As a life long Carpenters fan and professional touring drummer starting at age 19, this performance clearly shows that Karen was at her absolute most comfortable and magical best behind her drum kit. Her gifts as a drummer and lead vocalist are simply extraordinary!
Truth be told, they were inseparable & should've stayed together. Mom Agnes didn't like Karen stealing all the thunder, so they decided she should Front the band. Her family must've sensed her discomfort with this decision, but they pursued nonetheless. It was never about Karen. She was considered a 2nd Rate Band Member by her mother, no matter how much the demands cried out for her loveliness 😔
@@bruschmidt9943 What you say about Richard as mom's "favorite" is most likely true, and has been well discussed - -- but the "Karen must front the band" idea came mostly from management, from Richard and oddly enough, studio drummer Hal Blaine. It was simply "common wisdom" that a group like the Carpenters would most benefit by a stand up front person. Karen had, early on, asked Hal to help her construct a drum kit just like he used in the studio, but once that was accomplished, he opined (and certainly, he was thinking he was offerring professorial advice) that the large number of toms arrayed in front visually blocked Karen - not a good for proper presentation, she was a star and needed to be seen, they suggested that the public would demand as much. Of course, in hind sight especially, this was the death knell rung for Karen, she didn't like it, she fought it, it made her more "body conscious" in a negative way, leading to the anorexia. What you suggest may, indeed, have contributed but the deck was stacked already without mom's input, AFAICT.
Yeah I saw that; i couldn't believe it, that was so slick. I just went back to see it again. Very smooth. She could have been a session drummer but add the rest of her talent and she was incredible.
all of the nuances in her singing, the expressions and little smiles, the fact that she is drumming!! this video it's just so GREAT. and besides everything, karen singing "any day now" gave me more 100 years of life.
Karen was absolutely flawless. Playing the drums and singing perfectly, in perfect pitch as well. Incredible my dear. What a marvelous, marvelous talent God blessed you with Karen. How I wish life would have treated you kinder. Thanks Karen and Richard for all the great music!
Matty Mattel and in this video she looked in good shape. but some bad comments about her really set her mind to extreme dieting. and the rest was sad history.😔
@@mohdazmi10 Why do celebrities, loved by millions, allow the nasty comments of a few dozen affect them. I try to get it. Adele is three times bigger and not sure it affected her to the point of anorexia. Love you Karen
@@oaesan She suffered from body dysmorphia disorder, I don't think they called it that back then though, which led to anorexia nervosa if I remember correctly their mother started giving Richard quaaludes and he became addicted then their whole career began to suffer, they would cancel shows, I just looked up and found pictures of Richard, he did not age well, it's pretty scary the way he looks now.
I saw The Carpenters (opening act)with Burt Bacharach in July 1970. My parents took my sister and I. It was his first show at The Greek Theater. My sister and I had on blue raincoats. The memory of a lifetime! Led Zeppelin was really good too! The joys of growing up in Los Angeles in the 70’s!
When I show this to musically inclined friends these days, they are always astounded. Opens their minds. This is Karen in her happy place - behind the drums and singing pleasurably. Maybe my favorite Carpenters video.
Richard is so underrated as an arranger ....Humble and a class act ...I would love to have seen them live , especially in her drum playing 100percent of the time era.....
Incredibly entertaining music and flawless harmonies executed live every single time. The Carpenters were a truly amazing group and Karen’s voice was smooth as silk.
Amazing band, remarkable vocals. Even through this old recording her magnificent voice shines, and her entire vocal support is spot on. And she's a kic ass drummer to. what a treat !
I can't believe how perfect Karen is with the drum's while she is singing perfectly at the same time... totally AMAZING!! I love the second song the most but all of these songs are great.
She had a nice small warm voice and perfect intonation, but playing an instrument while singing is not exactly amazing. This whole idea that Karen was some wicked drummer is kind of overblown. They were right to move her upfront - this kind of performance was far too collegiate. Anorexia is way more complicated than hiding behind a drum kit. She was a much better singer than drummer. Still a great post of this very difficult medley to sing. Beautiful to be honest.
