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Post by Rick Henry on May 8, 2009 10:39:07 GMT -5
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Post by Rick Henry on May 8, 2009 13:06:44 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on May 11, 2009 9:08:04 GMT -5
 Interestingly, in a different thread I just mentioned this, but it's LITTLE GIRL BLUE that makes my skin crawl. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Karen's vocal interpretation of this song in my opinion - the problem with it, to me, is the arrangement and chosen instruments Richard uses. This was one of the first jazz tunes I learned - When I went on the road, in a trio backing a female vocalist, who was highly influenced by Judy Garland, Nancy Wilson, and on and on - she of course did LITTLE GIRL BLUE - and in a MUCH different fashion than Richard's chart of it, here. The music doesn't fit the voice, at least, that's my opinion. So although I love the song itself, and Karen's interpretation of it - I just don't like this track at all. Sounds more like a Lawrence Welk expectation than that of Carpenters. (Now, don't get me wrong - I like LW, and used to watch his TV program, BUT I wouldn't expect him to sound like Carpenters, either). And....there are more - I'll be back.  |
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Post by Rick Henry on May 11, 2009 21:22:29 GMT -5
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Post by cinscorp on May 11, 2009 23:59:50 GMT -5
I know I'm not the only one who would list "Goofus" here, so I'll skip it. But maybe this one: "Those Good Old Dreams" has always seemed so artificial to me. Karen's voice is fine on it, but it's almost like the whole thing is "going thru the motions". I don't dislike it really, but it's not a song I listen to much. I'd also list the remakes of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and "Beechwood 4-5-7-8-9". At once cute and catchy, they seem kind of cheesy arrangements to me now. Karen's vocals, again, are fine...I just don't like the instrumentation and arrangements too much.
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Post by carpentersgermany on May 12, 2009 16:49:29 GMT -5
This is a very interesting topic.. I think I've already mentioned this somewhere here before: but I don't really care for "Only Yesterday" - which seems to be a huge favourite (not only among the members of the Avenue). As Rick writes regarding "Close to You".. I do agree, that OY is an excellent composition and I love Karen's deep voice here - but I just can't stand the Refrain. The Refrain is the main reason why I don't like "Only Yesterday" at all..
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Post by cinscorp on May 12, 2009 20:41:48 GMT -5
LOL, your signature actually reminds me to list "Sing". I can't get past the little kids in it. As catchy as it is and as great as Karen's lead in it is...
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Post by Rick Henry on May 12, 2009 21:13:37 GMT -5
LOL, your signature actually reminds me to list "Sing". I can't get past the little kids in it. As catchy as it is and as great as Karen's lead in it is... |
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Post by Rick Henry on May 22, 2009 11:58:04 GMT -5
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Post by cinscorp on May 22, 2009 12:06:07 GMT -5
I like "Now" for its sentimental value more than I like it as a song. But like you, Rick, that's partly personal taste. Considering it was the 80s, this song seems so out of place and overly produced (in an easy listening way) compared to anything that would have been current at the time. At least Frida from Abba recognized what was relevant at the moment and moved on to work with Phil Collins around the same time that was recorded.
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Post by Rick Henry on May 23, 2009 9:20:27 GMT -5
I like "Now" for its sentimental value more than I like it as a song. But like you, Rick, that's partly personal taste. Considering it was the 80s, this song seems so out of place and overly produced (in an easy listening way) compared to anything that would have been current at the time. I know that my viewpoints (opinions) are not always the most popular, but I feel that what I have to say is just as valid as all the people who say they love the song "Now". I think it's important to be able to speak up and not be afraid to communicate your true thoughts on a topic, even if the majority disagrees. I was in a group of friends about a month ago and all of them were going on about how much they dislike a certain politician (I will keep names out of this as the "politics" is not the subject here). They all agreed on this. But my viewpoint was different. I could have just got up and walked out of that room and decided that these people are not worthy of being my friend because their viewpoint is different. Instead I spoke up and said that I like this particular politician and I backed up why I like this person with examples of things this person has accomplished. One person in the room was offended because of my opposing viewpoint, but the rest of them were respectful and felt that my viewpoint added to the conversation. Afterward one person came up to me and said, I really admire you for speaking up and admitted that he felt the same as me but went along with the group because he did not want to be the outcast. I told him that I am not afraid of being an outcast. You are right cinscorp it is all just personal taste. I come from a rock background. My favorite artists in the 70's were Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult, Doors, Jimi Hendrix and others. Carpenters were the exception in my record collection. Friends would come over and were always surprised to see Carpenters tucked between Brownsville Station and Cheap Trick. When the late 70's came around I was completely into the KROQ (new wave) scene... Gary Numan, Talking Heads, Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cars.  |
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Post by smoothie2 on May 23, 2009 13:15:40 GMT -5
:DHey, this IS interesting! Anyone who has been part of the forum for very long and read Rick's "threads" (Ha, what a term...you got some nice "threads" on today Rick?...hmm nice jeans) (of course a term of slang from way back....but also lines or topics of conversation around here) ...We all know you're not afraid to express your opinion Rick, and I admire you for it cuz I've always been too timid in what I say or don't say....
