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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 7, 2004 0:01:01 GMT -5
HORIZON(Morning opens quietly, a shadow vision over me) Horizon is the album which most Carpenters fans claim to be their favorite amongst all Carpenters releases. Released on June 6, 1975, critics hail this to be the most sophisticated Carpenters album to date. The album is a technical triumph. It was recorded at A&M Records mainly in Studio D using state of the art 24-track recording technology, 30 Dolby, and recorded at 30 inches per second to create the cleanest and clearest sound possible. The Carpenters took the patience to spend a good amount of time and many long hours experimenting with different sounds, techniques and effects. One of the most astonishing techniques used on the album is the multitude of seperate mikings. Every single instrument and voice has it's own microphone.This helped to create a broad, full sound. The drums were recorded on four seperate tracks, one for the kick, one for the snare and one each for the left and right tom-toms. On the song "Only Yesterday" a tape delay is used on the saxophone, this effect accents the instrument and lifts it above the canvas and gives it an extra dimension. "Horizon" was the Carpenters' sixth studio album. After five consecutive albums peaking inside the U.S. top 5 "Horizon" broke this run by reaching U.S. # 13. the album has been certified PLATINUM by the RIAA for selling over a million copies and most likely will soon be certified DOUBLE PLATINUM. Although "Horizon" showed hints of the Carpenters sales slowing up in the U.S., they were bigger than ever around the world. "Horizon" was one of their biggest universal sellers reaching # 1 in both Japan and England. Richard Carpenter stated his goal was to produce an album where every song could be a single. With "Horizon" he achieved this goal as each song on this album could have easily been a hit in 1975. AURORA(Richard Carpenter and John Bettis) Horizon opens and closes with a pair of distant yet warmly familiar bookend songs; "Aurora" and "Eventide". Each song is identical in it's somber mood with a chilling sense of sunrise and sunset. ONLY YESTERDAY(Richard Carpenter and John Bettis) From "Aurora" the album moves rightion to "Only Yesterday", which many consider to be the album's strongest track. Written by Richard Carpenter and lyricist John Bettis, the song was a huge hit worldwide. Believing the song would not be a hit Carpenter and Bettis lost a one-thousand dollar bet to their recording engineer Roger Young. Since the melody was upbeat, Richard asked Bettis to make sure the lyric was not completely sad, so the outlook of the song changes midstream. It goes from dark and deep to bright and propulsive. Bettis described "Only Yesterday" as, "a manipulated positive song". The song is an impressive "wall of sound" with each instrument clearly recognizeable. It has the feel of the sixties with castanets and chimes and the technology of the 70's with electric guitar chords and soulful saxophone progressions. With all this outstanding technology it's Karen's voice that remains the focal point. She opens with a haunting Low E Flat and moves gracefully through the range of the song and her voice with ease. "Only Yesterday" is two songs in one with a lush ballad verse which effectively gives way to an uptempo progressive pop chorus. Only Yesterday reached U.S. #4, UK #7, Canada #7 for two weeks, Japan #12 and was certified GOLD in Japan. The song also won the prestigious GRAND PRIX award in Japan. DESPERADO(Don Henley and Glen Frey) This song received the most attention from the critics stating this was a logical choice for release as a single. This intenesely emotional song received rave reviews. It was an instant favorite amongst fans and critics alike. Karen put every bit of soul she had into this song. She sang it like she really meant it. Accenting the overall aura of the song is the harmonica by Tommy Morgan, his haunting performance adds to the song's melancholy mood. "Desperado" was originally recorded by the Eagles in 1973 and was the center piece of their classic cowboy themed album also named "Desperado". Several others have recorded this song including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Kenny Rogers. PLEASE MR. POSTMAN(W. Garrett, B. Holland, F. Gorman, G. Dobbbins, R. Bateman) "Please Mr. Postman" was the album's biggest hit single and also The Carpenters' biggest hit ever worldwide. It reached # 1 in the U.S., Austrailia, Germany, Japan and several other countries in the world, as well as reaching # 2 in the UK and Canada. This driving rhythm based tune features Karen on drums and a great Tony Peluso guitar solo. "Please Mr. Postman" is one of a handful of song to be a U.S. #1 hit more than once. It reached #1 first in 1961 for the female Motown vocal group the Marvelettes. The song also gained further acclaim when the Beatles included it on their 1963 album "With The Beatles". I CAN DREAM CAN'T I(Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain) One of the highlights of the album is an atmospheric interpretation of the 1949 Andrews Sisters hit, "I Can Dream Can't I". To maintain an authentic quality Karen and Richard hired veteran Billy May to help orchestrate the song. May has worked with legends such as; Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. The