Karen sings The Wedding Song at her Wedding

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Murray, I think this deserves it's own post.

I know that we talked about this years ago over at Ran's old site.

Karen sang this song "Because We Are in Love" at her wedding. I have heard the original version so much in my head that I have her voice memorized.

Is everyone convinced that this is a live recording from Karen? It seems that Richard is using the original background track & vocal from the choir. But listening again to this today, I can tell on different places that there are subtle differences from Karen's vocal. It's hard to hear it cause she is so textbook. I think it is a live version. I thought the very first time I heard it that she was possibly just lip synching the oriignal vocal track.

If she is doing this live...then this is yet another piece of evidence that Karens' deep rich vocals never left her & that her anorexia did not affect her vocals, even in 1980.

What does everyone think?

 

[Murray]

Is everyone convinced that this is a live recording from Karen? It seems that Richard is using the original background track & vocal from the choir. But listening again to this today, I can tell on different places that there are subtle differences from Karen's vocal. It's hard to hear it cause she is so textbook. I think it is a live version. I thought the very first time I heard it that she was possibly just lip synching the oriignal vocal track.

I remember hearing an interview on the BBC (during the Made in America promotional tour) in which K&R discuss this song. Karen had wanted to sing "Because We Are In Love" live at the wedding, but Richard talked her out of it. He figured that she might be too nervous when the time came, and make a mistake. So instead, she recorded her vocal in the studio the day before the wedding, and the tape was played before Karen walked down the aisle. The version that ultimately appeared on Made in America IS a different lead vocal (you have good ears Chris). Karen re-recorded her vocal for the album. Just in case you were wondering, Richard's performance of "The Wedding Prayer" was done entirely live (RC's vocal, choir and orchestra).

Murray

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Oh wow then I learned something new here.

I imagined Karen singing this right in front of the wedding audience from start to finish.

But that is wrong. So the song actually started to play before she came out?

At what point in the song did she make her entrance? I have never seen this video before, I'm curious.

If you could give me some detail of what picture I could be thinking of when these songs are being played at her wedding that would help me.

I think this is so cool to know that she re-recorded her vocals just prior to the wedding, Man her voice is so textbook & I hear her rich deep vocals. Very cool.

Thanks alot.

 

[Murray]

But that is wrong. So the song actually started to play before she came out?

At what point in the song did she make her entrance? I have never seen this video before, I'm curious.

If you could give me some detail of what picture I could be thinking of when these songs are being played at her wedding that would help me.

It's been a while since I watched the tape, but I recall it going like this...

Instrumental music played in the background while the guests were being led to their seats by Richard. Once everyone is seated and Tom, the best man and the minister are in place, the tape of Karen singing "The Wedding Song" begins. The guests are seen looking around, perplexed, trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. Immediately after the tape ended, "Here Comes The Bride" started to play, the bridesmaids entered from the rear of the room and walked to the front, followed by Karen and her father. Once Karen was beside Tom, then Richard sang "The Wedding Prayer", followed by Rev. Schuller's remarks and then the exchanging of vows. After Tom kisses Karen, the wedding party departs as Mendelsohn's Wedding March plays.

Murray

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

thanks murray that helps.

So back to the song, Because we are in love, So the original song on the MIA CD, this would have been recorded prior to Karen's wedding, right? I just was wondering why you all think she decided to re-record this track for her wedding. Did she think the original version was too formal or standard and she was looking for a more "personal feel"???

Maybe she wanted it to sound like a work lead to get the feel of the audience that she was "right there" According to your remarks she got her wish, everyone was looking around for her Hee Hee

 

[Murray]

So the original song on the MIA CD, this would have been recorded prior to Karen's wedding, right? I just was wondering why you all think she decided to re-record this track for her wedding. Did she think the original version was too formal or standard and she was looking for a more "personal feel"???

Maybe she wanted it to sound like a work lead to get the feel of the audience that she was "right there"

The vocal that Karen recorded the day before the wedding was the ORIGINAL vocal. Richard and Peter Knight finished recording the orchestra/choir just hours before Karen was rushed into the studio. Her vocal sounds more like a "work lead" likely because there wasn't time to polish it too much. The following year, when they were working on MIA, they decided to include the song on the album. Karen re-recorded her vocals during the MIA sessions, and it's this later vocal that is on the CD.

