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Post by cam83 on Apr 8, 2004 13:06:12 GMT -5
Hi All,
I just heard on another Carpenters site that Clay Aiken, the American Idol singer has a Number One hit with SOLITAIRE.
He can be a great singer, but no one can outsing Karen on that song...she sang it smoothly and effortlessly.. Less is more...
My thoughts,
Cameron
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 8, 2004 14:32:19 GMT -5
I agree Cam. No one can top Karen's vocal performance of "Solitaire", nor Richard's arrangement. The Carpenters did an impeccable recording of the song.
Although Clay is really hot with the song right now, it's Carpenters who will continue to have the definitive version.
I went to Billboard.com to look at the chart and Clay is actually at #48 with "Solitaire" and peaked at #4 three weeks ago on the Pop chart, with only three weeks on the chart total.
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Post by Moe on Apr 8, 2004 23:08:04 GMT -5
Clay's version is only on the chart due to the CD single's sales have been so good. The song is not charting on airplay. The song is definitely slipping on the charts, the hot 100 chart lists both airplay and sales together, but it is still number 1 in sales.
Clay has a lot of young fans that can send sales skyrocketing up the charts. Karen and Richard's version of Solitaire will never be topped! During American Idol, when Clay performed Solitaire, Neil Sedaka said that he lost the song to Clay. I would like to add that he lost it in 1975, when the Carpenters recorded it!
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Post by davidroberson on Apr 15, 2004 10:19:51 GMT -5
:(Let me start by saying that "Solitaire" is my FAVORITE song of all Carpenters recordings. The emotion in Karen's voice paired with Richard's legendary arrangement makes the song FLAWLESS. I have not heard Clay Aiken's version at all. I didn't know he recorded until I went out with friends for lunch the other day and saw the CD single in their car. I do have Neil Sedaka's version, but the song clearly was perfected by the Carpenters HANDS DOWN!!!  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 16, 2004 20:38:52 GMT -5
Clay's version is only on the chart due to the CD single's sales have been so good. The song is not charting on airplay. The song is definitely slipping on the charts, the hot 100 chart lists both airplay and sales together, but it is still number 1 in sales. Clay has a lot of young fans that can send sales skyrocketing up the charts. Karen and Richard's version of Solitaire will never be topped! During American Idol, when Clay performed Solitaire, Neil Sedaka said that he lost the song to Clay. I would like to add that he lost it in 1975, when the Carpenters recorded it! That's great that Clay is # 1 on the sales chart with "Solitaire". Reuben Studdard (he has a great voice) has recorded "Superstar", but again Carpenters just can not be topped. |
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Post by Moe on Apr 17, 2004 0:20:49 GMT -5
What is sad is that Rueben didn't know the Carpenters recorded "Superstar." He was only familiar with Luther Vandross' version of the song.
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Peteruk
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
Posts: 148
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Post by Peteruk on Apr 20, 2004 12:25:59 GMT -5
Interesting that Clay achieved #1 on singles sales charts -mind you -so few commerical singles are available now that compared to 1940's to early 1990's -sales are just a fraction -Carpenters achieved massive sales against great competition during 1970's worldwide  Did purchase Clay's version during USA trip -while his voice is good ...the ending is awful ....makes everyone appreciate Richard's great arrangement & production ...!! Karen's vocal is awesome ....as Sedaka has said ....the finest female recorded interpretation of his songs  Peter...Sticking with Carpenters classic..... |
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Post by davidroberson on Apr 20, 2004 15:05:35 GMT -5
:DI have to retract what I said about having Neil Sedaka's version of "Solitaire". I did have it on a '70's CD set, but forgot that I sold it. Anyhow, my feelings are the same about who did the song better. Any guesses?  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 20, 2004 20:48:18 GMT -5
Interesting that Clay achieved #1 on singles sales charts -mind you -so few commerical singles are available now that compared to 1940's to early 1990's -sales are just a fraction -Carpenters achieved massive sales against great competition during 1970's worldwide That is such a good point you brought up Peter. In the past a hit single was truly a hit single working it's way from the bottom of the charts to the top and actually selling a million and a half copies and more. A song doesn't even have to be released as a single to top the charts anymore. It's all about marketing and hype. A case in point is the Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men song "One Sweet Day", yes the song is a really nice song, and I am not dogging the song or Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. But really there was a lot of hype behind it. It was released as a cassette single for a low low price of, I believe, 29 cents. At that price people were buying it by the dozens. It was a big marketing ploy to break somekind of music industry record. And it worked. still consider Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog" to be the #1 hit of the rock and roll era... |
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Post by smoothie2 on Apr 26, 2004 0:06:27 GMT -5
???I have watched Amer. Idol once or twice enough to know that Clay does have a powerful voice...haven't heard him on singing Solitaire. I already know though that no one can top the best...R. and K.
I was at the movies, yesterday, and listened first to the radio that was on before the movie started. I heard some group..modern sound...and at first I thought they were singing "Calling Occupants" because they were using a similar type "alien" ish ...voice...but, it was a modern take on Disney's movie "Aristocats"...the song "We are Siamese, if you please, we are Siamese, if you don't please"...it was weird hearing that.
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