Karen was amazing. Pitch perfect & clear (w/o auto tune.) Beautiful, rich tone. 3-octave range. Incredible breath control. Impeccable diction. Seamless transition between her upper & lower registers. And she makes you FEEL every word!! And Richard knew how to make the arrangements - instrumentation, timing, etc. - that fit them perfectly. Add their tight harmonies and… pure PERFECTION! Check out “Goodbye to Love” - where they introduced the world to the first “power ballad”
YES! Welcome to a long, sometimes joyful, often sad and heartbreaking ride with the Carpenters. You will not be disappointed! Consider We've Only Just Begun, Close to You, Yesterday Once More, and Rainy Days and Mondays for your next sampling.
You just witnessed and have been blessed by "One-Take Karen", as she was known, because she generally did all their songs in 1 take. Yes, she was *_primarily_* a drummer, but her brother knew how good of a singer she was and pushed her to step forward to front the band.
No auto tune. No sampling. Nothing digital. You either played or sang perfectly or you didn't. Yes, Karen was actually a drummer that sang. Her brother, Richard, is a total class act and was a fabulous musician and arranger. Karen's studio nickname was "one take Karen " because almost everything she did for years was PERFECT the first time!!
Yep, Critical.. Karen was a drummer.. that's what she always wanted to be, but when her vocal talent was discovered, she was pushed forward to sing.. her brother Richard was also a song-writer and harmony singer... her voice is hauntingly beautiful... right? (they have many more beautiful songs..this particular one is a "cover"- also know as "Groupie") appreciate your reactions...
Karen and Richard were siblings and she sang and played the drums. She always considered herself a drummer before a singer. Her brother did all of the arrangements and was brilliant. The last name of them were Carpenters so that is what they called themselves.
Although they are classified as "soft rock", the chord structures, especially in the backup vocals, often borders on jazz. I think that is from Richard's influence.
Yes, Karen did play drums on a number of the songs. Her voice though, is one of a kind! There has never been a voice like Karen's. Her brother Richard is the only one left from the group. Karen died in 1983 from an eating disorder: she was only 32 years old. Richard is the one that did the arranging of the music. I hope you would also react to their song, "We've Only Just Begun" - thank you. Peace. They were mainly in the 70s. Their first hit song was from 1969 "Ticket To Ride" - Karen was 19 years old. This was 1971 when Karen was 21.
Yes Karen Carpenter was ranked one of the top ten drummers. She started out drumming for her brother Richard's band but because of her incredible voice she got pushed up front to sing. She preferred to drum and called herself a drummer that happened to sing. She was very self conscious of her looks and fell into anorexia which eventually took her life very young. So much talent, so sad. I don't know how to send a link but Google Karen Carpenter playing a drum solo their 1976 TV special. It is incredible
That amazing sound, coming from such a crippled body. We will never know the pain she endured, but she’s left us with such a wonderful legacy. I hope she knows what she means to us.
RIP the peerless and angelic Karen. What an extraordinary and beautiful voice she had -- Karen was truly a once-in-a-lifetime talent who died so young and so very tragically.
my dad really loved the carpenters and i would listen to them all the time as a kid (i'm 66 now). you should check out their song "i'll say goodbye to love". there is a cool fuzz guitar solo that actually turned me onto rock music.
Yes! Karen Carpenter was an amazing drummer and actually considered herself to be “a drummer who also sings”. Her premature death was so tragic, but it did contribute to health professionals looking more closely at eating disorders which were not well understood at that time. In my opinion Karen’s voice is the only one that can come close to Linda Ronstadt’s. Those two are the most angelic voices the world has produced thus far. I have no doubt that she would have continued to make beautiful music either solo or with Richard if she had lived a long life. Nice reaction. 🌺✌️
Karen always considered herself as a drummer that could sing. Since she was a bit shy and took a while for her to step out from behind the drum kit. She had one of, if not the most beautiful natural voices to ever listen to. Her brother Richard that played keyboards did most of the writing, arranging, and helped with the recording, which he was nothing short of genius. One thing Richard did while recording was to use the same over-dubbing that Les Paul did with his wife Mary Ford. Losing Karen was a big loss to us all that loved her. Seeing the video for "Rainy Days and Mondays" is so emotional to me, to see how beautiful she was along with that voice, I choke up every time.
The Carpenters were Richard on keys and backup vocals, and sister Karen on lead vocals and drums. She had one of the sweetest, silkiest voices in modern history. Sadly, she passed away in 1983. They put out a lot of great music, mostly in the soft rock genre. Her voice was like an angel dripping with honey.
I heard she was nicknamed "One Take Karen" because she always nailed it on the first take. My favorite is "Goodbye to Love". The funny thing to me is the "controversial" guitar solos were by a guitarist from miles away who responded to a surprise request from Karen and Richard, for two guitar solos in the key of whatever, and an elapsed time of such & such. He recorded it and mailed the tape by US mail. This was before the age of the internet. I love how they just spliced it right in there. I love Goodbye to Love. You will like it too. The guitar melody resolves in a most satisfying way. Then there's some electronic effect that gives the guitar sound a crispness that is pleasing to my, and many other, pair of ears.
The song "superstar" was #2 on the charts in 1971.... It was yet another hit following their hits "Close to you", "We've only just begun" and "for all we know"... The Carpenters, Karen and Richard, were the top U.S. hitmakers of the 1970's with 12 top ten all time classics and many more top 40 and top 100 hits. Karen and Richard, did all of the vocals including the background vocals. Legend has it that Karen only 21 years old at the time! Recorded the song in 1 take reading the lyrics off the napkin. Luther Vandross version was a homage to Karen and her brother and he himself was a HUGE fan of Karen's voice. Then and now and forever, Karen Carpenter is recognized as one of the greatest vocalists who ever lived.
Karen was definitely a legend, love her voice and I appreciate their music much more than when I was a teenager, her voice just makes you melt, the majority of their songs are covers but her voice still portrays the emotions, she was a very depressed individual
About Leon Russel, The Carpenters made a beautiful version of A song for you, my favorite of his. Love The Carpenters. Please dive into their catalogue. It's huge!