I hope that this clears up the confusion.

Murray

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

OMG Murray, now I understand. Thanks for that clarification. Is there a way to save that song & burn it to cd? But I don't think I can burn a real player file?

Wouldn't it be cool for Richard to give us this "work lead" type version as a bonus on a new cd?

I would think he would still have this version, don't you? Maybe it's too personal for him to release it.

 

[SakuraSYayoi]

Do you know this site?

http://www.karencarpenter.net/

Click on Page 15. You will see beautiful wedding photos. Because I was not in Fan Club at that time and I could not buy Karen's wedding photos, I was very glad to find this site. Who is in KC and Frinends Photo?

To Olivia fan,
click on Page 18.

Chris,
I wrote to you in PM. The link will disappear in a few days or weeks, so please hear it soon.

I am going to do long quotation. I hope you enjoy Rosina's report.
Sakura

Rosina wrote in newsletter:

Hi Friends!
To correct the "misquotes" you may have read in various Press descriptions
of Karen's marriage to Tom Burns, the following is an accurate report from a
guest who attended that momentous occasion!

August 31st 1980, was a very warm, brilliantly sunny day, and our hearts
were filled with a matching warmth as we were about to witness the marriage
ceremony of a very special couple.

As the four hundred and fifty four guests were ushered to their seats in the
Crystal Room of the exclusive Beverly Hills Hotel in California, the
delicate strains of organ music played, and the atmosphere felt as sacred as
any wedding chapel or church.

The magnificent decor was specially designed to simulate a 1950's wedding in
an olde English garden setting. Every window and pillar in the room was
covered with silver foil-backed trellises, interwoven with white orchids,
gardenias. violets and lemon leaves. Huge baskets of orchids were suspended
from the ceiling, and another trellis heavily laden with purple stocks (to
simulate wisteria) and lemon leaves, was positioned above the custom built
altar. framing the bridal party.

Prior to the service, Richard appeared in gray morning coat to take his
position at the piano, where he accompanied the 40 piece Tom Bahior Chorale,
as well as Earl Dumler on oboe, and Gayle Levant on harp. The renowned
English orchestra leader Peter Knight. flew from his home to make his
contribution to the music for Karen's wedding, and conducted the choir. As
the maestro and choir float serenely into a medley of nostal Carpenter hits
and other love ballads as only Richard can articulate with his superb
arrangements, it was difficult to keep a dry eye!

Dr. Robert Schuller, Pastor of Garden Grove Community Church, and frequent
preacher on televised services. officiated at the wedding ceremony. He
escorted the very handsome groom and his best man (brother Richard to the
altar.

The bridegroom's parents headed the bridal procession, Mrs. Burns looking
very elegant in a pale green chiffon gown with a matching lace
re-embroidered jacket, and a matching picture hat trimmed with pale green
silk gardenias.

Richard left the piano for a few moments to escort his mother down the
aisle. Mrs. Carpenter looked equally elegant and happy, wearing a gray satin
stripe over lavender chiffon gown, trimmed with lavender lace embroidery at
the neckline and cuffs. Her picture hat consisted of lavender chiffon with
lavender posies of forget-me-nots.

As the music faded out, a momentary pause, then Karen's crystal clear voice
conveyed her personal message to her bridegroom with an awesome recording
entitled "Because We Are In Love". Richard composed and arrange this
masterpiece in commemoration of Karen's wedding, in coordination with his
longtime writing partner John Bettis who wrote the lyrics. What a moving
moment to precede the nuptials.

The bridal path (aisle) was lined with custom built white gardenia topiary
trees, and large woven baskets of pink chrysanthemums, making a perfect
setting for the bridal procession as the tiny flower girls scattered the
petals dutifully. Their charming Victorian style gowns of white Swiss
embroidered cotton were bloused at the hips with white silk taffe sashes.
Their hose and patent leather shoes were also, white, and their purple straw
hats were ringed with lace and violets. The smaller flower girl's twin
brother (Karen's godchildren) was the ring bearer. Looking adorable in a
white satin knickerbockers outfit with lace ruffles and white silk
cummerbund. white hose and patent leather shoes, carrying the unique ring
pillow. This was specially created by designer Bill Belew, who used remnants
of material from all the gowns he had made for Karen over the years for her
many televised Carpenters performances.

