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.
Thanks, Ullalume, I learned something new.
I did not know that Karen had stated it as her favorite from Made In America.
Interesting. She was a complex, interesting, personality.
Her musical tastes ran the entire gamut, much more expansive than most
of the public would surmise.
"When It's Gone" is so powerful, I agree FreddieB. And I wanted "Strength Of A Woman" to be the second single.
"When it's Gone" is on my top 5 of all their tracks.
"When it's Gone" is on my top 5 of all their tracks.
"Strength" was first recorded by R&B singer Eloise Laws on her 1980 debut album.K&R probably first heard it on Eloise' album-and their version retains much of the R&B influence. Karen sounds very natural in this type of setting-and,I do agree,great arrangement.Count me in as one who really likes "Strength" as well! I think Karen sounds as good on this as on "Touch Me". Great arrangement too.
"Strength" was first recorded by R&B singer Eloise Laws on her 1980 debut album.K&R probably first heard it on Eloise' album-and their version retains much of the R&B influence.
But, especially, I wanted to really get into Those Good Old Dreams. (One of my favorites)
I played it in conjunction with the other Carpenter-Bettis tune, Because We Are In Love (One of my least favorites).
Does any one have a timeline regarding when these two songs were composed? (The same month?)
Thanks for the heads-up on the Eloise Laws' Strength of A Woman.
The song is one of the best on the Made In America album.
And, of course, Carpenters' version is far superior (to my ears, although the original is fine).
I (re)listened to the entire Made In America album (SHM-CD from 40th Box) last night.
Little has changed in my over-all impression of the album in all these years (1981 to 2014).
I do believe the drums on (Want You) Back In My Life Again are too voluminous (Ron Tutt, I believe drumming).
Karen's vocals are almost trampled upon with the drum-beat in that song (although, I do like the tune).
Compare this to the songs where Larrie Londin is drumming (i.e., Touch Me When We're Dancing).
But, especially, I wanted to really get into Those Good Old Dreams. (One of my favorites)
I played it in conjunction with the other Carpenter-Bettis tune, Because We Are In Love (One of my least favorites).
Does any one have a timeline regarding when these two songs were composed? (The same month?)
True, but I think if we look at why Karen chose the songs she did, the analogy is still apt. Karen's primary focus seemed to be on changing her image. No one had any idea that her time on earth was so limited. I think if they had, then everyone – Karen included – would have made different choices. She was choosing material based on her desires at that point in her life. But a lot of that, I will always believe, was subjective, based on what her emotional needs were at the time. This was as close as she got to rebellion, and it was reflected in her choice of material. She probably thought of it as reflecting a fixed point in time, and not as something that would be definitive. But if she knew this was to be her one and only shot at a solo album, then – just as Richard insists he would not have had her recording "Beechwood" and other oldies – I think it highly likely that she would have chosen very different material.Recently, the metaphor was put forth that: " Karen, although a great race-car driver, was put into a bad car."---this, in
reference to her solo work. (Good grief, Karen Chose the songs she wanted to record).
True, but I think if we look at why Karen chose the songs she did, the analogy is still apt. Karen's primary focus seemed to be on changing her image.
With some chagrin I note that the Coleman Biography speaks in such glowing terms about this album, and dismisses Karen's solo album.
Richard's commentary on the 40th DVD pertaining to the three videos shot in one day (June 1981 : Touch Me, Beechwood, Good Old Dreams) is such that he says: "..they are difficult for him to watch, because she is so ill".