After many rumours, Richard has confirmed that he has been working with the Philharmonic Orchestra and Universal Music to make a Carpenters collection. No news on release date but this is going to sound special.
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Two exciting new Carpenters releases are now available. The new book Carpenters: The Musical Legacy can be ordered here. A big thanks to the authors and Richard Carpenter for their tremendous effort in compiling this book! Also, the new solo piano album Richard Carpenter's Piano Songbook is available for ordering here.
📣 News Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Thread starter Simon KC1950
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no1kandrfan
Well-Known Member
I just read about this on The Carpenters: History & News Facebook page: "similar series that has already seen Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and The Beach Boys. The concept is that classic tracks and hits are taken and rerecorded with one of the worlds greatest orchestra's. This will sound very special hearing Karen Carpenters voice with a grand orchestra"
The Facebook page has 2 photos of Richard conducting an orchestra.
I am so excited!
The Facebook page has 2 photos of Richard conducting an orchestra.
I am so excited!
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
So this means we will finally get rid of some of the background choir voices like the OK choral? 
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
I’ve just seen this announced by Richard on his official Instagram page:
“Excited to announce that I will be working with @universalmusicgroup and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a compilation album of Carpenters music. Stay tuned for updates!”
A few people guessed on another thread that this was what he was up to and I didn’t think it was something he’d go for but I’m delighted to have been proven wrong. Exciting times!
I’m hoping at this early stage that it sees a Christmas release, especially here in the UK. These collaborations with the RPO have proven to be hugely successful in the UK and some of the results - most notably American Trilogy on the Elvis compilation and I Say A Little Prayer on the Aretha Franklin compilation (all complete with re-recorded rhythm sections and backing choirs) - are simply stunning.
“Excited to announce that I will be working with @universalmusicgroup and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a compilation album of Carpenters music. Stay tuned for updates!”
A few people guessed on another thread that this was what he was up to and I didn’t think it was something he’d go for but I’m delighted to have been proven wrong. Exciting times!
I’m hoping at this early stage that it sees a Christmas release, especially here in the UK. These collaborations with the RPO have proven to be hugely successful in the UK and some of the results - most notably American Trilogy on the Elvis compilation and I Say A Little Prayer on the Aretha Franklin compilation (all complete with re-recorded rhythm sections and backing choirs) - are simply stunning.
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Carpe diem
Well-Known Member
^^ Stunning News! Could it be possible that there is a hidden Karen gem that exists?! It will give us all something to talk about thru the holidays and beyond!!
Hoping this will also snowball him into the 50th celebration to be a part of it. BTW, tickets for the Carps 50th celebration officially go on sale tomorrow at 12 noon EST. Exciting times indeed!!!
Carpenters 50th - Home
Hoping this will also snowball him into the 50th celebration to be a part of it. BTW, tickets for the Carps 50th celebration officially go on sale tomorrow at 12 noon EST. Exciting times indeed!!!Carpenters 50th - Home
All I can say is WOW !
To hear Karen in a new way, over 30 years since she passed away, will probably make me cry.
Just think... Karen's voice, Richard's Arrangements with a great British grand orchestra. It's a match made in heaven. It will sound so special. These albums all get tv ads here in the UK and I think they've all been Top 10 hits.
Here's the ad for one of the Elvis albums... It'll give you a taste of what it will be like..
To hear Karen in a new way, over 30 years since she passed away, will probably make me cry.
Just think... Karen's voice, Richard's Arrangements with a great British grand orchestra. It's a match made in heaven. It will sound so special. These albums all get tv ads here in the UK and I think they've all been Top 10 hits.
Here's the ad for one of the Elvis albums... It'll give you a taste of what it will be like..
Here are the other 2 Elvis tv ads for these albums, the Roy Orbison ad and the Beach Boys "Fun, Fun, Fun" with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra... If these are anything to go by the Carpenters one will be spectacular!
The Beach Boys, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Fun, Fun, Fun (Lyric Video)
The Beach Boys, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Fun, Fun, Fun (Lyric Video)
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
If we get a single chill factor moment like the one I heard at 2:16 below, I’ll be forever grateful that this project came to fruition.
The first 40 seconds of this track is also hopefully a flavour of things to come.
The first 40 seconds of this track is also hopefully a flavour of things to come.
no1kandrfan
Well-Known Member
Cool to know who it belongs to; I was wondering who was behind it. I love your page - very informative.I'm glad you like my page
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Here’s a question I know many of you reading this will already be thinking:
What will the tracklist look like? The previous RPO albums have been known to delve into the back catalogue of artists. What if he chooses to showcase the odd rarity like Eve? What if he gives I Need To Be In Love the RPO treatment and what would that sound like?!
