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Post by cam83 on Nov 1, 2004 18:46:15 GMT -5
Hi All, I was listening to the MILLENIUM COLLECTION of RITA COOLIDGE. She was the one that sang SUPERSTAR, actually helped to conceptualize the song...the guitarist that the groupie wants to get together is Eric Clapton...which I found to be neat. Anyways, the MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN album that this song is featured on, sung by Rita Coolidge is awesome. She really sounds great on this song. I always feel that Karen must have heard THIS version, at least on radio, because her interpretation is very similar to Rita's approach. I always feel that Rita sounds like an older sister to Karen's version, in approach, vocal quality etc. Whereas Bette sounds like an older lady, lamenting on a lost love, whereas Karen sounds very naive and inexperienced in how to deal with a love affair with a rock star guitarist, and is hurt by it, the most. Does that make sense? Rita was signed to A&M and had hit singles with her husband Kris Kristofferson, and also sung at the opening of the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Centre in 1994.
Cameron
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 2, 2004 0:02:52 GMT -5
Hi Cam, I love Rita also. My favorite songs from her are all on her 1978 album "Love Me Again", that album is solid all the way through.
I have the "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" album (on vinyl). I've played it a few times. as much as I love Rita, I didn't care for her reading of "Superstar", that is most likely because I am so partial to Carpenters powerful rendition. But with your description Cam, I will have to give it another listen. sometimes I will like something after not hearing it for several years.
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Post by karen69roland on Nov 2, 2004 0:35:09 GMT -5
Rita did *One Fine Day* too(it is, also, on the 20th Century Masters).
My two favorites of Rita are *You* and *We're All Alone*. [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by enigma on Nov 2, 2004 5:40:13 GMT -5
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Post by Rob813 on Nov 3, 2004 20:24:32 GMT -5
Rita Coolidge recorded Superstar before Karen did. Does anybody know of anybody who recorded it AFTER Karen did. I know Luther Vandross did many years later, but I was thinking of a female singer. As a side note, Luther thinks that the Carpenter version of Superstar is incomparable - and - I agree with him.
What other female singer recorded Superstar after Karen?
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Post by cam83 on Nov 3, 2004 20:45:26 GMT -5
As much as I love and adore Karen Carpenter, and think she recorded exceptionally well, I feel that I can like other artists versions, just as well, if not more. It's like, sometimes you have a desire for vanilla ice cream(Karen) and other times you want rocky road ice cream(Rita). Rita's voice is a bit rougher sounding than Karen, but similar in some ways. Both are beautiful singers! And have wonderful souls.
Cameron
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Post by Rob813 on Nov 3, 2004 20:47:45 GMT -5
But what female singer recorded Superstar AFTER Karen did?
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Post by cam83 on Nov 3, 2004 20:57:39 GMT -5
There must be a ton. When a song becomes a hit, EVERYONE rushes to the studio to record it...I just don't know...which female recorded it.
Cam
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 3, 2004 22:17:11 GMT -5
Bonnie Bramlett (lyricist of the song) recorded "Superstar" in 1969 and Bette Midler in 1972.
Recently Ruben Stuuddard recorded it. Lest we not forget Sonic Youth's recording on the tribute album "If I were a carpenter".
I feel that Carpenters recording is certainly the definitive recording. richard's arrangement is absolutley spectacular. So good that he received a Grammy award nomination for his arrangement of this song. Nobody holds a candle to karen on this song. Karen's reading was deep, inspired and quite mature for her young age of 21. I don't think she's naive sounding in the least bit. I feel she sings this song with authority and with soul beyond her years.
Other than Carpenters I'd have to say sonic Youth's recording is my second favorite. I like there fuzz guitar on the song and the alternative rock arrangement with the dark vocals. Very, very good.
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Post by Mariah Andrews on Nov 4, 2004 15:42:19 GMT -5
One of Rita's best songs is "All Time High", featured in 007's OctoXXXXX, one of my favorite films.
As for other versions of "Superstar", I heard a rather interesting version of it in the film "Wayne's World 2" where Mike Myers and I forgot the name of the lead actress were at a diner and Mike got punched in the stomach during the same scene, when that song was playing.
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Post by Rob813 on Nov 4, 2004 19:07:55 GMT -5
My question of what female singer recorded Superstar had an ulterior motive. Nobody has named a female singer who may have recorded Superstar AFTER Karen did. I don't think anybody wanted to be compared with Karen after she recorded it, so they just didn't record it. Of course I could be wrong about this.
For instance who recorded Over The Rainbow after Judy Garland did? Nobody of her generation that's for sure. Who would want their version to be compared with a genius of the genre?
