Karen Carpenter CD

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Do you think that Phil Ramone pushed to have Karen's solo Cd released right after it was recorded? As a producer of a Cd, isn't it what a producer looks for as the final result? To in essense make alot of money on a CD? Do you think Phil was paid upfront already for his services after recording stopped? Or do you think he lost money in this project? Although it says in the liner notes that Phil & the rest of the recording team who worked on the project totally understood on the decision to wait.

Also on the liner notes Karen says: "Dedicated to my brother, Richard with all my heart"

Was this release soooo close to becoming reality that Karen would have already wrote this (dedication) down that she wanted this on the liner notes???? Or do you personally think this was just added later after her passing?

 

[Dave60640]

Thanks for always keeping me thinking Chris!
"Personally", I believe it (the solo venture) was highly regarded and treasured by both Karen and Mr. Ramone. Even though Phil's up-front fee was most assuredly paid, you're right...he stood to make alot more $$ had the project been released. But I believe A&M's disgust and Richard's (and possibly Mom and Dad's) dislike of the finished product led Karen to her final decision. Her efforts seemed to go unapprechiated.
As for the dedication... well... seeing as how Richard was recovering during this time and considering how much Karen loved and respected him, I easily see how she would've wanted it dedicated to him. It seems staying within her make-up and loyalty to her beloved brother that she would dedicate the project to him.
"And that's all I have to say about that..."

 

[Calvin R Murty]

I read somewhere that the dedication was added only just prior to the album being released in 1996. When the album was due, apparently, Richard phoned Phil's wife (also called Karen, but whose nickname was Itchy) to ask if she has any notes in her files about any album dedications Karen C might have had. She dug thru her old files and found that particular one...and it seems Richard cried on the other side of the phone when Itchy read it out to him.

Not sure if this story is true...maybe someone who knows could verify.

calvin

 

[CarpentersToYou]

I think KAREN CARPENTER would have become a hit! I wish it would have been released.

I'm sure Karen would make that dediction, she loved Richard!

 

[Chris]

This is from the article in The New York Times from 1996:

When Richard called Ichiuji Ramone last spring to say he was releasing the album, he asked if there had been a dedication; she unearthed her notes and found one: "Dedicated to my brother Richard with all my heart."

"Karen knew that the Carpenters needed more of an edge," Ichiuji says, "and by dedicating the album to Richard, she was saying, here, I did this for you and for me. Accept me, because I did this for both of us." Ichiuji says that when Richard heard the dedication, he bawled over the phone.

Phil Ramone says, "It was Karen who encouraged the glam photo sessions for the album cover. When she saw the proofs of one shot, which showed her elegantly coiffed and made up and wearing an oversize white sweatshirt, she ran to Ichiuji in a rare outburst of self-worth. "Look at me, Itch," she said. "I'm pretty. I'm really pretty."

 

[350hunny]

Chris, thanks a lot for the article.
This is the first time I read it.
I think what Karen said, not only here but also in other places would have been ordinary statements if she were alive now.

Every word of hers seems to have had a special meaning and makes me picture in my mind as if she were speaking in front of me.

This article is one of those and I couldn't help but imagine Karen, Itchy and Richard appearing and talking by turns.

I wish we could turn back the hands of time.

 

[Rudy]

Do you think that Phil Ramone pushed to have Karen's solo Cd released right after it was recorded?

It's really not a producer's role to push an album--they are there more for supervising the recording process and making suggestions about the sound of it. Thing is, A&M felt it was weak, and KC reluctantly decided not to release it. It's ultimately the label's call on whether an album is released or not, and if they felt it wasn't an album they could move a lot of units of, they would not go to all the expense of manufacturing and promoting it. IMHO, if it were released in 1978 or 1979 it would have been a better bet; by the time it was recorded and would have originally come out, that type of music was on the wane. IMHO it is no worse, musically, than anything that was out there at that point in time.

 

[Chris]

Yes, as Rudy said, Karen's album was at least as good as some of the other albums that were released at the time.

Glad you liked reading some of the article, 350hunny. Here is more from it:

"This wasn't just an album," said Frenda Franklin, who was Karen's best friend. "It was her Emancipation Proclamation."

After four or five songs were completed, Karen flew back to Los Angeles, tape happily in hand. "She was so in awe of Phil and these cool, hip musicians, who were treating her like an equal," Frenda said. "She wasn't used to that." "She told me that working on this album was the happiest time in her life."

They finally finished in January 1980, delivering 11 of the 21 songs they recorded. Karen chose the white sweatshirt shot for the cover, and Olivia Newton-John invited Karen to sing on her latest TV special. All that was left was the routine playback for the label presidents, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the A and M of A&M.

The silence was deafening. "She was expecting them to come up and hug her after every track," Ramone says. "But they just sat there."