@@TombCat Buddy Rich and Hal Blaine (two of the best drummers around) said she was an accomplished drummer - that's good enough for me - you are doing her a disservice by saying that her drumming is overblown. You are correct regarding her voice. Drumming while performing a 13 minute medley of lyrically difficult songs by Burt Bacharach is simply genius!
I love this Burt Bacharach Medley in their 1972 Concert in Australia! I really believe Karen and Richard are at their happiest here at this performance. Karen is filled with joy as she beautifully sings while happily drumming. I love seeing Richard singing harmoniously with his sister and expertly playing the keyboard. Also enjoy watching the entire band playing their individual instruments and contributing to the sound & music of The Carpenters! 💗🎹💚🥁💛🎸💜🎶🎤🧡🎵💗😊
Perfect!!... so sad she didn't get to live her life out to correct any mistakes..find someone to love her for her..have children..live her own life ect...miss you Karen❤️
After c1980, it was too late for Karen to recover fully enough to have a healthy childbirth. The recovery period could've taken years & it took 6 years to get to that irreversible stage. Of course she saw things differently; not good 😦. You cannot bear healthy children when you weigh 85-90 lbs.
So lucky to have seen the Carpenters in concert 3 times. First time 197I, I was in 7th grade & it was the first concert I ever went to. Karen was behind the drums the entire concert, that changed for the other concerts . Fantastic concerts, once in a lifetime voice!
She used the dark color sticks. Sometimes they are invisible so she looks as if she is waiving her hands in stead of playing drums. A true fairy of music that god sent us. Marvelous arrangement. Breathtaking.
This might be the most well rehearsed act of our time. Karen was a gift from GOD! A stage full of great musicians that all sing and play multiple instruments. The BBC Live performance is another great video to watch.
Probably the best live recorded music I've ever seen. How does she have such control over vocals while playing drums? TO me, it's like trying to have a conversation while jogging, which has never worked for me!
Agree, agree, agree! This set runs me through my emotions every time I play it - discovered this 6 years ago and I swear I play it at least 3-5 times per week. The discipline she had - that incredible voice done alongside top of the craft drumming. Unreal.
Well said Marty, She sets the tempo with her drums and hits every note with her voice! We watch astounded because she can do both simultaneously with more talent than those who have practiced too perfect just one of the two arts their whole lives! Timeless, indeed.
Thank you Karen Carpenter for doing your part to help tame mankind with your gift and talent. As a fan I'd like to think that life was a lot more tolerable with you and your brother's music as part soundtrack of my much younger self. I'll keep the music playing...
I always think of important music of a certain time in my life as the “soundtrack”. Nice to hear someone else use that term. The Carpenters, however, have remained a timeless soundtrack throughout many years.
WOW........ This was FANTASTIC!!! Amazing medley of songs with Karen sing and drumming just knocking it out of the park WOW!! Thank you for posting it for all of us to enjoy :)
This is so exceptional it brings me to tears. Perfectionism in music arrangement with a whole orchestra, pure unadulterated vocals - there is NOTHING that even comes close today. Please don't even try to suggest names because I'll stick my finger down my throat to every one you mention. I'm biased, but I also know great when I hear it. Miss you, Karen.
I agree with you, no one will ever come close to creating the magic that she did with her voice. She's the only singer that ever made me cry. I heard someone say that they think one of the reasons why so many people have such a visceral response to Karen's singing is because it sounds like a mother singing to her child, it's an interesting theory,who knows? Have you heard the version on TH-cam of the Bacharach medley from The Riviera? It's just the audio from 1974, it's my favorite version of this. The tempo is a little slower and the sound quality is so good,,if you listen with headphones it feels like you there.
