British Karen Carpenter

[molee]

Like Keiko san, Ms. Sinclair is no Karen Carpenter but I think most people would agree that there are definite similarities in their vocal qualities. Frankly, I wasn't impressed the first time I heard this, but after a couple of times, I like it (not love it) now.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvsiCkoDKs8

[smoothie2]

Molee, I think I learned about Jenny S. from here on the forum some time back, and I like her, but no one can ever match up to Karen's talent, so with that in mind, I say yes, Jenny's fine. As far as this particular performance of Yesterday Once More to a disco beat, I didn't care for it at first either, but after 2 or 3 times, I liked it better.
Even though I know such performances are done as a tribute to Karen or similar impersonations, it leaves a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.
Just not the same. I'm glad you brought this link up though.

[Rick Henry]

Like Keiko... to my ears Jenny doesn't really sound a whole lot like Karen. Jenny yes has captured some of the vocal tones... but lacks the vocal power, crystal clear range and perfect pitch.

But, what I do like about Jenny Sinclair is that she is a really nice person. I have emailed back and forth with her many many times throughout the years and she truly is a nice person.

When she released her Forever Carpenters disc she sent me a copy to review. Of course I enjoyed her version of "Only Yesterday" (as that is my favorite Carpenters song). I also enjoyed her version of "Please Mr. Postman". I told Jenny that I really liked the album, but I felt that some of the songs weren't really meant for dance remixing. I also told her I hear the album as being an album of remakes instead of an album of a Karen Carpenter sound-a-like. I told her because I don't hear Karen Carpenter but I hear Jenny Sinclair doing her unique interpretation of Carpenters songs. When I told her this she sent me an email thanking me for the comments and said that this was a huge compliment and that she appreciated my honest evaluation.

When I listen to Jenny's Carpenters discs (I have two) I do enjoy them because I listen to them as being Jenny Sinclair doing her remakes of Carpenters music. If I try to listen to her as a sound-a-like I don't like it.

Yes, Kathy (smoothie) we had a thread going on Jenny Sinclair about a year and a half ago when the CD "Forever Carpenters" was released.

Anyway, it is great that there are several artists out there who do their part to help keep the legacy of Karen Carpenter alive.

[enigma]

I have to agree these imitators just are not Karen they simply do not have that unique and natural voice or vocal style that Karen had. Karens vocals were her own and quite deliberate even if Richard directed her. Richard could direct these imitators all he wants but will not get the result he got with Karen, Karens voice was magic it cannot be duplicated and those poor people who try to take on the task of imitating Karen find it simply an impossible task to get Karens voice dead on only Karen can sing like Karen noone else. As Rick said I also appreciate any efforts to keep Karens legacy alive if these imitators can get more people to pay attention and listen to the Carpenters music then covering Carpenters songs is a great thing. I have not really heard or seen these imitators alot but I would hope they do not try to eminate Karens personality because they would fail miserably here as well. Thats the E! story on the Karen imitators jenny sinclair included.

[Rick Henry]

Speaking of trying to imitate Karen's personality there is one girl on MySpace who dresses like Karen and styles her hair like Karen. She's put together a Carpenters medley singing to karaoke tracks. She's trying real hard to sound like Karen, but really her voice just is not all that great in the first place.

I recently read an article on the internet (and now I wish I would have saved it) stating how many singers try to imitate Karen Carpenter but it is impossible to do so because of Karen's natural vocal flow and perfect pitch.

E... you are right that Richard put together the vocal arrangements which direct when Karen sings and when she sings high notes and low notes. But no matter how good an arrangement is, it's only as good as the singer singing it. Fortunately for Richard he had one of the best of the best interpreters of song to sing his arrangements.

[wisejester7]

No imitations will do ... there was only ONE Karen Carpenter.

[jill]

Couldn't agree more. Up to now I have found no singer that compares with Karens' unique sound. I doubt if we will hear the like again. There was and is, only one Karen Carpenter.