Thanks for the reaction. This is one of their biggest hits. I think you would enjoy reacting to the video versions, though. In one of them, Karen is playing the drums, although you can't really see it. The first biggest hit was Close to You, a very romantic song to someone like me, at age 16! I think she was considered to have perfect pitch. She had a tragic life, passing away from anorexia at an early age. 😢❤❤ In my opinion, some of their best songs were this one you've reacted to, Rainy Days and Mondays, We've Only Just Begun, I Won't Last a Day Without You, Hurting Each Other, among others.
Karen is definitely one of my top 4 female singers and she was an excellent drummer and did play on some of their songs. Her loss left a great hole in the music field.
Craig...I'd really like to know ..who are the other 3 that you like above her? She's always been my #1 and I think most feel this way. Maybe you haven't heard ALL of her music music
@@michaelasay8587 I would put Barbara Streisand in there and Joni Mitchell and Lady Gaga I'm not really saying they are above her but, in their own right are close.
Nice reaction. Can't miss with Carpenters timeless music. Please do more. Check out some of Karens drum solos. Impressive how good she was and was so happy behind a kit. Richard and Karen were both very talented. Karens heavenly voice is penetrating. Still touches my soul every time I hear her.
You can find some of The Carpenters live TV performances here on TH-cam and some of the, this one I think, shows her playing drums. They did several different TV performances and I think they're mostly here online and easy to find.
That you for playing the original track from 1971. I can tell because the drums & brass sections really come forward. This was the version that stopped people in their tracks whenever they heard it!
With Karen even though she is a good drummer the world knew Karen,R.I.P., had a golden voice and one of the best of all time!They had so many fantastic tunes in less than a decade. Here are some of my favorites, We’ve Only Just Begun, Top of The WorldRainy Days and Mondays, and Close to You!,1970’s.She was just fantasizing from the music on the radio!
Her story's a sad one - mental illness wasn't discussed back then. Depression, eating disorders and the like weren't acknowledged - you need to listen to their "Rainy Days and Mondays" - it depicts the way we were taught to deal with such emotions. Her voice is so stunning - I remember a story about her brother starting a band and, while looking for a singer, she sat in with them to help out and - well, the rest is history. On a much more up-beat note, likely their biggest hit (pretty sure it was their first, anyway) was "We've Only Just Begun" - getting married and starting out your lives together. Enjoy!
There is so much rock history in this song for you to dig into. Of course, Karen Carpenter is the GOAT. This was Written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. It's about groupies and was written for Rita Coolidge as i recall. Coolidge and Russell dated and were part of the famous Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with Joe Cocker, which was recreated by Tedeschi Trucks Band a few years back with Russell in his last performances before he died. Bramlett was half of the Delaney and Bonnie group that opened for Blind Faith, their only tour. Eric Clapton in Blind Faith was bored and started playing with Delaney and Bonnie in their opening act and then toured with them afterward in Europe, bringiong his friend George Harrison in from the Beatles. There are videos out there of them playing together on that tour. Delaney and Bonnie's backing band became the core of what became Derek and the Dominoes, fronted by Clapton, recording Layla and Other Love Songs, and also the Mad Dogs backing band. Russell by the way was one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound with JJ Cale, who wrote Cocaine, After Midnight, which were recorded by Clapton, and They Call Me the Breeze, which was recorded by Lynard Skynard and others. Clapton and Cale became fast friends and recorded The Road to Escondido togehter, Cale's last album. Russell also was a member of the Wrecking Crew studio band heard on so many hits in the 60s and was a key contributor to the rock show Shindig. Whew.
And JJ Cale played with Delaney and Bonnie for a very short time but left long before they met Clapton. Bassist Carl Radle though was also from Tulsa and had played with Cale. He played a homemade JJ Cale tape for Clapton, who recorded “After Midnight” for his first solo album, helping Cale get a musical career going and pay some bills. And Rita Coolidge also dated Derek and The Dominos drummer Jim Gordon and wrote the piano coda on “Layla”.
Carpenters were huge. Dismissed as easy listening by the rock crowd, John Lennon stopped to compliment her on her vocal abilities when he ran into her. She started on the drums, in a group with her brother, she was unhappy to be pulled forward and be a front singer, she didn't like the pressure and attention, which led to her eating disorder. She was a competent drummer, but her rich tones were what marked her out as a superstar. Richard played piano, did the arranging/ orchestration . They were found and promoted by Herb Alpert, and signed to A & M records. First release was a cover of the Beatles A ticket to ride, which flopped, but was good, being a more laid back sound than the original, it had its own feeling. I like it. Close to you was a huge number one that catapulted them into the limelight and it was followed by a string of hits. Goodbye to love was pretty fantastic. Calling occupants, was another striking hit. It's a shame Karen didn't get more help and sympathy when she was alive. A sad end to a very successful career. See if you can dig out some more to listen to.
Karen Carpenter had the most pure woman's voice. Sad, short life. Her brother Richard did the musical arrangements, played the piano and backup vocals. One of their best songs, in my opinion, is "I Won't Last A Day Without You." Very heartfelt and believable. Karen makes you feel her emotions. Truly a voice of an angel. Yes, she did play drums on some of their songs. "Rainy Days and Mondays" is a song with her drumming. The Carpenters are also known for their harmonies. "(They Long To Be) Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" are great examples of their harmonies. Their sound is different and wholesome. That made them unique in the 70s and early 80s, as music had more genres developing. Enjoy!
You'll get many suggestions on which Carpenters song to review next because there are so many masterpieces. None is finer than their cover of Leon Russell's tune 'This Masquerade'. It is the definition of "chill" and if you have a personal easy-listening playlist you will add this to it, guaranteed!
a great reaction i grew up listening to the carpenters this took me strait back to the 70s Karen never wanted to come off the drums but she did but played now and then she had a very distinctive voice so thank you for this
Richard probably doesn't get enough credit because Karen later in their careers did record alone without Richard with another producer and it just didn't have the same magic. Richard's keyboard skills, his arrangements and his song selection allowed Karen's magnificent voice to shine and she was a world class drummer. It took a lot of effort on Richard's part to get Karen to leave the drum set and step out in front and sing to the crowd. She viewed herself as a drummer who could sing. You'll find also that they recorded the Beatles songs Please Mr. Postman, Ticket to Ride, and Help among them because the Beatles were fans of the Carpenters. She idolized Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. But the really sad part was there were reports over the years that she had social encounters with John Lennon and Paul McCartney where both praised her vocal skills and she just could never believe it, she thought they were just being polite. It only took some press snarkiness where they referred to her as overweight to trigger the illness that ultimately took her life. It is also not Christmas without Carpenters Christmas music.