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 4, 2004 21:32:00 GMT -5
My question of what female singer recorded Superstar had an ulterior motive. Nobody has named a female singer who may have recorded Superstar AFTER Karen did. I don't think anybody wanted to be compared with Karen after she recorded it, so they just didn't record it. Of course I could be wrong about this. For instance who recorded Over The Rainbow after Judy Garland did? Nobody of her generation that's for sure. Who would want their version to be compared with a genius of the genre? Hey Rob, as you see in my post above Bette Midler recorded "Superstar" in 1972 - several months after the Carpenters had their mega-hit with the song. Also the recording of the song that was used in the movie "Wayne's World 2" (which Mariah mentioned) was done by Chrissie Hynde and Urge Overkill, this recording was done in 1993. As much as I love Chrissie Hynde and also think she's a great singer - she just did not do any justice to "Superstar", this just was not the right song for her voice. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" has been recorded by scads of people. A few to mention are Sam Harris, Olivia Newton-John, Perry Como, Eva Cassidy, Tony Bennett, and Frankie Avalon. a group named the Demensions even made the top 20 in 1960 with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". -Just sharing my thoughts here.
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 5, 2004 1:39:11 GMT -5
???Isn't Rita part Native American? I think she has recorded some songs with women who are N. american. Anyway, I always think of the song (Your Love) Has Lifted Me Higher"...maybe that's not the exact title. Karen seems to always have me spoiled on songs she recorded since most of the ones that others recorded before or after just seem to pale in comparison...and there are many great singers out there too. Anyway, Rita's voice does have more of a mature edge to the song Superstar. Superstar is truly a real classic as done by the Carps. especially. As usual, Karen puts her indelible mark on a great song. I recall hearing this on the radio way back then...and just as Rainy days...the words struck me...right off I could identify somewhat with the meaning of it (at least in my near teen years) My bro. had guitar and played some on it. And a guy who is my sister-in-law's brother..who I had a big crush on also really was hooked on the guitar. Later down the road, I took lessons and did learn to strum a little and did pass the course, but I'm not good at sticking with things like that for long...and so that skill died away. I surely love that song. Makes me want to dig it up and play it right now and just let Karen carry me on her wings a while away from troubles. Don't worry...I like being on the ground better so I wouldn't fly for long!
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 5, 2004 12:53:12 GMT -5
?*
Cam this topic has motivated me to pull out my old rita Coolidge albums and singles. She really was favorite of mine in the late 70's to early 80's. Here's my list of favorite songs by her:
Only You Know And I Know 1971 Sweet Susannah (w/ Kris Kristofferson) 1974 I Don't Want to Talk About It 1977 Who's To Bless And Who's to Blame 1977 Southern Lady 1977 You 1978 Slow Dancer 1978 Sweet Inspiration 1978 Love Me Again 1978 It Just Keeps You Dancin' 1978 The Jealous Kind 1978 Songbird 1978 Let's Go Dancin' 1979 Somethin' Bout You Baby I Like (w/ Glen Campbell) 1980 Something Said Love 1984
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Post by Sammy on Nov 5, 2004 17:42:06 GMT -5
Cameron you have the best taste in music. I love Rita Coolidge. I bought every album she recorded throughout the 70's and 80's. It's too bad her classic 70's releases are not available on CD I think you would really enjoy ANYTIME...ANYWHERE and LOVE ME AGAIN, both are great albums.
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Post by cam83 on Nov 5, 2004 18:56:39 GMT -5
Hi All, For me anyways, I am not saying Karen is naive...but her portrayal of a GIRL singing about remembering the love of her life...Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby...sounds like a young girl who was confusing infatuation with real love...in a way. For me, that is the feeling I get...the lyrics...all seem to point to that. Karen's voice of course sounds lovely and full of everything to make the song what it is...a classic!! It's neat that after CLOSE TO YOU and WE"VE ONLY JUST BEGUN were mega hits, that many, many artists recorded those songs...well over 200 and some...
Cameron
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Post by Rob813 on Nov 5, 2004 20:51:36 GMT -5
Actually I am always amazed that considering Karen's lack of practical life experience, she was able to sing with such maturiy and insight. The only reason I can come up with is she was such a great artist. If she had been given the chance to really life, can you imagine what she might have been able to infuse in her music?
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 6, 2004 0:52:25 GMT -5
?* That really is a very good point you brought out Cam, about how the song sounds like a girl confusing infatuation with real love. And for me, at the pre-adolescent years when that song came out I really did fit into those infatuation shoes. and maybe a time or two when I was grown too.
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