Post by Rick Henry on Dec 29, 2005 11:21:43 GMT -5
TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 1979
"My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" unexpectedly moves up one notch to #44 in it's tenth week. With this slight move up Karen once again has hopes that the song may make the top 40. The song also moves back up to #3 on the Dance chart.
Though on the downside Karen's solo album has fallen off the chart after only five weeks.
SATURDAY AUGUST 10, 1979
Earlier this week Frenda talked Karen into flying to New Jersey with her and Ed for a big summer bash a mutual friend was hosting. At first Karen tried declining saying that she's just not the celebrity party type. But ended up agreeing to go after much haggling by Frenda.
They arrived in New Jersey early Friday evening so they could settle in and make it to the party on Saturday afternoon.
Karen, Frenda and Ed made it to the lavish party at 1:00 p.m. They were immediately greeted and offered a glass of wine and stuffed cheese puffs.
The trio walked into the large and already crowded front room. It was like a who's who of the entertainment business.
Karen spotted Neil Diamond and looked over at Frenda, "Look who's over there. Neil Diamond. Oh he's a dream. That voice. I melt when I hear him sing."
Just at that moent Robin Williams came up to the trio and speaking loudly in his "Mork" voice said, "Ed and Frenda we meet again. Who is your pretty guest?" Karen blushes as Robin continues speaking, "Oh yes, it's the fabulous songstress of love songs." Robin begins singing the chorus of "We've Only Just Begun".
"Hi Robin," Karen says as he's still shout singing "We've Only Just Begun". Karen play slaps him on the shoulder and says, "You're a real crack up. You are too funny. Stop singing that song."
Robin just laughs at Karen as he gives her a hug and tells her he really enjoyed meeting her. Then he runs off to talk with Suzanne Somers. Karen sees Suzanne and waves hello but is wisked off by Frenda and Ed who continue walking further into the party toward the patio. Ed and Frenda split from Karen to talk with some friends they'll be vacationing with next week in Mexico City.
At this point Karen strolled out to the patio and sat down in a chair with a small round table next to it. The pool water was sparkling blue as the sunlight hit it. It was a beautiful day. The waiter tending the patio brought her a ginger ale. Karen struck up a conversation with the busboy who was removing the empty glasses and plates from a nearby table. His name is Raoul an immigrant from Brazil. He came here for a better life and to go to college to get a degree in business. Raoul mentioned how much he loves the Carpenters and that he's collected many of their albums. At this point Roy Orbison was walking by and spotted Karen.
"Hello, Miss Karen Carpenter," Roy gleefully approaches her.
"Greetings to you Mr. Roy Orbison," Karen stands up to shake his hand, "Wow what an honor. I am a big fan of your voice. You are terrific. The best male vocalist ever," Karen gestures with her hands as she vibrantly speaks.
"Thank you very much Karen," Roy says, "And I'm a big fan of yours also. I would love to do a duet with you someday. As a matter of fact I'm working on a new album right now. I just finished recording a duet with Emmylou Harris."
"Oh I love Emmylou Harris," Karen interrupts, "She has a great voice.
"Karen," Roy continues talking, "I would really love to have you as a guest on this next album. You and I could sing beautifully together."
Karen stunned and blushing comments back, "Wow, I can't believe it. This is amazing. I would love to sing with you Roy."
Roy hands Karen his card and asks her to contact him so they can make arrangements.
Karen and Roy agree on this and give each other a hug as he moves on.
Karen sits back in her chair and munches on some peanuts as she basks in the glow of the invitation from the legendary Roy Orbison. As she's thinking about this Robin Williams breaks her concentration and approaches Karen again, "Karen, Karen Carpenter," Robin shouts out still in his loud Mork voice, "Have I got someone for you to meet."
Karen looks up to see Bruce Springsteen with Robin. Her heart just melted as she looked at him and thought, "What a ruggedly handsome man."
She stands up while Robin introdueces them to each other. Karen shakes his hand and politely says, "Nice to meet you Bruce."
"The pleasure is all mine," Bruce responds with a big smile for Karen.
Robin interrupts, "Excuse me music people, I'm gonna leave you here to talk music while I go chat up Mary Tyler Moore."
"I've heard your new solo song," Bruce mentions, "My girlfriend, Joyce Heiser, is a big fan of yours. She cranks the song up loud and sings along whenever it's played on the radio.
"Oh really?" Karen answers back and asks, "Which song is it? I've released two solo singles."
"That one about, 'I wouldn't have the TV in the bedroom'," Bruce answers.
"If I Had You Again," Karen sings back.