Yeah the Carpenters started off the 70s with their winning formula of taking sad songs of heartbreak or unrequited love, and setting them to mellow to upbeat rhythms to making pop music hits. They owned the genre of easy listening ballads and popular music til the late 70s.. They recorded many cover songs, and made them their own. Brother Richard is a pianist, master composer and arranger.
Karen wanted to be known as a drummer who could sing rather than a singer who could drum. One take Karen (she usually only needed one take she was so good).Lost her way too soon to complications of anorexia. Check out Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976 first tv special video. ❤❤
Their songs hit you right in the heart but they are a little painful and melancholic to listen to. I remembered feeling a lot of sadness hearing these classics but I always loved listening to them.
I'm thinking you might also enjoy the tuneful group known as Bread from the '70s. David Gates was wonderful! ❤ The group called Ambrosia was also great, as was their lead singer, David Pack.❤🎉
Karen’s voice is like velvet. I have been a fan since they hit the scene in the early 70’s. Richards musical composition is perfection. We lost Karen way too young. It still brings a tear to my eye when I listen to her beautiful voice. I still remember where I was and what I was doing when the news broke that she had died. 😪❤️
Her voice was a hark-back to the balladeers of the '40's and '50's whom my parents loved, with the pure talent that has made this song a timeless masterpiece. Brings me to tears knowing that Karen died so young with so much left undone.
Their debut album was released in 1969 and they were popular all through the 70's. Unfortunately Karen died at the age of 32 from anorexia nervosas. It brought immediate attention to that disorder and made everyone aware of it. So sad
It's tragic that some people back then called this "elevator music". I think, thankfully, they are getting more and more credit as the years go by. Karen's voice is perfection and those that dismissed the music earlier on clearly weren't listening, the instrumentation and arrangements by Richard were very clever.
That is true. In reality, this single take was supposed to be a test take, to be used as a sample for when the final take was used. But of course it was so perfect it could not be improved upon, so it was used as is. That happened many times with Karen.
Early 70s, Karen is one of the finest female voices to ever sing pop music in the rock era. Brother Richard Carpenter sang harmonies, played piano, chose the songs they would sing, supervised arrangements, and generally managed their music affairs. I've long said that if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had ever had a child together, the child probably would have been born with the world's most beautiful popular music singing voice of all time.
Carpenters' era was from 1969 - 1983 when she died from complications from anorexia. She was a drummer with a great voice. They also had a few TV specials in the '70's some of which are on TH-cam.
Karen has an epic voice from the era and a tragic personal story. The Carpenters were a hit making machine in the 70s. You have scratched the surface with this song. Richard Carpenter arranged the music and wrote a few of their hit songs. But Karen Carpenter, who started out as their drummer, was the star of this group.
Welcome to the Carpenters rabbit hole. Their run was from 1969-1983 when Karen died from complications of Anorexia. They were the #1 American act of the ‘70’s. They have a lot of hits and just great songs. Brother Richard and Karen sister were Carpenters. The drums on this and many Carpenters album tracks was by the legend Hal Blaine. Karen was the voice of a century. Richard just celebrated his 77th birthday. I’m going to let you see that yes, Karen played drums, while singing. Not an easy thing and one of very few and even fewer females to do it. Think about it all four appendages are moving and you’re singing?! Here’s a great example from 1970, Karen is 20 their hit making is just starting to take off. This appearance was on The Ed Sullivan Show. The song was The Bacharach/David Medley and it was out doors on the grounds of an Army Hospital. The ESS was doing a salute to veterans special. Enjoy your journey. Joe th-cam.com/video/yrsuLCF9FtI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=v7xiRysN0YEeAyfI
This particular recording is a re-master, but the vocals and instrumentations are original, from 1971. Richard and Karen had heard Bette Midler singing this song on the Tonight Show. Richard thought it would be a hit for them and went about recording it within days. When he had piano, bass, and drums down, he had Karen sing a "scratch lead," (which was so good, they kept it) --reading the lyrics that her brother had scrawled on a napkin! It was the very first time she'd ever sung the song and she mastered it in one take.
Yes, I just posted on here about Bette Midler singing "the first original version" of Superstar on her first album, which I have.. Bette sang it way before it became popular by other artist that sang it. I love Karen's voice this is beautiful, however in my opinion Bette sang it with SO MUCH FEELING AND EMOTION it was just stunning!!
@@Rhiannon011 Bonnie and Delaney recorded and released it in 1969 (Bonnie Bramlet co-wrote the song) and Rita Coolidge also sang it on Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" in 1970. Bette's recording is stunning, indeed, and comes across as grittier, and more forlorn. She completely embodied the soul of the lyrics. Alas, Bette was a tad put out that the Carpenter's version got so much attention and airplay and would publicly refer to Karen as "goody two shoes." When asked if she was upset by Bette's less-than-pleasant attitude toward her, Karen shrugged it off and said something along the lines of, "I just remind myself that we had the hit." Bette doubled down, joking in her shows about Karen's dwindling popularity and her anorexia. Years later, Bette apologized, saying "...I was a jerk for saying those things. I was young and stupid and crazy and thought I was doing profound and enduring stuff. But I wasn’t - I was adding to the ugliness in the world.” Classy lady for taking ownership and working to right her wrongs.
@@Tevoro1962 Well than I stand corrected. I do apologize.🙏 Thanks for the information, maybe I should have checked the song out more by other artist. But I DO still love Bette Midler's version, I never tire of listening to it, but sad to hear things she said about Karen, thank goodness she later owned it and apologized. Karen had a very difficult sad life, with a lot of pressure from "certain people" about staying "slim", she gave so much to the world, with her music. I love almost all of Karen's songs, she has such a beautiful voice, starting out just basically being a drummer then wow her voice!! Have a lovely afternoon.
