Karen Carpenter Solo Sessions - Continued

[Monarch]

I was on a long drive yesterday afternoon (5 hours) and at one point was listening to Spotify "Daily Mix" which is a random selection of songs based on my listening habits. Two songs from the solo album played. The two worst songs on the album. You guessed it! All Because of You and Making Love in the Afternoon.
A Karen Carpenter solo album needed to be a smash. I understand why it was shelved regardless of how much I like a number of songs on the album and a several of the outtakes. I don't think Still Crazy After All These Years gets enough recognition. It's quite an epic production.

 

[Another Son]

A Karen Carpenter solo album needed to be a smash. I understand why it was shelved regardless of how much I like a number of songs on the album and a several of the outtakes. I don't think Still Crazy After All These Years gets enough recognition. It's quite an epic production.

I agree that some of the production was magnificent, considering all of the intricate background vocals performed by just one person along with the fullness of some of the instrumental arrangements and the quality of sound achieved with these.

I’m not a fan of the overall finished product but you can’t help admiring certain areas of the production and engineering, (along with certain aspects of Karen’s performance, especially sections of her background vocals).

Getting back to Leadmister’s original idea at the beginning of this thread, I think that the unreleased tracks together in an album would complement the official solo album while putting across quite a different feel, as a set.

A number of the unreleased tracks sound more comfortable in their own skin. Many of them are a bit more mellow than what was released - a bit more languid and relaxing. Some sound a bit more ‘Carpenters’ than what appeared on the album. There are still enough to turn heads through being markedly different, though.

In fact, there would be a nice contrast between mellow & laid-back and upbeat.

The fact that some of the tracks obviously don’t have a finished lead vocal might be a problem, yet some of what does exist in terms of lead vocals sounds superior in performance and more ‘Karen’ than some of what ended up on the official release.

Those who love Karen’s lower register on slower-tempo songs would probably enjoy a somehow completed collection of the unreleased tracks.

I would buy it.

 

[newvillefan]

I was on a long drive yesterday afternoon (5 hours) and at one point was listening to Spotify "Daily Mix" which is a random selection of songs based on my listening habits. Two songs from the solo album played. The two worst songs on the album. You guessed it! All Because of You and Making Love in the Afternoon.

I'd agree with this on the first song . 'Making Love In The Afternoon' is by far the weakest of the uptempo tracks but, notwithstanding the awful Cetera backing vocal and Karen's pronunciation, I really love the sound of the song. It reminds me of eating ice cream on a summer's day.

I don't think Still Crazy After All These Years gets enough recognition. It's quite an epic production.

This 100 percent ^^^

 

[Monarch]

During 8 hours of road tripping Thursday, Spotify redeemed itself and chose The Rainbow Connection, Last One Singing the Blues, and....you guessed it....Still Crazy After All These Years. Full volume. My phone's a friggin' spy.

 

[newvillefan]

My phone's a friggin' spy.

You only just worked that out now?

 

[John Adam]

Hi, everyone. Here's another one of the solo album tribute videos from a few years back with some new updates. Among other things, I've colored her jacket closer to its original red color. Hope you enjoy.

This was beyond wonderful Chris! It was almost as if Karen was alive when this was released because the promotion seems so authentic! What a fine tribute to her solo album! TY The album cover you created would of been a better choice, so much more "Karen."

 

[newvillefan]

A very special treat for UK fans of Karen's solo album this month. It's getting its own feature in the well-known Record Collector. Not quite sure what's brought that on but I'll scan and share the article here as soon as I lay my hands on a copy!

Here are rough scans of the four page Record Collector article for those of you outside the UK. This is still readily available in newsagents over here, if anyone would like one shipped overseas, this is your last chance before I start preparing parcels. DM me to arrange

SPOILER ALERT: Do not click if you are waiting to get the hard copy edition.

Spoiler: Article Cover

Spoiler: Page 1

 

[newvillefan]

SPOILER ALERT: Do not click if you are waiting to get the hard copy edition.

Spoiler: Page 2

Spoiler: Page 3

 

[Nemily]

That’s so kind to post this for the everyone not in the UK. Thank you

 

[Mark-T]

Yes, thank you, @newvillefan !

As I'm doing research on the solo album, it's getting harder and harder to tell what is fact and what is speculation. I've listened to the interviews she quotes. There are consistencies in how the musicians respected and liked working with Karen. That's good!