John Bettis, Richard Carpenter's longtime lyricist and no fan of the solo album, agrees: "Everybody knows how great a producer Phil Ramone is, but in the end I think Karen missed the chemistry." Lost amid the carping and strategizing was what Karen herself felt. Alpert says she vacillated between loving the album and hating it, but the Ramone camp doesn't buy this. "This wasn't a woman given to tears," Ramone says. "When she was upset she just wouldn't eat. But when we got out of that meeting and far enough away, she just crumpled in my arms."

Ramone set up another listening at the home of Quincy Jones, but A&M wouldn't budge; the record still had to be "improved." And then there was Richard, who was out of rehab. His criticisms of the album were the sharpest. According to Coleman, he said the songs were weak and that the keys were too high for Karen's voice. At another point he accused Karen of "stealing" the Carpenters sound, because of some Carpenters-like harmonies on a few of the songs. "Nobody is saying Richard had to like the record," Frenda says. "But he could have supported her. When he didn't, I think it forever put a division in her mind about him."

Richard began to pressure Karen to start the next Carpenters album, and then, at what Frenda calls her "most vulnerable point," she met Thomas J. Burris. "He seemed nice," Ichiuji says. "Karen really thought he was going to be her knight in shining armor." With Richard in one ear saying, essentially, "Come back, all is forgiven," and Burris whispering a fast proposal in the other, ther conviction on the solo album wavered, and on May 5, 1980, it was officially jettisoned. Karen told all involved that now that Richard was healthy, she wanted to return to the Carpenters. Besides, she was getting married.

The reunion album, and the marriage, failed in short order. Richard later said that anything he and Karen put out was doomed because of their image - a problem that Karen's solo album was designed to fix. The details of the marriage are murkier; she and Burris separated after a mere 14 months.

"Karen Carpenter" may not be the great American pop album, but it holds up with anything that like-minded singers - Streisand, Newton-John - were recording at the time.

"It was just the beginning," Ramone says. "a voice like that could have done anything."

 

[Mike4TheCarps]

hey everyone.. I know i dont post much here but here goes. I got an interview Cd with Karen and Rich in a 1981 interview..when Ray Moore asked if Karen would ever go solo, Karen seemed very hesitant and ackward. she finally muttered out..and Im paraphrasing here..every once in a while i think of going solo, but it really dosnt make any sense. I feel most able to work and at home working with Rich. so Karen didnt even bring up recording her solo album! was she not supposed to talk about it? or maybe she didnt want to bring up any resentful feelings from Richard? And im wondering.. with the fan letters.. did th public even know she was going solo in 79? now i know for a fact the public and fans didnt know a whole lot in 79 which i feel has got to be most frustrating! anyways i just wanted to bring up those two issues.. maybe someone can give me some feedback.. Much thanks!

Michael

 

[softly333]

because Mom and Dad were "mining" the fan club and would not allow any true Karen info to come out...there was even a newsletter that stated Karen WAS embarking on a "SOLO" album but that there would surely be "NO DISCO"..........it is really fascinating if you can get a hold of the fan clubs newsletters between 1978 and 1983.....they never lead on that anything was wrong.............its only more truth pointing at the parents and their "protection" of Richard.........Agnes be damned!!!

Softly but with his stick......

 

[Rudy]

Please Softly333...while we don't mind constructive criticism or intelligent debates, attacks of this nature are unwarranted. Please reread our forum FAQ (linked above in the menu) if you have any questions regarding our community standards. Thank you.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Here is an interesting read...This is straight from the Fan Club Newsletters, in this is references to Karen recording her solo album. Interesting too is the fact that it says alot of the fans were getting very "anxious" about the duo spliting. Were the fans really writing letters about this? How would the fans had known that Karen was going solo? I don't get this.

Also interesting is the very last pharagraph.


NEWSLETTER #65 - September, 1979


Hello Friends:
We hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer, and extend warmest congratulations to all graduates. May wisdom be your constant companion, and all your aspirations materialize.

The fan club has been inundated with anxious inquiries pertaining to the Carpenters latest movements. To dispel any rumors that the group has 'split up', Karen wishes to assure you this is not so. The reason for the temporary lapse in their recordings, is that after ten arduous years of concentrating on perfecting. music to the Carpenters standards we expect, Richard felt the need for a long vacation which probably will extend into the New Year. Karen reaffirms they will resume work on their album whenever Richard feels ready. He is really enjoying the freedom from pressures, and we must not be selfish in denying him the time off he deserves.

In the meantime Karen has enjoyed her recording sessions in New York, and was happy to meet Billy Joel and Paul Simon. Her album is progressing well, and she anticipates it's release early in the New Year.

