Richard Carpenter to perform in Philippines...

[carpentersgermany]

I'm not quite sure if my comment fits 100% to this thread, but it more or less deals with this Richard AND Karen / Richard OR Karen - thing.

First I'd like to say that I can't think of any duo or even group where every member is equally in the public eye. There's always the one who's more in the focus of the public (most often the (lead) singer) and the one who stands more in the background (most often the "musical mastermind") - and I think that's quite a healthy constellation..
One reason, besides many others (most of them you already mentioned like aura, charisma etc.), could be that I reckon it's a lot easier to "catch" peoples hearts and souls with a voice (especially with a voice like Karen's) than with musical arrangements or piano playing.

Beyond that I see things as some of you already posted: have much respect for Richards musical expertise, I also think, like Dreams said, Richard and Karen had a symbiotic relationship, but I also have to say that Richard never seemed that personable to me and that it's definitely Karen that I care about and it's Karen that attracts my attention whenever I see a video of them..

But recently I recognized there's one exception: it's the Paul Williams Medley they performed together with Carol Burnett on her show. It's the first time that Richard's somehow clumsy and stiff demeanour seems sooo likable to me. Especially when he sings "I keep on loving you" he is so cute (really surprising, because I never thought in such categories of Richard)!!! In this medley it's definitely Richard who gets my whole attention..

OK, so far,so good. Not really the most profound findings, just some personal insights..

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

I'm not quite sure if my comment fits 100% to this thread, but it more or less deals with this Richard AND Karen / Richard OR Karen - thing.

First I'd like to say that I can't think of any duo or even group where every member is equally in the public eye. There's always the one who's more in the focus of the public (most often the (lead) singer) and the one who stands more in the background (most often the "musical mastermind") - and I think that's quite a healthy constellation..
One reason, besides many others (most of them you already mentioned like aura, charisma etc.), could be that I reckon it's a lot easier to "catch" peoples hearts and souls with a voice (especially with a voice like Karen's) than with musical arrangements or piano playing.

Beyond that I see things as some of you already posted: have much respect for Richards musical expertise, I also think, like Dreams said, Richard and Karen had a symbiotic relationship, but I also have to say that Richard never seemed that personable to me and that it's definitely Karen that I care about and it's Karen that attracts my attention whenever I see a video of them..

But recently I recognized there's one exception: it's the Paul Williams Medley they performed together with Carol Burnett on her show. It's the first time that Richard's somehow clumsy and stiff demeanour seems sooo likable to me. Especially when he sings "I keep on loving you" he is so cute (really surprising, because I never thought in such categories of Richard)!!! In this medley it's definitely Richard who gets my whole attention..

OK, so far,so good. Not really the most profound findings, just some personal insights..

Agree, agree, agree... By all means it's Karen who keeps me interested in Carpenters... her voice, her looks, her character... it's all there.

Though, certainly Richard has had his moments when he shines... I really enjoyed watching him perform the "Close Encounters/Starwars Medley" on the 1978 "Space Enocounters" TV Special.

he also did a great job with "Dizzy Fingers" on the 1980 TV Special "Music, Music, Music".

I also enjoyed his piano duet with Victor Borge... from the 1976 First TV Special... although I must say Borge stole the show in that one.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Some highly interesting commentary here. I have enjoyed the viewpoints shared - and there have been plenty of differences in everyone's thoughts. It was a good read this evening.

:-/Ya know, it's true, HAD Karen lived I, too, feel quite sure she would have had quite a career in music and perhaps acting. I have no doubt she would, however, have ALWAYS kept a musical tie with her brother, to whom she was eternally grateful. Unless there had been some major complete falling out between the two of them, I can't see her not having kept up with him, and continued to make music with her brother, albiet different from when they were "Carpenters."