How can a singer's voice sound so perfect, pitch, tone and intonation, LIVE? The answer: only one singer could achieve this in modern music and you are listening to her. This IS LIVE. LISTEN TO THIS VOICE AND THINK ABOUT THAT.
I'm always so amazed at how Karen's voice live sounded exactly like what you'd probably hear in the studio. Flawless and perfect! I don't think I've ever heard even a slightly off note come out of her mouth when they were performing live. Richard was no slouch either. 😁
A truly gifted and natural performer, made all the more clear by her ability to be as flawless on the drums simultaneously, and they had a fairly expansive repertoire and grueling touring regimine. I've watched dozens of videos, never once seen her flub even a note. Amazing.
This is the Karen Carpenter I always prefer to remember... completely healthy... with that great voice sitting behind her drums playing while she’s singing... and making it look so effortless. This takes me back... as this is how it was when I first began to listen to them on the radio. I was instantly drawn to the quality of her voice... and it wasn’t until a little bit later that I learned she was playing the drums too. Being a young percussionist myself... and finally getting to see her play and sing... I was hooked. First... not many girls played the drums in those days... I can remember just one girl in our HS band that did so. Second... not many drummers sang in those days either... in fact... that was the major reason I chose the drums in the first place... so I wouldn’t be expected to sing. The fact she did both... and did both very well... was very appealing to me. Thus, I never thought of it as gimmicky... I always viewed it as what made them unique. Just as many people remember where they were and what they were doing when a tragic event took place like the JFK assassination, the Challenger disaster or 9/11... to this day I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news she had passed. It had that kind of impact on me.
I was fortunate enough to see a Carpenters live show in 1975 and was amazed at how good it was - far surpassed my expectations and this film clip illustrates their quality precisely Very sad to lose such a talented young lady so early on - bless her 💖
I love that they slowed the tempo down just a tad on the Bacharach medley from earlier live concerts. It's perfect! BTW the guy conducting the hiden 25 piece Orchestra behind the stage is Frank Pooler.The Carpenters college music teacher from Cal State-Long Beach.
Karen referred to herself as a drummer who could sing. She always seemed happiest when drumming, and as others have pointed out, she was able to sing so flawlessly while simultaneously drumming. I'd call it unbelievable, however there she is doing it!
Besides having the most beautiful soulful voice of all time, how 'bout the way she could effortlessly casually throw in just a few bars of a jazz rhythm in the middle of a tune with a normal straightforward rock beat? And Richard, super underrated. Creative, composer, arranger, super keen ear like his sister, solid keyboard chops, go down the list. And Burt. My favorite song writer...Burt...Hal...l can't even imagine being without their songs anymore.
I would get the feeling that I would know Karen Carpenter in petson.but I don't.there will never be a singer like Karen Carpenter.her voice is like no other.even as a drummer.
Burt is one of my fav songwriters and Carpenters are one of my fav musical acts. I didn't even know they did Bacharach medleys until now so this is a real treat. I wish they had done more of his biggest hits. This video demonstrates why they won that Hollywood Bowl jazz competition.
and such GREAT tunes... i keep hearing the "rumors" that Beach Boys "God Only Knows What I'd be Without You"... is the GREATEST pop song ever written... in my humble opinion... doesn't even come close to "Rainy Days and Mondays"....
Among others try; Make believe it's your first time and Your Baby doesn't love you anymore, but beware, keep tissues handy, I have so many favorites of hers I've lost count.
I love how you can always tell how much Richard was in awe of Karen's talents on stage and while I don't know about how they were when they weren't performing, there was no apparent sibling rivalry between them when they were performing, He was more than willing to let her have most of the limelight.
True & that's why their management& Rich decided to bring her out to Front the band. They didn't consider what she wanted & unbeknownst, opened up the can of worms for her downfalls 😣
Richard and Karen truly loved each other, that’s for sure. But sadly, the sibling rivalry came from their mother, not each other. She doted over Richard and left poor Karen feeling unloved.
