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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 7, 2006 2:39:08 GMT -5
  What's on their minds? what do you see in this picture? What do you know about this picture which was used for the cover of the album "Horizon"? |
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Post by enigma on Dec 7, 2006 11:01:39 GMT -5
In this picture they are saying "man we are so tired we tour we make records we barely have a moment to ourselves how much more can we take of this pace? something has to give...
or
"enough of this square chicklet teethed pepsodent twin image our album covers look like valentine cards our image is as wholsome as apple pie we are panned by the critics because of this image its time to get serious and show the people who we really are and how we really dress. Forget the image and A&M PR listen to the great album we just did without prejudice judge us by the music not the image after all the music is what truely matters when all is said and done.
Just two things that come to mind when I see this picture.
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Post by wisejester7 on Dec 7, 2006 11:04:37 GMT -5
Excellent questions, Rick.
The picture you choose for us to comment on and the current background picture you are using are obviously from the same photo shoot. The 'Horizon' pic is one of soft, diffused filters and posed stances. Both Karen and Richard have their arms behind them ... hands in back pockets or that area where pockets would be. There faces are of thoughtful reflection.
Compare this to the tanned, smiling Karen of the other picture. She's curvy, compact, fit and healthy looking ... happy! Here her stance is casual with her jacket flung over her shoulder.
Now as for the questions you posed ... I don't know any background information about the picture or where they are location-wise. The toughest question is 'what's on their minds' ... ? I don't know. Perhaps I will come back later with a guess.
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Dec 7, 2006 15:55:28 GMT -5
Great observations, enigma and wj7! In the current background picture, Karen exudes confidence, striking a fashion model pose. In contrast, in the soft-focus picture, Karen looks demure and vulnerable while Richard looks somewhat indignant. It looks as if Karen and Richard had a creative difference with each other and/or the photographer. I like enigma's humorous, yet plausible, mind readings. Even the photo of Karen and Richard (wearing colorful sweaters) selected for the inner sleeve of the album had them looking the most subdued of all the shots from that photo session.  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 7, 2006 23:34:38 GMT -5
Some very interesting thought on this topic. I especially like Enigma's comments - mostly the one about the square chicklet teethed pepsodent twin image. I feel there is so much truth to this observation. What's so funny is that with their very next album A&M has them back to looking like the "pepsodent twins" again - I imagine this must have upset Richard somewhat - as I know he and Karen very much wanted to distance themselves from that image and be taken seriously for the true musicians they were. (Speaking of which it may be interesting to do an Interpretations thread on the AKOH cover next).
I like this cover because it does show a more casual K&R and Karen looks great with her hair parted in the middle. She was one good looking young woman. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 7, 2006 23:42:42 GMT -5
Here are a few variations of the picture used for the inner sleeve.  |
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Post by enigma on Dec 8, 2006 10:05:33 GMT -5
I must agree with you there not only was this picture among my favorites but it was my favorite look of all Karens looks I felt she never looked more beautiful. I also never could pinpoint what was so different about Karen in this photo besides her wardrobe and her more slender appearance and Rick you hit on it the center part in Karens hair I knew I loved the new look and new hairstyle but never realised exactly what Karen did different its interesting that all these years I never really noticed that I just knew I liked the new look. I also feel this photo represented who Karen and Richard really were they seemed more real and down to earth in this photograph than any others. There was no image per se represented in this photo I would imagine thats what Karen and Richard wore and how they looked in everyday life. Its the photo that brings them closest to me as they are represented as just a couple of normal people in this picture. I like the way one side of Karens face is covered with her beautiful dark hair it gives her a mystique or mysterious look to her I do not know if it was deliberate but I like the result in the picture. This really is a great picture and cover in so many ways.   |
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 8, 2006 10:28:17 GMT -5
I'm with you Enigma... this is my favorite look of all of Karen's looks. It was her slender (yet still healthy looking) shape and her new hair style - parted in the middle. She was always a very good looking lady - but I remember that by sometime in 1973 she really started to look especially good - and when "Horizon" came out I remember thinking WOW what a knock out. I thought something like, "move over Olivia Newton-John - Karen Carpenter has arrived". Of course KC was always a much better singer than ONJ - but ONJ definitely had it more in the "looks" department - of course up until 1975. Sadly, though things quickly changed in late 1975 - as we all know how the story went. |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Dec 8, 2006 12:33:09 GMT -5
I agree that this hairstyle suits Karen well, as it softly frames her face instead of the more more blunt bangs that she initially wore. I have another version for the inner sleeve where Richard is looking very serious and Karen has only a very faint smile — not my favorite one from this photo session. To me, some of the non-smiling photos make them look downright angry or depressed when viewed out of context. Surely there must be some middle ground so that the critics and detractors won't have the last word. They are probably not fans of their music in the first place anyway, and are looking for anything negative to say. Reclaim the right to smile! Here is another "Chiclets" shot from this session which I don't mind at all, and in fact like very much for its genuine warmth: |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Dec 8, 2006 14:50:22 GMT -5
