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Post by GoodOldDreams on Nov 10, 2005 1:34:59 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I joined this group about a week and a half ago, and am amazed by the phenomenal amount of information and creative effort that all of you have contributed to the making of this awesome website! Thanks! As I navigate through the various layers of menus and topics on this site, I am thrilled (and somewhat overwhelmed) by the freedom of "so many roads to choose." I really have "only just begun" to scratch the surface of this wonderful community centered around the music I enjoy so much. A long-time fan of the Carpenters since the 1970's, I finally got an opportunity to meet Richard at a concert in 1997. I have jumped in on many discussion topics already, and look forward to hearing from all of you!  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 10, 2005 9:00:31 GMT -5
 Welcome GoodOldDreams...
I have enjoyed reading your numerous posts of the last week and a half. You certainly have a great knowledge of Carpenters (and other) music. You also have a spectacular writing style which makes reading your posts enjoyable.
Welcome to the family. I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting to know you better. |
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Post by Ming on Nov 10, 2005 9:08:53 GMT -5
Welcome!!!
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Post by beaner on Nov 10, 2005 9:18:41 GMT -5
Welcome "GoodOldDreams." I'd love to hear more about the concert you attended and how you met Richard.
Hope to hear from you!
Beaner
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Nov 10, 2005 11:24:30 GMT -5
It's a new day for those Good Old Dreams....one by one it seems they're coming true... Welcome to this fabulous forum and website GoodOldDreams. I, too, have enjoyed reading your posts and am glad you have found this community of super Carpenter-loving individuals. There are many people on this forum and who put effort into the website that have a great love for both Karen and Richard, and who do love Carpenters music. I, too, am a throwback from, er, I mean...a fan from the 70's - I have seen Karen and Rich two times in concert, and there just isn't any better vocal duo than these two. Hope to hear more from you - about your experience with Richard recently, and thanks for posting. Glad to have you aboard. Tim AKA YesterdayOnceMore
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Nov 10, 2005 12:57:51 GMT -5
Hi Rick, Ming, Beaner and YesterdayOnceMore! Right back at ya!
Beaner and YesterdayOnceMore, here is how I got the chance to meet Richard in person:
Thanks to the Newville Avenue website hosted by Randy Schmidt some years back (around the time the CD "Richard Carpenter: Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor" came out), I read about Richard's upcoming concert premiering at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State University at Long Beach, sort of a home base before he took it on the road to different cities in Japan. On a whim and very short notice, I flew down to southern California with my younger sister, who also shared my interest in the C's music growing up.
The February 14, 1997 show was somewhat of a multi-media event with photos, film/video clips and live performance. Images of Karen and Richard (as youngsters and adults) and their parents were projected onto a couple of screens on-stage. Richard told some amusing and good-natured anecdotes. Backed up by the CSULB Chorus and International Children's Choir, Richard performed selections primarily from the C's repertory of songs, some in accompaniment to video clips of Karen singing. At the brilliant request of Paul Grein, Richard sang "Sometimes." Talk about the "chill factor" --- especially poignant in this context!
After the show, we all got a chance to meet with Richard up close and get his autograph. He was then presented with some surprise award for his work and contributions.
All in all, it was a very moving and touching tribute to Karen and the great music they made together.
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Post by karen69roland on Nov 10, 2005 19:07:22 GMT -5
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 10, 2005 20:51:17 GMT -5
That sounds great GoodOldDreams. I would have loved to be at that concert. Especially to hear Richard perform "Sometimes". That is such a moving song.
Paul Grein is a popular music critic. He's written reviews for several different publications, he's also written album liner notes for many different artists - including Carpenters.
I had the opportunity to see Carpenters once on December 29, 1977 for my 18th birthday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The highlight of the show was seeing Karen do her famous drum medley. she was outstanding. |
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Post by BethMosior on Nov 10, 2005 23:22:34 GMT -5
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Nov 11, 2005 0:35:24 GMT -5
Hi Karen69Roland and BethMosior, Thanks for the warm welcome!  |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Nov 11, 2005 0:55:54 GMT -5
Hi Rick, Thanks for the info. Richard's singing of "Sometimes" at Paul Grein's request was an idea they were trying out on premiere night. Although the audience loved it, I don't know whether or not they officially added that song to the program when they toured later in Japan. Either way, we recognized that it was a very special treat for us... |
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Post by Carps1000 on Nov 11, 2005 3:16:33 GMT -5
Hi there welcome to the mad house. There are some really nice people on here. Pity we cant have a meet up convention to meet up in person wouldnt that be great. But we all live so far apart I guess its impossible. Take care U all. Ken carps1000( still living in the UK so U dont have to.)
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Nov 11, 2005 11:07:50 GMT -5
"Cheerio," Carps1000 !
Yes, I have been having the very same thoughts about how exciting it would be for the members to be able meet and talk in person, practical considerations and logistics aside. Of course, the fact that the internet enables us to interact from all over the world is still pretty amazing.
I had the good fortune to visit your fair country on a "holiday" some years back, and I thoroughly enjoyed the historical, cultural and culinary delights it has to offer!
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 11, 2005 22:24:11 GMT -5
 ???You have found your niche easily with us Goodoldreams.....MY OH MY...WHAT A WONDERFUL CONCERT AND MEETING THAT WAS FOR YOU TO HAVE MET WITH RICHARD C.!!!  I KNOW WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL THAT RICHARD HAS CONTINUED WITH THE C'S LEGACY AND MUSIC... IT'S EXCITING TO HEAR FROM THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN rICHARD AND KAREN IN DAYS PAST ...AND LIKE TO SHARE THOSE TIMES WITH US...AND ALSO IN RECENT DAYS ALSO.. I NEVER SAW THE C'S IN CONCERT, BUT RECALL THEM ON TV OF COURSE...AND BASICALLY GREW UP WITH THEIR MUSIC... SMOOTHIE 
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Post by JIM on Nov 18, 2005 15:20:41 GMT -5
;)Welcome to the family GoodOldDreams!! I felt kinda bad the other day when I was attepting to post the 1996 New York Times Magazine write up on the release of Karen's solo album. I had completely forgot that Dave had posted it last year. Believe me I found the article to be every bit as negative as you but I just wanted to share a bit of history as it related to the release of Karen Carpenter. Like all of us I am very protective of the Carpenters and as Karen said about here solo work,"that album is f*** great!" I am so greatful we have the released as well as the unreleased solo songs to cherish, I find each one a treasure.
Jim
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and I'm glad to meet you 