The procession of ten bridesmaids, each on the arm of a morning coated
usher, followed by the matron-of-honor was a picturesque scene. Their waltz
length gowns of lavender chiffon over crepe-de-chine slips featured double
tiered cape sleeves and sweetheart necklines. Their waistlines were
accentuated with emerald green sashes adorned with a posy of lavender silk
violets, and each carried a sheaf of deep purple dendrobin orchids, tied
with emerald green satin bows.

Now the moment we had all been waiting fort As the opening chords of "The
Bridal March" warned us of the imminent appearance of the bride all heads
turned as Karen emerged on the arm of her proud father, looking absolutely
exquisite and radiantly happy.

Her gown was modeled after an 18th. century riding ensemble, Made of white
mausseline-de-soie, the long sleeved jacketed gown with a long train
featured a floral design of iridescent seashells and sequins. Fifteen yards
of material were used for this work of art! The bride's silk elusion veil
cascaded from a white chiffon detachable brimmed picture hat, fashioned with
a Juliet cap crown embroidered with sequin-studded flowers.
Lilies-of-the-valley was Karen 5 choice for the bouquet she carried,
interwoven with wired loops and streamers of tiny white pikaki petals which
gave a lace effect.

As the Bride met her Groom at the altar, both smiled broadly and the service
began. After Richard sang a very moving version of "The Wedding Prayer", and
the couple exchanged marriage vows (loud and clear!) and they exchanged
rings the pastor proclaimed Tom and Karen "Husband and Wife" at the
completion of the service.

All eyes were glued on the happy couple as they returned down the aisle.
While Tom and Karen held a Press conference and posed for cameras, the
guests were served cocktails as they mingled in the Maisonette Room. It was
fun meeting so many celebrities The guests later returned to the Crystal
Room for the wedding luncheon.

Each table was elegantly decorated with lavender linen tablecloths covered
with white lace and matching napkins. The mirrored centerpieces, fashioned
to simulate a lake with crystal swans bearing a stem of purple orchids, were
"floating" atop the mirrors. Amidst the swans were elaborate arrangements of
alba lilies and African violets, and white chocolate woven baskets of
lavender chocolate flowers and silver almonds.

The menu consisted of limestone lettuce salad with shrimps, breast of
chicken chasseur sous cloche (under glass), broccoli polonaise, rice pilaf,
Chablis wine, strawberries Romanoff with bisquit fans and coffee. During the
luncheon a toast "To The Bride And Groom" was proposed by the head usher Lt.
Governor of California Mike Curb.

The spacious dance floor and music of the Michael Paige Big Band invited the
newly weds to lead off the first dance to the accompaniment of...you guessed
right! "We've Only Just Begun". As the guests joined in the dancing, the
atmosphere became steeped in nostalgia.

Later on the spectacular 4 tiered wedding cake was wheeled into view of
everyone in the center of the dance floor. and while cameras clicked
furiously, the couple cut the first slice. It was a delicious mixture of
chocolate and mocha filling, covered with white fondant icing, scalloped
edging highlighted with lemon colored iced decorations, wedding bells and
lilies-of-the-valley. The top tier displayed the traditional figures of a
bride and groom embraced by two interwoven lace trimmed hearts.

Before the bride and groom left the ballroom to prepare for their honeymoon
departure. Karen tossed her bouquet into the crowd of single female guests
and was retrieved coincidentally by her good friend Olivia Newton-John. Her
garter was caught by a "non-celebrity" young bachelor.

So ended an unforgettable wedding. Indeed royalty could not have staged a
better production!

Karen chose a dusty rose silk linen two piece outfit for her going away
ensemble. The dress was cut on the bias and featured a sweetheart neckline
and peblum jacket complemented by a beige silk straw hat offset with pink
lilacs, beige kid gloves and bag. and dusty rose shoes.

The newly weds spent a few days in Mexico before flying on to the South
Pacific island of Bora Bora for ten days. They are presently residing in
Beverly Hills and hope to build a new home in the future.

