Another old file, this time a review of the Carpenters' 1975 concert in Philadelphia:
Harry
Review in Philadelphia’s EVENING BULLETIN – 1975
Carpenters: 2 Polished Performers
By PATTI MENGERS Of The Bulletin Staff
Karen and Richard Carpenter are more than two wholesome, unspoiled kids. They’re polished performers with a soft sound one could go on listening to for hours.
The Carpenters, appearing at the Valley Forge Music Fair now through Sunday, attract a crowd from ages 6 to 60 and hold it tight for a good 90 minutes.
The show starts off quite appropriately with the song “Superstar.” Then, through the expertise of their fine clarinetist, they glide easily into “Rainy Days and Mondays” followed by “Goodbye To Love” which proves to be a catalyst for the whole group of seven.
. . .
FROM THEN ON it’s a thoroughly enjoyable musical trip for both the audience and the performers. The Carpenters are easy to watch as they are to listen to, creating a comfortable atmosphere minus gimmicks.
Without a doubt, their backup is one of the best in the business, completing the couple’s more than faithful recreation of their recordings.
Fine woodwind work has always been distinctive to the Carpenters soft rock sound and it’s featured in a unique classical-jazz composition, “Mr. Guder”, a song about Richard’s former Disneyland employer.
Speaking of Disneyland, the group’s drummer (complement to Karen) is none other than Cubby O’Brien from the Mouseketeers. Another treat included in the show is the Valley Forge Elementary School Choir which helps out with the Carpenter’s choral work in their latest million seller, “Sing.”
Skiles and Henderson, the comedy act tagged onto the show, prove to be lots of fun in their improvisational antics.
Harry
