B.L. Mitchell

[Rick Henry]

In 1978 I bought a seven inch single released on the A&M label. The artist's name is B.L. Mitchell. The A-side is "Where I Want To Be" and the B-side is "Venus". The single was produced by Karen and Richard Carpenter with music arranged by Richard. I bought this single because I read about in one of the original Carpenters fan club newsletters.

Does anybody else have this single? Was there ever an entire album? Any information on who B.L. Mitchell is?

[Rick Henry]

Did K&R do any vocals on this song? I'm real curious to learn more about this record.

[Rick Henry]

Here I am replying to my own thread again. Anyway I pulled out the B.L. Mitchell single. The label for the a-side reads: Produced and arranged by Richard Carpenter, Associate Producer: Karen Carpenter and Orchestrated by Peter Kinght. The b-side has the same credits except orchestrated by Richard Carpenter.

Since the single was released in 1978 and a-side orchestrated by Peter Knight, it's evident it was recorded during The Carpenters' "Christmas Portrait" sessions. This now brings up the question, was B.L. Mitchell somehow involved in the making of "Christmas Portrait"?

[cam83]

Tee hee hee...It's really sad, when a person starts a post, answers themselves again and again. That is so ME!!! I am just kidding though. It is cool. And no, I will answer. I don't know about that single and never heard it. I am just teasing you Rick. You ARE dedicated!! What an awesome website!!!!

Have a great day!!

Cam

[beaner]

I know, I was going to say to Rick. One more time by yourself and you may have the answer.....heheheh.

I looked up on the internet and it just looks like Karen and Richard as producers, etc. but we'll all keep checking too.

[dgfarnsworth]

Hey, guys. This is a longshot but when you posed the question about B.L. Mitchell being perhaps involved in the Christmas Portrait sessions, something clicked with me. Don't take this as gospel because I am not sure about this but I am thinking it might be Bill Mitchell. I am aware of him from New York City. What "clicked" with me was that there is a group in NYC called the Accidentals. I know that they recorded a Christmas album called "An Accidental Christmas: A Cappella Holiday Classics".

The group is known for mostly all A Capella versions of their songs....and for their EXCELLENT harmonies....vocal arrangements (and this sounds just like "right up Richard Carpenters' alley").

They've got quite the reputation in the city. I am pretty sure that the group, though, has only been together since maybe around the mid-to late 1980's. They got together "accidentally" to sing at the Bottom Line, a popular NYC club. A lot of the members were in choirs (something else that reminds me of Richard)....I am familiar with them from a homeless shelter benefit they did at the Bottom Line. And if I'm not mistaken, that's when they got their start (eight people in the group).

I mean....Bill Mitchell has been around for a while....I am guessing he may be in his 50's or so....and that would make it conceiveable that he could, indeed, have recorded a single in 1978. I know Bill is from around New York City, and am thinking (pretty sure) from Jersey.(The group use to do some funny a cappella songs, too.)

This is all conjecture on my part...and I could be wrong. But like I said earlier, it would appear to be someone that I could see Richard getting involved with musically.

Hope this leads you in some direction, at least.

[Rick Henry]

Hey dg,
Thanks for the heads up. I did several searches on Yahoo. I found a Mrs. Betty L. Mitchell - but not our B.L. I also searhced the Accidentals (btw they sound like an interesting group - may purchase a disc.) and I found a website. bill Mitchell is listed as a member. I emailed the group and they responded real quick and said that Bill Mitchell is NOT B.L. Mitchell. Lastly I checked the credits on "Christmas Portrait" and "An Old Fashioned Christmas" and there is no listing of B.L. Mitchell.
So, I guess B.L. Mitchell will remain a mystery to us...

[dgfarnsworth]

Well, Rick, I knew that Bill Mitchell was a longshot. But the Christmas album by the Accidentals is good (and they do fit the kind of music Richard would go for.) I just love a good mystery. Hope we can solve it soon!

[Rick Henry]

I love a good mystery myself. I just know by happenstance someone will click onto this forum and have all kinds of info on B.L. And then again maybe it's just wishful thinking.

[musiclover13]

B.L. Mitchell is not Bill Mitchell, it’s a stage name for Robert Bowker. He had a successful career in the jingle business and recording studios. You can find out more about him on lakesidesingers.com/ . He’s actually in his 70’s, and also my grandfather. Hope this helped.