Next, I do love Karen's voice - I do, I do, I do!!! BUT....I'm one of those who also has a huge amount of respect and admiration for Richard. He is brilliant. HE picked the hits. HE DID THIS, not Karen. She SANG the hits to number one, perhaps, but it was RICHARD who chose them - at least, in the beginning. I've mentioned this time and time again in threads past - Richard's musical composition, his theory ability, his ability to write out string parts and trumpet parts and Bb instruments, and C instruments and drum arrangements, and woodwind arrangements, and, and, and......well, his musical prowess cannot be ignored in this whole Carpenters "team" effort. No, I don't think he was "lead singer" material - Karen was. Good enough - why need two lead singers? But boy, could he ever write some HOT arrangements, and harmony parts. He knew just how they would sound best - which inversion of the chord to use - how MUCH to embellish Karen's voice with vocal harmony parts.....Yikes, he is talented in that regard. Karen learned to arrange - and she learned many other things about music from Richard. I'm not saying he was the ONLY one to eventually teach Karen - who she learned from, in terms of arranging, and chosing hits, etc., - not by a long shot; but I suppose I'm just thinking credit needs to be given where it's due. Let's face it, Karen is undoubtedly what KEPT the Carpenters going as strongly as they did, for so long, but Richard's talents didn't hurt anything, either.

;D ;D

[wisejester7]

It's a shame we have to keep reminding ourselves that Richard was a big part of the Carpenters and their huge success. He is Richard 1/2. The component piece to Karen 1/2.
Karen was the first to point out that Richard was the mastermind behind the machine that was Carpenters.
They were the epitome of 'team'.

Do I think that Karen could have / should have ventured out on her own? YES.

Do I think she would have always worked with Richard? YES.

One is not exclusive of the other.


Now, it is just Richard. He will never escape the Carpenters. And in truth, it doesn't look like he is trying. The opposite seems true. Richard is making sure the best possible light falls on Karen and our memories of Karen and Carpenters. Big brother Richard will always protect and guard his little sister.

I hope Richard continues his music in all the variety of form he can conjure. He is one mighty talented man.

[carpentersgermany]

admin said:

carpentersgermany said:

I'm not quite sure if my comment fits 100% to this thread, but it more or less deals with this Richard AND Karen / Richard OR Karen - thing.

First I'd like to say that I can't think of any duo or even group where every member is equally in the public eye. There's always the one who's more in the focus of the public (most often the (lead) singer) and the one who stands more in the background (most often the "musical mastermind") - and I think that's quite a healthy constellation..
One reason, besides many others (most of them you already mentioned like aura, charisma etc.), could be that I reckon it's a lot easier to "catch" peoples hearts and souls with a voice (especially with a voice like Karen's) than with musical arrangements or piano playing.

Beyond that I see things as some of you already posted: have much respect for Richards musical expertise, I also think, like Dreams said, Richard and Karen had a symbiotic relationship, but I also have to say that Richard never seemed that personable to me and that it's definitely Karen that I care about and it's Karen that attracts my attention whenever I see a video of them..

But recently I recognized there's one exception: it's the Paul Williams Medley they performed together with Carol Burnett on her show. It's the first time that Richard's somehow clumsy and stiff demeanour seems sooo likable to me. Especially when he sings "I keep on loving you" he is so cute (really surprising, because I never thought in such categories of Richard)!!! In this medley it's definitely Richard who gets my whole attention..

OK, so far,so good. Not really the most profound findings, just some personal insights..

Agree, agree, agree... By all means it's Karen who keeps me interested in Carpenters... her voice, her looks, her character... it's all there.

Though, certainly Richard has had his moments when he shines... I really enjoyed watching him perform the "Close Encounters/Starwars Medley" on the 1978 "Space Enocounters" TV Special.

he also did a great job with "Dizzy Fingers" on the 1980 TV Special "Music, Music, Music".

I also enjoyed his piano duet with Victor Borge... from the 1976 First TV Special... although I must say Borge stole the show in that one.

I'm watching the "Space Encounters" TV Special right now and enjoyed Richard performing the Medley.
But I absolutely don't know what to think of the show itself.
Until today I just read about it or saw just small parts of the show(without the "acting")..
I have to say I never saw anything like this before. We don't have anything on German television that could be compared to that show.
I just watched the TV Special up to Richards Medley, I think the Medley was good and I enjoyed the "Dancing in the Streets" Performance but the rest..
What do you think of the Show?
Where / are there other Shows like this one on American TV??
I'll continue watching for now..

[Rick Henry]

yesterdayoncemore said:

Some highly interesting commentary here. I have enjoyed the viewpoints shared - and there have been plenty of differences in everyone's thoughts. It was a good read this evening.

