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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 1, 2007 11:46:05 GMT -5
I am curious to know if any of you have ever changed your opinions or perceptions of a certain song or type of music due to another member's assessment or analysis of it on this forum, and it led to a new perspective after listening to it again?
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 1, 2007 13:25:15 GMT -5
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Post by enigma on Jun 1, 2007 16:13:56 GMT -5
For me there are alot of things First of all Rick Tims and others more technical discussions of songs made me appreciate more of what went into the making of Carpenters songs and other songs in general. I now listen more carefully to music and appreciate all the elememts that go into making it. I still love music because of how it makes me feel I love the Carpenters for Karens voice but I also see the producing and arranging that goes into this music which makes me appreciate it all the more and appreciate it on a different level. I hear more in songs now than I ever did before and love the rediscovering of the Carpenters music. It made me fall in love with Carpenters music all over again. Also I will give Rick credit for his analysis on some songs I either overlooked or did not listen to enough to appreciate. Though still not my favorites I appreciate songs like Boat To Sail, Bwanna She no Home and even Goofus because of what Rick has written about them. Voice of the Heart was never a favorite album of mine but Cams thoughts on this record made me listen to it a little more and I really started to like all the songs on this record and see how well done it was. I still do not consider this a favorite recod but it has grown on me due to Cam. There are many other examples but I find I am always fine tuning my interpretation of song and discovering new elements in them due to what others have said. That is one of the best things about this forum and forums in general everyone hears a song differently and hears different things in a song I love it when I read a post on a song and I listen to it and go wow I never heard that in the song before or I had never thought of the song that way or I never really gave this record a chance to grow on me. It happens quite often and thats one of the greatest beneifits I get from this forum.   |
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 1, 2007 18:45:01 GMT -5
I appreciate other forum members views and opinions on track selections ... whether they are discussing technical or artistic points. I go to the songs and listen for the aspects that have been mentioned. This focuses the lens a little finer at times, but I can honestly say that my perspective or opinion on the songs has yet to change.
I look at this 'dissection' as more of a music appreciation 'class'. Each members opinion carries the weight of their convictions and attachments to that particular song.
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Dave
Ultra Emissary 
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jun 2, 2007 6:57:30 GMT -5
Like Enigma, I have used others' thoughts on songs to perhaps listen to them again, and more closely. While I don't have the extensive collections that many of you have, I have enough to listen to.
I think that we once dissected the "Gold" album, and what songs you would replace with others, and why. No matter how often I listen to it, I can't get into "California Dreamin'", but I have learned to like "This Masquerade" and Desperado", thanks to the thoughts of others.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 2, 2007 10:11:45 GMT -5
Like Enigma, I have used others' thoughts on songs to perhaps listen to them again, and more closely. While I don't have the extensive collections that many of you have, I have enough to listen to. I think that we once dissected the "Gold" album, and what songs you would replace with others, and why. No matter how often I listen to it, I can't get into "California Dreamin'", but I have learned to like "This Masquerade" and Desperado", thanks to the thoughts of others. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 3, 2007 9:26:37 GMT -5
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Post by enigma on Jun 3, 2007 11:21:25 GMT -5
One change in opinion I have had in this forum from others posts is regarding Richard Carpenter himself. Do not get me wrong I did not dislike Richard but I either did not pay much attention to his contributions or downplayed them in order to build up Karen, As some of you know I have always felt and kind of still do, that Karens contributions to the Carpenters were understated. I always felt to downplay Richards role would be a way of evenning the playing field but now realise that they were all right about Richard he was all Heb Alpert and others said he was but I will never call him a genius as some have I am pretty firm on that but him being such a huge part of the Carpenters definately. My idea now is more to build Karen to the level she deserves without devaluing Richard or at least I try to do that more than I ever did before. I should not have needed to but I did gain more respect for Richard as I learned his true role in the Carpenters I never really researched behind the scenes in the Carpener machine and never knew how important Richard was in helping make Karen soung that much better. I still listen to the Carpenters for Karen and do not own any of Richards solo work and honestly don't have a desire to but I do see him differently than I had before joining this forum. This was a fairly major transformation for me I actually like and respect Richard more than I ever had before thanks to people like Rick, Tim and others who "filled me in" on a little of who Richard really was with respect to the Carpenter. Thanks people education and knowledge is good is creating acurate and more understanding of people and subjects in general. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 3, 2007 21:43:40 GMT -5
One change in opinion I have had in this forum from others posts is regarding Richard Carpenter himself. Do not get me wrong I did not dislike Richard but I either did not pay much attention to his contributions or downplayed them in order to build up Karen, As some of you know I have always felt and kind of still do, that Karens contributions to the Carpenters were understated. I always felt to downplay Richards role would be a way of evenning the playing field but now realise that they were all right about Richard he was all Heb Alpert and others said he was but I will never call him a genius as some have I am pretty firm on that but him being such a huge part of the Carpenters definately. My idea now is more to build Karen to the level she deserves without devaluing Richard or at least I try to do that more than I ever did before. I should not have needed to but I did gain more respect for Richard as I learned his true role in the Carpenters I never really researched behind the scenes in the Carpener machine and never knew how important Richard was in helping make Karen soung that much better. I still listen