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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 27, 2009 10:29:26 GMT -5
I agree with most of the comments on Karen continuing to record and thrive in the music business. I do think a standards record might have been done, after all Linda Ronstadt had success with 3 or 4 of those. I also think with the growing appreciation of upcoming artists who grew up on Carpenters records, Karen would have possibly done some really great guest vocals with some rock bands. The mentioned Sonic Youth was one I thought of, too. Madonna has mentioned Karen as an inspiration to her as well...so it's possible that Karen might have done a duet with Madonna and had the success that Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand had with their duet. Who knows? In my Karen-world, she would have mixed it up and showed all facets of her great gift....
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Post by cinscorp on Mar 28, 2009 21:33:19 GMT -5
I just threw Madonna in there as an example of something far away from standards and that she might have accomplished a variety of different styles and genres. And Madonna definitely went to the top quickly so it could have been a great career move. I definitely could see her doing a little more country-tinged music and guitar-oriented music especially in the early 80s and then again in the 90s. But the 80s seem very dominated by a heavy synth-sound and country-pop artists like Linda Ronstadt and Juice Newton went on to different styles (Linda MOR pop and Juice to straight country by the late-80s). But I think Karen could have really done some great great power ballads and funky upbeat danceable numbers, too, that were really big at the time. Maybe a huge movie theme, too, not unlike Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" or "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner.
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 30, 2009 8:30:29 GMT -5
Maybe a huge movie theme, too, not unlike Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" or "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner. Oh yes, by all means I think Karen (and/or Carpenters) would have recorded a few movie themes that would have hit big. It would have been great to hear Karen do a few male-female duets like "Up Where We Belong" or "(I've Had The) Time Of My Life". You are right the synth sound was pretty popular in the 80's... although Karen just doesn't strike me as being a synth girl. I think she may have continued with what she started on her first solo album. She may have honed the sound more. She may have dropped the disco and new wave sort of tunes in favor for a more stylized rhythmic jazz sound. Karen had a penchant for rhythm and being a drummer I don't think she would have ever allowed a drum machine in any of her music (which is often used in synth-pop). She may have, though, incorporated elements of synth-pop into her music, as it seems Karen enjoyed blending genres to create a fresh sound. Take a look at "If I Had You", blends the pop ballad with elements of jazz, fusion, rock and funk with a slight hint of disco. Speaking of synth, I do like several bands in that genre... Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Japan, Ultravox, Human League, New Order, OMD,Tears For Fears, Visage, Kraftwerrk and others. It may have been interesting to hear Karen work with any number of these groups. How about her singing the female part on Human League's "Don't You Want Me"?
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 30, 2009 13:03:41 GMT -5
I agree with most of the comments on Karen continuing to record and thrive in the music business. I do think a standards record might have been done, after all Linda Ronstadt had success with 3 or 4 of those. I also think with the growing appreciation of upcoming artists who grew up on Carpenters records, Karen would have possibly done some really great guest vocals with some rock bands. The mentioned Sonic Youth was one I thought of, too. Madonna has mentioned Karen as an inspiration to her as well...so it's possible that Karen might have done a duet with Madonna and had the success that Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand had with their duet. Who knows? In my Karen-world, she would have mixed it up and showed all facets of her great gift.... I've mentioned a lot of interesting "vocal partners" in other threads about Karen.....but one I hadn't really thought about is Dave Matthews. I think Karen and Dave would have had a lot of fun together, and sounded Great together - with Dave's edgy, sort of rough sounding voice. And what about John Mayer? Another I think Karen would sound good with. Just a few Monday thoughts!
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 31, 2009 21:39:33 GMT -5
I've mentioned a lot of interesting "vocal partners" in other threads about Karen.....but one I hadn't really thought about is Dave Matthews. I think Karen and Dave would have had a lot of fun together, and sounded Great together - with Dave's edgy, sort of rough sounding voice. And what about John Mayer? Another I think Karen would sound good with. Just a few Monday thoughts!
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