I agree that this hairstyle suits Karen well, as it softly frames her face instead of the more more blunt bangs that she initially wore. I have another version for the inner sleeve where Richard is looking very serious and Karen has only a very faint smile — not my favorite one from this photo session. To me, some of the non-smiling photos make them look downright angry or depressed when viewed out of context. Surely there must be some middle ground so that the critics and detractors won't have the last word. They are probably not fans of their music in the first place anyway, and are looking for anything negative to say. Reclaim the right to smile! Here is another "Chiclets" shot from this session which I don't mind at all, and in fact like very much for its genuine warmth:  Wow, I keep saying that I learn something every time I log into this site, and it's true. Enigma, Rick, and Dreams - I find it fascinating that this is the hair style you like best for Karen, as it's MINE, as well. And I think part of that coincides with Enigma's original post - I have always felt these photos (plus others from that session- weren't there some where they posed with dogs??? -I want to say bulldogs - but I don't have the photo in front of me... is that right???) - anyway I thought all these photos looked GREAT. I thought Karen looked so nice - her make up and hair was such an improvement over whoever had done her hair and makeup in the past - this new hair style, and the clothes were much more "hip" and didn't look quite so "little gir blue-ish" - I mean....the peasant dress was great because it was right in style at that time and all the young girls, including my girlfriend at that time, were wearing those. But, where did her wardrobe people come up wtih some of those other things they let her wear? Karen looks sophisticated, and warm and friendly and happy and contented in this shot, I feel. Demure was mentioned, and I agree with that, too. I think the cover of Horizon really showed that the "two kids from Downey" were anything but "kids" anymore. They'd traveled the world by that time, and had grown up, for sure. I could imagine Karen had A LOT on her mind when this picture was taken. I would think her thoughts might range from what she'd been doing in her young life, to what she HAD to do, still....and then all those very personal thoughts about things that may have seemed to be slipping through her hands...things she had no control over. It looks to me like she could have been thinking a plethera of thoughts, all at once. Richard looks like Richard seemingly always looked when he was not "on" for a camera or an audience - like he was unhappy about something - maybe the show wasn't going right - maybe he was fed-up with the photo shoot - maybe he just was arranging in his head and deep in thought about the next "hit" he wanted to have happen. I think Richard was very often thinking about what was coming next more than what had "been" already. Very good picture, overall - not only one of my favorite collections in terms of the album itself, but one of my favorite covers, too. Tim  |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Dec 9, 2006 0:14:31 GMT -5
...Wow, I keep saying that I learn something every time I log into this site, and it's true. Enigma, Rick, and Dreams - I find it fascinating that this is the hair style you like best for Karen, as it's MINE, as well. And I think part of that coincides with Enigma's original post - I have always felt these photos (plus others from that session- weren't there some where they posed with dogs??? -I want to say bulldogs - but I don't have the photo in front of me... is that right???) - anyway I thought all these photos looked GREAT... Hi Tim, I don't recall ever seeing any photos of Karen or Richard posing with dogs on this or other photo sessions. When you mentioned bulldogs, I wonder if you were really thinking of Captain & Tennille's album cover for "Love Will Keep Us Together"? |
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 9, 2006 1:58:31 GMT -5
Tim, yes there is a photo shoot of Karen and Richard with two dogs. They weren't bulldogs. I don't remember the breed - but they were good looking dogs. I think one of them looked similar to a Great Dane - I could be wrong on the breed. I know the photo you're talking about and I know I have it somewhere in my collection. I will dig it up for our veiwing pleasure.
Dreams... I also like the smiling shot of K&R - it's one of my favorites of them. And, I just can't get over it - Karen truly looked georgeous here - she had a lilt and a smile in her eyes. Still there's a hint of mystery in her expression. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Dec 9, 2006 7:39:03 GMT -5
Yes, there is a picture of K and R with 2 big dogs. K and R are both wearing sweaters ... K is wearing velvety, plush looking dark pants. They are in front of a photo backdrop that reminds me of some of Englands aristocracy and their 'estate' pictures. Of course, I can't find the picture now ... any other time I could probably say exactly where to find it.
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 9, 2006 11:02:31 GMT -5
Yes, there is a picture of K and R with 2 big dogs. K and R are both wearing sweaters ... K is wearing velvety, plush looking dark pants. They are in front of a photo backdrop that reminds me of some of Englands aristocracy and their 'estate' pictures. Of course, I can't find the picture now ... any other time I could probably say exactly where to find it. Wisejester7... great description of the picture - that's the one I'm thinking of. I believe the sweater that Karen is wearing is a pinkish color. It was taken during the same time period as the "Horizon" photo shots.
I am also searching for that pic. I know I have it somewhere in my collection. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Dec 9, 2006 11:37:11 GMT -5
Yes, there is a picture of K and R with 2 big dogs. K and R are both wearing sweaters ... K is wearing velvety, plush looking dark pants. They are in front of a photo backdrop that reminds me of some of Englands aristocracy and their 'estate' pictures. Of course, I can't find the picture now ... any other time I could probably say exactly where to find it. Wisejester7... great description of the picture - that's the one I'm thinking of. I believe the sweater that Karen is wearing is a pinkish color. It was taken during the same time period as the "Horizon" photo shots.
I am also searching for that pic. I know I have it somewhere in my collection. Yes, I think Karen's sweater is pink ... with a bunny and Richard is wearing a blue sweater. That is - if memory serves. I still haven't located the pic. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 9, 2006 15:47:14 GMT -5
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Post by BethMosior on Dec 10, 2006 2:55:21 GMT -5
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Post by smoothie2 on Dec 13, 2006 0:59:49 GMT -5
  Good input from all and there's not much more to say that hasn't already been said, but I like the more natural looking smiling pic the best. I never realized that the difference about Karen's hair being parted in the middle either, but it really does give her a more adult look.
<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<
I still have the Horizon LP and recall really admiring all those inside photos especially of R. and K., and then taken a bit by surprise to see the more serious photos.
I think Enigma really stated things well about what their thoughts
might be. I recall the Double-Mint twins on tv ads, but not the pepsodent twins.......anyway, I know from an interview somewhere in cyberspace with Richard done a few yrs ago,
and he commented extensively about the photo shoots, and how
he especially did not like them one bit much because of that "perfect image"......people might think they were more than just bro. and sister... and they got stuck doing the pics
because of contracts....etc.
I have no clue though what interview that was or when...
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I really 
this photo 
Rick for putting it on, it's just soooooooooo beautiful 
