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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 28, 2004 10:20:40 GMT -5
In several interviews Richard Carpenter has commented on how he seeks songs that have that "chill factor". He was very successful in finding these songs, as many carpenters songs have that "chill" sound to them. which would you say is the epitome of the "chill factor".
In my mind it's "Solitaire". Karen's voice is so deep and rich and full bodied. Her voice alone gives you that all important chill. But than you add Richard's intense and intricate musical arrangement and the song just absolutely leaves you numb.
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Post by enigma on Jun 28, 2004 11:12:21 GMT -5
Thats a really good question Rick I cannot narrow it down to one but I got it down to 6 and they are:
Close To You
Superstar
Yesterday Once More
End Of The World
Touch Me When We're Dancing
Now
There is something about Karens voice and Richards arrangements in certain songs that leave me with that numb feeling where I have to turn the music off, regain my composure and digest what I just listened to. (Thats the chill factor you refer to)
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Post by BethMosior on Jun 28, 2004 21:22:45 GMT -5
I would say that Only Yesterday ( but Richard wrote the music ) but Leave yesterday behind, Now, one more time, love me for what I am, Rainy days and mondays, etc.... o was it only one song, there really are a lot of them  we all could go on and on and on with this topic   great topic Rick  |
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Post by cam83 on Jun 28, 2004 21:30:00 GMT -5
Hey Rick,
I couldn't agree more...SOLITAIRE is in fact one of the CHILL factor songs that I adore...especially that deep low note she holds at the end of the song. Just heaven!
Also on the LIVE IN JAPAN album, when they are doing the medley...and she sings on THE END OF THE WORLD and holds that long note....Goodbyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeee!" and it is loud, pure, clean and deep. That IS pure perfection!!
AVE MARIA is another Chill factor tune. Just the fact that she is singing in latin, no less, and handles that song with such ease. There is NO ONE In my books, that can ever sing that song better than Karen can.
Another chill song is LAST ONE SINGIN THE BLUES. She just does this song so well and with impeccable ease. With her own style. She could have sung ANYTHING!!
DON'T TRY TO WIN ME BACK AGAIN, one of the unreleased solo tunes she did, gives me chills. Especially listening to the high harmonies, and everything.
NOW and LOOK TO YOUR DREAMS are the highlights of the VOICE OF THE HEART collection. Both are outstanding and are pure gems. Need I say more.
Cam
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Post by BethMosior on Jun 28, 2004 23:08:35 GMT -5
I agree with you Cam and Rick  when ever Karen would hit the low notes that always gave me the ' chill factor ' it didn't really matter what song it was wow what a range and what a voice when Richard would find a song like 'For All We Know ' or ' Solitaire '  he really could pick them to show off Karens range. |
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Post by Superstargal on Jun 29, 2004 2:35:10 GMT -5
Ahhh yes! I know that "chill factor!" For me, the chills just rush through me on "Rainy Days And Mondays" and "Now." "Rainy Days And Mondays" especially gets to me toward the end of the song where all the thick, intense harmonizing comes in and Karen's voice goes up to a higher octave: "Hangin' around, nothin' to do but frown, rainy days and Mondays always get me down.......Hangin' around, nothin' to do but frown, rainy days and Mondays alllllwaaays get..............me down." Nothing gives me more chills than that! Just thinking about "Now" makes my throat tighten and my eyes well up with emotion. Now that is a "chill factor!" The whole song; the way it was Richard arranged it, the melody of it, Karen's voice and the harmonies; it's just so haunting! There's almost a sadness to the song. My mom loves the song but she actually has a difficult time hearing "Now" because she always feels that Karen was saying goodbye in the song. She remembers hearing the song on the radio before Karen's death and it bothered her. Those are my main two "chill factor" songs. |
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Dave
Ultra Emissary 
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jun 29, 2004 4:54:21 GMT -5
Philip's Little League team is in the playoffs, and so this is the only time I can get on until after Wednesday...wish us luck.
I will make all of you folks jealous when I tell you that Monday I drove to work with "Only Yesterday" on the radio...later it was "Close To You", and at lunch a woman called and requested "Rainy Days and Mondays"...is rained here in Pittsburgh Monday. As I went to take a shower at 10:30 PM, it was "We've Only Just Begun". Hall of Fame, here we come!
I like "Solitaire", but since my world is one of music in motion, my "chill factor" is a bit different. Listen to Kenny Chesney's second verse on "How Forever Feels" to see what I mean.
"Only Yesterday" always brings an image to mind of driving home from Columbus after graduating DeVry in 1975. Then, the ride was a 1971 Plymouth Fury, an old police car with a 375 hp 440 engine. When I hear that song...