Decades ago, I played in a family country band (keyboards) whereas my sister played drums and sang like a professional vocalist from age 12. She was a natural musician as was Karen. Some people are just born with incredible musical talent. My sister is suffering from a debilitating illness in the twilight of her 50-year musical career which started early in her youth as did Karen. Both Karen and Richard were incredibly gifted; the fact they are siblings makes it even more rare. My only thought is perhaps Karen was overworked; I know from being on the road a lot takes a huge toll on a musician's physical and mental health to be sure. Karen laying down between performances, as Richard has mentioned, is a sure sign both of them needed a break from the constant recording and touring. Reality can quickly become distorted. Body dis-morphia was not uncommon especially in the 1960s and 1970s whereas slim was 'in'. Anorexia is definitely a mental disease; my own SIL died of it weighing a mere 75 lbs. still believing she was 'fat' until her early death. Carpenter fans are fortunate enough to forever listen to the voice of an angel (the best ever) with Richard's impeccable arrangements. RIP Karen; it is so sad you suffered with inner conflicts along with one incompatible and gold-digger of a husband. But you were blessed with an awesome brother. We miss you dearly Miss Karen and you will never be forgotten. Thanks for visiting Earth sweet angel.
Rich has been recognized. Perhaps that's due in part to his not being in the "Mainstream" of Music since early 1983? 😕. He's done some things, but not where it reached radio or airplay.
Wow. Karen always seemed so happy when playing the drums. And that beautiful voice. There was a female drummer in the 60s, Honey Lantree, played drums for The Honeycombs, "Have I The Right". I think she also sang backing too. It seems that Honey Lantree inspired Karen to play the drums.
Great bridge in "Any Day Now" - wonderful harmonies in this song. Bacharach really suited The Carpenters - a great opportunity for Karen to do her vocal and drumming thing with all the demands that this great songwriter made. Also the scope for imaginative vocal arrangements and snappy electric piano was there. I will take these interpretations ahead of Dionne Warwick - much greater colour and contrast here. Even with the Walker Brothers unbeatable classic "Make it Easy on Yourself" they succeed in heading off in a new direction! As good as it gets. Agreed?
+George Burrell Karen and Richard remain unchallenged, no doubt. No doubt also, that had the Carpenters come out first with the David-Bachrach repertoire instead of Dionne Warwick, it would have been just as successful. But you had to have been there when the authors entrusted their songs to Ms. Warwick. You could not help but sit up, scratch your head in amazement at her unique style and timbre - and take serious notice. Karen had it alone in song where romance and flawless pitch are concerned, pretty much the Ella of her time. Dionne was Lady Day, which, in MY very humble opinion, is what Hal and Burt would have been after in their songwriting. It might be said without fear of contradiction that the authors wrote songs predicated to suit Ms. Warwick's particular strengths. Aretha alone stood out the way Dionne did.
Mauricio Durón I agree I think what some people miss about Dionne was/her amazing flexibility. Dionne's ability to sound or her the ability to sing similarly as Ella, or Billie or soulful like a lighter Aretha or cute like Diana...is what made Dionne so valuable to Burt. It was natural for Dionne to understand gospel, pop,jazz, classical...and how they fit into a 3 minute record. Burt and Hal got her and she got them!
Karen is out of this world when I die I hope her voice is the first one I hear, her timing is spot on and how can someone drum soo well and still hit the exact notes at the exact time.
As John Bettis said, "Karen could do drum rolls, without effecting the pitch in her singing." Yeah, she was a great drummer, and an even better singer.
I would have liked to see her, Stay Behind the Drums, maybe, she would not have developed an eating disorder, At least it might have helped . I agree, to see her sing perfectly, up and down notes, drumming, using feet, arms etc..Is Amazing. Truly a gifted soul. God bless.
