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Post by cam83 on Dec 26, 2004 15:20:14 GMT -5
Hi Will, Not sure of the question. I think she went to a place, when she sang, and so maybe that is the reason why she closed her eyes when she sang.
Cameron
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 26, 2004 23:13:12 GMT -5
I think you're right Cam. Karen was such an intense singer. She really put every ounce of soul and emotion into her songs. And I think when she sang it just took her to a different level. Her eyes just automatically closed. I don't think she had control over that.
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Post by enigma on Jan 15, 2005 4:36:47 GMT -5
Karen seems to often have her eyes closed when singing. Was this on purpose? Was she asked to open her eyes up later in their career? Interesting I never really noticed Karen did that until you pointed it out I guess I did not look very hard at what Karen was doing. She still closed her eyes when she sang later in her career so I doubt they would have said anything about it it was her singing style and other artists close their eyes when they sing especially on ballads. Rick and Cam are likely correct on the reasoning though.
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Post by karen69roland on Jan 15, 2005 23:46:06 GMT -5
Sometimes, it's hard for me to not capture more pics of her with her eyes closed..., she's so beautiful with her eyes closed..., and then, when she opens them..., hummm... What more can I say? [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by Rob813 on Jan 28, 2005 22:59:25 GMT -5
Interesting topic about Karen closing her eyes when she sang. I think originally Karen may have been nervous and shy about performing so closing her eyes while singing was a reaction to that fact. Later on, with her confidence as a performer sealed in her mind, she closed her eyes less oftern. When she did close them while singing, it was as a natural response to the meaning of the lyrics.
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visitor308
NEW TO THE FAMILY
Fell in Love with the angelic voice of Karen Carpenter
Posts: 1
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Post by visitor308 on Mar 23, 2005 7:55:09 GMT -5
Hi Folks, Well I've always liked the Carpenter songs - so many all on love. I loved however Karens voice - she was truely angelic. The other week ago I went and bought a double CD of their music. (I wonder if there isnt a 'complete collection' somewhere?) Having listened to the CDS now enroute to all locations over the past 2 weeks, I wanted to learn more about their life. So tonight I did the search and found this site. Now the thing is that I never knew Karen had died from a heart attack. For more than 25 - 30 years I always believed that she had committed suicide - died of a broken heart, and always thought that that was a tragic end to a beautiful person. The story that I had in my mind is that she had fallen in love and he had left her - hence all the songs on Love. Each time I listened to them I though in my own private fantasy world that she was sending out messages to her lost love. How wrong was I. I wonder where I got that story so many years ago - and I just believed it. Needless to say I was saddened to learn tonight that she had died from the eating disorder - such a great great loss at such a young age. She is sadly missed in our hearts.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 25, 2005 13:57:57 GMT -5
*% ^^ ^^ Hey everyone - I just read through this interesting thread, and wanted to add a couple of things, if I may. Alan, yes, Karen and Richard attempted to "temper" the situation with Sedaka, but there were several things that went wrong. The final straw was when Sedaka, as the opening act, introduced some VIPs in the room, and those introductions should have been saved for Richard. Richard was furious, and called Warner Wolfen. Warner and he had been having conversations about this for some time, but nothing had happened by Wolfen to take care of this situation. Richard "fired" Sedaka. Sedaka got a lot of press out of it - and Wolfen was outraged that Richard took this route. Yes, he'd agreed that Sedaka needed to be replaced at that time as their opening act, but he didn't mean for Richard to FIRE him, for the very reasons as what resulted. Therefore, it took some time for the Carpenters to sort of "recover" in fans eyes, from this harsh action. Richard had to write a special article in the fan letter the next month, attempting to explain why he took the action he did. (He shouldn't have had to explain it - he was the boss, and should have been able to do whatever the heck he wanted to - in my opinion - but that was not the opinion of the Carpenters camp, so Rich apologized to the fans via the newsletter). What was happening was that Sedaka knew how to work a crowd better than Karen and Richard did. It was just after this that they hired the couple to put some "life" into their concerts. They were exceptional at the music, but the show, itself, was a bit dull, insofar as the "showbiz" world was concerned, according to Ray Coleman. So, they hired Mitzi and ?? somebody (sorry, forgot their names) to put a shot of energy and enthusiasm into their work on stage. I don't think people were clamoring to see Neil - I just think he had pizzaz on stage, and the critics (yes, those nasty critics) had a lot to say in comparison to Carpenters stage presence at that time. Karen used to close her eyes a great deal when singing - watch the Superstar