"Yeah, that's the one," Bruce gestures with his index finger pointing in the air, "what a great song. That vocal mix at the end is far out."
"We put a lot of work into it," Karen comments, "But the song only reached #55 on the chart."
"it's not the position the song reaches that's improtant," Bruce says as Karen gives him an inquisitive look. Bruce continues talking, "It's how the song affects the people who hear it. Joyce goes into her own world when she hears the song. Nothing else exists when it plays. She says the song reaches into her soul."
Karen looks at Bruce with a silly and somber smile as he keeps on talking, "You're voice is so sweet and pure Karen. Your performance on the song is complete perfection. The first time I heard it your voice caught my ear. I remember commenting to Joyce, 'Wow, that Karen Carpenter sure can sing'. then that vocal mix at the end came on and I was totally blown away. I even mentioned it to my sax player, Clarence Clemons. He said that had already heard the song and thought it was one hot jazz track. He thinks it's the best thing you've ever recorded."
"Really?" Karen says in a surprised tone.
"Yes, really," Bruce says, "People really like the song."
"Thank you Bruce, thank you," Karen says, "I had no idea people were tunes into the song that much. Enough about me, what have you been up to lately?"
Bruce says, "I've been working with Jackson Browne."
"I love Jackson Browne," Karen interrupts Bruce as he's speaking.
"We're working on a benefit concert," Bruce continues speaking. "It's Jackson's project. He's just invited me to be a guest so I'm helping him out with some of the arrangements."
"What is the benefit for?" Karen asks.
"It's to raise public awareness about the dangers of using nuclear power as an enegy source," Bruce answers.
"That sounds interesting," Karen responds and asks, "What are some of the dangers of nuclear power?"
"For one nuclear power is not clean," Bruce says, "It's dangerous. it contaminates the planet with long lived radioactive waste. which, in the near future,will damage the earth's atmosphere."
"Really?" Karen responds with interest.
"Yes," Bruce continues with his speech, "Plutonium is the most significant element of nuclear waste. It's highly carcinogenic. It enters the body through the lungs where it's known to cause cancer. It can migrtate to the bones and other parts of the body. It also causes gross birth deformities," Bruce gestures with his hands as he continues, "And it gets even bigger and worse. It can affect every living being and organism on the planet."
"This is huge," Karen speaks, "It's frightening to think of."
"It really is," Bruce responds.
"Well what if," Karen pauses briefly as she gathers her thoughts, "Don't windmills create energy?"
"Yes, yes," Bruce answers.
Karen continues talking, "There must be a way to modify and upgrade the windmill to maximize the amount of energy it produces."
"Hmmmm," Bruce gives Karen a whimsical smile, "You're a very interesting person. Have you studied this subject. I mean where'd you come up with the idea of windmills?"
"You mentioned energy sources and that made me think of windwills. Richard and I took a tour of the windmills when we were in Holland in 1976. it was a beautiful sight. The tour guide explained the uses for the windmills."
"You've hit the nail on the head Karen," Bruce says, "Several oranizations have been experimenting with windmills and other sources of natural energy. The U.S. Federal Wind Energy Program has headed up many of these experiments."
"This conversation has been very educational," Karen comments, "I'd really love to see the concert. Can you please send me more information once the details are worked out?" Karen hands Bruce her card.
Frenda walks up to let Karen know Tony Danza is inside singing in the Caberet Room, "You've got to hear him Karen, he's actually pretty good," Frenda interrupts Bruce and Karen's converastion. Karen and Bruce shake hands and promise to keep in touch.
Once inside Tony is singing "Pennies From Heaven".
Karen looks at Frenda and says, "That Tony Danza is a real heart throb."
"I hear he's single," Frenda comments.
Hmmmm," Karen smiles back as she tries to get a look at his ring finger.
At that moment Tony notices Karen and asks her to join him in a duet of "I'll Be Seeing You". Karen declines by saying she's enjoying his singing way too much and just wants to be a spectator. But others in the room nudge karen on to sing. So, she ends up singing a lovely version of the standard with him.
Karen, Frenda and Ed stay at the party for about another hour mingling with the celebrity crowd. Before they left Sally Field came up to say hi and compliment karen on her lovely voice.
On the drive back to the hotel Karen was beaming with joy and commented that she was going to have to go to more of these parties. She said this was a very uplifting experience for her.
Tuesday August 14, 1979
My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" moves down three notches to #47 in it's 11th week. On the dance chart it's at #5.
Tuesday August 21, 1979
My Body Keeps Changing My Mind falls down to #52 in week 12 and #9 on the dance chart.
"Love Makin' Love To You" is released as single with "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" as the b-side.