newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Ordinary Fool, phenomenal reading by Karen. I sorta want this song as a cold-starter (start at 15s).
That is a brilliant idea and would really work and make it more impactful.
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.
Ordinary Fool, phenomenal reading by Karen. I sorta want this song as a cold-starter (start at 15s).
I enjoy the cymbal touch as it starts. It introduces the exquisite setting for mood. Then Karen’s voice enters with focused tone for the mood and message.That is a brilliant idea and would really work and make it more impactful.
I enjoy the cymbal touch as it starts. It introduces the exquisite setting for mood. Then Karen’s voice enters with focused tone for the mood and message.
^^Well, I went back and listened to Ordinary Fool,
I do not see where the 15sec instrumental opening adds anything to the song,
the gravitas of the song is set with Karen's opening vocal.
Sorry, that is how I hear it. No offense to Richard Carpenter intended.
Oh I think that opening sets the atmosphere exquisitely, it might be my favorite opening to any Carpenters song.
If anyone misinterprets my musings regarding the "intros" to Carpenters' songs,
I only ask your indulgence-- not your acceptance of changes I muse about.
I have been touting Richard's accomplishments as a great arranger since becoming a Carpenters fan in the 1970's
so, my sentiment in that regard is not about to change.
I like the opening of Rainbow Connection. I can understand it’s criticism of some with the child like piano used, but is Kermit the frog not a child’s attraction?
A retrospective and lovely lyric like that which Paul Williams came up with deserves far better. Further, the tune was written for Kermit's phrasing and mannerisms. You can't just go in and do it; the melody has to be re-addressed to some extent. That didn't happen here as Karen didn't like the tune and may not have wanted to bother. Words are simply chopped off to make the melody flow better and, for my ears, that's not the answer as the impact of the lyric is hindered by simply chopping off inconvenient words.
Having read Paul Williams’ comments about their version, this is one instance where I believe he really didn’t like what they did with the track...but out of respect to both Richard and Karen toned his comments down.
I know I’m in the minority, but I like it and loved hearing it on its release. I never cared for the song until I heard this version. It is a little choppy in general as Kermit sang as you mentioned and that kept me from liking it back in the day. The first time I wanted to listen to the entire song was when I heard Karen sing it. The vocal has to be really good for me to like it and Karen sells every time. If I was the puppet doing the show, then perhaps I would like it, but it never stood outside just a puppet show song for me until Karen’s release. Now, I see it’s magic.Not really, no, he wasn't - not at the time. The beauty of the Muppets as Jim Henson envisioned them is that those that weren't used by Sesame Street/CTW were for adults more than they were for kids. The jokes, the guests stars on "The Muppet Show", etc - all of that was geared toward adults. The songs in the movie are largely geared for adults too, though kids like me back then certain did love all of it. We liked it all - even if we didn't understand it all.
My point in saying all of that is that Richard's arrangement feels really kiddie and kitschy. The toy piano you mentioned is silly and unnecessary. Karen sings it with a "fairy godmother" kind of quality that just totally misses. A retrospective and lovely lyric like that which Paul Williams came up with deserves far better. Further, the tune was written for Kermit's phrasing and mannerisms. You can't just go in and do it; the melody has to be re-addressed to some extent. That didn't happen here as Karen didn't like the tune and may not have wanted to bother. Words are simply chopped off to make the melody flow better and, for my ears, that's not the answer as the impact of the lyric is hindered by simply chopping off inconvenient words.
I won't mention the chorale. I know this is a work lead and there was no choice....
Ed
I know I’m in the minority, but I like it and loved hearing it on its release. I never cared for the song until I heard this version. It is a little choppy in general as Kermit sang as you mentioned and that kept me from liking it back in the day. The first time I wanted to listen to the entire song was when I heard Karen sing it. The vocal has to be really good for me to like it and Karen sells every time. If I was the puppet doing the show, then perhaps I would like it, but it never stood outside just a puppet show song for me until Karen’s release. Now, I see it’s magic.
As I said, I understand your perspective and why you have it, I just don’t share it. Is it my favorite, no, but I listen to it when I play the album and sometimes even repeat it.
I’m with you, CraigGA. I think it’s one of the best (if not THE best) lead vocals from the MIA sessions. Karen sounds like KAREN and she’s not singing with the whispery style as she did on so many songs from that period. While she herself didn’t like the arrangement (it is quite sappy), her VOICE saves the day. If anybody questions Karen’s vocal savvy during this period, all they have to do is listen to that song. Her voice was still outstanding.
Wow. I'd LOVE to hear this! Whatever work was involved in bringing it up to scratch for release I'm sure could be discerned by comparing the two versions.
Let's please stay on topic and avoid the personal squabbles.
Squabbling? Where is there squabbling here? Did I say something inappropriate?
YBDLYA is one of my favorites on the album. One of the closest things to old school Carpenters in years.
One gets a whiff of Hurting Each Other, thanks to the same songwriter (I believe). The arrangement is built very similarly. The former is much better but you see the strengths of it enough in the latter.