Post by YesterdayOnceMore on May 8, 2010 11:21:30 GMT -5
Hello everyone -
I hope this finds you all well. I've been listening to Carpenters music more than usual this past month, as I received some great new stuff in the mail, and wanted to share with you. I recall that a lot of you have this material already, but it was new to me (a belated Christmas gift, actually), and I have really been enjoying these CD's.
I got REFLECTIONS - a nice little collection of tunes previously released, but I like the songs they put on this particular CD. Anyone got an opinion?
The second one I received was SINGLES 1974-1978. No, I didn't have this one either, and have been enjoying the different sequence the songs are in. Of course, I always enjoy the songs themselves.
Karen's voice never fails to really touch me on many levels, and those HARMONIES. Oofah! I don't know what I would have done without the music of Carpenters as I grew up - I've listened to them for so many years, they're just a part of my life that everyone who knows me, is also familiar with. If I'm going to be identified with musicians, Karen, Richard (and many of you already know this) Billy Joel are three I'm pretty proud to be associated with.
The other CD I got (yes, I hit the jackpot with this Christmas gift )- is TRANSMISSIONS. Wow, what a great CD - I actually have not gotten all the way through it, as of yet - I still have the videos to watch. I have begun reading the book, and, because of my connection to Palma Pascale, I was especially interested to find out what this writer had to say about the Carpenter's album, HORIZON.....and in particular, LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM. After you read what I quote here from the "book" included with this CD, you might easily understand how very disappointing the writing is....and I quote:
" The flip-side of the 'Solitaire' single was another track from 'Horizon', 'Love Me For What I Am' composed by John Bettis and another writer named P.Pascale. This, it must be said, is okay, if perhaps a little dreary, although an all-too-brief Tony Peluso fuzzbox guitar solo livens it up a little..."
Okay, if you find these next words offensive, I apologize in advance, but this writer, John Tobler, is a git, in my opinion.
First, it wouldn't have taken him much time to find out that the name he was after was Palma Pascale. She is, after all, listed on the credits of the HORIZON album for the song.
Second....John Bettis DID NOT COMPOSE Love Me For What I Am....it was composed by Palma Pascale. John Bettis was brought in, at the last minute, I might add, by his writing partner at the time, Richard Carpenter, to change a few of the words in the first and second verse. And, unbeknownst to most of you, Carpenter did NOT have permission to do this change. It had been made, and recorded, before Palm knew anything about it. There are reasons it remained as is, but it was really an underhanded move. I have the original lyrics, and there were actually only a few lines changed. Palma COMPOSED Love Me For What I Am, and John Bettis changed a few of the lyrics. Though John Tobler has followed suit and written that Bettis "composed" the song, he is not alone. Writers the world over have written that John Bettis COMPOSED LMFWIA...just google the song - you'll see that Bettis is typically ALWAYS credited first as composer. I'm sure it was good for the Carpenters at the time. Okay, off my soapbox, then.
The general overall writing by Tobler is quite disappointing, yet the CD itself, and the music on it is fun, and very enjoyable. I'm delighted to be one of those who has this collection.
Well, that's all from me this morning - just wanted to let you all know about this - to stop by and say hello, which I get precious little chance on a regular basis to do, to thank Rick for keeping a part of the forum open, and to tell you I miss interacting with all of you.
I hope everyone is well - looking forward to a great summer, and in good health. Stop by any of my blogs - I'd love to have your comments about them.
OPINIONS about these CD's from others who have them? That would be great.
Tim
