jaredjohnfisher
Well-Known Member
As a fan from Close To You on, I felt Voice of the Heart was an incredibly beautiful gift from the Carpenters at the time of its release.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I, too, think this album has a special warmth. Seeing as it has a number of out-takes and work leads on it, it's not 100 percent perfect, but it certainly has emotional impact. It offers a totally relaxing and satisfying listening experience. Whoever would have thought that the art of patchwork could create such a fine garment, overall? Richard must be the original dream weaver.Just wanted to say I love this album. I play it far more than any other.
It's my lock the world out after a busy week.
Whoever would have thought that the art of patchwork could create such a fine garment, overall? Richard must be the original dream weaver.
Definitely. I agree.That's even more true of Lovelines. It holds up incredibly well as a collection and doesn't sound at all like a hotch potch of outtakes, solo tracks and songs from their TV specials.
I think it holds up well because its got a number of very strong tracks that should've been on Made In America.That's even more true of Lovelines. It holds up incredibly well as a collection and doesn't sound at all like a hotch potch of outtakes, solo tracks and songs from their TV specials.
Yes, an amazing collection of strong tracks on 'Lovelines'. I do especially love six out of the ten tracks on 'Made and America', though, and a seventh is not too bad at all - so I wouldn't change that album TOO much, personally.I think it holds up well because its got a number of very strong tracks that should've been on Made In America.
I'd disagree. Made In America only has 3 strong tracks (Beechwood 4-5789, (Want You) Back In My Life Again & Touch Me When We're Dancing. Otherwise, Lovelines is what Made In America should've been!Yes, an amazing collection of strong tracks on 'Lovelines'. I do especially love six out of the ten tracks on 'Made and America', though, and a seventh is not too bad at all - so I wouldn't change that album TOO much, personally.
That's interesting! We all have different tastes. I was going to list '(Want You) Back in my Life', 'Beechwood' and 'Strength of a Woman' as the three weak tracks from 'Made In America' that are almost forgettable. (Well, not forgettable. They have some merits, imo). 'Touch Me When We're Dancing' is the track that I think is pretty good but not as appealing as the remaining six, which are my favourites.I'd disagree. Made In America only has 3 strong tracks (Beechwood 4-5789, (Want You) Back In My Life Again & Touch Me When We're Dancing. Otherwise, Lovelines is what Made In America should've been!
What a great collection to assemble Gary.I am reminded of another reason for which Voice Of The Heart
stands apart (and, another reason I like it quite a bit),
the number of first take, or one-take lead vocals by Karen:
Now
You're enough
Two Lives
Your Baby
Two Lives
Prime Time Love
Have I missed any ?
Hopefully I am correct on the above list...
If not, chime in...
'Make Believe It's Your First Time' - although previously recorded in the other version.I am reminded of another reason for which Voice Of The Heart
stands apart (and, another reason I like it quite a bit),
the number of first take, or one-take lead vocals by Karen:
Now
You're enough
Two Lives
Your Baby
Two Lives
Prime Time Love
Have I missed any ?
Hopefully I am correct on the above list...
If not, chime in...
I'd disagree. Made In America only has 3 strong tracks (Beechwood 4-5789, (Want You) Back In My Life Again & Touch Me When We're Dancing. Otherwise, Lovelines is what Made In America should've been!
I think there are exactly no strong tracks on that album save "I Believe You" which wasn't even recorded for that album. Richard seriously blew it with that one. "Voice..." is far better. In fact, every other record is far better, IMHO. "Made in America" is the worst of the batch by a long shot.
Ed
^^ I love the various opinions regarding this Album !
Amusing, too, because I believe that the Carpenter/Bettis tunes are great:
Look To Your Dreams
At The End Of A Song
You're Enough
That being said, I actually would prefer
Look To Your Dreams
without the Richard Carpenter added piano or choir !
Seeming that he thought so little of it (from 1974)
as to deem it unworthy of release (or completion) until 1983,
I remain astounded at that decision !
Composed 1974....
Karen's vocals recorded 1978 (at her behest)....
Arranged by Peter Knight.....
Completed 1983....
What a circuitous route for a wonderful song !
The opening to Somebody's Been Lyin' I thought would've worked better had it been attached to a version of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, as that opening reminds me of someone creeping up or down some stairs.that already had two big show-tune-esque songs on there ('Somebody's Been Lyin')
The opening to Somebody's Been Lyin' I thought would've worked better had it been attached to a version of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, as that opening reminds me of someone creeping up or down some stairs.
However I remain grateful these recordings are released as produced by Richard. Imagine the noise that would shake the rafters had one not seen the light of day. God forbid all we'd have is bootleg.Ah, I was referring to 'You're Enough' and 'At the End of a Song' as the weak Carpenter/Bettis tracks - 'Look to Your Dreams' is a fine song.
It's not that surprising that 'Look to Your Dreams' didn't appear in an album earlier though. There was only one album put out after it was recorded in Karen's lifetime - Made in America - and that already had two big show-tune-esque songs on there ('Somebody's Been Lyin' and 'Because We are in Love'), which was at least one too many as it was, so it couldn't have been put on there as well.
Leafing and reading in the 40th Anniversary Set,
in the Voice Of The Heart Booklet:
" Now" is Richard's favorite on the entire album.
He says: "I believed Karen would have wanted these songs released."