I'm a rock fan. Rock music is great...but rock can be performed in various states of mind and body relying on the audience that is often "partly blinded" by noise and their own drink/drugs abuse, etc. Rock music would have been much better if rock performers had as much respect for their own music and therefore maintained the level of performance quality as this kind of musicians and songwriters. This kind of music will endure the test of time (as long with many successful rock acts...but..) when the "cool" of that rock period in music will no longer be validated as dominant. These people will surely be appreciated and loved by audiences that are just seeking good music. Nothing else. I'm a rock fan! And I f...ing love The Carpenters! What a treat to listen to such good music performed so skilfully and just...awesome..
And, Karen killed it at drums. I wonder if they'd let her continue to play drums if she would never have become anorexic? Back then it was unusual for a female to play drums and she was amazing at both singing and playing the drums. What a voice, one of a kind.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 85 | คู่เอก "ยอดเหล็กเพชร vs ผึ้งหลวง"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qq_19bnnxEo/mqdefault.jpg)
As a life long Carpenters fan and professional touring drummer starting at age 19, this performance clearly shows that Karen was at her absolute most comfortable and magical best behind her drum kit. Her gifts as a drummer and lead vocalist are simply extraordinary!
She looks melded to her drum kit in a good way.
Truth be told, they were inseparable & should've stayed together. Mom Agnes didn't like Karen stealing all the thunder, so they decided she should Front the band. Her family must've sensed her discomfort with this decision, but they pursued nonetheless. It was never about Karen. She was considered a 2nd Rate Band Member by her mother, no matter how much the demands cried out for her loveliness 😔
@@bruschmidt9943 What you say about Richard as mom's "favorite" is most likely true, and has been well discussed -
-- but the "Karen must front the band" idea came mostly from management, from Richard and oddly enough, studio drummer Hal Blaine.
It was simply "common wisdom" that a group like the Carpenters would most benefit by a stand up front person.
Karen had, early on, asked Hal to help her construct a drum kit just like he used in the studio, but once that was accomplished, he opined (and certainly, he was thinking he was offerring professorial advice) that the large number of toms arrayed in front visually blocked Karen - not a good for proper presentation, she was a star and needed to be seen, they suggested that the public would demand as much.
Of course, in hind sight especially, this was the death knell rung for Karen, she didn't like it, she fought it, it made her more "body conscious" in a negative way, leading to the anorexia. What you suggest may, indeed, have contributed but the deck was stacked already without mom's input, AFAICT.
They are a much better live act than I ever imagined.
Sitting down, playing the drums, singing flawlessly. That’s Karen Carpenter. 💕💕💕
I absolutely love seeing Karen sing and play those drums! It seems like that is when she was at her happiest. ❤️🙂
With Karen on the drums & vocals ...early days and Richard’s arrangements n vocals...that is beautiful. Ever equaled, never surpassed
In the minute 7.29 Karen changed the stick in an incredible way!!! She was marvellous!!!! One of the best singers of all time
The best female pop vocalist in history.
Yeah I saw that; i couldn't believe it, that was so slick. I just went back to see it again. Very smooth. She could have been a session drummer but add the rest of her talent and she was incredible.
all of the nuances in her singing, the expressions and little smiles, the fact that she is drumming!! this video it's just so GREAT. and besides everything, karen singing "any day now" gave me more 100 years of life.
We are so blessed to have lived when Karen was here. God's gift of music flowed through her so completely...
Karen was absolutely flawless. Playing the drums and singing perfectly, in perfect pitch as well. Incredible my dear. What a marvelous, marvelous talent God blessed you with Karen. How I wish life would have treated you kinder. Thanks Karen and Richard for all the great music!
Matty Mattel and in this video she looked in good shape. but some bad comments about her really set her mind to extreme dieting. and the rest was sad history.😔
@@mohdazmi10 Why do celebrities, loved by millions, allow the nasty comments of a few dozen affect them. I try to get it. Adele is three times bigger and not sure it affected her to the point of anorexia. Love you Karen
@@oaesan She suffered from body dysmorphia disorder, I don't think they called it that back then though, which led to anorexia nervosa if I remember correctly their mother started giving Richard quaaludes and he became addicted then their whole career began to suffer, they would cancel shows, I just looked up and found pictures of Richard, he did not age well, it's pretty scary the way he looks now.