She returns to New York next month. All the material apart from one oldie will be original (No Disco!). Karen is unable to confirm at this time any information regarding a single from her eagerly awaited album, so keep your eyes and ears open!

She managed to combine business with pleasure and enjoyed watching a Yankee baseball game with the Ramone family, and a shopping spree at Bloomingdales.

Mom Dad joined Karen in New York, then the trio drove to visit relatives in Baltimore and Connecticut, where they were introduced to two brand new members of the family: Cousin Betsy gave birth to an 8 pound 10 ounce daughter Shiloh, and cousin Paulie a 6 pound 9 ounce daughter Ashley.

Karen made a nostalgic return trip to her old school Nathan Hale, where the caretaker escorted her to her old classroom. I guess current students were sorry her visit coincided with vacation time!

Richard entered his 1959 Chrysler 300E in the ninth annual Chrysler 300 Club Show at Champaign, Illinois, where his car was placed first in the 1958-1959 class, and tied for first place in "Best of Show" category. His personal appearance was a highlight of the show.

He also entered for exhibit only. five of his prestigious collection in recent charity event at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena in California.

One of his favorite pastimes lately, has been browsing through some rare record stores. He has also spent some time with friends in Kansas City where Karen joined them for a week.

When Karen returned home recently she accepted an invitation to attend a party at A & M studios to celebrate the release of Herb Alpert's smash hit single "Rise". She enjoyed meeting many friends in the music industry signed to the same label.

Alfa Records Inc. in Japan have received many inquiries about the special Carpenter albums released in Japan, and have very kindly given information on availability of same: 'Carpenters First Ten Years" is a three-album compilation, containing thirty nine previously recorded songs, and features a gorgeous booklet. This is also available on cassette with twenty-four tunes. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE IN JAPANESE YEN. Retail price of album is Y4,500 plus shipping and handling Y3,0OO which totals 7,500 Yen which is approximately $35.00. Retail price of cassette is Y4,000 plus shipping and handling Y500 which totals 4,500 Yen.

Richard and Karen have subscribed to a unique book entitled "Celebrity Cooking Caper" which features their picture and one of their favorite recipe "Peach Mabel". Many famous people have contributed towards the book which is being sold to raise funds for Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones).

Unfortunately the Carpenters recipe is misinterpreted in the book, so the revised version may interest you:

INGREDIENTS

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 teaspoon almond essence

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 pint whipped cream

1 pkg. Knox gelatin

1/4 cup cold water

1 box vanilla wafers

2 cups peaches (canned & drained)

METHOD

Place wafers in plastic bag, half box at a time and crush with rolling.

Spread on bottom of baking dish (8 x 11) or something similar. Save some to sprinkle on top.

Mix butter, flavorings, salt & sugar in blender. Blend well. Add eggs and blend.

Mix gelatin with water quickly & blend with other ingredients.

Whip cream till stiff & fold into blended ingredients. Now fold in the drained & diced peaches.

Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Refrigerate for a couple of hours.


An erroneous reference in the National Enquirer recently stated the Carpenters will be staging a two-hour Special on TV soon. Please disregard this notice which is incorrect unfortunately!

Some of you may also have seen some Carpenter concerts scheduled for Las Vegas in some Nevada newspapers. This is also incorrect, and at this time no concerts are scheduled for any area in the immediate future.

As this letter goes to press. it is difficult to think in terms of Christmas while we are still basking in 100 degree temperatures, but overseas members will not receive this issue before November, which will, be the last newsletter this year. We therefore extend the Season's Greetings to you all, and fervently hope our duo will feature prominently on the music scene in 1980.

Before their tenth anniversary year expires, Richard and Karen hope to send a little token of their sincere appreciation to all their fan club members who have supported them so loyally during the first ten years of their recording career.

NEWS FLASH!! Richard and Karen have just intimated their intention of releasing a Christmas single this year. No final decision at this stage, but it will probably be selected from the excess material they recorded but did not have room to include on "Portrait" last year. All the Best. Rosina.

 

[PJ]

In the 1970's Carpenters news / info came from the Official Fan Club , various groups of fans who were in regular contact , News Media / Music Magazines and perhaps surprisingly A&M Records Offices worldwide -often sending out letters with latest details of releases / concerts / other info etc -unlike Polygram and now Universal -who aside from their current hot ? favourites -barely respond to any inquiries

Karen's Solo project was spread around various fan groups , via A&M and I saw several music features that announced Karen's plans and work with Producer Phil Ramone

Whenever Group / Duo members announce Solo projects -various fans always worry that this is the end of the original music act -so Carpenters fans were also concerned back in 1979 / 1980 re : impact of Karen's Solo Album and future Carpenters projects :|

Given A&M created this Solo project and then withdrew support in Spring 1980 -very strange


Peter