Karen Carpenter the graceful drummer...

[Rick Henry]

Today I came to think about how Karen's drum style was graceful. she kept impeccable timing and her style was meticulous.

I just love the way she could make those drumsticks gracefully dance upon the skins of her drums. Her entire body and being seemed to dance as she played the drums.

Her style was imaginative and creative and she was adept at many different rhythms and styles of drumming. Although, I feel her specialty was jazz drumming. She was a natural with those quirky time signatures and offbeat jazz patterns.

I enjoy drummers from all genres of music. My favorite drummers are Neil Peart from the band Rush and Stewart Copeland from the Police. I also like Buddy Rich, Paul Motian (also a graceful drummer), Gary Husband, Bill Bruford, Lenny White (big fave) and Jack DeJohnette.

As for Karen's drumwork, I always preferred what she did with Carpenters over what Hal Blaine did. Hal Blaine is a fantastic drummer, but I feel Karen's work was far more unique and had much more personality.

[Dave]

I have this image in my head...work with me here...while Richard is playing "A Time For Us" from Romeo and Juliet, Karen is out in the garage working on the drum solos from "Wipeout" (The Surfaris) and "In A Gadda Da Vida" (Iron Butterlfy).

Hey, it was SoCal in 1968, and their family car was a 1968 Road Runner!

[Rick Henry]

Jul 24, 2009 14:59:52 GMT -5 Dave said:

I have this image in my head...work with me here...while Richard is playing "A Time For Us" from Romeo and Juliet, Karen is out in the garage working on the drum solos from "Wipeout" (The Surfaris) and "In A Gadda Da Vida" (Iron Butterlfy).

Hey, it was SoCal in 1968, and their family car was a 1968 Road Runner!

Dave... your scenario sounds almost possible... and when the two came together they banged out some great multi-rhythmic Dave Brubeck sounding jazz piece.

What I love about Karen's drumming style is that as obtrusive as the drums can actually be, she always managed to remain a classy young lady. She proved that you don't have to thrash and crash the drums to be a good drummer... although, it can be quite exciting to watch someone get truly bombastic with their drum set.

[cinscorp]

In addition, is her impeccable timing and ability to not lose any depth or emotion of vocal while drumming. Karen's personality and talent are always prevalent in both her drumming and her singing. I think it's pretty cool that when you do a search on google, bing, etc., that Karen as a drummer is so often mentioned. I think she'd like that.

[Rick Henry]

Jul 26, 2009 22:22:46 GMT -5 cinscorp said:

In addition, is her impeccable timing and ability to not lose any depth or emotion of vocal while drumming. Karen's personality and talent are always prevalent in both her drumming and her singing. I think it's pretty cool that when you do a search on google, bing, etc., that Karen as a drummer is so often mentioned. I think she'd like that.

Yes, I've done several searches for Karen the drummer and I am always pleased to see just how well regarded she is as a drummer.

Many people who know the finer points of drumming regard her as being quite skilled.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Time to weigh-in on this topic.

I love to watch Karen play and sing at the same time. Her drumming style seemed to come as naturally to her as drinking water. She never got crazy looking when she was playing - it was always just a natural extension of who she was. Some drummers have to be all "show" about it, but not Karen. She just seemed to be so comfortable with those drumsticks in her hands.

I recall being especially enthralled watching the Very First Television Special where she did the medly, and her "out front" drum solo. Ah, I could envision it in my head for so long, and thanks to this forum (before YouTube) I was able to secure a copy of the entire first special. When I received it (thanks, Roland), I watched it over and over.

Such ease, such grace, such satisfaction Karen got from playing.

There is no question she had impecable timing, and to be able to sing so beautifully, with such breath control as she did while playing the "tubs" was just beyond me. An outstanding artist in every way.....of course!

[Rick Henry]

I especially enjoyed listening to Karen play her drum solo when it was Cubby O'Brien accompanying her in the background. she always had another drummer accompany her on her drum solo and they were all excellent... but I always liked O'Brien's technique the best of all her accompanists. Carpenter and O'Brien seemed to blend the best.

[BethMosior]

Just like when Karen sang, her soul projected through her voice, to me it was the same with her drum playing totally her own, she was a very, very special Lady, totally unique and I miss her soooooo very much thanx Rick for putting your thoughts on this

[Rick Henry]

Jul 29, 2009 7:13:28 GMT -5 BethMosior said:

Just like when Karen sang, her soul projected through her voice, to me it was the same with her drum playing totally her own, she was a very, very special Lady, totally unique and I miss her soooooo very much thanx Rick for putting your thoughts on this

You are so right Beth... Karen put her heart and soul into playing the drums just as much as she did singing. I never thought about it that way... but that is so true.