Another colorful event preceding the wedding was a shower given for Karen by
her matron-of-honor Frenda Leffler and bridesmaid Carole Scott (sister of
Mike Curb). It was Carole who initially introduced Tom and Karen to each
other.

The shower was held at the exclusive Hillcrest Country Club where about
fifty guests enjoyed an elegant lunch, and the opportunity to "Shower Karen
with love and affection". Karen looked superb in a two piece outfit of
daffodil yellow organza with white daisies appliqued on the skirt, spaghetti
straps, matching daisies on the jacket shoulders as a yellow silk straw hat
trimmed with white daisies. Yellow bag and shoes completed yet another Bill
Belew creation.

The color scheme was lavender and peach which included orchids flown from
Hawaii for the occasion. Karen was certainly showered with loads beautiful
gifts, but admitted feeling more nervous at her bridal shower than any
Carpenter concert! Actually she never looked happier, except course on her
wedding day. Celebrities at the shower included the Bee Gee's mother and
sister, Dareth Newley, Olivia Newton-John. Mrs. Mike Curb Mrs. Jerry
Weintraub. Mrs. Herb Alpert and of course the mothers of the engaged couple.

Some of you may be interested in a few statistics pertaining to the
"international" floral arrangements for the wedding, mostly flown in on
special order. Two thousand stems of orchids from Singapore,
lilies-of-the-valley for the bride's bouquet and the groomsmen's buttonholes
from Germany, orchids for the mothers handbags from Australia, four hundred
alba lilies from Oregon, one hundred dozen gardenias and pikaki from Hawaii,
four thousand stems of stocks and eight dozen chrysanthemums from Ventura
county in California.

The bridesmaids and ushers are listed as follows:

Matron of Honor: Frenda Leffler

Bridesmaids:

Connie Chapman

Linda Curb

Debbie Cuticello

Sandy Holland

Karen Ichiuji

Alana Megdal

Mary Rudolph

Carole Scotti

Elizabeth Van Ness

Joan Will

Flower girls:

Brooke Megdal

Ashley Leffler

Best Man: Rick Burns

Ushers:

Mark Armbruste:

Ephie Beard

Michael Burns

Vern Burns

Richard Carpenter

Mike Curb

Jolyn Gissell

Casey Kasem

Tony Scotti

Jeremy Van Ness

Ring Bearer: Andrew Leffler

Some of the celebrities who attended the wedding are as follows: M/M Herb
Alpert, M/M Mike Curb, John Davidson. Mrs. John Denver, M/M Daryl Dragon.
M/M Hugh Gibb & Berry, Dorothy Hamill, Casey Kasem, Joe Layton, Mrs. Henry
Mancini, Dean Paul Martin. Olivia Newton-John, Phil Ramone and Jo Jo
Starbuck.

Relatives of the family were reunited from Canada, England, Connecticut and
Maryland.

Karen wishes to convey her deepest gratitude for the hundreds of beautiful
congratulatory cards, messages and gifts which helped make her marriage so
memorable.

The family wish me to advise you, in response to the many requests
pertaining to availability of wedding photos, they are busy sorting out
enormous quantities of them. but some will be available later on at the
usual price, but it may take some weeks.

 

[Bruno]

In the music documentary "Close To You - Remembering the Carpenters", John Bettis says: "The wedding itself was.....I almost said bizarre. It was big."

I agree. Big show, little love, I guess.

Bruno

summer in Germany, about 30° Celsius

 

[PJ]

Karen and Richard Discussed The Wedding, Scale of Events , Coping with All the Planning on BBC Radio Special

Richard Recounted in Some Detail , the Background to Because We Are In Love (TWS).Working Against Deadlines , Richard and John Bettis Completed this Song One Week Before The Wedding ....

Richard Completed his Arrangement and Peter Knight Track Orchestration only Days Before 31/8 Wedding.When Recording Commenced at A&M Studios , Everyone Realised Parts of the Arrangement Were in Wrong Keys !! Richard Completed Work and Karen the Lead Vocal on Tape with 1 Day Left

The Wedding Song Had the Potential to be a Single in 1980 or 1981 , Probably not Later Due to Marriage Breakup.Had Richard Edited 5 Minutes Track to 3:50 and Cut Out Karen 's Opening Part as the Mother Figure , Starting the Song with Because We Are.....and Rearranging the Finale .....This Could Have Been a Memorable Single

Peter...The Wedding Song......