 

[goodjeans]

Here are rough scans of the four page Record Collector article for those of you outside the UK. This is still readily available in newsagents over here, if anyone would like one shipped overseas, this is your last chance before I start preparing parcels. DM me to arrange

SPOILER ALERT: Do not click if you are waiting to get the hard copy edition.

Spoiler: Article Cover

Spoiler: Page 1

Thank you for posting this.

 

[newvillefan]

Look at the last two 'deep cuts' mentioned at the end of the article!

 

[motownboy]

The article was quite an interesting read. I am further convinced that the rejection of Karen's solo album by A&M was pretty much predetermined even before it was played for them. Karen must have been devastated.

Noting who is on the cover of the magazine, imagine if Karen could have had the opportunity to work with the Pet Shop Boys!!!

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I wish the article had been written by a different author. It’s really just the same info we’ve heard before. I wonder if they had to get rights to print the Bonnie Shiffman photo for publication?

 

[newvillefan]

I wish the article had been written by a different author. It’s really just the same info we’ve heard before. I wonder if they had to get rights to print the Bonnie Shiffman photo for publication?

Agree, but you have to remember readers of Record Collector probably didn't even realise Karen ever recorded a solo album, especially with a producer like Phil Ramone. The Carpenters are only ever featured in this publication every third blue moon. I'd bet you there are quite a few of their regular membership that will now seek Karen's album out on the back of this article.

 

[Bartog739]

I'd love to know what the actual sales figures are for the solo album. The only thing that comes up is 54,020 for Japan only. I know it was re-issued there at some point. I guess low sales just aren't reported but I'd still like to get some reliable figure on it. The one million claim that was once reported on Wikipedia has since been debunked.

KAREN CARPENTER album sales - BestSellingAlbums.org

KAREN CARPENTER album sales

bestsellingalbums.org

 

[Jorge]

Here are rough scans of the four page Record Collector article for those of you outside the UK. This is still readily available in newsagents over here, if anyone would like one shipped overseas, this is your last chance before I start preparing parcels. DM me to arrange

SPOILER ALERT: Do not click if you are waiting to get the hard copy edition.

Spoiler: Article Cover

Spoiler: Page 1

I'd love one! How can I get it ?

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I'd love to know what the actual sales figures are for the solo album. The only thing that comes up is 54,020 for Japan only. I know it was re-issued there at some point. I guess low sales just aren't reported but I'd still like to get some reliable figure on it. The one million claim that was once reported on Wikipedia has since been debunked.

KAREN CARPENTER album sales - BestSellingAlbums.org

KAREN CARPENTER album sales

bestsellingalbums.org

I’d like to know what that figure is as well. I’m so surprised that with all the reemergence of vinyl to the market a while ago that Universal did not capitalize on additional sales from her solo album by releasing it for the first time on vinyl, black and colored. There must be some kind of clause in the contract that it was agreed between Richard and Phil that it would only be released on CD one time only. But Japan re issued it on SHM Cd so I don’t know.

 

[newvillefan]

I'd love one! How can I get it ?

I've sent you a PM

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I think this is the longest Karen Carpenter solo thread to remain open on this forum in like…forever

 

[newvillefan]

I’m so surprised that with all the reemergence of vinyl to the market a while ago that Universal did not capitalize on additional sales from her solo album by releasing it for the first time on vinyl, black and colored.

Meant to respond to this - I would love the album as a re-release, especially on vinyl. I'd buy every iteration or colour there was. I too am surprised, given all the recent vinyl releases, that Richard didn't put both of their solo albums out as part of those collections, as a gift to the fans. It won't happen but it's nice to imagine.

I'm still really surprised and amazed that Karen's album made a four-part feature in Record Collector. It really isn't a publication that ever was a fan of their music or gave them much attention over the years.

I think this is the longest Karen Carpenter solo thread to remain open on this forum in like…forever

Don't jinx it!

Seriously though, I've thoroughly enjoyed this thread and all the discussion so far. Long may it continue!

 

[Bartog739]

Maybe Harry is on vacation.

 

[Harry]

Always here...

 

[Bartog739]

Aaarrgghh!!!

 

[Harry]

Hey, I too would love to have a vinyl version of KAREN CARPENTER. I'd want standard black vinyl though. Can you imagine the ugly khaki green vinyl that Universal would come up with?

Given the album's generally poor sales, I wouldn't look for it anytime soon. But maybe someday...