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.
The song "Won't You Play A Simple Melody" was recorded by Karen, Agnes, Richard and Harold.
Richard said that Karen and Agnes sing first then he and his father sing. It was recorded for the Christmas Portrait Tv Special but was cut for time limits.
He said in the mook that it is an outtake that maybe could be released as a curiosity piece for something like a box set.... Maybe it would make a nice little bonus track for this album. It would be very touching, having his late parents and sister all singing together again at Christmas.
He said
Anyone heard anything more on this?
I emailed Richard about something else a few weeks ago, and his assistant got back to me saying that he is unable to answer my question as he is busy working on a project.
Just to clarify, I didn't say that, it was a rumor or speculation that was mentioned a few times. I would think any label would be glad to put it out.
Maybe Richard looked at Herb Alpert's new Christmas album (which he appeared on, too) and said "hey, I need to quit waiting and get mine out." Or maybe Herb encouraged him.
I'm as big a Carpenters fan as any, but with each release that "throws on another unreleased KC track", along with a lot of "filler", their catalog and legacy gets diluted. I think Richard has done a commendable job compiling posthumus Carpenters albums (under the "Carpenters" banner or his own name), but he can't keep doing it forever, nor should he.I disagree.
If he can play off their legacy, like "A Carpenter's family Christmas with Richard Carpenter" he would sell. Throw in an unreleased KC track from their TV special. Even "Silent night" would work. I also believe RC would have to sell the project. TV appearances, Carpenters Christmas concert, etc.
The holidays have a nostalgic feel and legacy artists form Johnny Mathis to Paul Anka sell very well at Christmas. No reason to think RC would not do well in the marketplace.
That's true, but that's always been true of him under his own name.Richard Carpenter is commercially completely dead. There's no reason any label would want to release anything he did. He's never been able to move product on his own and that would be more true now than ever before.
I disagree.
If he can play off their legacy, like "A Carpenter's family Christmas with Richard Carpenter" he would sell. Throw in an unreleased KC track from their TV special. Even "Silent night" would work. I also believe RC would have to sell the project. TV appearances, Carpenters Christmas concert, etc.
The holidays have a nostalgic feel and legacy artists form Johnny Mathis to Paul Anka sell very well at Christmas. No reason to think RC would not do well in the marketplace.
That's true, but that's always been true of him under his own name.
However, a Christmas album is a different animal than a mainstream one. He would definitely have to get out there and work it - if he wants to. He could easily do a self-release. He just needs to hire somebody to make the wheels turn. That's what Herb Alpert did and he's doing very well, both with catalog releases and new stuff. AND a Christmas album.
All they would need to do is play some Carpenters tracks and do a "from the man who brought you classics like these" angle, and boom, instant name recognition.
Nobody said it would be a cakewalk. Far from it. It'd be an uphill road.... which could be a reason why he's not showing great eagerness to go for it.
It's still a crying shame that there isn't a decent Carpenters website though. They must be the biggest-selling musical act in history not to have an official web presence.
Richard is unknown as a solo entity. He would never get s TV special. He’s commercially cold and has been since 1985. Even then, he was cold as his solo album did nothing.
I think you're forgetting that Something In Your Eyes hit #12 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in 1987. Sure it was Dusty Springfield singing it, but it was released as a Richard Carpenter single, backed with Time, so he has appeared on the charts as a solo artist.