song features the Billy May Orchestra which adds to the authenticity of the overall sound. One gets the mental picture of Karen dressed in a formal gown, her hair perfectly coifed as she fronts a fabulous 40's style big band to perform the dreamy number. Just a bit of trivia about the song. John Bahler is in the chorus of background singers. Bahler and his brother Tom (whom Karen dated) hired Karen and Richard in early 1969 to promote the Ford Motor Company most prominently the new car, the Maverick. SOLITAIRE(Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody) Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody wrote "Solitaire" which was the third single from "Horizon". It reached # 15 in the U.S. and the top 40 in several other countries around the world. The richness of strings and Karen's deep full-bodied voice give this song that chill factor that Richard looked for in a song. Many people consider this to be one of Karen's most intense and finest readings. HAPPY(Tony Peluso, Diane Rubin and John Bettis) "Happy" was another technological sensation. One of the main attractions of this power pop tune is the ARP Odyssey Synthesizer solo at the end of the song. This really brought the song alive and gave it that rocking out of this world feel. The melody and music for "Happy" was written by Carpenters guitarist extraordinaire, Tony Peluso, so of course this song is based on driving guitar chords. (I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN) GOODBYE AND I LOVE YOU(Richard Carpenter and John Bettis) Karen delivered this song with such a convincing soulfulness, that some speculate it may have been a reflection on her recent breakup with David Alley (a longtime associate of the Carpenters). The song like 1976's "I Need To Be In Love" was autobiographical of the Carpenters' romantic dilemmas. At the time of the release of "Horizon" lyricist John Bettis claimed "Goodbye And I Love You" to be his and Richard's best collaboration. LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM(John Bettis and Palma Pascale) "Love Me For What I Am" brings "Horizon" close to it's sunset. The message is a bold one which is self explanatory by the song's title. Once again Karen is so completely convincing, that you yourself feel like you're living the lines of the song. This is one of the album's most convincing tunes featuring Karen's hauntingly bold and soulful vocal which helps create that trademark "chill factor", which is prevalent in many Carpenters songs. This song has a slightly stronger edge to it and reaches it's pinnacle with a burning fuzz guitar solo by the legendary Tony Peluso. With this song The Carpenters prove they are masters of the power ballad. EVENTIDE(Richard Carpenter and John Bettis) After eight wonderfully crafted pop tunes which include a variety ranging from 40's big band, dark soulful ballads and propulsive progressive power pop tunes the album says goodnight with the second bookend piece "Eventide", which gently fades off into the horizon.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Nov 7, 2004 16:20:28 GMT -5
Wow, Rick - great stuff.
First, thanks to Rick for posting my new picture. Yes, that's me on the left (as you look at it) and Billy Joel with a black eye on the right. Billy usually grabs a mic stand when he does "It's Still Rock 'n Roll To Me" which he had done two nights prior in Denver - unfortunately, the mic stand got out of control, or Billy did, one - and the base of it ended up smacking him in the eye!!! It looked pretty bad, but he told us he was much better by the time we saw him. I met Billy in Kansas City, MO in 2000 - he was very gracious and lots of fun to talk to. We went backstage and he sang to both my kids - and was just one heck of a nice guy - as was the rest of his band, especially my favorite, Crystal!!!
Anyway, back to the review - I think this is a wonderful review, and indeed Horizon is one of my all time favorites. I love each and every cut on it, and probably a lot of it has to do with the way it was recorded. I can dream, can't I is one of my ALL TIME faves - I love the way Karen delivers it. But I'm also a big fan of "goodbye and I love you" and "love me for what I am" too. Well, I just enjoy every one of them. I love to put this one on and listen to it in the headphones, with my eyes closed and my mind closed as well, to the rest of the world. Karen really "talks" in this one. It's a beautiful album, and to this day, it's as fresh for me as the first time I heard it.
Thanks, Rick, for the wonderful job you did here in giving us all this information. I did not know all of this, and it's always fun to read about the technicalities of it all. I just know it's harmonically beautiful - wonderfully done, and a joy to listen to over and over again.
Tim
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Nov 8, 2004 21:59:26 GMT -5
Dave,
Thanks. And, you're right, all that seems a bit strange that the release dates of the singles were so far ahead of the album itself.
I wonder if Richard would ever, ever have conceeded that disco could have been something the Carpenters could have done? I have my doubts, but who knows what might have happened.
Suffice it to say, had Karen's disco tunes been released during that time frame, I bet they would have shot way up to the top of the charts right next to Donna Summer. Just my thoughts.
