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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 11, 2004 11:16:19 GMT -5
@@ Which Carpenters album had the big WOW factor when you first brought it home all those years ago? For me it was "Passage". It's not neccessarily my alltime favorite Carpenters album, but when it was released it was my favorite and remained my favorite for the next ten years. When I first played the album I was totally knocked off my rocker by "B'wana She No Home", I just never thought the Carpenters had it in them to do such a spicy song like that and Tony Peluso's guitar chords on this song were out of this world. "On The Balcony Of The Casa Rosada/Don't Cry For Me Argentina" was also quite an event on first listen I immediately fell in love with it, I even liked the operatic opening, I would sing it word for word: "people of Argentina your newly elected president Juan Peron". "Sweet Sweet Smile" really got me going and I just knew this one had to be released as a single. But the song that took me away all the way was "Calling Occupants...", I had already heard the short version a few times on the radio, but when I heard the long version I was in total awe, I probably listened to the song about five times in a row upon first listen. "Occupants..." became my favorites C's song for the longest time. I was totally overwhelmed by "Passage" in my mind it made both "Horizon" and "A Kind Of Hush" seem passe and boring. Funny though now as time has passed I consider "Horizon" to be my favorite Carpenters album and "A Kind Of Hush" is most likely my most played C's album. ?*
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Post by enigma on Nov 11, 2004 11:45:23 GMT -5
For me it was the Horizon record. At this point all of the Carpenters releases were great works but this album with its leap in production value, its crisp and bigger sound and its amazing vocals by Karen just blew me away at first listen. Karen had never used her huskey lower register before and I was impressed to say the least at this "new" way Karen was using her incredible voice. From the opening song Only yesterday to Karens renditions of Desperado and Solitaire as well as (I'm Caught Between A) Goodbye and I Love You and Happy every song was love at first listen. Very few releases in 1975 came close to the quality of Horizon and no one could touch Karen for vocal quality. This albums floored me when it first came out and still does so today and was never passe or boring to me. ;D As for Passage the innovative nature of this record certainly took me a little by surprise and got my attention. It is amongst the Carpenters most creative and diverse pieces of work.
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Post by smoothie2 on Nov 12, 2004 0:16:03 GMT -5
!@ I agree with Enigma...the Horizon album (although Kind of Hush runs in very close) was the WOW factor for me. Of course, there's nothing quite like that first album I owned Close to You. But Horizon first of all because of the great album cover and inside photo fold out. It had my favorite "Only Yest." on there but it had songs I had not heard before and that was a big plus. Every song is a true precious gem all on it's own. The whole album just stands out above the rest also because the C's had really made it in the music world. The world knew their voices.
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Post by beaner on Nov 12, 2004 7:53:41 GMT -5
@@ For me it was "A Kind of Hush". I played this one over and over till it went scratchy along with all the others eventually. Then I purchased all new albums and finally went to all CD. I still can't part with the old ones either.
Anyway, I especially loved the flip songs like "You", "Sandy", "Goofus", "Boat to Sail" and one of my favorites "I Have You".
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Post by Eric Moore on Nov 12, 2004 12:36:01 GMT -5
Which Carpenters album had the big WOW factor when you first brought it home all those years ago? %% I was born in 1972 so I was in diapers when The Carpenters were at their peek. I remember that it was back in 1989 or so when I brought my first Carpenters album. It was the 2 record "Yesterday Once More". I had bought it for my cousion that introduced me to T C, for Christmas. I thought that I would open it lisent to it and then give it to her used. I remember that I played both recored from beginning to end over and over again. My favorite song at that time was "Want you Back in my Life..." It is amazing that over years and tons of Carpenters songs later that my likes have changed to "Only Yesterday" I still like the former as well. I think that I have heard all the Carpenter's songs at least once.
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Post by JIM on Nov 13, 2004 12:04:01 GMT -5
A SONG FOR YOU is my all time Fav. I can still remember the first time I listened to the album. When the intermission played, I heard my mom say "did they sing about the bathroom?" It is funny that they would record something so silly in the middle of so many heavy hitting songs. JIM
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Post by karen69roland on Nov 13, 2004 14:07:41 GMT -5
That's funny, Jim.
