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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 7, 2004 19:06:26 GMT -5
 I've heard that comment also, that Richard said he felt some of the unreleased songs were just not up to par or just not what he thought was Carpenters material. I guess not up to par could be subjective. Look at Karen's solo work. richard thought it wasn't the right sound for Karen, and when finally released it ends up being containing some utterly fantastic songs on it. Personally I think Richard and Universal should release every single song the Carpenters and Karen ever recorded. I'm willing to bet there are atleast another dozen gems that are still unreleased. I just wonder about the songs Richard has deemed as not being Carpenters style. I would really like to hear some of those "not Carpenters style" songs - very much.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 7, 2004 19:55:39 GMT -5
hey there...yes, I agree that all of the fans would love to have available all that you mentioned Dave. Also, it does make you wonder what else there must be hidden away that the world would love. Of course, Richard does own I guess most of whatever there is and has the right to do or not do whatever...it's just we'd love all that whether he thinks so or not...oh well....
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 7, 2004 21:45:09 GMT -5
My opinion is that after 21 years Richard is not going to release ALL that material. The reasons might be varied like the material not being up to Carpenter standards or that he just wants something that his alone of Karen - that he doesn't have to share. I believe that he was so hurt by the negative comments during their career and by Karen's passing that he doesn't want to be that public anymore. The respect for him as a songwriter, composer, arranger and even singer has been in short supply. He has never been able to escape the shadow of his sister's talent - and - that has got to hurt. Richard, if you ever read this, know that there is fan out there who has always known that your contribution to the duo was key to the duo's success. Without Richard, there would not have been a Karen. I believe that wholeheartedly.
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robert
NEW TO THE FAMILY
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Post by robert on Jul 7, 2004 23:06:57 GMT -5
i've got a question: who is rick henry -administrator? - are you the administrator of this entire forum? just wondering. if you are, you've done an excellent job.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 7, 2004 23:13:04 GMT -5
So very well stated Rob...I think you're very right .
Music has always been his work and Karen was with him almost all the time. They couldn't have acheived all that they did without each other. They both had perfect harmony. Karen did very well with her solo album and of course he's done well on his own since her death. He must still feel very lost without her even though he has his own wife and family and other successful projects.
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Post by beaner on Jul 8, 2004 5:40:01 GMT -5
I agree also. Although Karen was a bigger part of my life growing up and I focused on her more, Richard and karen both equally were just as they are "THE CARPENTERS". Richard is a genious when it comes to putting words to music and the knack to find the perfect songs from almost anywhere together with Karen's most beautifully unique voice and her personality makes the team that we love and will never get enough of. I personally want to hear everything that is left out there that we fans have not heard yet but I sure do understand that some of the songs Richard may just want to keep close to his heart and not release and I do say "some" cause we do want to hear the rest so badly. |
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Post by enigma on Jul 8, 2004 8:20:39 GMT -5
Richard should do what the Beatles did release an in depth anthology (not like the Carpenters Anthology released earlier). A multi part Anthology telling the Carpenters story in depth with the unreleased tracks alternate or rough versions of well known songs etc the same way the Beatles did with multi part videos (DVD's) and multi volume cd sets. Forget about this Carpenter style or measuring up stuff and release them. They would sell and be very interesting.
As for the "no Karen without Richard" your way off on this one. Karen did not need Richard and Richard did not need Karen; both R&K were multi talented people and could have made it without the other. However when they were together a magic was created that neither one could create alone this was the magic of the Carpenters the magic that is not there on Karens and Richards solo releases. This magic is what made the Carpenters stand out from their peers. Karen had a greater presence than Richard but that does not take away from Richards immense talents and contributions to the Carpenters; both parts made up the whole.
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Post by cam83 on Jul 8, 2004 10:34:55 GMT -5
Hi All,
I am a big fan of both Richard and Karen as the CARPENTERS, but I always wonder how Karen would have been like had Kenny Rogers of the NEW EDITION had hired her to sing in their group. Imagine her having success, and then a record company approaches her and she records an album with a singer songwriter theme and she becomes a smash. SHe has hit album after hit album, and because of THAT voice, which can do any kind of albums. Next album will be a Pop album, followed by a Standards Album etc. Broadway approaches her and she does a show on their. She also does television appearances, and then plans are underway for her to do her own talk show host in the 1980's. She is that well known and loved for her uniqueness, her gifts and her personality.
Now, I know these are just thoughts, but I feel that Karen could have risen and soared above all the things she did with Richard. They were great and sublime. But knowing that she took that stab of independance, was what she wanted. She wanted to be known as Karen Carpenter solo singer, and not just Karen of the Carpenters. She wanted to sing a new song, a new style. It was scary for her, after being with Richard for all those years, but she took that chance to see what she could do. I think her solo album gave her a new outlook, musically, and even Made In America was fresher. Really, that was my 2nd Carpenters album I listened to and I loved the hip sounds and everything about it. Very contemporary.
My thoughts,
Cameron
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 8, 2004 16:40:37 GMT -5
Good points. Clearly Karen relied on Richard to mastermind their career and Richard capitalized on Karen's talent as a drummer and singer. Together they made what we love and appreciate as some of the greatest music ever recorded. On their own, they could be successful. For Karen, there wasn't enough time for her to fully express her full ability. For Richard, he has been able to carry on. On his own, he has not reached the heights he did with Karen. The Carpenters shadow is a tall one under which Richard must labor. Comparisons will always be made. Personally, I would like Richard to score film scores. His ability to write such lush music suites the demands of this genre. When I watch the credits at the end of a movie, I always look to see if he has contributed to the soundtrack. Up to now, I have not seen his name. It must be frustrating for him to have been so creative during the Carpenter years and have that end so abruptly. Of course having a wife and children fills a large part of that void. However there must be a "creative itch" to create something new - to look forward. Just my thoughts...
Rob
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 8, 2004 19:36:50 GMT -5
As for the "no Karen without Richard" your way off on this one. Karen did not need Richard and Richard did not need Karen; both R&K were multi talented people and could have made it without the other. I totally agree wih this comment. |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 8, 2004 19:47:57 GMT -5
i've got a question: who is rick henry -administrator? - are you the administrator of this entire forum? just wondering. if you are, you've done an excellent job. Hi Robert, thank you and welcome to the forum. I have been a Carpenters fan since 1971. I had another general popular music website in 2002 which became way too much work. I really enjoyed the website thing so in hopes of an easier workload I developed both The Carpenters Online website and forum. At first my friends Sammy and Tom Boats helped me in editing the site, but as these past (almost) two years have progressed they have both become busy in their individual lives and don't really help much anymore. They do post from time to time on the forum. As it goes this website and forum has ended up being just as much work as the first website - but this one is very special to me so I will continue to dedicate the time I do to this site and forum. |
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