Another Son
Well-Known Member
There are so many to choose from. Maybe ‘Solitaire’.
-
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.
Karen's Signature Vocal Recording
- Thread starter Nemily
- Start date
JuanDela
Member
To me they have many signature songs, so I'd have to go with Yesterday Once More, Goodbye To Love, I Won't Last A Day Without You, Rainy Days And Mondays, I Need To Be In Love, Only Yesterday, and of course, Close To You.
I know they're a lot, but I think these are the songs that encapsulate the Carpenters' sound the best.
I know they're a lot, but I think these are the songs that encapsulate the Carpenters' sound the best.
Good observation on the 1980 version being more polished. The 1980 version was recorded in a studio in March 1980 for tracks on the TV Special Music, Music, Music.
The 1974 version had more energy as it was from a live recording. It was recorded during a show at the Riviera Las Vegas and was mixed by Richard in 1985 adding a kick, bass, piano and background vocals due to an error in the original 1974 recording. Karen’s lead, the orchestra and the drum kit are the only parts that came through on the original tape.
The original Japan limited edition 1985 Anthology LP set did not include the Medley. The Medley was released on the CD Anthology (89) set Catalog number: PCCY-10023 (Japan). Anthology was re-released twice, in 1989 and 1997. The 1971 Studio Album track includes a very abbreviated Make It Easy on Yourself.
I really like that one too.
Jack A.
Well-Known Member
Another one I should add: it may not have been a hit, but I feel that “Someday” is one of Karen’s best leads, just with how controlled she is in some parts and even yet much emotion she puts into other parts. And you have to remember that she was only 19 at the time. That’s only two years older than me, and I simply cannot imagine anyone around my age being able to sing like that, with such a mature sound.
So was Karen drumming for the recorded Riviera Vegas medley that was released on the Japan Anthology CD?
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
You forgot to give credit to the keyboard kick drum that Richard added.
By golly I did forgetCubby O'Brien - drums
Richard Carpenter - Kurzweil Synthesizer “kick” drum
JohnFB
She was born to belong to the lines of a song...
Love this version of the Medley, especially with the inclusion of ANY DAY NOW and BABY, IT'S YOU - maybe even more than the 1971 BBC concert version - sound quality is surprisingly good but too bad there isn't a video - were they using some pre-recorded music in the background?
And Karen's voice - beautiful as ever but is there a very slight "edge" or "roughness"? Too much live performing? Side effect of her "health problems"? In transition still to full maturity? Am I hearing things? All of the above? Listen especially to her killer version of MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF at the 8:33 mark...What do you think?
And Karen's voice - beautiful as ever but is there a very slight "edge" or "roughness"? Too much live performing? Side effect of her "health problems"? In transition still to full maturity? Am I hearing things? All of the above? Listen especially to her killer version of MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF at the 8:33 mark...What do you think?
Last edited:
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Some of the multitracks from the concert soundboard weren’t working correctly and the audio wasn’t recorded on the night - the kick drum, bass and Richard’s backing vocals. Richard had to add these in the studio in the 1980s when working on this medley for the anthology. That’s why much of it sounds pre-recorded - because it is.
JohnFB
She was born to belong to the lines of a song...
I was thinking specifically of the background harmony vocals throughout - they seem very full and tight and really solid and so at least maybe partly pre-recorded - if not, then the whole band really had it all together after what was many hours (years) of rehearsal...
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Yeah they’re pretty much all Richard multitracked in the studio.
I love this version, too. It's right up there with my all time favorites. I'm not quite picking up on the same roughness or edge you are, but I don't have many live performances to compare it to. I wonder if her singing was the good live all the time?
downeypatriot
Member
What a tribute to Karen and a true testament to her talent.....that so many different recordings are mentioned here!
KNP1701C!