Tim
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 10, 2004 0:16:02 GMT -5
@@ Another Awesome review! thanks! I have the Horizon LP, I love everything about it. The fold-out pictures on the inside cover, the fold-over flap...all that seems to make it very different and classier than the other album covers. And since it is classier and more sophisticated in sound and content...then it all fits together. I love every song! I guess it's a toss up between Only Yest. and Please Mr. Postman songs as my favorites. But the C's are at their best.  |
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 10, 2004 0:19:29 GMT -5
^^ Hi Tim-Yest. Once More...that's a superb pic. of you w/ B. Joel. I bet he puts out a wonderful show! Hope his eye gets better soon!
smoothie
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Nov 10, 2004 12:32:30 GMT -5
Thanks, Smoothie....I'm sure he's all healed by now.....Billy and band put on an awesome show. There's no doubt about it. He's no longer touring, however. Insofar as picutres go, I wish I had one of Karen and I like this.! But, she still sings to me everyday, and I can't ever get enough of her wonderful soothing voice.
Hope all is well in your world.
Tim
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Post by JIM on Nov 13, 2004 12:43:44 GMT -5
All I can say is WOW! What a great
review Rick. You really do some
serious research when it comes
to writing your reviews. The details you provide into the production of the Carpenters music
brings a deeper sense of appreciation to the songs we love.
JIM
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Post by Will on Dec 26, 2004 19:54:44 GMT -5
Wow, Rick - great stuff. First, thanks to Rick for posting my new picture. Yes, that's me on the left (as you look at it) and Billy Joel with a black eye on the right. Billy usually grabs a mic stand when he does "It's Still Rock 'n Roll To Me" which he had done two nights prior in Denver - unfortunately, the mic stand got out of control, or Billy did, one - and the base of it ended up smacking him in the eye!!! It looked pretty bad, but he told us he was much better by the time we saw him. I met Billy in Kansas City, MO in 2000 - he was very gracious and lots of fun to talk to. We went backstage and he sang to both my kids - and was just one heck of a nice guy - as was the rest of his band, especially my favorite, Crystal!!! Anyway, back to the review - I think this is a wonderful review, and indeed Horizon is one of my all time favorites. I love each and every cut on it, and probably a lot of it has to do with the way it was recorded. I can dream, can't I is one of my ALL TIME faves - I love the way Karen delivers it. But I'm also a big fan of "goodbye and I love you" and "love me for what I am" too. Well, I just enjoy every one of them. I love to put this one on and listen to it in the headphones, with my eyes closed and my mind closed as well, to the rest of the world. Karen really "talks" in this one. It's a beautiful album, and to this day, it's as fresh for me as the first time I heard it. Thanks, Rick, for the wonderful job you did here in giving us all this information. I did not know all of this, and it's always fun to read about the technicalities of it all. I just know it's harmonically beautiful - wonderfully done, and a joy to listen to over and over again. Tim Well, just ditto on Tim's comments! Tim, I agree with you on your favorites! Thanks so much Rick. As I read through each song I recalled how much I enjoy each song. How could Richard not be completely happy with this album? It IS the best! I believe that 'I Can Dream Can't I' was written in the later 30s. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Feb 25, 2005 21:16:27 GMT -5
Thank you all for the kind comments. I really enjoyed writing the review for "Horizon", as this is my favorite of all their albums. It was a treat to write about the technical side of this album. richard really put a lot of work into it and Karen's vocals are deep, dark, soulful, and full bodied. What an outstanding album.  |
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Post by shalalala on Mar 13, 2005 4:01:44 GMT -5
I also read that Richard wasn't satisfied with the Horizon album. Something about him feeling it was rushed, or wishing he could have spent more time on it. Is that true?
(If this topic has been covered before, please bear with me. I'm a rookie on this board.)
Thanks.
P.S. Personally, I love this album. I always find myself reaching for it first from my "new" stack of Carpenters vinyl LPs.
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Post by JIM on Mar 13, 2005 5:16:17 GMT -5
!@ Hi Shalala! I love the name
you chose it is very unique. I
think I am goning to change mine
to shigalingaling, so fine. I
also find it odd that Richard did
not like this album. Its just great
song after another Only Yesterday
is just such a wonderful song, I
listen to it all the time. Horizon
and Song For You are my favorite
albums I go back and forth. I guess
I'm Caught Between Goo Good Bye and I love Road Ode...lol
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 13, 2005 12:30:38 GMT -5
I also find it odd that Richard thought this album had a drag to it. Because I listen to it and all I hear is marvelous. The album does not drag whatsoever. There's a nice balance of upbeat and downbeat on the album. And it's all wrapped neatly between the beautiful bookend songs "Aurora" and "Eventide".