@@Peter-pv8xx Richard is 74 years old.
@@vaccavo yeah I hope I look that good when I'm 74
I saw The Carpenters (opening act)with
Burt Bacharach in July 1970. My parents took my sister and I.
It was his first show at The Greek Theater. My sister and I had on blue raincoats. The memory of a lifetime!
Led Zeppelin was really good too! The joys of growing up in Los Angeles in the 70’s!
If someone told you that perfection is simply impossible, show them this video. Karen wasn't human.
THE best voice EVER.
And if anyone questions that, make them listen to Merry Christmas Darling.
Live version! 😎
Angels are around us...
Superb medley and performance. Karen makes me grin and weep at the same time ... transcendent talent
One of the most amazing voices ever and playing the drums amazingly at the same time. We do miss you Karen.
I know you"re singing for the Lord now.
I also thought of Karen sing for the Lord...both happy...
When I show this to musically inclined friends these days, they are always astounded. Opens their minds. This is Karen in her happy place - behind the drums and singing pleasurably.
Maybe my favorite Carpenters video.
Happy 69th birthday, Karen. Your legacy lives on, beautiful angel.
Voice of an angel. Great arrangements by Richard.
Richard is so underrated as an arranger ....Humble and a class act ...I would love to have seen them live , especially in her drum playing 100percent of the time era.....
@@leonardyuhas9927 Exactly. Everybody praises Karen. Yes, she was amazing, but Richard was incredible. He did the arrangements
All I can say is... PERFECT!!!. ❤️. WHAT A TALENT KAREN WAS!!
awww yeah girl drummers!! furthermore singing while she's at it!!! awesome!!👏👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌
THANK GOD I WAS BORN WITH GREAT MUSIC!!! THANKS MOM!!!
This kids, is REAL talent!
How very talented Karen was..played the drums so effortlessly. =)
Incredibly entertaining music and flawless harmonies executed live every single time. The Carpenters were a truly amazing group and Karen’s voice was smooth as silk.
Amazing band, remarkable vocals. Even through this old recording her magnificent voice shines, and her entire vocal support is spot on. And she's a kic ass drummer to. what a treat !
She was phenomenal. Her technique is so good that it doesn’t look like she is trying.
PreachhhhhhH
Totally agree! Looks effortless.
Stunning good..this musicians❤
I still miss Karen’ warm, vibrant voice. Thank goodness for recordings even though not the same...
I never saw this, awesome. Karen could sing anything.
True, but would've been better off sticking to Richard's arrangements rather than going off in another "Solo Album" direction.
I can't believe how perfect Karen is with the drum's while she is singing perfectly at the same time... totally AMAZING!! I love the second song the most but all of these songs are great.
She had a nice small warm voice and perfect intonation, but playing an instrument while singing is not exactly amazing. This whole idea that Karen was some wicked drummer is kind of overblown. They were right to move her upfront - this kind of performance was far too collegiate. Anorexia is way more complicated than hiding behind a drum kit. She was a much better singer than drummer. Still a great post of this very difficult medley to sing. Beautiful to be honest.
@@TombCat Buddy Rich and Hal Blaine (two of the best drummers around) said she was an accomplished drummer - that's good enough for me - you are doing her a disservice by saying that her drumming is overblown. You are correct regarding her voice. Drumming while performing a 13 minute medley of lyrically difficult songs by Burt Bacharach is simply genius!
@@TombCat Karen Carpenter was no John Bonham with the thundering arms. But I might add, John Bonham was no Karen Carpenter, with her technical skills.
