Post by Rick Henry on May 8, 2009 9:32:52 GMT -5
This topic is about Carpenters songs that you like which are generally not so well liked by fans. To make it a bit of a challenge let's stick to the songs with Karen's lead vocal.
One such song for me is "Goofus". I just love this song. As a matter of fact I prefer it over "I Need To Be In Love" and "There's A Kind Of Hush"... the other two singles from the fair to middling "A Kind Of Hush" album.
The reason I love "Goofus" so much is because it's such a flavorful little tune. It opens with a great jazz oriented drum pattern and excellent bass guitar rhythm. The song quickly moves into a fantastic 20's styled keyboard line done fantastically by Richard and then comes a smooth yet playful vocal by Karen. In between we get early Carpenters associate Wes Jacobs on tuba and we're treated to a Bob Messenger sax solo and a signature Tony Peluso guitar solo which really brings the song a sizzling fire.
I love the fact that "Goofus" combine the sounds of the late 1920's and 1930's with the technology of the 1970's. But it's not only the technology of the 70's, the Carpenters were slightly ahead of their time with some of the techniques they used in this song such as the electric claps, which were expertly done by Tony Peluso on his guitar. Best of all is Bob Messenger's "cheek pop" at the end and the extended note held by Karen, Richard and other band member as the song fades out.
"Goofus" is one of those atypical Carpenters songs which I love and enjoy for the fact that it is different and unusual and combines genres and eras.
... But... I can understand why others don't care for the song. On the surface, if you're only listening to the lyric... it's sounds somewhat corny. But if you really break the song down instrument by instrument and dig into how it was put together you come to realize it's one of the Carpenters best and most creative recordings. They put more into this song than any of the others songs from "A Kind Of Hush", with the exception of "Boat To Sail".