No mea culpa necessary. :-) Bette did sing it on the Tonight Show a year or so before she included it on her debut album in 1972. She did sing it before Karen did. After all, had the Carpenters not watched that night, history might have been different. I must say that, reading your description, I was inspired to listen to Bette’s version again. And I can absolutely see why you like it.
@@jaslo3910 I just love the "Divine Ms M" whole album, so many great songs, "Hello in there" (written by John Prine I believe) "Friends", Do you wanna dance". I got the CD out and started playing it after Critical reacts played this Karen's version of Superstar.
No doubt the Carpenters own this one, but I love the original by Delany and Bonnie. "This Masquerade" is another great Leon Russell tune that they covered beautifully.
Yes, it's different. I love that you expose yourself to and appreciate the different. Different is always good in music I like The Carpenters. I was a kid when they were big and I wasn't going to buy their albums, but I didn't mind hearing them on the radio, even into the 80s. I was a teenager when Karen Carpenter died. Her death did shine a spotlight on anorexia and helped bring it out of the shadows.
Hmmm....Well, let's just say she was one of the greatest voices ever. It's a little baffling younger people who are so into music don't know who she was....
They rode that meticulously arranged pop-AM sound all the way through the 70s to the disco era, which nearly wiped them out (and dozens of other artists as well).
Karen Carpenter = Best female singer and best singer/drummer male or female. One of a kind. There is no one on earth and there never will be anyone who can sing like Karen Carpenter. Look into their success, they dominated the music charts in the 70's. IMHO I believe they would today if Karen was still with us. Not a fan of theirs in the 70's (boy was I missing out) but looking at them today no one will ever do what they did again in their short history. First group to ever have a guitar solo in a ballad (Goodbye To Love). Need to check that song out. Great reaction. Madonna, Shania Twain, kd Lang, Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) all have said Karen influenced them. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Leon Russell, Alice Cooper, Frank Sinatra all said said best voice they ever heard. Neal Pert, Stewart Copeland, Shelia E. and others said she was a great drummer. Also 150 million in record sales.
I'm so glad you mentioned Delaney and Bonnie, they are so so overlooked and are one of the greats. As you mentioned, Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song. Their band, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends were a group of session musicians and included Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge (Leon's once girlfriend), Bobby Keys and Jim Price who played horns with The Stones, the backing band from Eric Clapton's band Derek and the Dominos. Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Dave Mason from Traffic all played with them. There's even a story about the night Hendrix joined them onstage. Bonnie Bramlett's and Rita Coolidge's versions of this song are incredible, much more soulful than Karen Carpenters' (although Karen has a wonderful voice and does a good job covering it). If you'd like to hear what Bonnie sounds like (she has one of the best voices ever) check out Delaney and Bonnie's Lay Down My Burden, or the live track, Things Get Better, from their On Tour With Eric Clapton album. Not to be missed!
Stop guessing when it was and look it before you react. It was called soft rock. In the 1970's we had this fancy thing called..."Variety..." Hello? ...it was not all Classic rock....or diso either. The Carpenters were the beauty in music amid all the hype, glitz, shock rock and other stuff, along with the group Bread, solo artists like Carly Simon, James Taylor and many others. And they had world wide appeal. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. And yes Karen DID play drums excellently but the ventually pushed her front so peope could seeher. She did not play on the records for time's sake, and the fact she wa not used to studio drumming, only live drumming.
70's pop. Noting exotic, just before your time. Richard arranged and Karen sang. Many of their songs are covers. BUT they remade the songs to suit their style. And their style revolve around Karen's singing. She died and the group died.
Karen Carpenter is one of the all time great singers who can express the depth of emotion in their music like no others. Karen was in a class than her own.
Well I hate to have to tell you, but even if you live another 100 years, you will never hear a singer better than Karen. Leon Russell also wrote and sang, " A Song for You ". Then Karen covered it, and it became hers. Sadly another dozen years later she was sent up to Heaven to join God's band.
I love this, Karen sings so beautifully. However in my opinion the best version of Superstar EVER was sung by Bette Midler. She sang this song way before Karen Carpenter did., way before it became popular on her first released album "The Devin Ms. M". Bette puts SO MUCH feeling and emotion into it, it is just stunning!!!! Bette's original version of superstar also has the "original lyrics" of> "I can hardly wait just to sleep with him again' as all the later versions of the song, sung by others replaced that lyric with "I can hardly wait just to be with you again", more commercial friendly.
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Karen was amazing.
Pitch perfect & clear (w/o auto tune.)
Beautiful, rich tone.
3-octave range.
Incredible breath control.
Impeccable diction.
Seamless transition between her upper & lower registers.
And she makes you FEEL every word!!
And Richard knew how to make the arrangements - instrumentation, timing, etc. - that fit them perfectly. Add their tight harmonies and… pure PERFECTION!
Check out “Goodbye to Love” - where they introduced the world to the first “power ballad”
YES! Welcome to a long, sometimes joyful, often sad and heartbreaking ride with the Carpenters. You will not be disappointed! Consider We've Only Just Begun, Close to You, Yesterday Once More, and Rainy Days and Mondays for your next sampling.
You just witnessed and have been blessed by "One-Take Karen", as she was known, because she generally did all their songs in 1 take. Yes, she was *_primarily_* a drummer, but her brother knew how good of a singer she was and pushed her to step forward to front the band.
No auto tune. No sampling. Nothing digital. You either played or sang perfectly or you didn't. Yes, Karen was actually a drummer that sang. Her brother, Richard, is a total class act and was a fabulous musician and arranger. Karen's studio nickname was "one take Karen " because almost everything she did for years was PERFECT the first time!!
Yep, Critical.. Karen was a drummer.. that's what she always wanted to be, but when her vocal talent was discovered, she was pushed forward to sing.. her brother Richard was also a song-writer and harmony singer... her voice is hauntingly beautiful... right? (they have many more beautiful songs..this particular one is a "cover"- also know as "Groupie") appreciate your reactions...
Goosebumps....that's what the Carpenters give me every time I hear them!!! Goosebumps!!! The Carpenters are one of my favorite bands.
I get taken on a spiritual, peaceful journey to hear an angel sing in heaven
Karen and Richard were siblings and she sang and played the drums. She always considered herself a drummer before a singer. Her brother did all of the arrangements and was brilliant. The last name of them were Carpenters so that is what they called themselves.