I think it was just Richard's state of mind at the time. Karen's health was beginning to faulter. His judgement was clouded after years of prescription drug abuse. I just think at that moment in time Richard wasn't going to be satisfied with anything. This is evident especially since "Horizon" is easily the Carpenters' most brilliant and consistent album of their entire catalog. Even Jerry Moss sent Richard a letter congratulating him on his production of "Horizon". And he was not necessarily a fan of the Carpenters, but he did like "Horizon". Some even felt it showed the Carpenters' growth with experimental ground-breaking qualities akin to the Beatles' "Sargeant Pepper".
So, who's to say who's right. I'd have to go with the response of the public on this one. I think Richard was just being his own worst critic.
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Post by shalalala on Mar 13, 2005 13:11:00 GMT -5
Rick, thanks for your insights. I never thought about Richard's mental state at the time, and I think you're right. I bet if you were to ask Richard about Horizon now, you would get a much different response.
This album stands the test of time. And I also love the "bookends" of Aurora and Eventide.
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Post by Sammy on May 2, 2006 19:46:30 GMT -5
Very good review. Horizon is my favorite Carpenters album. My favorite songs are Only Yesterday, Please Mr. Postman and Desperado.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 7, 2006 14:03:49 GMT -5
Thank you Sammy and Shalalala for the kind comments on this review. As everyone knows "Horizon" is my ultimate favorite Carpenters album. I agree this one does stand the test of time. Every song still sounds as fresh and exciting as they did in 1975. |
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Post by ps11932 on Jun 17, 2006 14:17:18 GMT -5
After reading many of the rave reviews of "Horizon", I just acquired it this week and am actually hearing most of the offerings for the first time (and I notice that even some of the familiar selections have a little different twist.) It will take some listens to begin to absorb but my initial rection is that you are certainly right- this is a great and deep album, showcasing both Karen's wonderful vocal abilities and the brilliance of the instrumentation and arrangement. I'll give more specific thoughts and reactions in the coming days and weeks but thanks to you all for the recommendation- great tip as usual! O.E.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 28, 2006 16:03:10 GMT -5
Hi O.E. now that you've had "Horizon" I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the fabulous songs on this album.
"Only Yesterday", "Love Me For What I Am", "Please Mr. Postman", "Happy", "(I'm Caught Between) Goodbye And I Love You" and "Desperado" are my favorites - gee that's practically the entire album - really every song is a favorite of mine.
"Desperado" is my particular favorite from this album. Karen's vocal performance is deep, dark and soulful and the musicianship is crisp, clear and intricate. This is an absolutely powerful performance for the Carpenters. |
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Post by ps11932 on Jul 31, 2006 17:42:50 GMT -5
Hello Rick, I am still thoroughlly enjoying "Horizon" and I think it is destined to become the C.D. I most often listen to. All the numbers are great (of course, of the 50 or 60 Carpenter songs I listen to at least occasionally, there is exactly 1 that, so far, I haven't at least liked.) As I listen to "Horizon" more the impacts may vary, but so far one that stands out musically is "I Can Dream Can't I." I notice it was copyrighted in 1937 and it surely souns like a work that would stand the test of time. I love the harmonizations and vocal mixings (I'm probably not using the correct terms)- somehow I get the image that this is the type of music that Lute, my barber when I was a kid, would have played in his shop and loved. And I guess transporting you to the past, strenghtening you for the present and envisioning the future is part of the pleasant task of music. Another number that fascinates me is "Eventide." I usually have a little time at the end of the day to reflect on the happenings of things just passed, and somehow this song takes me to a serene and calm setting of thankful remembrances. Somehow autumn comes to mind. And "Love Me For What I Am" stands out for, among other excellent qualities, the true depth of the lyrics. A week or two ago a friend, who is not a C's fan and has probably never heard this song, was telling me about some counsel she gave to a friend- and she quoted almost exactly some of the lyrics as a summary of the advice she gave. How easy it is for us to, even unwittingly and unknowingly, fall into an agenda for which we will use our friends. We must make deliberate effort to accept people for who they are and for the gifts they have. Sure, we help people become stronger and better, but not by forcing them into what we think we need or want. And too, sometimes we need the courage to stand up to people who would so use us! Well, thanks and I'll look forward to giving more thoughts from time to time, and to hearing everyone else's, also. O.E.
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