Active Member
If I had to choose one song that I consider to be Karen Carpenters' signature tune.. I'd likely say that it was "We've Only Just Begun"... It is one of those songs that within in three seconds of hearing Karen's vocal you know exactly who it is singing.. Yes, other songs from their vast catalog of hits also have the same quality but We've Only Just Begun sticks out in my mind. And it was a bank commercial of all things! Karen was all of 20 when she laid down her vocal track for the song... and yet she sounds like a young woman that has been married to a great guy, has a few kids running around and the perfect white house, with two cars, a garage and a dog... That's just how powerful she was as a singer... could take a song and wring out every drop of emotion from it...
PaulinUK
Well-Known Member
It's often cited, but I guess it can be repeated, but I find Superstar to be her signature.
The power, control and emotion of her performance is electrifying every time - and I've probably listened to that track over 5,000 times over the years.
When I play the Carpenters to friends who are unaware of, or dubious about, their music ('aren't they the cheesy group who did Top of the World and Close to You?'), generally without fail people are hugely impressed with Superstar.
It's also a bit more 'rocky' than their other hits, the lyric slightly more risqué, and even the video more brooding and atmospheric than some others - which I think gives my friends, at least, a sense of Karen's raw talent, range and breadth.
And then, of course, when it finishes, I like to point out 'this was essentially the first take she recorded'. That converts 'em fully!
The power, control and emotion of her performance is electrifying every time - and I've probably listened to that track over 5,000 times over the years.
When I play the Carpenters to friends who are unaware of, or dubious about, their music ('aren't they the cheesy group who did Top of the World and Close to You?'), generally without fail people are hugely impressed with Superstar.
It's also a bit more 'rocky' than their other hits, the lyric slightly more risqué, and even the video more brooding and atmospheric than some others - which I think gives my friends, at least, a sense of Karen's raw talent, range and breadth.
And then, of course, when it finishes, I like to point out 'this was essentially the first take she recorded'. That converts 'em fully!
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
My late dad absolutely loved this song. Whenever I had the 69-73 Singles Overture on at home, all my dad had to hear was that three note oboe and he’d exclaim “I love that song!”. I also vividly remember him being at my home in Spain many years ago, we had the tunes playing in my garden and “We’ve Only Just Begun” came on. I think it was really the first time he’d ever laid back, relaxed and actually listened to her vocal. He said to me “she had a really lovely voice that girl”.
PaulinUK
Well-Known Member
And he was absolutely spot on! Great to hear how you shared Karen’s vocal magic with him (and, no doubt, many many others)
JohnFB
She was born to belong to the lines of a song...
This is invariably the enthusiastic response of music video "reactors" on YouTube - there is one young lady whose jaw literally drops when Karen starts to sing. Then she stops the video after the first verse to say something, but is speechless for about 15 seconds or so. And then she finally blurts out how she used to love Luther Vandross's version and how "haunting" Karen's voice is...[she has by now reacted to a couple dozen Carpenter songs and is a gigantic Karen fan girl - she goes by the name Day One Reacts]...
I love the song and Richard's masterful arrangement - as far as the vocal goes its truly amazing either way but I prefer her live version on the 1971 BBC concert - there is no overdubbing of her lead vocal on the choruses and one can hear just how incredibly good she actually, naturally was...
Late2theParty
New Member
How different would things have been if Karen and Terry Ellis had made a union as spouses AND management. Oh well.
JohnFB
She was born to belong to the lines of a song...
I've wondered about that too - somewhere it was intimated that her constant and overextended touring schedule - and he being situated in GB much if the time - kept them apart and ended any serious consideration of a permanent relationship - I don't know how true that is but it seems to make sense - it looks like he was THE ONE because it was also reported that she tried later to get back with him, but he was engaged to someone else...a marriage to him might have made a big, big difference for her - the personal happiness she so deeply wanted and deserved, and perhaps the children she so strongly desired - not to mention the career change possibilities...and just maybe some resolute help in beating the "malnutrition problem" - yes, a lot to expect or hope for from a romantic relationship, but who knows...
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Terry Ellis must have been interviewed by Ray Coleman for the first bio because some of his comments about their stage act are included there, but it’s interesting that he has never gone on camera or on the record about his relationship with Karen in any of the TV or radio documentaries that have ever been made.
Similar discussions
