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Post by cam83 on Jul 25, 2004 23:46:00 GMT -5
Hi All,
I am listening to CRYSTAL LULLABY from the A SONG FOR YOU. I like this song. I like the fact it's a lullaby. Actually, they recorded a lot of songs for an album of lullaby-type songs. I love Richard's vocals on this song. I love also the Karen harmonies. Her vocals sound lilting and heavenly. You can tell Richard and Karen both have similar vocal approaches, and sound very much alike. What talent they had! I love at 3:11, they sing LULLABYE!!! The shimmering harmonies. Very pleasant song!
My thoughts,
Cameron
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Post by enigma on Jul 26, 2004 9:05:37 GMT -5
Hi Cam
This song is an example of a hidden gem on this album. Indeed it is a pleasant song but I do not necessarily like Richards vocals on this song. I am not a fan of his voice and when he sings along side Karen she puts his voice to shame. Richards vocals do not take away from this song as I do still love it and the harmonies are great as always and Karens vioce beautiful as ever. Richard and Karens vocal approaches may be simular but their voices are like night and day yet they harmonize so well together.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 26, 2004 10:10:25 GMT -5
I love this beautiful peaceful song.
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Post by BethMosior on Jul 26, 2004 15:15:57 GMT -5
When I was very young, I would play this song over and over again so that I could relax and finally go to sleep which was never easy to do, the Carpenters were always great at relaxing me, they truely are the greatest   |
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Post by Rob813 on Jul 26, 2004 16:57:49 GMT -5
Enigma, Richard has always said he has a background voice and not a solo voice. I think his harmonies with Karen were extraordinary. "We've Only Just Begun" is the finest example of what I'm talking about. Everybody knew Karen was the "star" of the duo in terms of her voice. Richard's showcasing of Karen's voice in his choice of songs, arrangements and orchestrations was the key. I liken it to properly lighting a diamond so that it's many facets are shown to their maximum advantage. As a team, Karen and Richard were and are beyond parallel!
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 26, 2004 17:20:01 GMT -5
Everybody knew Karen was the "star" of the duo in terms of her voice. Richard's showcasing of Karen's voice in his choice of songs, arrangements and orchestrations was the key. I liken it to properly lighting a diamond so that it's many facets are shown to their maximum advantage. As a team, Karen and Richard were and are beyond parallel!  Rob, that is the best description I've ever heard of Richard's work in surrounding Karen's voice with beautiful music.  |
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Post by enigma on Jul 26, 2004 19:06:06 GMT -5
Rob, Richard has an affinity for stating the obvious but he may be being a little hard on himself here and understandably so. Richards voice is not that bad but the problem is its going up against Karens and that is where he loses (really who could win that one) so he is correct with regards to his and Karen's voice he is best to harmonise with her rather than try to sing lead. With songs like Crystal Lullaby, Love Is Surrender and others where he tries to duet with Karen, he is just out of place when he comes in on vocals its like getting a cold shower after hearing Karen it just takes the air out of the song. He is however great on the medleys and I think he adds more to those than if Karen sang lead all the way through; sometimes his vocals work sometimes they don't.
As far as the song selection Richard gets some credit here. Yes he did choose the songs and they were good choices but on several occasions Richard did not believe his choices were good or hits until Karen sang them. Many times he has said I did not like this song or think this song was a hit until he heard Karen sing it then he knew. I feel more credit should go to Karen for her vocal perfromances on Richards song selections than to Richard for selecting them.
As far as the diamond comparision (I like the metaphor use here) that is true on some selections but for the most part the diamond in question had its own inner light (the natural voice) and all Richard needed to do was to complement that light with his arrangements. I don't think he created that light but he certainly knew how to compliment and harness its power. Also as I stated before he could harmonise with Karen (and she with him) to near perfection.
I recognise Richard as a great producer and arranger as well as a multitalented man but he will always pale in comparison to Karen and her voice.
"As a team, Karen and Richard were and are beyond parallel!"
Absolutely Rob there was a magic between Richard and Karen that is quite unique and the results are incredible.
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Post by BethMosior on Jul 26, 2004 20:47:42 GMT -5
Hi Rob, I really love how you put that about the diamond  and I agree whole heartedly, Richard & Karen are the greatest |
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