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Thank you so much for this review. I think you hit it right on the nose, and you provided some real amazing context. I had no idea that the Neil Sedaka conflict had that big of an impact on the Carpenters' professional trajectory, but the way you presented it, it makes a lot of sense.Happy to oblige: Carpenters Revisited: A Fresh Look at Horizon
I know it’s in been asked and discussed another thread, I believe without a final answer, but always wonder what happened to “B.L.”Thank you so much for this review. I think you hit it right on the nose, and you provided some real amazing context. I had no idea that the Neil Sedaka conflict had that big of an impact on the Carpenters' professional trajectory, but the way you presented it, it makes a lot of sense.
Also--had zero idea about B.L. Mitchell. Listening now, and it sounds very Carpenter-esque. Amazing how, after 18 years of being a fan, I'm still learning new things.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for the kind comments! The link did open for me. I just checked it.This was very nicely written< Mark-T. The link to the Neil Sedaka piece did not open any thing but the background webpage for me.
I may have heard about the conflict at the time, but if I did, it didn't not leave much of an impression because I largely forgot about it.
I like Neil Sedaka as a song writer. He wrote a couple of really nice songs that Lesley Gore recorded. And then there's "Where The Boys Are" by Connie Francis. Plus a hot of others. But I really didn't care for him as a singer.
I can think of other songs from the era I wish they would have done instead, and I certainly respect everyone’s personal opinions, but I feel it fits the album. And Karen sounds amazing.Personally, I don't like I Can Dream, Can't I. It is much more draggy than Solitaire.
This was very nicely written< Mark-T. The link to the Neil Sedaka piece did not open any thing but the background webpage for me.
I may have heard about the conflict at the time, but if I did, it didn't not leave much of an impression because I largely forgot about it.
I like Neil Sedaka as a song writer. He wrote a couple of really nice songs that Lesley Gore recorded. And then there's "Where The Boys Are" by Connie Francis. Plus a hot of others. But I really didn't care for him as a singer.
Karen sounds amazing, but it's not Carpenters (IMHO).I can think of other songs from the era I wish they would have done instead, and I certainly respect everyone’s personal opinions, but I feel it fits the album. And Karen sounds amazing.
I have a few of my own.Karen sounds amazing, but it's not Carpenters (IMHO).
There are very few Carpenters songs I dislike out of everything they did, but that is one of the few.
Too many to list.I have a few of my own.
Maybe if the background vocals were by Karen and Richard, you’d feel different, (And wouldn’t that be amazing to hear?)
On the other end, which are your favorites?
Agreed. On the flip side, Richard does mention often how much he tried to get Billy to “pick it up” with regard to the song’s tempo—making for another “dragger” on the album.I Can Dream Can't I, sumptuous vocals by Karen.
If it does not belong on the Horizon album, where would it find a home ?
Billy May worked some magic with Karen.
I play this one or Bwana.Agreed. On the flip side, Richard does mention often how much he tried to get Billy to “pick it up” with regard to the song’s tempo—making for another “dragger” on the album.
Personally, when introducing someone to Karen for the first time, I’ll pull out this beauty. And the first thing I’ll ask them upon first listen is—“How old do you think she is?”
Stops ‘em dead in their tracks, every time.