Yes, she was an excellent drummer.
Although they are classified as "soft rock", the chord structures, especially in the backup vocals, often borders on jazz. I think that is from Richard's influence.
Yes, Karen did play drums on a number of the songs. Her voice though, is one of a kind! There has never been a voice like Karen's. Her brother Richard is the only one left from the group. Karen died in 1983 from an eating disorder: she was only 32 years old. Richard is the one that did the arranging of the music. I hope you would also react to their song, "We've Only Just Begun" - thank you. Peace. They were mainly in the 70s. Their first hit song was from 1969 "Ticket To Ride" - Karen was 19 years old. This was 1971 when Karen was 21.
1971. Typical of pop music from that era, but done better than anyone else.
Only Yesterday is an underrated Carpenters song, definitely check it out!
Yes Karen Carpenter was ranked one of the top ten drummers. She started out drumming for her brother Richard's band but because of her incredible voice she got pushed up front to sing. She preferred to drum and called herself a drummer that happened to sing. She was very self conscious of her looks and fell into anorexia which eventually took her life very young. So much talent, so sad. I don't know how to send a link but Google Karen Carpenter playing a drum solo their 1976 TV special. It is incredible
That amazing sound, coming from such a crippled body. We will never know the pain she endured, but she’s left us with such a wonderful legacy. I hope she knows what she means to us.
This group has a nice rabbit hole dude. Karen's voice is just beautiful. She can play the drums pretty well also, good one, peace.
RIP the peerless and angelic Karen. What an extraordinary and beautiful voice she had -- Karen was truly a once-in-a-lifetime talent who died so young and so very tragically.
my dad really loved the carpenters and i would listen to them all the time as a kid (i'm 66 now). you should check out their song "i'll say goodbye to love". there is a cool fuzz guitar solo that actually turned me onto rock music.
Karen Carpenter is most definitely an excellent drummer.
Yes! Karen Carpenter was an amazing drummer and actually considered herself to be “a drummer who also sings”. Her premature death was so tragic, but it did contribute to health professionals looking more closely at eating disorders which were not well understood at that time. In my opinion Karen’s voice is the only one that can come close to Linda Ronstadt’s. Those two are the most angelic voices the world has produced thus far. I have no doubt that she would have continued to make beautiful music either solo or with Richard if she had lived a long life. Nice reaction. 🌺✌️
Karen always considered herself as a drummer that could sing. Since she was a bit shy and took a while for her to step out from behind the drum kit. She had one of, if not the most beautiful natural voices to ever listen to. Her brother Richard that played keyboards did most of the writing, arranging, and helped with the recording, which he was nothing short of genius. One thing Richard did while recording was to use the same over-dubbing that Les Paul did with his wife Mary Ford. Losing Karen was a big loss to us all that loved her. Seeing the video for "Rainy Days and Mondays" is so emotional to me, to see how beautiful she was along with that voice, I choke up every time.
- The "different sounds"/"great sound" is the product of Richard Carpenter's amazing talent as a musician/arranger.
She had one of the most beautiful voices ever! There’s a lot more, keep going!
The Carpenters were Richard on keys and backup vocals, and sister Karen on lead vocals and drums. She had one of the sweetest, silkiest voices in modern history. Sadly, she passed away in 1983. They put out a lot of great music, mostly in the soft rock genre. Her voice was like an angel dripping with honey.
You should check out the live version of them doing the Burt Baccarach medley, her on drums singing with the regular band....Wonderful!
I heard she was nicknamed "One Take Karen" because she always nailed it on the first take. My favorite is "Goodbye to Love". The funny thing to me is the "controversial" guitar solos were by a guitarist from miles away who responded to a surprise request from Karen and Richard, for two guitar solos in the key of whatever, and an elapsed time of such & such. He recorded it and mailed the tape by US mail. This was before the age of the internet. I love how they just spliced it right in there. I love Goodbye to Love. You will like it too. The guitar melody resolves in a most satisfying way. Then there's some electronic effect that gives the guitar sound a crispness that is pleasing to my, and many other, pair of ears.
Yes.
Yes. She’s a good drummer. Karen Carpenter had a gorgeous voice. I remember the day she passed away. I had to pull my car over for 20 minutes.
I remember the shock I felt when I heard of her passing, she meant so much to anybody with a pulse..
Soooo MANY great songs by them! We've only just begun by them should be next!!!❤
I can recommend "Carpenters - Solitaire". It really shows off Karen's voice.
Great group! Karen is a drummer on many songs. Live is Great too.
Goosebumps, every time hearing the beautiful voice of Karen Carpenter. 🎶🎶🎶❤️
The song "superstar" was #2 on the charts in 1971.... It was yet another hit following their hits "Close to you", "We've only just begun" and "for all we know"... The Carpenters, Karen and Richard, were the top U.S. hitmakers of the 1970's with 12 top ten all time classics and many more top 40 and top 100 hits. Karen and Richard, did all of the vocals including the background vocals. Legend has it that Karen only 21 years old at the time! Recorded the song in 1 take reading the lyrics off the napkin. Luther Vandross version was a homage to Karen and her brother and he himself was a HUGE fan of Karen's voice. Then and now and forever, Karen Carpenter is recognized as one of the greatest vocalists who ever lived.
Karen was definitely a legend, love her voice and I appreciate their music much more than when I was a teenager, her voice just makes you melt, the majority of their songs are covers but her voice still portrays the emotions, she was a very depressed individual
@@Nighthawk-mc6zd thanks for the info, I was always under the impression she was also depressed
About Leon Russel, The Carpenters made a beautiful version of A song for you, my favorite of his. Love The Carpenters. Please dive into their catalogue. It's huge!
Thanks for the reaction. This is one of their biggest hits. I think you would enjoy reacting to the video versions, though. In one of them, Karen is playing the drums, although you can't really see it. The first biggest hit was Close to You, a very romantic song to someone like me, at age 16! I think she was considered to have perfect pitch. She had a tragic life, passing away from anorexia at an early age. 😢❤❤ In my opinion, some of their best songs were this one you've reacted to, Rainy Days and Mondays, We've Only Just Begun, I Won't Last a Day Without You, Hurting Each Other, among others.