to the Carpenters for Karen and do not own any of Richards solo work and honestly don't have a desire to but I do see him differently than I had before joining this forum. This was a fairly major transformation for me I actually like and respect Richard more than I ever had before thanks to people like Rick, Tim and others who "filled me in" on a little of who Richard really was with respect to the Carpenter. Thanks people education and knowledge is good is creating acurate and more understanding of people and subjects in general. Hi enigma... I know exactly where you're coming from on that one. Richard's role in Carpenters is huge indeed. He is hugely responsible for the way the music and the vocals (including Karen's vocals) are mapped out. All this that was created didn't just happen because a few musicians and a singer got together in the studio and the magic happened - it had to be planned out first and pieced together - and the person who did that was Richard. Richard has been very well recognized for his contributions to Carpenters and to popular music on the whole. But like you Enigma it's Karen that attracted me to Carpenters and it's Karen that has kept me interested in Carpenters. I do own both of Richard's solo albums and at best I think they are no more than "good" albums. I have them mainly as to be a completist and out of curiosity mostly. Karen's solo album on the other hand I do play that regularly. Her album is easily my most played Carpenters/Karen work of the past ten years. I will probably still be playing Karen solo for the next twenty years. It was adventurous and sported some of Karen's most vivacious and uplifting vocals during the last five years of her life. I've heard some people (not a whole lot - just some) say that without Richard, Karen is nothing. I completely disagree. I'm of the firm belief that Karen would have been very successful in a solo career - had she lived and chosen to pursue that avenue. Karen seemed to be more in tune to what the listening public really wanted at the time.  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 4, 2007 21:27:59 GMT -5
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 4, 2007 22:59:55 GMT -5
???Very impressive thoughts by everyone...very detailed and precise. Ever since I found the forum here, altogether, my knowledge of the C's has greatly increased and I surely have more appreciation of it. Just offhand, because of the opinions expressed here, I appreciate Karen's solo album than I once did, but still as far as musically for that one, the songs, my opinion has not changed ...I really admire and am thankful that the album meant so much for Karen at the time and that, even though it did not do as well as the other efforts which had the traditional "C's" sound, I'm glad Karen was able to make it.  I love the fact that due to that album, we were able to clearly see the sexy side of Karen, plus, she had her very own works. She certainly deserved the chance to do her own thing, and should have happened earlier...it was time for her to grab independence which would boost her self-esteem... ``````````````````````````````` ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D in fact, I didn't know until I joined here that Karen went solo ..nor was I aware of all their albums. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ My opinion of "Cal. Dreamin'" is in agreemt. with others, in that I do not care for the C's rendition of it. I truly have always enjoyed Horizon and always will. Now that I'm aware of Palma's huge input with "Love Me the way I am" I like the song better. Still not my fave, but I really appreciate the song. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 5, 2007 17:12:28 GMT -5
 even though it did not do as well as the other efforts which had the traditional "C's" sound, I'm glad Karen was able to make it. I love the fact that due to that album, we were able to clearly see the sexy side of Karen, plus, she had her very own works. She certainly deserved the chance to do her own thing, and should have happened earlier...it was time for her to grab independence which would boost her self-esteem... ``````````````````````````````` |
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 5, 2007 22:43:26 GMT -5
 :DThat is interesting about her solo album selling so well. I am so glad that it did that well, and that it continues to do so well. By the way, Rick, I really LOVE the current background for the forum here. I know that this pic is featured as the cover of their Now and Then album. Beautiful car, scenery, house, Karen and Richard inside the car. Really unique. Seems to "fit" for a summery theme...
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 6, 2007 10:52:57 GMT -5
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Post by enigma on Jun 6, 2007 17:06:18 GMT -5
Too bad it did not sell more but this makes me wonder what the sales were worldwide like in the UK and especially Japan where the Carpenters are still very popular, Rick any info on world sales of Karens solo project especially the mentioned markets? |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 7, 2007 7:34:20 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 7, 2007 10:29:10 GMT -5
Time to weigh-in on this topic. First, thanks, Enigma. I had no idea that my posts were enough for someone to want to listen with a different ear to specific songs. That was quite a compliment from both you, and from you, Rick. Yes, I recall our discussion about Strength Of A Woman. And, oddly, just as you now find somewhat of a country flair to it (or at least can appreciate where I got the notion), I have come to realize that I was listening to it completely single-mindedly. Something about the song makes me, still, think of it as a country flavored song....but it's clearly a R&B pop tune. I'd have never noticed that, really, if you hadn't given me your opinion of it. So, right back at you - thanks. And Enigma, there are several of the "early" Carpenter tunes that, though I listened to them a lot, were not my favorites - but I began listening to them with some of your love of "early Carpenters" and especially "early Karen - young Karen's" vocals and expert drumming in mind, and my perception changed. So, Dreams, I think that I must completely agree that reading through some of the posts has changed my perception of several songs. I recall the song-by-song thread and reading what people had to say about some of the tunes as we did album by album, and I was amazed to read things I'd never thought of in the way they had mentioned them, or things I'd never heard before. My perceptions have changed on plenty of songs. I think I've noticed it mostly on the Kind of Hush album. There used to be several tunes that, again, though I listened to them, weren't my favorites....but through the interpretations from others on the forum, I was able to clearly "see and hear" things I'd not seen nor heard before, and that made all the difference. Very interesting topic...thanks for bringing it up, Dreams. Tim |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 7, 2007 21:44:07 GMT -5
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