:-/Ya know, it's true, HAD Karen lived I, too, feel quite sure she would have had quite a career in music and perhaps acting. I have no doubt she would, however, have ALWAYS kept a musical tie with her brother, to whom she was eternally grateful. Unless there had been some major complete falling out between the two of them, I can't see her not having kept up with him, and continued to make music with her brother, albiet different from when they were "Carpenters."

Next, I do love Karen's voice - I do, I do, I do!!! BUT....I'm one of those who also has a huge amount of respect and admiration for Richard. He is brilliant. HE picked the hits. HE DID THIS, not Karen. She SANG the hits to number one, perhaps, but it was RICHARD who chose them - at least, in the beginning. I've mentioned this time and time again in threads past - Richard's musical composition, his theory ability, his ability to write out string parts and trumpet parts and Bb instruments, and C instruments and drum arrangements, and woodwind arrangements, and, and, and......well, his musical prowess cannot be ignored in this whole Carpenters "team" effort. No, I don't think he was "lead singer" material - Karen was. Good enough - why need two lead singers? But boy, could he ever write some HOT arrangements, and harmony parts. He knew just how they would sound best - which inversion of the chord to use - how MUCH to embellish Karen's voice with vocal harmony parts.....Yikes, he is talented in that regard. Karen learned to arrange - and she learned many other things about music from Richard. I'm not saying he was the ONLY one to eventually teach Karen - who she learned from, in terms of arranging, and chosing hits, etc., - not by a long shot; but I suppose I'm just thinking credit needs to be given where it's due. Let's face it, Karen is undoubtedly what KEPT the Carpenters going as strongly as they did, for so long, but Richard's talents didn't hurt anything, either.

;D ;D

I hear what you are saying Tim... certainly by all means Richard was a huge talent and his contributions are excellent... had Karen and Richard split early on say 1972 or so... I without a doubt would have continued buying Karen's releases...Richard without Karen would be a marginal interest despite his immense talent.

wisejester7 said:

It's a shame we have to keep reminding ourselves that Richard was a big part of the Carpenters and their huge success. He is Richard 1/2. The component piece to Karen 1/2.
Karen was the first to point out that Richard was the mastermind behind the machine that was Carpenters.
They were the epitome of 'team'.

Do I think that Karen could have / should have ventured out on her own? YES.

Do I think she would have always worked with Richard? YES.

One is not exclusive of the other.


Now, it is just Richard. He will never escape the Carpenters. And in truth, it doesn't look like he is trying. The opposite seems true. Richard is making sure the best possible light falls on Karen and our memories of Karen and Carpenters. Big brother Richard will always protect and guard his little sister.

I hope Richard continues his music in all the variety of form he can conjure. He is one mighty talented man.

Richard has tried to forge a career on his own as a solo artist and as a producer... but has not come across a successful venture yet. He had also recorded several songs for a Christmas album about two or three years ago, but due to poor sales of his last solo album "Pianist, Arranger..." Universal Records has not shown interest in releasing it.

I think Richard would do quite well if he were to go into scoring movies... he would be fantastic at that... although I think at his current age of 61 he's not really interested anymore in trying to pursue a new full-time career.

Hopefully, though, Richard will release at least one more album of outtakes (similar to what he did with "As Time Goes By")... as we all know there are enough songs to put together another release.

I also think eventually the remainder of Karen's unreleased solo songs will be mixed and mastered and released... too many people want that to happen for it not to happen... and although it did not make the charts, Karen's solo album sold fairly well... at least enough to show a profit and make it worthwhile for Universal to release more from Karen's solo effort..

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

admin said:

Agree, agree, agree... By all means it's Karen who keeps me interested in Carpenters... her voice, her looks, her character... it's all there.

Though, certainly Richard has had his moments when he shines... I really enjoyed watching him perform the "Close Encounters/Starwars Medley" on the 1978 "Space Enocounters" TV Special.

he also did a great job with "Dizzy Fingers" on the 1980 TV Special "Music, Music, Music".

I also enjoyed his piano duet with Victor Borge... from the 1976 First TV Special... although I must say Borge stole the show in that one.

I'm watching the "Space Encounters" TV Special right now and enjoyed Richard performing the Medley.
But I absolutely don't know what to think of the show itself.
Until today I just read about it or saw just small parts of the show(without the "acting")..
I have to say I never saw anything like this before. We don't have anything on German television that could be compared to that show.
I just watched the TV Special up to Richards Medley, I think the Medley was good and I enjoyed the "Dancing in the Streets" Performance but the rest..
What do you think of the Show?
Where / are there other Shows like this one on American TV??
I'll continue watching for now..

