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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 21, 2007 7:25:09 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 21, 2007 16:07:12 GMT -5
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 21, 2007 18:38:06 GMT -5
 Great stuff indeed Tim...you pretty much said it all... I did not recall hearing this one when (or if)it hit the air waves, or was sung on tv. So, the first time I heard it was when I bought Now and Then cd. It is a fun song. I really enjoyed and understood it more when I saw the tape I have of the C's in Japan in '74, doing the oldies thing (even tho as far as their "oldies medley" of songs is concerned, Jambalaya may not be considered in their medley, but it sure is an oldie! The softer harmony is what caught me (still captivates me yet)when I hear it. Then of course to see what fun Richard and karen and their band, have doing the song on stage on the Live in Japan tape is really a hoot. I also was glad the words were part of the Japan tape, because I have never really understood nor knew the words to that.  
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 21, 2007 21:14:34 GMT -5
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 21, 2007 23:00:56 GMT -5
 Thanks Rick for the info. I didn't think that it one of the singles, but wasn't sure.
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to me, Jambalaya when I first heard it on Now and Then,it came as somewhat of a surprise since it seemed to stand out all on its' own when looking at the other songs on the album. Of course the song is a real classic to begin with and to me, truly it comes out of the old country and western environment. To me it is the "most country" song on the album.
Indeed, Peluso really shows his talent on that electric guitar.
Karen encourages the audience to take part in the fun by getting everyone to clap in about the middle of the song and she absolutely loves the spotligt, but she's an outgoing lady, a "people person' and so if she can get her fans to join in the fun ...that just adds to the whole ball of fun.
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Post by enigma on Jun 22, 2007 7:00:29 GMT -5
Another tidbit for this song is that it was a leftover from a prevous record and was added to N&T because it was crunch time and Richard was in a hurry to finish the record that explains why Hal Blaine was drumming for this record the Carpenters had already parted ways with Blaine by this point. As for the song as was said its a real upbeat fun song and indeed Karen was having fun doing the song it is evident when you listen to the song and anytime I see Karen play it in concert she is always having a ball with it you can tell she was really into this song. I also like the southern feel of the song both lyrically and instrumentally just a nice fun song.   |
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Post by ps11932 on Jun 22, 2007 7:26:55 GMT -5
As everyone has said, this is a great fun song that stands on its own, though The Carpenters surely did a masterful rendition of it. For the first dozen or so times I heard this song, I understood more of the lyrical message each time, and I now see the song as being about family (and friends) and fun in a laid back setting, amidst a life that may be challenging. Listening to the laughter toward the end always makes me laugh too. It's like the very best elements of an extended family reunion.
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Post by beaner on Jun 22, 2007 7:37:40 GMT -5
There is a lot to like about Jambalaya in my book. First, it's a peppy tune and allows for the band to "get down" a little bit, if you will. Tony does great on the guitar as others have mentioned. It takes you away from the style that you are used to listening when it comes to Carpenters tunes....nice touch. Finally and most importantly for me, when I went to see them in concert back in 1973 or so, it was the song Karen was singing when I walked down to the second row (our seats were upper level) and was able to snap a closeup picture of her and at one time you'd swear she looked right at me. Probably when I blinded her with my flash....hehehe.  I stared at her until they shoooed me away. What a treat and something I will NEVER forget!!! Beaner |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 22, 2007 9:01:28 GMT -5
There is a lot to like about Jambalaya in my book. First, it's a peppy tune and allows for the band to "get down" a little bit, if you will. Tony does great on the guitar as others have mentioned. It takes you away from the style that you are used to listening when it comes to Carpenters tunes....nice touch. Finally and most importantly for me, when I went to see them in concert back in 1973 or so, it was the song Karen was singing when I walked down to the second row (our seats were upper level) and was able to snap a closeup picture of her and at one time you'd swear she looked right at me. Probably when I blinded her with my flash....hehehe. I stared at her until they shoooed me away. What a treat and something I will NEVER forget!!! Beaner Hey Beaner - what a great story!!! Rick, I hadn't researched who the drummer for the actual recording was, but thanks for letting us know it was Hal, and E, I didn't know this song was included just as filler! Learning....always learning. Thanks everyone for the info, and Beaner - do you still have that photo? Tim |
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Post by beaner on Jun 22, 2007 11:52:04 GMT -5
I sure do, Tim!!! In fact, it's on my Carpenterville photo albums site. It's the one that's called "My trip to California 1984". I believe it is the last photo.
It has nothing to do with my trip to CA in 1984 but I thought I'd just throw it in that album. I do say, in the description, where it was taken.
Check it out!
I'm off on vacation next week to NH so I'll see y'all when I get back.
Take care,
Beaner
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 22, 2007 16:39:36 GMT -5
and E, I didn't know this song was included just as filler! Learning....always learning. Thanks everyone for the info Tim |
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 22, 2007 19:39:51 GMT -5
Jambalaya is the type of song that is as much fun to perform as it is to hear. Everyone seems laid back and just out to enjoy the moment. The Carpenters version is one of the best there is. I heard (I can't believe I can't come up with his name right now ... jazz piano player from New Orleans ... current, popular) sing and play Jambalaya on TV about a month ago and I thought the C's rendition was much classier/professional/definitely better arranged than the way he played it.