"My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" has a certain high energy to it. At the 3:00 mark, Karen begins charging energy with her overlapping vocals and the rising tone until, at 3:14, she releases that energy with all of the power of a Space Shuttle launch. There was no one in front, or behind, that Tuesday morning on I-70, when it hit me. At 3:14, pedal met metal and 360 cubic inches of fuel-injected Dodge Magnum power was engaged. Starting from 70, the tach shot up to redline, then dropped back as the truck leaped forwards. By the time the song ended, the speedo was well over 100, and goosebumps were crawling on both arms.
Yes, I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up.
Wish our team luck.
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Post by JIM on Jun 30, 2004 9:10:02 GMT -5
For me A Song For You gives me
chills along with Road Ode.
JIM
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Post by Rob813 on Jun 30, 2004 18:05:47 GMT -5
Ah yes the "chill factor". I definitely felt it on Close To You. I vividly remember the first time I heard it on my parent's car radio way back in the summer of 1970. THAT SOUND blew me away - unlike anything I had ever heard before. I felt it again on Rainy Days And Mondays, many of the Christmas songs (especially the religious ones). On Voice Of The Heart, Now definitely has the chill factor and Look To Your Dreams sounds like Karen is singing directly from heaven to me - comforting me in a way. That song was a fitting way for Richard to end their quasi-last album - and the trailing piano at the end always gets to me. Anyway, I know there's many more. Oh one of my favorites is You're The One - that's the voice of an angel. So many to choose and such little space.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 30, 2004 19:30:39 GMT -5
There are really many many C's songs with that chill factor. Richard was truly a genious. "A Song For You" and "road Ode" are two such songs. also "Maybe It's You", "Raindy Days...", "Superstar", "Desperado", "This masquerade", "I Can't Make Music", "One More time", "Boat to Sail", "Those Good Old Dreams", the list goes on and on.
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Post by Moe on Jun 30, 2004 23:01:09 GMT -5
Yes, there are too many, but here are a few off the top of my head.
1. Now- I love the low note that begins this song. It sets the mood for the entire song.
2. You're the One- A simple piano and a wonderful voice. Just try to sing along with this song and you are amazed at Karen's breath control, power, and vocal control.
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- the final..."hang your shinging star upon the highest bow.." gives me goose bumps! I prefer this to Judy Garlands version.
others...Rainy Days, Solitaire, I can Dream Can't I, I need to be in Love, Superstar...
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 19, 2004 0:05:54 GMT -5
"Love Me For What I Am" is a real intense "chill" factor song. It's just absolutely beautiful. Karen's voice really gets you where it counts.
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Post by cam83 on Jul 19, 2004 1:03:17 GMT -5
Hi,
Several other chill factor songs would be...HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is amazing!! I adore this song as well as DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR...I love Richard's vocals and then with Karen singing you are in for a double treat. I know, I know, I am not the biggest fan of Richard's voice, but on a track like this, he gets my 10 out of 10 on this one.
Another chill factor song is LOOK TO YOUR DREAMS...just a beautiful song, one that she could have explored had she lived...more standard like songs...she was so phenomenal of a singer.
My thoughts,
Cameron
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 19, 2004 18:41:41 GMT -5
What other singer can anyone think of who comes close to Karen in evoking the chill factor? Hard as I try I cannot think of anybody. It seems like we feel this way about all of their songs. They say you can't catch magic in a bottle, but with Karen it really happened! Between all of us fans, we probably could name every song (with very few exceptions) as chill factor songs.
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Post by BethMosior on Jul 19, 2004 18:57:43 GMT -5
I whole heartedly agree with you Rob  , there really isn't anyone who compares to Karen, she is truly one of a kind what a wonderful person was our Karen and is greatly missed by all |
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Post by enigma on Jul 19, 2004 19:58:41 GMT -5
Absolutely Rob that is one of the many many reasons I love Karen she does things for me that no other singer can including the chill factor. She is truely one of a kind and that makes her all the more special to me. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 19, 2004 22:59:47 GMT -5
What other singer can anyone think of who comes close to Karen in evoking the chill factor? Hard as I try I cannot think of anybody. It seems like we feel this way about all of their songs. They say you can't catch magic in a bottle, but with Karen it really happened! Between all of us fans, we probably could name every song (with very few exceptions) as chill factor songs. Definitely Rob, Karen was a true one of a kind. There are many greats out there Sade, Dusty Springfield, just ot name a few, but Karen really went above and beyond. she had that something extra in her voice. Something that was more than just school learned, but more a gift from God. |
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 20, 2004 0:17:05 GMT -5
 ???Yes, indeed there are many songs with the chill factor. I agree with all of you. I guess Rainy Days and You're the One and A Song for You...these just make you miss her even more..I think Karen's own deep sadness truly can be felt in every song..well, also the happy songs, the clear sincerety and honesty in her voice is way waaaaaaaaaaaay out of bounds from any other singer!
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