What do I think of "Space Encounters"? To be honest I thought it was quite a limpid show... same with the Very First Television Special and the Christmas Specials... What saved those shows for me is the fact that I loved the Carpenters... other than that I felt their specials were somewhat weak. Although, I will say 1980's "Music, Music, Music" was definitely an excellent television special... this was their best.

Back to "Space Encounters" my favorite part was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" Medley. I also enjoyed Karen's playful side as they performed "Goofus".

[carpentersgermany]

admin said:

carpentersgermany said:

I'm watching the "Space Encounters" TV Special right now and enjoyed Richard performing the Medley.
But I absolutely don't know what to think of the show itself.
Until today I just read about it or saw just small parts of the show(without the "acting")..
I have to say I never saw anything like this before. We don't have anything on German television that could be compared to that show.
I just watched the TV Special up to Richards Medley, I think the Medley was good and I enjoyed the "Dancing in the Streets" Performance but the rest..
What do you think of the Show?
Where / are there other Shows like this one on American TV??
I'll continue watching for now..

What do I think of "Space Encounters"? To be honest I thought it was quite a limpid show... same with the Very First Television Special and the Christmas Specials... What saved those shows for me is the fact that I loved the Carpenters... other than that I felt their specials were somewhat weak. Although, I will say 1980's "Music, Music, Music" was definitely an excellent television special... this was their best.

Back to "Space Encounters" my favorite part was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" Medley. I also enjoyed Karen's playful side as they performed "Goofus".

Sorry, Rick - but I don't really understand the word "limpid" what do you mean with that?
All I can say that this Space Encounters Show is way to "spacy" for me, I think.

Might be the late hour (in Germany at least) or something but this one leaves me irritated !
Though I really enjoyed watching most of the musical performances (of course I did - I'm a fan!!!) and it was interesting seeing them dancing and performing in a different context, everything around it was to freaky for me: robots dancing the "Big Strip", Richard rapping.. Wow!

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

admin said:

What do I think of "Space Encounters"? To be honest I thought it was quite a limpid show... same with the Very First Television Special and the Christmas Specials... What saved those shows for me is the fact that I loved the Carpenters... other than that I felt their specials were somewhat weak. Although, I will say 1980's "Music, Music, Music" was definitely an excellent television special... this was their best.

Back to "Space Encounters" my favorite part was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" Medley. I also enjoyed Karen's playful side as they performed "Goofus".

Sorry, Rick - but I don't really understand the word "limpid" what do you mean with that?
All I can say that this Space Encounters Show is way to "spacy" for me, I think.

Might be the late hour (in Germany at least) or something but this one leaves me irritated !
Though I really enjoyed watching most of the musical performances (of course I did - I'm a fan!!!) and it was interesting seeing them dancing and performing in a different context, everything around it was to freaky for me: robots dancing the "Big Strip", Richard rapping.. Wow!

I apologize CG... I used the wrong term I meant to use the word "insipid" the show lacked any real impact... it just was not that interesting... it seemed like Karen and Richard were just going through the motions. Carpenters were much better at music than they were at television specials.

[carpentersgermany]

admin said:

carpentersgermany said:

Sorry, Rick - but I don't really understand the word "limpid" what do you mean with that?
All I can say that this Space Encounters Show is way to "spacy" for me, I think.

Might be the late hour (in Germany at least) or something but this one leaves me irritated !
Though I really enjoyed watching most of the musical performances (of course I did - I'm a fan!!!) and it was interesting seeing them dancing and performing in a different context, everything around it was to freaky for me: robots dancing the "Big Strip", Richard rapping.. Wow!

I apologize CG... I used the wrong term I meant to use the word "insipid" the show lacked any real impact... it just was not that interesting... it seemed like Karen and Richard were just going through the motions. Carpenters were much better at music than they were at television specials.

Oh Rick, please don't apologize! I just never heard of the word "limpid" and didn't know the meaning.. But now I got you.
Finished my watching of the show and still don't know what to think of it. Yes, I agree the show seems really tasteless and I prefer listening to their records instead of watching this TV Special, but somehow I can't say it was not interesting.
Hm, I think I have to go to bed now (likely I'm going to dream about dancing robots and rapping Richards ) because tomorrow will be a big Easter Sunday family meeting - always a pleasure but kind of exhausting, too..