What will the tracklist look like? The previous RPO albums have been known to delve into the back catalogue of artists. What if he chooses to showcase the odd rarity like Eve? What if he gives I Need To Be In Love the RPO treatment and what would that sound like?!
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Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
How do we know this will have Karen vocals and not just be instrumentals? Will this contain all the original vocals by both Karen and Richard or will this be orchestra instrumentals with Karen and Richard’s backing vocals only? Is this a video performance or just an audio Cd? Is this the 50th release?
If there using all the original vocals how will they sped up or slow down the original vocals to fit appropriately against the orchestra?
If there using all the original vocals how will they sped up or slow down the original vocals to fit appropriately against the orchestra?
JAZZ4JEFF
Active Member
Wow, good things do come to those who wait. I love the Presley recordings they did in the past. They really re-imagined the music.What a perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary. And with new arrangements, RC could tour the pops orchestra circuit next summer. Again, WOW!
I can't imagine that it would only be instrumentals ... Non of the other albums in this series have done that plus considering how successful these albums are in the UK it wouldn't be very commercially successful. I doubt it will be a video. Most likily just on digital, CD and Vinyl like all the others.
Thank you. It's doing it's job then if you are enjoying it !
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
Did you say vinyl? And someone said this is through Universal? OMG I’m having flashbacks. Lol
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
Yeah I’m not familiar with the other collections which is why I wondered. So this is going to be a U.K. release?
Well it will definitely be released in the UK. I'm not sure about anywhere else... Were the other albums like Elvis released outside the UK? If not surly it will be easier for fans to get their hands on compared to if it were only a Japan release.
CarpentersToYou
Somehow you brought the gambler out in me...
This is so exciting! Like the SACD days exciting! I can’t wait! Would love if they did a digital single to give us a taste!
CraigGA
Well-Known Member
It is very exciting news. Maybe it’s being mixed now. It would be great to have the Bruce Forseyth live version of I Need To Be In Love as the vocal on this song. But if not, any version would be nice. Maybe there are work leads to all of the songs we have not yet heard. Can the possibilities be endless? As long as it’s Karen singing I will be happy!!
andywithaz
Well-Known Member
I'm actually really excited about this. I hope Richard uses some alternate vocal takes to make it truly different.
jaredjohnfisher
Well-Known Member
I too am happy with the news!
I sampled the Beach Boys symphonic album. Perhaps it's just me but I can barely decipher any differences from the originals! The songs sound in tact; but with a different orchestra playing. (I'm only a casual fan of their music; this might explain why I'm not hearing anything vastly different.) I do feel (as I said earlier in the 50th anniversary thread) the Carpenters' repertoire is far better suited to this concept than someone like the Beach Boys and hope Richard pushes the concept further as only he can. Perhaps it was Richard's admiration for the Beach Boys music that intrigued him to jump on the London Philharmonic band wagon.
I do hope he removes some of the wonderful but dated layers of the original arrangements. I'm imagining more of a "symphonic" Carpenters songbook; as if you went to see them perform with a "Pops" orchestra. For example, some of their songs might benefit by losing the rhythm section completely; allowing Karen's voice to "float" over the strings. (We got a taste of this in the "For All We Know" reprise.) If a different "take" exists that might blend more naturally with an orchestral arrangement (as someone mentioned earlier in this thread), that would be incredible to hear. Even a new line (or word!) here or there.
I sampled the Beach Boys symphonic album. Perhaps it's just me but I can barely decipher any differences from the originals! The songs sound in tact; but with a different orchestra playing. (I'm only a casual fan of their music; this might explain why I'm not hearing anything vastly different.) I do feel (as I said earlier in the 50th anniversary thread) the Carpenters' repertoire is far better suited to this concept than someone like the Beach Boys and hope Richard pushes the concept further as only he can. Perhaps it was Richard's admiration for the Beach Boys music that intrigued him to jump on the London Philharmonic band wagon.
I do hope he removes some of the wonderful but dated layers of the original arrangements. I'm imagining more of a "symphonic" Carpenters songbook; as if you went to see them perform with a "Pops" orchestra. For example, some of their songs might benefit by losing the rhythm section completely; allowing Karen's voice to "float" over the strings. (We got a taste of this in the "For All We Know" reprise.) If a different "take" exists that might blend more naturally with an orchestral arrangement (as someone mentioned earlier in this thread), that would be incredible to hear. Even a new line (or word!) here or there.
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