Keep My Lovelight Burning

[Christian]

Hi.

I just listened to Keep my Lovelight Burning and there is a part of it which tells so much about Karens solo session. In the end where she sings "Won`t keep my lovelight burning" with that smile/laughter which shines thru when she sings the word "Won`t". That`s just so great!! I love that part, can just imagine her in the studio, infront of the microphone with the headphones on. Having a great time, singing songs of such a variety which she`s never done before. Being indepentant, meeting famed and respected musicians and performers who loves working with her just as much as she loves working with them. Getting respect and admiration from her peers aswell as being away from Downey, California and standing on her own to feet and getting the proof that she is so much more than she ever thought she was.
I truly believe that this period in Karens life was fantastic for her and also played a big part of her getting to terms with that she was ill and deciding to do something about it. Sadly the outfall of the session was to tough on her...

Christian

[cam83]

Yes, Christian. Keep My Lovelight Burning is an awesome song! I always call it Karen's rockin' song! She really had such versatility, and she was so underrated and taken for granted as a great singer. No one seemed to appreciate her vocal talent, and that included A&M Records, I think. They had total disregard for her talent, and instead of releasing this wonderful collection of songs, they go and push her back into her brother Richard's fold. She is back at square one. A whole year is wasted. And she goes back to the way that things were done before. Imagine, that she grew emotionally and more musically when she headed to New York to record her solo songs. To sing new stuff, and get along with the musicians from Billy Joel's band...I especially love this beautiful photo of Karen wearing a white shirt, and her hair in a bun, besides the drummer Liberty...(the guy that she instructs on Last One Singing the Blues she says...Just an sinch slower...or is it, just a zinch slower... )...do and search on Karen Carpenter and Liberty Devitto...and that pic will pop up...
But yeah, that song is amazing. I love the fact that certain songs she kinda has that laugh when singing...Make Believe It's Your First Time(from Voice of the Heart), I Just Fall In Love Again(from Passage) and so many others...it's cute. I don't think of it as a mistake...because she includes part of her emotion into a song. I also love her phrase, "Uh, I have to get into a serious mood here"...at the beginning of Make Believe It's Your First Time...I never realized how deep her voice was...her speaking voice I mean.
Imagine her parents reacting to this song!!

My jumbled thoughts,
Cameron
[e-mail]

[Christian]

Hi!

I totally agree with you Cameron on all the things you mentioned. She was pushed back into Richards fold by himself and A&M. Guess many egoes felt threatened by the fact that she would have been a hit on her one.
Also thanks for the tip about the picture, will check it out.

Regarding some of the more "sexual" content in some songs, especially from the solo session...It was not popular back home in Downey and also with Richard according to several sources(think it also was mentioned in the Coleman book) Bet Agnes choked on her daily scoop of vanilla ice cream when she heard Karen sing My body keeps changing my mind and the line " well I know it wouldn`t be right to say take me home tonight...."