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Peter, I agree with you that this song had alot of potential, I never thought about cutting it down in size, that would not only make it sound different but could have been great for airplay.

The song is like a storybook, from begining to end, it tells a story. Editing it might take away from that but I'd still like to hear what Richard could do with this song.



Sakura,

Thank you so much for that long post, I was never apart of the fan club back then, although I have read some of the newsletters, I don't have any of them, I hear they are a collectors item to have all of them. I enjoyed reading that, thanks. Oh also thank you for the link in your PM message to me. I loved it, the song was very cool, thanks so much for thinking of me, your the greatest!!!! I will PM you when I get back from the concert.

 

[mr J.]

Wasn't his name Tom Burris? Some of the posts above referred to Karen's husband as Tom Burns.Also,there's an unreleased version of "The Lord's Prayer" sitting in the vaults,I wonder if that was recorded for Karen's Wedding?

 

[SakuraSYayoi]

Karen and Richard appeared on the Merv Griffin Show on 1 September 1981.
Karen talked in a interview "......since I got MARRIED which is a year ago yesterday". (I have seen the transcript of the show on website and have seen the clip of the interview also on web. But I have not heard Karen sing at the show.)

WHAT SONG did KAREN and RICHARD PLAY Merv Griffin Show?


Chris,

Thank you for your message, I'm glad that you enjoyed with my post and PM .
I'm looking forward to reading your review. Thank you.


mr J,

I heard and read "Tom Burris" in others. But I can read "Burns" in newsletter.
I wonder if "Burns" is middle name or a reading mistake to a website.

Sakura
.....is going to talk about Karen and Olivia in Olivia Newton-John topic.

 

[CraigGA]

I think that this was the show where Those Good Old Dreams was perforned.

Craig

 

[SakuraSYayoi]

Craig,

Thanks for your prompt answer.

As a child I was known for make-believing
All alone I created fantasies
As I grew people called it self-deceiving
But my heart helped me hold the memories......

Sakura

 

[Murray]

I think that this was the show where Those Good Old Dreams was perforned.

Craig,

They performed "(Want You) Back In My Life Again" on the Merv Griffin show.


Sakura,

Karen's husband's name was Tom BURRIS.



Murray

 

[SakuraSYayoi]

Murray,

Thanks a lot for your message. You watched the show in Canada!?

Sakura
......Karen,......
I've lived long enough with your memory
Now I know that I need you, know that I need you
Back in my life

 

[PJ]

Karen and Richard Performed Two Songs on Merv Griffin Show as Previously Messaged :

Want You Back In My Life Again -Just Released as USA Single (Which
Performed Very Poorly on Charts)

Those Good Old Dreams

-However due to Time Restrictions , TGOD was Cut From Show , Great Disappointment to Carpenters as This was a Favourite Track from MIA Album


Peter....Those Good Old Dreams......

 

[SakuraSYayoi]

Peter,

Thanks for your message. I appreciate your intelligible explanation.

Sakura

 

[mr J.]

"(Want You)Back In My Life again" probably sounded good in 1981,but listening to that song today,one wonders-"what were Karen and Richard thinking!".That song has 1981 written all over it! Those synthesisers were pretty trendy in the early 80's,but they really sound bad today.Karen's vocals on "Want You..",as on most of the MADE IN AMERICA sessions,are not that impressive,either.Her vocals on those 1981 tracks don't have the full-bodied richness of her earlier work.(kind of like the difference between heavy cream and skim milk!)

 

[Bruno]

I always enjoyed BACK IN MY LIFE AGAIN, because it is a very upbeat song, and not so depressive like so many of the early Carpenters hits.

Bruno

 

[Achim]

I always enjoyed BACK IN MY LIFE AGAIN, because it is a very upbeat song, and not so depressive like so many of the early Carpenters hits.

Bruno

Hi Bruno,

as for the "depressive sounding" early Carpenters songs like "Crescent noon" etc. - they are my favourites !!
Never mind !

Achim