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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 28, 2006 22:05:09 GMT -5
 What are your thoughts and interpretations of the picture below? |
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 28, 2006 22:55:37 GMT -5
I always thought they were at an airport late at night (or more likely early a.m.) and they were bone weary. But now I can see they are in an auditorium. What ever is going on on stage is taking forever. Karen is watching intently, but it looks like Richard has given up the ghost and decided to catch a few winks while waiting. Karen, too, looks exhausted. She'll wake Rich when it's time.
An aside that has nothing to do with the Carpenters directly...I've always liked this picture a lot. Karen reminds me of pictures of my mom when she was young.
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Post by DJLOVETRAIN on Sept 29, 2006 6:48:07 GMT -5
Karen:Should I wake Richard since he's miss the GREAT Movie DONE on US:The Carpenters?
Nah,He's Too Tired being Up All Night writing Our Next #1 Hit!
Richard;Man The actors in this Movie Suck so I take a nap and maybe this will go way
A Funny Interpertation of this picture
Dr Johnny P LoveTrain
P.S Does EVERYONE like my take on this picture?
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 29, 2006 9:19:05 GMT -5
Now in this picture I do see some possible abraion. As in the "record player" picture Karen and Richard both have a different focus. Richard is napping and Karen is looking intently at something or someone.
Like Wisejester7, I originally thought this pic was in an airport - though it looks to be in some sort of auditrorium. It must be a sound check before a big concert. Karen and Richard have been on the road for two months now - they're in the middle of a world tour. They just played a show last night and now they're rehearsing for another show tonight. As usual Richard has had problems sleeping at night - so he seems to fall asleep whenever he's still for any period of time (quite possibly a form of narcolepsy). This bothers Karen as she knows he does not sleep properly at night. Karen and Richard have been at odds about this for the last year.
Here's a few observations on the picture:
I love Karen's blue belt - it matches her top. Karen was always very much into color co-ordinating her clothes. She was also very immaculate about making sure everything she wore was ironed and clean.
Just wondering can anybody tell what kind of glasses she has on her head?
Once again Karen looks great in this pic. She was truly one of the best looking girls on the scene in her day.  |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 29, 2006 15:54:44 GMT -5
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Sept 29, 2006 16:55:05 GMT -5
I tend to agree with Rick's interpretations excerpted above. With the sunglasses on top of Karen's head, the photograph was more likely to have been taken in the daytime (rather than late at night). Furthermore, from the direction they were facing and their expressions and postures, it looks like Richard and Karen were in for a prolonged delay waiting for the crew to set up equipment for a sound test and rehearsal in advance of a concert later that evening. The glaring white walls of the auditorium makes me think that the room could actually be a lecture hall at a university campus (such as Cal State Long Beach) rather than a typical music or theatrical performance venue. I have seen another photo of Karen wearing this star-spangled top and a similar, if not the same, pair of sunglasses in a B&W snapshot with Richard wearing a tank top in a suburban backyard setting. Fashionable for the times, Karen's sunglasses had an oversized frame and perhaps a gradient tint on the lenses. Karen's dark sunglasses and casual outfit gave her a mysterious look reminiscent of a star in Hollywood so she can travel somewhat incognito in public. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 30, 2006 7:30:50 GMT -5
Observation: long sleeves and jacket (draped over K's chair back)
Speculation: cooler season OR cooler climate
Observation: K's left wrist ... a watch, a wrap, fine jewelry
Speculation: The watch is one she wore in the early 70's. The bracelet Karen wears tells us (as if we don't see it in their dress) they are already rich at this point in time.
The wrap I've seen in other pictures from circa ~1973...an injury?? or a place to tuck drumsticks?
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 30, 2006 7:57:56 GMT -5
  Some interesting observations...I would suspect, in looking a bit more closely at the shirt Karen is wearing, that the "wrap" you refer to Wisejester7 is more of a "second" sleeve, as it appears there is a bit of it showing on her right wrist, as well...but just a hint. I think this white tank top, perhaps, worn under the blue long sleeved star spangled shirt is pulled farther down to support the watch so it stays in place while playing drums. The bracelet and the ring on her finger do look to be expensive, so I would guess you're right about the fact they are already "in the money." As I began looking at Karen more closely, it occurred to me that her eyes are telling us a big story. Yes, they're open, because they have to be - Rich is asleep, and Karen is in charge (of the set-up that remains, whatever they're doing up there on the stage)....but LOOK at the dark circles all around Karen's eyes. It's obvious that she, too, needs some rest. We know their tour schedule was relentless.....and I think this photo shows that pretty well....Just a few more thoughts.... Tim 
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 30, 2006 10:15:32 GMT -5
On this wrap around Karen's left wrist I clearly see that, but as far as anything on her right wrist I don't see that. If you look at her left wrist this wrap is a slight bit thicker than her shirt as it protrudes just a tad bit. What I see on her right wrist looks like possibly shadowing caused by the angle of the photograph and the lighting in the auditorium. Also the star spangled blouse Karen is wearing is fairly tight and I do not see any hints of any sort of bulging that an undershirt or tank top would cause, especially one which would be as thick as the thickness of the wrap on her left wrist.
Another little observation is the color of the jacket draped on Karen's chair - it matches her pants. Karen was meticulous in making sure her clothes were always color co-ordinated.
This picture is from the "A Song For You" era. I would guess it was around the time "It's Going To Take Sometime" was on the charts - which would mean C's already had two major albums on the charts - witha third just making it and a running total of seven consecutive top 12 singles and a hot Christmas single. By this point in time Karen and Richard had each already reached the millionaire status. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Sept 30, 2006 13:04:22 GMT -5
There ia a picture in the Ray Coleman book (The Carpenters The Untold Story) that shows Karen clearly wearing a wrap around her left wrist. The picture information reads: "On stage at London's Royal Albert Hall for a sound check during their British tour, 1971."
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 30, 2006 13:44:05 GMT -5
Must just be poor eyesight on my part. Yikes. Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 30, 2006 23:53:06 GMT -5
Must just be poor eyesight on my part. Yikes. Tim That's alright, I avoid driving the freeway at night because I can not see too well. Though, today I did drive to Hollywood and made it back in one piece.
Anyway... I love this pic. It really says a lot to me and again I think Karen looks great here. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Oct 1, 2006 7:40:33 GMT -5
Observation: Karen's fingernials are short
Speculation: Another indication that these are the early days when she still got a lot of drum time. I appreciate that they brought K out for the ballads, but HER true love was back behind the kit and playing like there was no tomorrow. : )
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Post by BethMosior on Oct 2, 2006 6:24:31 GMT -5
This makes me think of a time to relax before the big show but also Karen looks like a cooooool cat  ready to go have alittle funor just came from having fun  Rick for the photo  I just  it :mickeywink: |
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