[carpentersgermany]

carpentersgermany said:

admin said:

I apologize CG... I used the wrong term I meant to use the word "insipid" the show lacked any real impact... it just was not that interesting... it seemed like Karen and Richard were just going through the motions. Carpenters were much better at music than they were at television specials.

Oh Rick, please don't apologize! I just never heard of the word "limpid" and didn't know the meaning.. But now I got you.
Finished my watching of the show and still don't know what to think of it. Yes, I agree the show seems really tasteless and I prefer listening to their records instead of watching this TV Special, but somehow I can't say it was not interesting.
Hm, I think I have to go to bed now (likely I'm going to dream about dancing robots and rapping Richards ) because tomorrow will be a big Easter Sunday family meeting - always a pleasure but kind of exhausting, too..

Now, after consulting my pillow, however without dreaming of dancing robots and rapping Richards , I'd like to add something.
I watched the video again this morning together with my mum, who stopped by for breakfast and it was kind of entertaining - we had fun and I really rejoiced at seeing her enjoying the show, especially the musical parts.

Even though I'd still prefer listening to their music than watching their TV Specials, I don't think that bad of it as I did yesterday when I watched the video for the first time.
I think this might have something to do with Rick's Pigeonhole-Thread.
I was somehow irritated, because I saw something, something not according to my taste and something I never expected from the Carpenters, something that somehow disturbed my personal image (why not call it cliché) of them.
My first reaction was to decide: I don't like it.
But after watching some parts for a second and third time, my perspective started to change and I descried things I really enjoyed ("Dancing in the Streets", "Close Encounters/Star Wars -Medley", "Man smart, Woman smarter").
So that made me realize that anywise I pigeonholed the Carpenters, but I also realized that seeing something that does not fit the pigeonhole I created, does not dash my high esteem for them.
On the contrary, I find things that I appreciate even outside the "pigeonhole", not because I have to, but because its just the way I feel about it.
To put it in a nutshell: I'm a fan and I think I love everything about the Carpenters.

Wow, never wanted my post to be that emotive - must be the feast days atmosphere

Just wanted to say that when you love something, you're maybe not the most censorious person, but that's OK, I think, you don't have to be..
Does not mean that I would not attach importance to the controversial discussions. Still think, they are important and interesting, too..

Happy Easter!

[Rick Henry]

Hey CG... will touch on a few of your comments here...

First on Richard rapping... in that segment of the show he is not rapping. What he is doing (or attempting to do) is a Square Dance Call. A square dance call is done by a caller to cue the dancers so they dance the specified movement, or to the dance movement itself. k.d. lang had a caller on her "Angel With A Lariat" album that was excellent.

You mentioned that as a fan we're maybe not the most censorious (critical) . Which is true and is okay. Sometimes when you love something so much you look beyond critique or don't notice or even get offended by critique of what you love. My view on this is that Carpenters (as much as I love them) are entertainers just like everyone else out there and I'm going to call it as I see it without bias. If I think it's schlocky for someone else... than it's still going to be schlocky even if done by Carpenters. I'm one of those types who just can not idolize any entertainer so much that I don't see both the good and the less than good sides... because there are always two sides to everything.


* For your information... The word "schlocky" means something that is inferior.

[carpentersgermany]

admin said:

Hey CG... will touch on a few of your comments here...

First on Richard rapping... in that segment of the show he is not rapping. What he is doing (or attempting to do) is a Square Dance Call. A square dance call is done by a caller to cue the dancers so they dance the specified movement, or to the dance movement itself. k.d. lang had a caller on her "Angel With A Lariat" album that was excellent.

You mentioned that as a fan we're maybe not the most censorious (critical) . Which is true and is okay. Sometimes when you love something so much you look beyond critique or don't notice or even get offended by critique of what you love. My view on this is that Carpenters (as much as I love them) are entertainers just like everyone else out there and I'm going to call it as I see it without bias. If I think it's schlocky for someone else... than it's still going to be schlocky even if done by Carpenters. I'm one of those types who just can not idolize any entertainer so much that I don't see both the good and the less than good sides... because there are always two sides to everything.