Well..., hmmm..., for me, beginning in the 70s, it was Disco, then Hard Rock and then Heavy Metal.
In 1987, I was totally into guitar virtuosity with artist such as Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine and Allan Holdsworth. I was 18 and I was working in a music store called Sherman Music(which is now HMV music store). I remember working in the Classical department during Christmas time and I had to play Christmas LPs in the department..., well, I can assure you that I was playing only one album..., I was totally hooked on * Christmas Portrait* ..., the masterpiece.
Yes indeed..., all I could say was WOW. [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 Boat2Sail on Nov 18, 2004 0:46:47 GMT -5
:)HORIZON is my big WOW factor. Every song on that album is a winner. karen looks great on the cover. When I first heard Aurora I just knew the entire album was going to be tight. I can't pick a favorite song from the album because they're all favorites. I listen to Only Yesterday, Desperado, Happy and Love Me For What I Am the most. This album will always be special to me.
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Post by Moe on Nov 19, 2004 3:39:56 GMT -5
I remember getting "Voice of the Heart" home and was blown away by "Now." Still one of my favorite songs. A major chill factor (WOW) song with Karen's first note she sang. I didn't know the album was going to be released, just happened to stop by the record store. It made me sooo happy to have new music to listen to so soon after Karen's passing.
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Post by Rick Henry on Nov 20, 2004 1:00:36 GMT -5
My earliest Carpenters WOW factor came in 1972 when I first heard "Bless The Beasts and Children" it was the b-side of "Superstar". A friend played it for me. I was only 12 years old, but remember the song being absolutely beautiful. It had such a shimmering and chilling sound. This was before I was a real Carpenters afficianado. I became a true C's fan sometime in 1973-74. "Horizon" was the first album I bought as a true fan of their music. It wasn't the first C's album I bought, but the first one I bought after deciding they were my favorite group. I was completely WOWed by "Horizon" also. Musically this album really captured me. The music was (is) so totally dynamic and full of spirit.
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Post by carp1ncmor on Nov 22, 2004 18:10:36 GMT -5
It was late night on a summer night....my other siblings were sleeping in the back of my dad's station wagon. I was half asleep myself, then all of a sudden I heard an angel's voice. It was Karen singing Close to You. Her beautiful voice woke me up. That was back in 1971. I was 11-years-old. A new Carpenter's fan was born. I save my allowance and bought the album "Close to You."
Now for the WOW album...That would have to be "A Song for You." I totally love this album. There is not a song on this album that I am not totally in awe of. My very most favorite is "A Song for You." Truly awe-inspiring! I went to see the movie "Bless the Beast and the Children" only because of the Carpenters singing of the theme song. I must admit that I was not a fan of the movie, though. But, as far as the song, again another KC/RC masterpiece!
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Post by JIM on Nov 23, 2004 6:06:13 GMT -5
!@ Its interesting to read when all of you had your first WOW experience with the Carpenters. I know its hard to beleive but I was 7 in 70 when I heard Close To You and the sound of the Carpenters captured me and never let go. I treasure all of there music but if I had to pick one over all of them that makes me say "WOW" it would be Only Yesterday. For me Only Yesterday represents all of the unique qualities of a Carpenters song. The combination of so many different insturments, outstanding vocals and studio magic make this song a masterpiece. I could listen to it 1000x and never grow tired of it, its just magical.
JIM
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Post by Rob813 on Nov 23, 2004 16:16:01 GMT -5
As in most things, you're first time is usually most special. For me, listening to Close To You - the album was the WOW factor for me. Every song just captured my heart. I listened to that album more times than I could count. Every album that followed just confirmed what I already knew. Carpenters were the best, by far. As Karen and Richard matured, I matured right along with them. I see the progression in their maturity as artists from album to album; the daring creativity, the struggle to be better than before, the push through problems and expectations. Not to be esoteric, but everything Karen and Richard were going through is reflected in their music. Looking back, it truly is extraordinary how courageous they were in revealing themselves in their music.
So, I've rambled and all because of a question about the WOW factor. So there you have it!
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