One of the most beautiful voices you will hear
Funny they were out at the same time as Pink Floyd,led Zeppelin and Yes. Etc.
Karen is definitely one of my top 4 female singers and she was an excellent drummer and did play on some of their songs. Her loss left a great hole in the music field.
Craig...I'd really like to know ..who are the other 3 that you like above her? She's always been my #1 and I think most feel this way. Maybe you haven't heard ALL of her music music
@@michaelasay8587 I would put Barbara Streisand in there and Joni Mitchell and Lady Gaga I'm not really saying they are above her but, in their own right are close.
Nice reaction. Can't miss with Carpenters timeless music. Please do more. Check out some of Karens drum solos. Impressive how good she was and was so happy behind a kit. Richard and Karen were both very talented. Karens heavenly voice is penetrating. Still touches my soul every time I hear her.
You can find some of The Carpenters live TV performances here on TH-cam and some of the, this one I think, shows her playing drums. They did several different TV performances and I think they're mostly here online and easy to find.
That you for playing the original track from 1971. I can tell because the drums & brass sections really come forward. This was the version that stopped people in their tracks whenever they heard it!
With Karen even though she is a good drummer the world knew Karen,R.I.P., had a golden voice and one of the best of all time!They had so many fantastic tunes in less than a decade. Here are some of my favorites, We’ve Only Just Begun, Top of The WorldRainy Days and Mondays, and Close to You!,1970’s.She was just fantasizing from the music on the radio!
Her story's a sad one - mental illness wasn't discussed back then. Depression, eating disorders and the like weren't acknowledged - you need to listen to their "Rainy Days and Mondays" - it depicts the way we were taught to deal with such emotions. Her voice is so stunning - I remember a story about her brother starting a band and, while looking for a singer, she sat in with them to help out and - well, the rest is history. On a much more up-beat note, likely their biggest hit (pretty sure it was their first, anyway) was "We've Only Just Begun" - getting married and starting out your lives together. Enjoy!
There is so much rock history in this song for you to dig into. Of course, Karen Carpenter is the GOAT. This was Written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. It's about groupies and was written for Rita Coolidge as i recall. Coolidge and Russell dated and were part of the famous Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with Joe Cocker, which was recreated by Tedeschi Trucks Band a few years back with Russell in his last performances before he died. Bramlett was half of the Delaney and Bonnie group that opened for Blind Faith, their only tour. Eric Clapton in Blind Faith was bored and started playing with Delaney and Bonnie in their opening act and then toured with them afterward in Europe, bringiong his friend George Harrison in from the Beatles. There are videos out there of them playing together on that tour. Delaney and Bonnie's backing band became the core of what became Derek and the Dominoes, fronted by Clapton, recording Layla and Other Love Songs, and also the Mad Dogs backing band. Russell by the way was one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound with JJ Cale, who wrote Cocaine, After Midnight, which were recorded by Clapton, and They Call Me the Breeze, which was recorded by Lynard Skynard and others. Clapton and Cale became fast friends and recorded The Road to Escondido togehter, Cale's last album. Russell also was a member of the Wrecking Crew studio band heard on so many hits in the 60s and was a key contributor to the rock show Shindig. Whew.
And JJ Cale played with Delaney and Bonnie for a very short time but left long before they met Clapton. Bassist Carl Radle though was also from Tulsa and had played with Cale. He played a homemade JJ Cale tape for Clapton, who recorded “After Midnight” for his first solo album, helping Cale get a musical career going and pay some bills. And Rita Coolidge also dated Derek and The Dominos drummer Jim Gordon and wrote the piano coda on “Layla”.
Carpenters were the best selling group of the 70's.. There are no bad Carpenter's songs.. Find them all..
Carpenters were huge. Dismissed as easy listening by the rock crowd, John Lennon stopped to compliment her on her vocal abilities when he ran into her. She started on the drums, in a group with her brother, she was unhappy to be pulled forward and be a front singer, she didn't like the pressure and attention, which led to her eating disorder. She was a competent drummer, but her rich tones were what marked her out as a superstar. Richard played piano, did the arranging/ orchestration .
They were found and promoted by Herb Alpert, and signed to A & M records. First release was a cover of the Beatles A ticket to ride, which flopped, but was good, being a more laid back sound than the original, it had its own feeling. I like it.
Close to you was a huge number one that catapulted them into the limelight and it was followed by a string of hits. Goodbye to love was pretty fantastic. Calling occupants, was another striking hit.
It's a shame Karen didn't get more help and sympathy when she was alive. A sad end to a very successful career.
See if you can dig out some more to listen to.
Its silly to claim that having her sing was a reason for an eating disorder. Its not that simple.
Best voice ever 😢😊😊.
Yes best female singer there was or ever will be
Karen Carpenter had the most pure woman's voice. Sad, short life.
Her brother Richard did the musical arrangements, played the piano and backup vocals.
One of their best songs, in my opinion, is "I Won't Last A Day Without You."
Very heartfelt and believable. Karen makes you feel her emotions.
Truly a voice of an angel.
Yes, she did play drums on some of their songs.
"Rainy Days and Mondays" is a song with her drumming.
The Carpenters are also known for their harmonies.
"(They Long To Be) Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" are great examples of their harmonies.
Their sound is different and wholesome.
That made them unique in the 70s and early 80s, as music had more genres developing.
Enjoy!
You'll get many suggestions on which Carpenters song to review next because there are so many masterpieces. None is finer than their cover of Leon Russell's tune 'This Masquerade'. It is the definition of "chill" and if you have a personal easy-listening playlist you will add this to it, guaranteed!
a great reaction i grew up listening to the carpenters this took me strait back to the 70s Karen never wanted to come off the drums but she did but played now and then she had a very distinctive voice so thank you for this
Richard probably doesn't get enough credit because Karen later in their careers did record alone without Richard with another producer and it just didn't have the same magic. Richard's keyboard skills, his arrangements and his song selection allowed Karen's magnificent voice to shine and she was a world class drummer. It took a lot of effort on Richard's part to get Karen to leave the drum set and step out in front and sing to the crowd. She viewed herself as a drummer who could sing. You'll find also that they recorded the Beatles songs Please Mr. Postman, Ticket to Ride, and Help among them because the Beatles were fans of the Carpenters. She idolized Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. But the really sad part was there were reports over the years that she had social encounters with John Lennon and Paul McCartney where both praised her vocal skills and she just could never believe it, she thought they were just being polite. It only took some press snarkiness where they referred to her as overweight to trigger the illness that ultimately took her life. It is also not Christmas without Carpenters Christmas music.
