when it was mostly "Donny and Marie", they sure had their fill of jabs as well being brother and sister, plus very true to their religious roots which also only added to my admiration of them. But, they also suffered their own problems due to being so famous. Just fabulous on those harmonies.
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 13, 2007 19:27:09 GMT -5
As I've stated many times, I just love a good family blend. There is nothing else like it ... the similarities of vocal sound in siblings is something special.
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 13, 2007 22:36:42 GMT -5
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Post by beaner on Sept 17, 2007 5:13:15 GMT -5
Speaking of family, I ordered the DVD of when Karen and Richard appeared on "This is your Life". I had seen this episode many years ago in 1971 when it first aired but wanted it to have.
It was fun watching it again. Although, (and I think this had been mentioned somewhere on the forum before) it was sad to see Mrs. Carpenter come on stage and hardly even give Karen a peck or hug. If I was her Mom, I would have been so proud of her and hugged her like there was no tomorrow and soon enough, for Karen, there was NO tomorrow.
The DVD splits with a tribute to Shirley Jones too and her Mom happened to be there and she hanging on to Shirley the whole time or holding her hand, etc. There was the difference.
I can sympathize with Karen on this which is why it bothers me. I have two older brothers and no sisters and both my Mom and Dad have passed away. I basicially am a happy go lucky person and get along with most everyone but there is a deep part of me that truly misses and wishes I were loved more or had been shown more affection when I was younger. I think Karen felt that way a bit too. At least, that's what I feel.
Beaner
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