Post by cam83 on Sept 27, 2003 0:28:07 GMT -5
Chapter Six
The months passed by, and Karen was so busy touring across the States. She even went on tours to Japan, and England, where her solo album was # 1 on those charts. In England, her KAREN CARPENTER album was now sextuple platinum, selling over 1.8 million copies. Her singles were doing really well, on the music charts. Her single MAKING LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON and REMEMBER WHEN LOVIN' TOOK ALL NIGHT were on Britain's # 1 and # 2 spot for the same week. The first female artist to do so in that country. Japan had opted for IF I HAD YOU and it was also # 1 for an amazing 16 weeks. Her album there was #1 for 25 weeks, unheard of in Japan and already past the 4 million mark.
Now in the U.S. her KAREN CARPENTER album was certified quadruple platinum. Her Carpenters album TOGETHER AGAIN was in both those countries TOP TEN charts, and in the U.S. it was already platinum. There was a surge in sales, in connection with their Thanksgiving special TOGETHER AGAIN hitting the # 3 on the Neilson Ratings.
People magazine did a cover on the success of Karen Carpenter and she was on other magazine covers as well. In the U.S., the TOGETHER AGAIN album now hit # 34 on the charts. It was now certified platinum. TOGETHER AGAIN, their next single was released and it's debut at # 67 was solid enough, that a week later it soared to # 40, becoming their 22nd Top 40 hit single. 2 weeks later, it was # 18. It peaked at # 5 on its 6th week, going gold at 1.2 million copies sold. On the Adult Contemporary Chart it was # 1 for 8 weeks.
She arrived back in the States to begin taping their 7th television special, and their 3rd Christmas special. Some of the songs they recorded, was the other version of AVE MARIA by Schubert, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, GREENSLEEVES, and O HOLY NIGHT. Some of these songs they had recorded in excess from the 1978 session, so they decided to put them into special. A new Christmas album was due in a few weeks. It never received as high as priority as their 1st Christmas album, but that was alright. They knew that it would sell.
The single AVE MARIA backed with MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING peaked at # 9 on the Pop Charts, which was excellent for a Christmas single. On the A.C chart, it zoomed to # 1 for 3 weeks.
The Television special hit # 4 on the Neilson Ratings, and was a big hit. It received rave reviews by the critics, and commented on how the Carpenters had improved on their freshness, ability to relate with the audience, and their cheerful banter.
Their 13th album which happened to be the Christmas album was titled MERRY CHRISTMAS, WITH LOVE. This album hit # 1 on the special Christmas album chart, and #10 on the TOP 200 ALBUM chart and went platinum.
Karen also found out that she was nominated for 6 Grammys, and that she and Richard as the Carpenters had been nominated 4 times. They were excited. Her being nominated for 10 Grammys was a first for any female singer in Rock History. She hoped that she would win something. She was glad that she and Richard were being nominated as a duo, because it would heal any hard feelings on both sides.
Christmas 1983 was spent at Newville Avenue, and it was a festive occasion for the whole family. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins all helped to fill the huge house. Rooms were all packed, but no one seemed to mind. It made the season of sharing, all the more merrier. Karen just bubbled over with such enthusiasm, jumping from one group to another, chatting, laughing and teasing. She just felt such immense love for her relations.
On Christmas eve, Karen and Richard, with no instruments except the piano, sang a lot of Christmas songs. The feeling that was felt around the room, was one that could not even be captured on album. Their voices blended with such simplicity, but aching with beauty. Everyone was allowed to join in with the singing. Young and old, hoarse voices and pleasant voices, sang along with an angel and her brother. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Home For the Holidays, Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas Darling, White Christmas and so on.
The most breathtaking moment, when Karen stood and sang Ave Maria. Everyone quieted down, and brought a tear to all those sitting there. Even though most could not understand the Latin version, they were moved in ways, by Karen's voice so pure, and real. After the song was done, no one spoke, afraid of breaking the silence, until Karen said, "What's everyone being so quiet about? Was I that bad?" she laughed, and everyone else laughed along.
They all joined in and sang many, joyful Christmas carols, with everyone shouting out requests. Mom and Dad stood by the stairs, their arms wrapped around each other, and they were so proud to see their daughter and son together again.
