Whose Idea was Music, Music, Music?
- Thread starter Mark-T
- Start date
Portlander
Well-Known Member
^ Which was also my only pet peeve when I saw them in concert. Richard loved this approach and truly excelled at it but the biggest hits should have always been performed in their entirety in my opinion. The outstanding Bacharach medley was always exception for me because it did not "waste" any of the Carpenter classics.
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Of all the shots they could have used to advertise the special, that’s a terrible one. She looks gaunt.
Portlander
Well-Known Member
And I don't think John Davidson ever took a bad photo!
That’s so sad, no one (in the industry at least) believed in them anymore, really.
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
It just begs the question why they went to all the expense of doing it only to then bury it in the graveyard slot...even if they were contractually tied into doing it.
GaryAlan
Well-Known Member
Further comments...
Beginning with the 1976 Special (which is pretty good for its day):
The special begins with a bit of humor, We've Only Just Begun and Richard's conducting...a synopsis of all to come.
When the 1973 Top of the World vocals are lip-synced by a 1976 Karen, I do not like that.
We got the Spike Lee influenced Close To You...which was interesting (RC vocals).
Of course, there is Karen's drum solo....always interesting.
John Denver was a pleasure as guest star (as was the Medley duet w/Karen).
The Superstar/Rainy Days Medley was very nice.
The Hits Medley was a fitting conclusion to the 1976 Special.
Easy to see why this special was a ratings winner. For its day, very good.
I like this one...but, enough with the Medleys !
Beginning with the 1976 Special (which is pretty good for its day):
The special begins with a bit of humor, We've Only Just Begun and Richard's conducting...a synopsis of all to come.
When the 1973 Top of the World vocals are lip-synced by a 1976 Karen, I do not like that.
We got the Spike Lee influenced Close To You...which was interesting (RC vocals).
Of course, there is Karen's drum solo....always interesting.
John Denver was a pleasure as guest star (as was the Medley duet w/Karen).
The Superstar/Rainy Days Medley was very nice.
The Hits Medley was a fitting conclusion to the 1976 Special.
Easy to see why this special was a ratings winner. For its day, very good.
I like this one...but, enough with the Medleys !
Heh! Spike Jones.
GaryAlan
Well-Known Member
By the way, in the 2001 interview with Elaine Paige, Richard Carpenter states--regarding the initial television specials (1976,1977,1978)--
"we thought we were going to do something different, the powers that be said 'no, you are going to do this'...."
About the final special:
Music, Music, Music...he says: "that's what I had in mind."
"we thought we were going to do something different, the powers that be said 'no, you are going to do this'...."
About the final special:
Music, Music, Music...he says: "that's what I had in mind."
Malu Makana
The Fidler Angel
Interesting though. What would a Spike Lee inspired "Close To You" sound like? Shades of "If I Were A Carpenter".
I’d pay a solid sum to hear that combo.
Vinylalbumcovers
Ah am so steel een luv weeth yoo
This is where Richard got it from. The version on the show is just like this. I own this record and it’s a gem
Ed
Having three of the four individuals in the ad with a wide-open mouth is not the most attractive image.
agreed.
Wow! I always figured it was just arranged a'la Spike Jones. I never knew it was a 'cover', so to speak.
Vinylalbumcovers
Ah am so steel een luv weeth yoo
Here's the credit line from YouTube:
This "Spike Jones tribute band" featuring bassist Tony Levin, his brother Pete on keyboard, and drummer Steve Gadd, pretty much sank without a trace after recording these two lone sides for the CTI Records subsidiary Three Brothers. "Close To You" did, however, get a bit of novelty airplay upon its release, Dr. Demento featured it on his syndicated show, and there are a few of us who are proud to own a copy of this somewhat rare 45. What did Richard and Karen Carpenter think about this dastardly skewering of their mega-hit ballad? Well, Richard is well-known to have been a lifelong fan of Spike Jones' music and apparently he enjoyed this spoof well enough to create his own similarly deranged.....er, arranged.....wacky version, which he and his bandmates performed during the Carpenters concert tour for a period during the mid-1970s.
Ed
Vinylalbumcovers
Ah am so steel een luv weeth yoo
Here's the B-side of The Clams' single. You'll know the tune:
Ed
Ed
GaryAlan
Well-Known Member
Here is a question.
If Richard so hated the "shtick" and "comedy skits" in the TV Specials (all save the MMM Special--no skits, no schtick),
then why did he inject so much of that type of thing in the later concerts ?
I wondered this while re-watching the 1976 Holland concert this morning (one of the few times that
"Don't Be Afraid" was performed in concert). Interesting concert, to be sure.
If Richard so hated the "shtick" and "comedy skits" in the TV Specials (all save the MMM Special--no skits, no schtick),
then why did he inject so much of that type of thing in the later concerts ?
I wondered this while re-watching the 1976 Holland concert this morning (one of the few times that
"Don't Be Afraid" was performed in concert). Interesting concert, to be sure.
newvillefan
I Know My First Name Is Stephen
Except it wasn’t.
Geographer
Well-Known Member
Not in a "ha ha" kind of way; but it is an entertaining bit and shows off the musical talent of Richard and the band. I thought it impressive.