Yeah the Carpenters started off the 70s with their winning formula of taking sad songs of heartbreak or unrequited love, and setting them to mellow to upbeat rhythms to making pop music hits. They owned the genre of easy listening ballads and popular music til the late 70s.. They recorded many cover songs, and made them their own. Brother Richard is a pianist, master composer and arranger.
Karen wanted to be known as a drummer who could sing rather than a singer who could drum. One take Karen (she usually only needed one take she was so good).Lost her way too soon to complications of anorexia. Check out Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976 first tv special video. ❤❤
The first movie featuring Barbie (the doll) was a documentary on Karen Carpenter, who struggled with anorexia.
Their songs hit you right in the heart but they are a little painful and melancholic to listen to. I remembered feeling a lot of sadness hearing these classics but I always loved listening to them.
I love sad songs, so this may be just right for me 😅
I'm thinking you might also enjoy the tuneful group known as Bread from the '70s. David Gates was wonderful! ❤ The group called Ambrosia was also great, as was their lead singer, David Pack.❤🎉
To answer a question you asked, Richard Carpenter has a new album to be released next year.
Karen’s voice is like velvet.
I have been a fan since they hit the scene in the early 70’s.
Richards musical composition is perfection.
We lost Karen way too young. It still brings a tear to my eye when I listen to her beautiful voice.
I still remember where I was and what I was doing when the news broke that she had died. 😪❤️
Her voice was a hark-back to the balladeers of the '40's and '50's whom my parents loved, with the pure talent that has made this song a timeless masterpiece. Brings me to tears knowing that Karen died so young with so much left undone.
Their debut album was released in 1969 and they were popular all through the 70's. Unfortunately Karen died at the age of 32 from anorexia nervosas. It brought immediate attention to that disorder and made everyone aware of it. So sad
Karen Carpenter had an unbelievable voice. She could sing the phone book, and I’d listen.
It's tragic that some people back then called this "elevator music". I think, thankfully, they are getting more and more credit as the years go by. Karen's voice is perfection and those that dismissed the music earlier on clearly weren't listening, the instrumentation and arrangements by Richard were very clever.
Greay react 😊😊 please react "Carpenters a song for you" or "Carpenters Only Yesterday" in complete version is amazing 🤭🤗🤗
Karen recorded this track in one take. You can't improve on perfection. What a huge, unnecessary loss, still felt today.
I read somewhere once that her musical nickname was One Take Karen.
That is true. In reality, this single take was supposed to be a test take, to be used as a sample for when the final take was used. But of course it was so perfect it could not be improved upon, so it was used as is. That happened many times with Karen.
@@tektoniks_architects Except she's double tracked the lead vocal in the chorus.
You should try the Carpenters' "Goodbye To Love" next
Early 70s, Karen is one of the finest female voices to ever sing pop music in the rock era. Brother Richard Carpenter sang harmonies, played piano, chose the songs they would sing, supervised arrangements, and generally managed their music affairs. I've long said that if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had ever had a child together, the child probably would have been born with the world's most beautiful popular music singing voice of all time.
Carpenters' era was from 1969 - 1983 when she died from complications from anorexia. She was a drummer with a great voice.
They also had a few TV specials in the '70's some of which are on TH-cam.
Karen has an epic voice from the era and a tragic personal story. The Carpenters were a hit making machine in the 70s. You have scratched the surface with this song. Richard Carpenter arranged the music and wrote a few of their hit songs. But Karen Carpenter, who started out as their drummer, was the star of this group.
You love "Blue" kinda songs.... check out Rainy days and Mondays!
Welcome to the Carpenters rabbit hole. Their run was from 1969-1983 when Karen died from complications of Anorexia. They were the #1 American act of the ‘70’s. They have a lot of hits and just great songs. Brother Richard and Karen sister were Carpenters. The drums on this and many Carpenters album tracks was by the legend Hal Blaine. Karen was the voice of a century. Richard just celebrated his 77th birthday.
I’m going to let you see that yes, Karen played drums, while singing. Not an easy thing and one of very few and even fewer females to do it. Think about it all four appendages are moving and you’re singing?! Here’s a great example from 1970, Karen is 20 their hit making is just starting to take off. This appearance was on The Ed Sullivan Show. The song was The Bacharach/David Medley and it was out doors on the grounds of an Army Hospital. The ESS was doing a salute to veterans special. Enjoy your journey.
Joe
th-cam.com/video/yrsuLCF9FtI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=v7xiRysN0YEeAyfI
This particular recording is a re-master, but the vocals and instrumentations are original, from 1971. Richard and Karen had heard Bette Midler singing this song on the Tonight Show. Richard thought it would be a hit for them and went about recording it within days. When he had piano, bass, and drums down, he had Karen sing a "scratch lead," (which was so good, they kept it) --reading the lyrics that her brother had scrawled on a napkin! It was the very first time she'd ever sung the song and she mastered it in one take.
Yes, I just posted on here about Bette Midler singing "the first original version" of Superstar on her first album, which I have.. Bette sang it way before it became popular by other artist that sang it. I love Karen's voice this is beautiful, however in my opinion Bette sang it with SO MUCH FEELING AND EMOTION it was just stunning!!
@@Rhiannon011 Bonnie and Delaney recorded and released it in 1969 (Bonnie Bramlet co-wrote the song) and Rita Coolidge also sang it on Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" in 1970. Bette's recording is stunning, indeed, and comes across as grittier, and more forlorn. She completely embodied the soul of the lyrics. Alas, Bette was a tad put out that the Carpenter's version got so much attention and airplay and would publicly refer to Karen as "goody two shoes." When asked if she was upset by Bette's less-than-pleasant attitude toward her, Karen shrugged it off and said something along the lines of, "I just remind myself that we had the hit." Bette doubled down, joking in her shows about Karen's dwindling popularity and her anorexia. Years later, Bette apologized, saying "...I was a jerk for saying those things. I was young and stupid and crazy and thought I was doing profound and enduring stuff. But I wasn’t - I was adding to the ugliness in the world.” Classy lady for taking ownership and working to right her wrongs.