The fellows in the band, along with Karen, sound like they are having some fun on the bayou.
**IF you can figure out the guys name from my ramblings above, then please let me know. It's gonna drive me nuts until I can come up with it! Thanks.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 22, 2007 20:03:15 GMT -5
 Harry Connick Jr., perhaps?
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 22, 2007 20:29:21 GMT -5
and E, I didn't know this song was included just as filler! Learning....always learning. Thanks everyone for the info Tim  So THAT'S what filler means. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 22, 2007 22:33:07 GMT -5
Harry Connick Jr., perhaps? Yes! Thank you, Tim!! That is exactly who I was thinking about. I remembered, too, but it took a couple of hours. Jeeze! ; ) Anyway, before I distracted myself with trying to remember Harry's name... Jambalaya is filled with many visuals and portrayals. * There is the evident delight (of the singer) in seeing her/his love. * We know that it is a big party ... and a family affair, too. The kin folk are all dressed in style. I imagine family and friends all coming together to have a get together, see (maybe meet) Yvonne and perhaps welcome her into the family. There is singing and dancing and drinking from the jar. Good folks telling stories, too. These are simple folks who live off the bounty of the land and water. The cities are buzzin'. Not their style, so they will settle down far from town and catch fish from the bayou. The money made from selling the fish will buy things for Yvonne ... to get her what she needs. The music and background sounds makes me think of fire flies lighting up the night in their random patterns ... and 'skeeters coming out near dusk. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 23, 2007 1:39:04 GMT -5
Harry Connick Jr., perhaps? Yes! Thank you, Tim!! That is exactly who I was thinking about. I remembered, too, but it took a couple of hours. Jeeze! ; ) Anyway, before I distracted myself with trying to remember Harry's name... Jambalaya is filled with many visuals and portrayals. * There is the evident delight (of the singer) in seeing her/his love. * We know that it is a big party ... and a family affair, too. The kin folk are all dressed in style. I imagine family and friends all coming together to have a get together, see (maybe meet) Yvonne and perhaps welcome her into the family. There is singing and dancing and drinking from the jar. Good folks telling stories, too. These are simple folks who live off the bounty of the land and water. The cities are buzzin'. Not their style, so they will settle down far from town and catch fish from the bayou. The money made from selling the fish will buy things for Yvonne ... to get her what she needs. The music and background sounds makes me think of fire flies lighting up the night in their random patterns ... and 'skeeters coming out near dusk. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 23, 2007 11:09:06 GMT -5
As promised in my previous post in this thread I am back with some insights as to what is going on in the music... "Jambalaya" opens with Bob Messenger's flute keeping a "high steppin'" tempo (vivace) and continues in swirls of sound throughout the song. Behind the flute, in the opening, we find Hal Blaine, equally as dynamic, keeping perfect timing with his sharp yet delicately rhythmic drum work. Within 8 seconds a duo of guitars appears to create a mesmerizing harmony. The guitars include Buddy Emmons with his tasty country sounding pedal steel guitar in one channel and clusters of Tony Peluso's electric guitar in the opposite channel. Putting the guitars in separate channels helps to give distinction to each instrument. Along with the entrance of the guitars Richard's keyboard shows up in the middle keeping the balance of all the instruments. Richard's keyboard blends in well with the guitars and at points almost sounds like a guitar itself. At 32 seconds the music opens up completely. We hear more of Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar and Joe Osborn kicks in with his subtle yet infectious bass line. The bass line is the glue which helps to keep the rhythm strong and potent. The bass line, if you listen closely, sounds like a fuzz of soft guitar chords plucking away in the background. The sound is deep and generally resonating. The bassline grooves around with cheerfulness and is most evident in the chorus. The first instrumental break showcases Bob Messenger's superb flute-work along with drums and the ever present bass line. (Love the laughter which shows up here). The second instrumental break comes in at 2:10 and brings Tony Peluso to the forefront of the song with a short, yet very tasty electric guitar solo accented by Buddy Emmons' pedal steel guitar, Hal Blaine's drums and Joe Osborn's bass. Right after the second instrumental break Peluso continues with tufts of countrified electricity. There's clapping and tambourines and everybody's having a great time in this zesty buzz-filled song which suitably closes with Tony Peluso's stylish electric guitar chords and a few pounds on the drums by Hal Blaine. The tight musical arrangement of "Jambalaya" was composed by Richard and keeps the Carpenters firmly in the middle of what was cutting edge and up with the times in musical technology in that time and age. As a matter of fact the song still sounds quite fresh and crisp by today's standards. Here are a few links which will help to understand some of these instruments: Bass guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarBass line: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BasslinePedal Steel Guitar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_Steel_GuitarStereophonic sound (describes channels): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound |
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 23, 2007 12:42:16 GMT -5
:-/great input and insight for this...very good review also Rick and thanks for the links. always interesting to know the background also about the songs.
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