Soul Sisters...or Fast Track To Destruction

[wisejester7]

This is just some random thoughts on two of my favorite singers:
Judy Garland and Karen Carpenter.

What pulls us in? What makes us stay with someone we've never met? How do we get such emotional attachments to them?

Is it those:
Deep, Dark Chocolatey Eyes?
*eyes that are sparkly, open, trusting, playful

Is it because they were the:
Voice Of A Generation
*Judy Garland
*Karen Carpenter (not Liza, even though she has some of her Mom's vocal qualities)
Both Judy and Karen sang from the heart and both could touch your inner being with just a song.

Or is it because of their:
Soul On Display
Their innocence, the part of them we can all relate to, is this the key? Do we feel they require protection? They didn't know how to say "NO" or how to guard their 'soft side' from the harshness of the world...and because of this they were destroyed by their inability to cope. Both died way too early. ( Both were very thin at their time of death.)

Enough rambling.

[ps11932]

I've just read your comparison of Judy Garland and Karen Carpenter, and you are right- there are many similarities to be seen. Though I am not familiar with Judy's work in any more than a general sense, I know that she (like Karen) captured the heart of a large segment of her generation. Both of them, as part of their vocal and entertaining talent, had a rare gift for connecting with people, and when each died, there were (and still are) countless people who feel that they had lost a friend. A question would be: has there been since, or is there now, anyone of, if not equal, comparable talent, who has been or is teetering on the edge of trouble due to pressures of the business? Or has the field learned a lesson and in some way protecting its own now?

[wisejester7]

O.E. wrote...
"A question would be: has there been since, or is there now, anyone of, if not equal, comparable talent, who has been or is teetering on the edge of trouble due to pressures of the business? Or has the field learned a lesson and in some way protecting its own now?"

There are many talented people out there. I think the lessons of 'protection' have yet to be learned. Many are struggling with fame or would be fame. They seem to be willing to give their all...perhaps to give more than they reasonably/physically or mentaly can.

I don't see anyone that can touch your SOUL, though, the way Judy or Karen could. That was a SPECIAL gift they possessed. Maybe one that only comes once (if that) a generation.

[ps11932]

Indeed, rare is the gifted artist who can truly touch us- once in a generation, if that, as you said. Who knows what gifts and talents existed inthe earlier centuries, that we have no way of experiencing. I guess we are privileged to have lived in these past few generations, where the gifts can to some extent be preserved and passed on.

[wisejester7]

ps11932 We are very lucky. I can't imagine not having Karen at all.