Anyway, ok....I TotallY AgRee with all that's been said, no, I'm not being timid now....Except, I do like "NOW" quite a bit.
I have never been fond of "I NEED TO BE IN LOVE" even though
I like the harp beginning. I always skip that and "CLOSE TO YOU", AND
"SING".
However, ONLY YEST. is just about my fave tune.
I will add that I always skip " LEAVE YEST. BEHIND" AND " IT'S GONE" as well as " THE WEDDING SONG".
???LEAVE YEST. BEHIND it just sounds Lame and a bit low-key,
like it just doesn't quite fit into a puzzle. Karen sounds fine on all these songs, it's just the songs themselves. I wouldn't care for it no matter who would sing it.
::)Definitely another one I skip is "IT'S GONE" ...too Sad, Depressing, ...if someone is feeling suicidal, then by golly, keep this one away! It very adequately expresses how a person would feel in a certain situation I suppose...but it sounds hopeless to me.
"THE WEDDING SONG" with children I think singing reminds me of watching the little birds and animals scampering around in "Snow White"
movie. Too Sweet, Too Dreamy, the lyrics may be fine, I don't know I don't want to listen to it....Life is Life, Marriage is far from all Happiness, a Wedding well, anyone who's been in one in any way, knows weddings
are often Tension-filled, many are not tears of joy...joy for them to be over....So, that's my thoughts for now....
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Post by panthers09 on May 23, 2009 20:41:26 GMT -5
 I have to agree with you, Smoothie2, "Only Yesterday" is one of my favorite Carpenters tunes.....Beside it being a great song, the promo clip (pre-music video days) for the song is great....Karen is very attractive in the promo clip even though this was the beginning of her battle with anorexa nervosa in 1975........ ]
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Post by enigma on May 24, 2009 13:57:00 GMT -5
I will say this about the song Now. To compare it to Rainy Days is a how shall I say not the best comparison Karen was in such a different place during the Rainy Days period she was alot younger and alot healthier. The arrangement for Now is not classic no it does not have the classic chill factor the Carpenters are famous for. Critiquing Karens vocal for this song and MIA is fair enough but Karen was very sick and weak during this time she needed to be recoving not making records at this point her voice was not even like it was on the solo records I really got the impressioin Karen was not into these sessions 100% and I could tell by what I heard I did not get the energy that was present in the solo sessions even the unfinished solo songs had more energy. Now these songs including NOW were still good I did enjoy them but there was something missing from them that was present on earlier records. I don't care for the wedding song as well and like smoothie skip this song However I do like I Need to Be In Love yes its a little sappy but I still consider it a good track on AKOH record. As For when it gone I cosidered that one of the stronger songs on MIA yes it is sad (like the suicide remark smoothie so true) no I do not recomend you choose this song as a pick me up type song but I did like the song quite a bit. Lets face it in my opinion the Carpenters unlike artists like the Beatles did not go out at the top of thier game like so many other artists their final efforts were thier most forgettable and weakest it did not have to be that way they could have built on the solo record and created something special and memorable but unfortuneately for reasons I really do not fully understand decisions made for Karens last couple of Carpenters records (those recorded when Karen was alive) were poor and short sighted and it showed with the effort we got. As a carpenters fan I liked these records but overall they were rather weak efforts. Thats the E! story  |
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Post by Rick Henry on May 24, 2009 20:55:23 GMT -5
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Post by Ming on Jun 11, 2009 2:26:45 GMT -5
I also don't like "When It's Gone (It's Just Gone)". I think this song somehow makes me sleepy when I listen to it.
Ming
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