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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 7, 2004 13:13:54 GMT -5
If you were the one making the choices for singles to be released from "A Kind Of Hush", what would you choose and in what sequence?
I would start out by releasing "There's A Kind Of Hush" - that was a good choice for the first single.
But then I would have followed that with "Can't Smile Without You". It was just such a good catchy pop song.
Third I would have released "You", this song was very popular as an album cut and I feel it had great hit potential.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jan 7, 2004 20:24:11 GMT -5
hi Rick, I agree as far as "A Kind of Hush" as a first single and then "I Can't Smile Without You". Those are probably the most well known and best seller.
Then "I Know I need to be in Love"
then "You"
"Sandy", and Boats to Sail.
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Post by Alan on Jan 7, 2004 21:20:30 GMT -5
For singles I agree with you … on “You.” I remember repeating that one. That was much harder to do back then, wasn’t it? But choose “I Need to Be In Love” first.
Probably not strong enough for singles, but also enjoy on this album Sandy, Boat to Sail, I Have You, One More Time.
Overall, I personally wasn’t as excited by anything on this album as with hits and cuts on most of the C’s other releases. Wasn’t into “Kind of Hush” that much, but was thrilled they had a strong hit with it. After Now and Then and Please Mr. P., I was just over the good time oldies coverage.
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Post by Moe on Jan 8, 2004 4:18:55 GMT -5
Since "There's a kind of hush" did well, I would agree to start with that one. (this was the first single I ever bought) "You" would be the follow-up single. This remains one of my favorites and was surprised it wasn't released. I am also surprised it is rarely if ever included in Richard's compilation CD's. "I need to be in love" would be the third release. This is a great song and rather surprised it only peaked at 25 on the charts. Maybe it was too soft. If there was to be a fourth single, I would choose "I have you." This is a beautiful song, almost a lullabye or a dream song. If I remember correctly, it charted as a flip side of a single. I could swear that I remember Billboard showing the song in the high 70's or low 80's, but have never found any proof of this. I don't care for the "Hush" version of "Can't smile without you." I think it was lacking something. The energy level or maybe a spark isn't there. I do prefer the version on the "Singles 74-78," but still prefer Manilow's upbeat version to the Carpenters. (I hate to admit it, but I do.) One of my favorite songs on the album is "One more time." I don't think it would have made it as a hit, but it is one pretty song that I love to prop up my feet and close my eyes and head for Louisiana....oh, and I'll need a diet pepsi for the trip!  |
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Post by Alan on Jan 11, 2004 19:38:13 GMT -5
"I need to be in love" would be the third release. This is a great song and rather surprised it only peaked at 25 on the charts. Maybe it was too soft. I don't care for the "Hush" version of "Can't smile without you." I think it was lacking something. The energy level or maybe a spark isn't there. I do prefer the version on the "Singles 74-78," but still prefer Manilow's upbeat version to the Carpenters. (I hate to admit it, but I do Was also surprised "I Need to Be" didn't chart higher back in '76. As I think Rick coined the phrase on a previous subject ... Carpenters power balad ... I think the C's power balad days were just coming out of vogue at the time, and their die hard fans got this record into the top 40. I like the song. Would've thought this would chart higher than "Kind of Hush." Think "Kind of Hush" was just ahead in the string of the coming out of vogue era as far as mass commercial success went for Carpenters music, though it charted higher than "I Know." I'm not a huge fan of "Hush," but Richard was obviously committed to it to have released the sinlge and to have named the album after it as well. Agree with you on Manilow's version of "Can't Smile." Karens' vocal is too subdued, kind of whimpy if I may use the word! Manilow kind of opens it all up. But I've never owned that second singles album. Not sure that I've ever heard a version different from the original album. If it's a different mix, I would love to hear it sometime. |
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Post by Moe on Jan 12, 2004 3:26:26 GMT -5
The second version of "Can't Smile" is pretty close to the first one, but there is a different line in the first verse. Karen sings, "I don't even talk to people I meet.." (I think. I may have to dig the old album out to be sure) There was also a high clarinet playing in the song. I still don't think it would have been a hit, but it is always fun to hear something new. Especially, with Karen's voice attached to it.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 12, 2004 11:18:24 GMT -5
I prefer The Carpenters recording of "Can't Smile" over Manilow's by far. For some reason I never cared for much by Manilow. He is, yes, an excellent vocalist. but there's a quality in his voice that has always annoyed me. Don't get me wrong I do recognize his talent. There are a few of his songs I do like such as; "Could It Be Magic", "Trying To Get The Feeling Again" - (like Carps better), and "It's A Miracle". But than there's songs like "I Write The Songs", "Mandy", and others I just can not fathom.
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Post by Moe on Jan 13, 2004 0:01:37 GMT -5
Weekend in New England and Ships are favorite Manilow songs. I agree that his voice did not have the distinction or the emotional depth that Karen's did. I still enjoy a lot of his work.
Oh...Read 'em and Weep is also a great power ballad by Barry. He didn't like the fact that he had a big hit that was written, arranged, and produced by someone else. It should have should him that he needed to push his horizons more. It was his last hit. ....just a thought
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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 13, 2004 2:32:08 GMT -5
I guess I shouldn't rag on manilow so much. There are others I could rag on more, but I'll be nice. After all I did like Manilow quite a bit in the 70's. I did manage to buy three of his albums on vinyl (haven't purchased any CD's), "Trying to Get the Feeling Again", "Even Now" and the two record "Greatest Hits". "Even Now" was a pretty solid album. I really did like "Copacabana", "Somewhere In The Night", "Can't Smile Without You" (liked C's better though), "Where Do I Go From Here" (again liked C's better - but than I'm biased), "Even Now" and "Sunrise" - that's 6 songs from one album that's pretty good odds.
Others of his I liked were "New York City Rhythm", "Weekend In New England", "Looks Like We Made It", "This One's For You", "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" and the three I listed in my previous post.
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Post by Alan on Jan 13, 2004 3:06:39 GMT -5
I liked all of Manilow’s hits, but guess I never was too worked up about them as never bought any of his records at the time. Always enjoyed hearing him on the radio, though. My fav was Weekend in New England. Thought Barry an obvious choice as a Karen duet partner, as their audience and type of music were similar. But don’t think I would have necessarily gotten too excited about such an effort. Maybe not the best singer ever, but don’t exactly think he sounds like scraping a black board either! LOL!
Unfortunately, the C’s and he suffer from some of the same image problems.
Much like Richard, he's is a true pop musical genius in the true sense in that he plays piano, composes. sings, etc. Though not the best singer in the world, granted. Then, Richard wasn't either!
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