The months passed by, and Karen was so busy touring across the States. She even went on tours to Japan, and England, where her solo album was # 1 on those charts. In England, her KAREN CARPENTER album was now sextuple platinum, selling over 1.8 million copies. Her singles were doing really well, on the music charts. Her single MAKING LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON and REMEMBER WHEN LOVIN' TOOK ALL NIGHT were on Britain's # 1 and # 2 spot for the same week. The first female artist to do so in that country. Japan had opted for IF I HAD YOU and it was also # 1 for an amazing 16 weeks. Her album there was #1 for 25 weeks, unheard of in Japan and already past the 4 million mark.
Now in the U.S. her KAREN CARPENTER album was certified quadruple platinum. Her Carpenters album TOGETHER AGAIN was in both those countries TOP TEN charts, and in the U.S. it was already platinum. There was a surge in sales, in connection with their Thanksgiving special TOGETHER AGAIN hitting the # 3 on the Neilson Ratings.
People magazine did a cover on the success of Karen Carpenter and she was on other magazine covers as well. In the U.S., the TOGETHER AGAIN album now hit # 34 on the charts. It was now certified platinum. TOGETHER AGAIN, their next single was released and it's debut at # 67 was solid enough, that a week later it soared to # 40, becoming their 22nd Top 40 hit single. 2 weeks later, it was # 18. It peaked at # 5 on its 6th week, going gold at 1.2 million copies sold. On the Adult Contemporary Chart it was # 1 for 8 weeks.
She arrived back in the States to begin taping their 7th television special, and their 3rd Christmas special. Some of the songs they recorded, was the other version of AVE MARIA by Schubert, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, GREENSLEEVES, and O HOLY NIGHT. Some of these songs they had recorded in excess from the 1978 session, so they decided to put them into special. A new Christmas album was due in a few weeks. It never received as high as priority as their 1st Christmas album, but that was alright. They knew that it would sell.
The single AVE MARIA backed with MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING peaked at # 9 on the Pop Charts, which was excellent for a Christmas single. On the A.C chart, it zoomed to # 1 for 3 weeks.
The Television special hit # 4 on the Neilson Ratings, and was a big hit. It received rave reviews by the critics, and commented on how the Carpenters had improved on their freshness, ability to relate with the audience, and their cheerful banter.
Their 13th album which happened to be the Christmas album was titled MERRY CHRISTMAS, WITH LOVE. This album hit # 1 on the special Christmas album chart, and #10 on the TOP 200 ALBUM chart and went platinum.
Karen also found out that she was nominated for 6 Grammys, and that she and Richard as the Carpenters had been nominated 4 times. They were excited. Her being nominated for 10 Grammys was a first for any female singer in Rock History. She hoped that she would win something. She was glad that she and Richard were being nominated as a duo, because it would heal any hard feelings on both sides.
Christmas 1983 was spent at Newville Avenue, and it was a festive occasion for the whole family. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins all helped to fill the huge house. Rooms were all packed, but no one seemed to mind. It made the season of sharing, all the more merrier. Karen just bubbled over with such enthusiasm, jumping from one group to another, chatting, laughing and teasing. She just felt such immense love for her relations.
On Christmas eve, Karen and Richard, with no instruments except the piano, sang a lot of Christmas songs. The feeling that was felt around the room, was one that could not even be captured on album. Their voices blended with such simplicity, but aching with beauty. Everyone was allowed to join in with the singing. Young and old, hoarse voices and pleasant voices, sang along with an angel and her brother. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Home For the Holidays, Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas Darling, White Christmas and so on.
The most breathtaking moment, when Karen stood and sang Ave Maria. Everyone quieted down, and brought a tear to all those sitting there. Even though most could not understand the Latin version, they were moved in ways, by Karen's voice so pure, and real. After the song was done, no one spoke, afraid of breaking the silence, until Karen said, "What's everyone being so quiet about? Was I that bad?" she laughed, and everyone else laughed along.
They all joined in and sang many, joyful Christmas carols, with everyone shouting out requests. Mom and Dad stood by the stairs, their arms wrapped around each other, and they were so proud to see their daughter and son together again.