* For your information... The word "schlocky" means something that is inferior.

Ahhhh, thank you so much for your information about the Square Dance Call. I just thought '78 might be a little early for rapping (forget about Grandmaster Flash or the Sugar Hill Gang, if you ask me it was actually Richard Carpenter who invented rapping and made it commercial , just kidding), but I just could not explain to myself what he is trying to do..
Oh, I'm such a dummy - but, sorry, I've just no savvy when it comes to square dance..

I totally agree with you, idolizing a person/ group can be dangerous and apart from this is not necessary..
Concerning "Space Encounters": I'd never say "Oh, Karen should get an Oscar for her brilliant acting" or "Richard is the Fred Astaire of the 70s", I just wanted to say that sometimes Carpenters make me like things that I usually would not care about and it's because THEY do it..

Nevertheless there are things about them that I like more, some I like less for several reasons. To me it's also interesting to talk about the things we do not like..
But generally I prefer to talk about the things I like, of course not, don't get me wrong, in an excessive way..

"Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad"

But as you know, I just wrote a few days ago, that I absolutely do appreciate the sometimes controversial discussions here..

P.S.: I really like the word "schlocky", never heard it before..

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

admin said:

Hey CG... will touch on a few of your comments here...

First on Richard rapping... in that segment of the show he is not rapping. What he is doing (or attempting to do) is a Square Dance Call. A square dance call is done by a caller to cue the dancers so they dance the specified movement, or to the dance movement itself. k.d. lang had a caller on her "Angel With A Lariat" album that was excellent.

You mentioned that as a fan we're maybe not the most censorious (critical) . Which is true and is okay. Sometimes when you love something so much you look beyond critique or don't notice or even get offended by critique of what you love. My view on this is that Carpenters (as much as I love them) are entertainers just like everyone else out there and I'm going to call it as I see it without bias. If I think it's schlocky for someone else... than it's still going to be schlocky even if done by Carpenters. I'm one of those types who just can not idolize any entertainer so much that I don't see both the good and the less than good sides... because there are always two sides to everything.


* For your information... The word "schlocky" means something that is inferior.

Ahhhh, thank you so much for your information about the Square Dance Call. I just thought '78 might be a little early for rapping (forget about Grandmaster Flash or the Sugar Hill Gang, if you ask me it was actually Richard Carpenter who invented rapping and made it commercial , just kidding), but I just could not explain to myself what he is trying to do..
Oh, I'm such a dummy - but, sorry, I've just no savvy when it comes to square dance..

I totally agree with you, idolizing a person/ group can be dangerous and apart from this is not necessary..
Concerning "Space Encounters": I'd never say "Oh, Karen should get an Oscar for her brilliant acting" or "Richard is the Fred Astaire of the 70s", I just wanted to say that sometimes Carpenters make me like things that I usually would not care about and it's because THEY do it..

Nevertheless there are things about them that I like more, some I like less for several reasons. To me it's also interesting to talk about the things we do not like..
But generally I prefer to talk about the things I like, of course not, don't get me wrong, in an excessive way..

"Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad"

But as you know, I just wrote a few days ago, that I absolutely do appreciate the sometimes controversial discussions here..

P.S.: I really like the word "schlocky", never heard it before..

Ha! ha! ha! How funny Richard Carpenter a pioneer of rap... and how about Karen Carpenter a pioneer of electro-funk-jazz-pop (electro-fuzzpop)... that actually could have been a reality had her solo album been released in 1980.

True Karen and Richard certainly did not give Oscar (or even Emmy) winning performances on their TV Specials (and the one at this point in topic is "Space Encounters")... but you are right, CG, there are several entertaining highlights in the show. As mentioned before I really like the "Goofus" segment... Karen was really cute here and humorous. Like you, I enjoyed the "Man Smart Woman smarter" segment... that was also reallly cute. The performance of "Calling Occupants..." was stellar. I also liked the "Sweet Sweet Smile" segment... now that's a song which has actually been popular in Country Music Dance Clubs... and the square dance was done to "Sweet Sweet Smile" (or maybe it was the Line Dance... which is a relative of the Square Dance). As mentioned earlier my favorite part of the show was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" medley... that was great... upbeat and fun.