video, or any of the early ones. She did continue to close her eyes in later years, but much, much less than earlier years. Rob, I think you're absolutely right that Karen was nervous and shy when she first started singing to the public, and closing her eyes was one way to combat that. I remember reading she was "asked" by those coordinating their shows, her TV appearances, etc., to keep her eyes open "more" while singing. It was Karen's natural way to sing to close her eyes - it was a comfort zone, and I think Cam's right - she went to "that place" when she closed her eyes to sing. I do it myself, especially when I'm doing a ballad or something strong like that - it takes you inward (at least it does me) and I understand completely why Karen did that. But like all of show buisiness, there are some acceptable things one can do on camera, and some not so acceptable. So, she was asked to keep em open more than shut. Later videos show her with her eyes open more than closed. Visitor 308, welcome aboard. As Dave mentioned, you're among friends here - I have followed Carpenters for 35 years now, and I learn something new about them every single day. There is a wealth of wonderful information from every single member of this forum. And, Rick pours his heart and soul into every inch of this website. It shows, doesn't it? Welcome. @@ *% @@
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Post by heartwaves on Nov 21, 2005 16:03:10 GMT -5
What involvement, if any, does Richard have in this wonderful, well-put together website? Has he taken any interest in knowing what's going on here.....being it is a site dedicated to his sister, and their days together as "The Carpenters." Is Richard still writing music, producing others....if so, who?
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Post by heartwaves on Nov 21, 2005 16:33:18 GMT -5
One other question I've always wondered about, strangely....don't know why, but does anyone know how tall Karen was? Was she somewhat petite, average, tall? Told you it was a strange question!
It's just amazing how a camera can distort how someone looks in real life, especially their height. I've seen some different artists in concert, and found them to look somewhat different in person -- either alot taller than assumed, or alot shorter.
Shania Twain is only around 5'2" I've heard.....yet, she looks taller because they purposely put the camera on an angel to make her appear taller. Why, I don't know because I don't think people care too much whether someone's tall or short when it comes to liking them, yet we're all curious george's all the same, arn't we?
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 21, 2005 17:14:18 GMT -5
Hi Heartwaves...
To answer some of your questions. This is 100% a fan site. It's run and maintained by Carpenters fans. I would imagine Richard has visited the site from time to time - but I can't really say for sure.
I believe Karen was 5' 4". I guess that would be considered an average height for a female.
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Post by cam83 on Nov 21, 2005 20:14:42 GMT -5
She was 5 ft 4 1/2 feet tall.
Cam
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Post by heartwaves on Nov 22, 2005 12:35:32 GMT -5
Thanks...Rick, Cam!!! I don't know why height can make you feel like you know a person a little better, but it does somehow. It puts a clearer image of them in your mind, as every little detail about another can help one to know an individual in a more personal way..... and it helps keep them more realistically alive in our hearts! Another curiosity I've had concerning Karen.....does anyone know who her favourite artists/bands were? I would be even interested in knowing Richard's musical interests, as of lately?
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Post by PrisonerWalking on Feb 20, 2006 18:49:55 GMT -5
You guys have mentioned Karen closing her eyes when she sang, but what about the way she often held the microphone between her 4th and 5th fingers? That's a Karen trademark isn't it!? Do you think she just got into the habit? Did it feel more comfortable?
Did you notice that Cynthia Gibb tried to emulate that in "The Karen Carpenter Story" AND in one of the "Music Music Music" outtakes, the director tells her not to do it because it's distracting!?
L
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Post by wisejester7 on Aug 3, 2006 10:47:08 GMT -5
Karen does the 'different' mic hold with her left hand. I think this is a throw back to how you hold drumsticks. The left handed stick goes between the 3rd and 4th fingers.
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Post by Prisoner_Walking on Aug 17, 2006 8:15:06 GMT -5
Of course, I never thought about it like that! Thanks
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 13, 2006 16:50:39 GMT -5
Did you know...Richard Lynn Carpenter-uncle of Karen and Richard, and his namesake, had a wife named Mary. Funny-"our" Richard also married a Mary!
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 13, 2006 16:57:47 GMT -5
Did you know...Richard, at age 16, was featured on a record by the Barries. The group was from New Haven. The single they cut..."Write Me A Letter".
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Post by merlinjones on Nov 21, 2006 12:53:29 GMT -5
Did you know... That Richard wore coke bottle glasses? But, that he wore contacts in public. That Karen played the bass on two songs from one of their later albums? I cannot remember which album, though!
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