@@Tevoro1962 Well than I stand corrected. I do apologize.🙏 Thanks for the information, maybe I should have checked the song out more by other artist. But I DO still love Bette Midler's version, I never tire of listening to it, but sad to hear things she said about Karen, thank goodness she later owned it and apologized. Karen had a very difficult sad life, with a lot of pressure from "certain people" about staying "slim", she gave so much to the world, with her music. I love almost all of Karen's songs, she has such a beautiful voice, starting out just basically being a drummer then wow her voice!! Have a lovely afternoon.
No mea culpa necessary. :-) Bette did sing it on the Tonight Show a year or so before she included it on her debut album in 1972. She did sing it before Karen did. After all, had the Carpenters not watched that night, history might have been different. I must say that, reading your description, I was inspired to listen to Bette’s version again. And I can absolutely see why you like it.
@@jaslo3910 I just love the "Divine Ms M" whole album, so many great songs, "Hello in there" (written by John Prine I believe) "Friends", Do you wanna dance". I got the CD out and started playing it after Critical reacts played this Karen's version of Superstar.
No doubt the Carpenters own this one, but I love the original by Delany and Bonnie. "This Masquerade" is another great Leon Russell tune that they covered beautifully.
A Lot of great Female singers but none of them will ever compare to the greatest that ever lived Karen carpenter
Love your reactions to the boomers music. ❤
Yes, it's different. I love that you expose yourself to and appreciate the different. Different is always good in music
I like The Carpenters. I was a kid when they were big and I wasn't going to buy their albums, but I didn't mind hearing them on the radio, even into the 80s.
I was a teenager when Karen Carpenter died. Her death did shine a spotlight on anorexia and helped bring it out of the shadows.
Actually, it was the decision of the producers to use studio drummer Hal Blaine on the recording..
Very,, very UNIQUE Voice!!!
Nuanced Reaction! Subscribed.
Hmmm....Well, let's just say she was one of the greatest voices ever. It's a little baffling younger people who are so into music don't know who she was....
Please react to SING and FOR ALL WE KNOW by the Carpenters live from Japan 1974
Do more Carpenters!
They rode that meticulously arranged pop-AM sound all the way through the 70s to the disco era, which nearly wiped them out (and dozens of other artists as well).
She is a drummer who sings !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen Carpenter = Best female singer and best singer/drummer male or female. One of a kind. There is no one on earth and there never will be anyone who can sing like Karen Carpenter. Look into their success, they dominated the music charts in the 70's. IMHO I believe they would today if Karen was still with us. Not a fan of theirs in the 70's (boy was I missing out) but looking at them today no one will ever do what they did again in their short history. First group to ever have a guitar solo in a ballad (Goodbye To Love). Need to check that song out. Great reaction. Madonna, Shania Twain, kd Lang, Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) all have said Karen influenced them. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Leon Russell, Alice Cooper, Frank Sinatra all said said best voice they ever heard. Neal Pert, Stewart Copeland, Shelia E. and others said she was a great drummer. Also 150 million in record sales.
I'm so glad you mentioned Delaney and Bonnie, they are so so overlooked and are one of the greats. As you mentioned, Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song. Their band, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends were a group of session musicians and included Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge (Leon's once girlfriend), Bobby Keys and Jim Price who played horns with The Stones, the backing band from Eric Clapton's band Derek and the Dominos. Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Dave Mason from Traffic all played with them. There's even a story about the night Hendrix joined them onstage. Bonnie Bramlett's and Rita Coolidge's versions of this song are incredible, much more soulful than Karen Carpenters' (although Karen has a wonderful voice and does a good job covering it). If you'd like to hear what Bonnie sounds like (she has one of the best voices ever) check out Delaney and Bonnie's Lay Down My Burden, or the live track, Things Get Better, from their On Tour With Eric Clapton album. Not to be missed!
Didn't need to remaster the Carpenters..such a large rabbit hole...enjoy..
Stop guessing when it was and look it before you react. It was called soft rock. In the 1970's we had this fancy thing called..."Variety..." Hello? ...it was not all Classic rock....or diso either. The Carpenters were the beauty in music amid all the hype, glitz, shock rock and other stuff, along with the group Bread, solo artists like Carly Simon, James Taylor and many others. And they had world wide appeal. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. And yes Karen DID play drums excellently but the ventually pushed her front so peope could seeher. She did not play on the records for time's sake, and the fact she wa not used to studio drumming, only live drumming.
Ahhh Karen. Gone too soon. As a teenager in the 80's it wasn't cool to like The Carpenters but I've always loved them.
And the ANGEL sang
70's pop. Noting exotic, just before your time. Richard arranged and Karen sang. Many of their songs are covers. BUT they remade the songs to suit their style. And their style revolve around Karen's singing. She died and the group died.
About a groupie thatgets to sleep with herfavorite guitarist. He said he loved her. He moved on and she is holding out hope he will come back.
I love how your lovin on Karen😊
Karen Carpenter is one of the all time great singers who can express the depth of emotion in their music like no others. Karen was in a class than her own.
drumming along the likes of buddy rich that's karen
Well I hate to have to tell you, but even if you live another 100 years, you will never hear a singer better than Karen. Leon Russell also wrote and sang, " A Song for You ". Then Karen covered it, and it became hers. Sadly another dozen years later she was sent up to Heaven to join God's band.
More Carpenters
😊
Please listen to Lady Antebellum- I just need you now Thank you
I love this, Karen sings so beautifully. However in my opinion the best version of Superstar EVER was sung by Bette Midler. She sang this song way before Karen Carpenter did., way before it became popular on her first released album "The Devin Ms. M". Bette puts SO MUCH feeling and emotion into it, it is just stunning!!!! Bette's original version of superstar also has the "original lyrics" of> "I can hardly wait just to sleep with him again' as all the later versions of the song, sung by others replaced that lyric with "I can hardly wait just to be with you again", more commercial friendly.
Karen's most enduring legacy is probably putting a public face on eating disorders.
Karen Carpenter died at the peek of her career from anorexia. I guess he couldn't take it. She was so good, it's a shame.