[carpentersgermany]

admin said:

carpentersgermany said:

Ahhhh, thank you so much for your information about the Square Dance Call. I just thought '78 might be a little early for rapping (forget about Grandmaster Flash or the Sugar Hill Gang, if you ask me it was actually Richard Carpenter who invented rapping and made it commercial , just kidding), but I just could not explain to myself what he is trying to do..
Oh, I'm such a dummy - but, sorry, I've just no savvy when it comes to square dance..

I totally agree with you, idolizing a person/ group can be dangerous and apart from this is not necessary..
Concerning "Space Encounters": I'd never say "Oh, Karen should get an Oscar for her brilliant acting" or "Richard is the Fred Astaire of the 70s", I just wanted to say that sometimes Carpenters make me like things that I usually would not care about and it's because THEY do it..

Nevertheless there are things about them that I like more, some I like less for several reasons. To me it's also interesting to talk about the things we do not like..
But generally I prefer to talk about the things I like, of course not, don't get me wrong, in an excessive way..

"Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad"

But as you know, I just wrote a few days ago, that I absolutely do appreciate the sometimes controversial discussions here..

P.S.: I really like the word "schlocky", never heard it before..

Ha! ha! ha! How funny Richard Carpenter a pioneer of rap... and how about Karen Carpenter a pioneer of electro-funk-jazz-pop (electro-fuzzpop)... that actually could have been a reality had her solo album been released in 1980.

True Karen and Richard certainly did not give Oscar (or even Emmy) winning performances on their TV Specials (and the one at this point in topic is "Space Encounters")... but you are right, CG, there are several entertaining highlights in the show. As mentioned before I really like the "Goofus" segment... Karen was really cute here and humorous. Like you, I enjoyed the "Man Smart Woman smarter" segment... that was also reallly cute. The performance of "Calling Occupants..." was stellar. I also liked the "Sweet Sweet Smile" segment... now that's a song which has actually been popular in Country Music Dance Clubs... and the square dance was done to "Sweet Sweet Smile" (or maybe it was the Line Dance... which is a relative of the Square Dance). As mentioned earlier my favorite part of the show was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" medley... that was great... upbeat and fun.

Yes, Rick - the pioneer role you made up for Karen corresponds a lot better to reality, that's for sure.
But I'm just having a fancy for the thought of RC inventing Rap back in '78.. (Books of Rap History have to be rewritten now..

Actually we had a Square Dance Group back in school - I always thought they were kind of curious, but now I think maybe I should have stopped by there now and again

But OK, I'm running off the threads topic right now..

[Rick Henry]

carpentersgermany said:

admin said:

Ha! ha! ha! How funny Richard Carpenter a pioneer of rap... and how about Karen Carpenter a pioneer of electro-funk-jazz-pop (electro-fuzzpop)... that actually could have been a reality had her solo album been released in 1980.

True Karen and Richard certainly did not give Oscar (or even Emmy) winning performances on their TV Specials (and the one at this point in topic is "Space Encounters")... but you are right, CG, there are several entertaining highlights in the show. As mentioned before I really like the "Goofus" segment... Karen was really cute here and humorous. Like you, I enjoyed the "Man Smart Woman smarter" segment... that was also reallly cute. The performance of "Calling Occupants..." was stellar. I also liked the "Sweet Sweet Smile" segment... now that's a song which has actually been popular in Country Music Dance Clubs... and the square dance was done to "Sweet Sweet Smile" (or maybe it was the Line Dance... which is a relative of the Square Dance). As mentioned earlier my favorite part of the show was the "Fun, Fun, Fun/Dancing In The Street" medley... that was great... upbeat and fun.

Yes, Rick - the pioneer role you made up for Karen corresponds a lot better to reality, that's for sure.
But I'm just having a fancy for the thought of RC inventing Rap back in '78.. (Books of Rap History have to be rewritten now..

Actually we had a Square Dance Group back in school - I always thought they were kind of curious, but now I think maybe I should have stopped by there now and again

But OK, I'm running off the threads topic right now..

'Sokay that you're running off the thread... usually we try to keep on the topic of the thread... but this thread seems to be turning into a catch-all... we need those from time to time.

I tried square dancing once and I just couldn't get the hang of it. I'm just not a dancer sort... although, I workout with a trainer twice a week... every once in a while she puts me through a workout which is very much like a choreographed dance routine... it is quite strenuous and very tough... but you don't get results without a little bit of challenge.