I love this Burt Bacharach Medley in their 1972 Concert in Australia! I really believe Karen and Richard are at their happiest here at this performance. Karen is filled with joy as she beautifully sings while happily drumming. I love seeing Richard singing harmoniously with his sister and expertly playing the keyboard. Also enjoy watching the entire band playing their individual instruments and contributing to the sound & music of The Carpenters! 💗🎹💚🥁💛🎸💜🎶🎤🧡🎵💗😊
I agree. I think this concert is one of their best out of their entire career.
What a HARMONY...in voices and tunes...oh...oh..
Perfect!!... so sad she didn't get to live her life out to correct any mistakes..find someone to love her for her..have children..live her own life ect...miss you Karen❤️
After c1980, it was too late for Karen to recover fully enough to have a healthy childbirth. The recovery period could've taken years & it took 6 years to get to that irreversible stage. Of course she saw things differently; not good 😦.
You cannot bear healthy children when you weigh 85-90 lbs.
Her voice touch me! She had such natural beauty! Beautiful hair as well
Oh wow I love this!
unlike a few of the singers today Karen had a.strong rich alto-soprano voice. She is missed.
L.A. D. Yeeeaaahh that is really true tho, I wish she was still alive!
I agree with bot of u
@@l.a.d.312 Karen was a contralto but she could reach a high notes.
So lucky to have seen the Carpenters in concert 3 times. First time 197I, I was in 7th grade & it was the first concert I ever went to. Karen was behind the drums the entire concert, that changed for the other concerts . Fantastic concerts, once in a lifetime voice!
She used the dark color sticks. Sometimes they are invisible so she looks as if she is waiving her hands in stead of playing drums. A true fairy of music that god sent us. Marvelous arrangement. Breathtaking.
Great, I never noticed that but see it now!
This might be the most well rehearsed act of our time. Karen was a gift from GOD! A stage full of great musicians that all sing and play multiple instruments. The BBC Live performance is another great video to watch.
Her voice is so beautiful, so perfect, so angelic, so pure. Such an outstanding drummer too. What a talent! She is sorely missed.
Probably the best live recorded music I've ever seen. How does she have such control over vocals while playing drums? TO me, it's like trying to have a conversation while jogging, which has never worked for me!
Agree, agree, agree! This set runs me through my emotions every time I play it - discovered this 6 years ago and I swear I play it at least 3-5 times per week. The discipline she had - that incredible voice done alongside top of the craft drumming. Unreal.
@Karen Tyrell True.
Well said Marty, She sets the tempo with her drums and hits every note with her voice! We watch astounded because she can do both simultaneously with more talent than those who have practiced too perfect just one of the two arts their whole lives! Timeless, indeed.
Love this so much, and her band behind her was great! She was a great percussionist!
Uff so incredible ! only 21-22 years old, I never heard that he was also a drummer, how much talent this woman had!
amazing Karen Carpenter! what an impressive drummer.
Impeccable timing, harmonies, and vocals. No one will match the technicalities of her drumming while singing.
Noone's come close. She was brilliant!
Thank you Karen Carpenter for doing your part to help tame mankind with your gift and talent. As a fan I'd like to think that life was a lot more tolerable with you and your brother's music as part soundtrack of my much younger self. I'll keep the music playing...
+1mespud This is one of the best if not THE BEST comment I have ever read on this medium. Simple, to the point, and speaks volumes. Thank You!
+gvalley07 Thanx 4 the comment! B careful out there..
I always think of important music of a certain time in my life as the “soundtrack”. Nice to hear someone else use that term. The Carpenters, however, have remained a timeless soundtrack throughout many years.
Karen Carpenter had everything pure talent, natural beauty and just plain funny. I miss her so much. Love this little angel.
"Baby its You " is simply a amazing song, sung so beautiful
That smile could melt Antarctica 🌹
What an ANGEL 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞
WOW........ This was FANTASTIC!!! Amazing medley of songs with Karen sing and drumming just knocking it out of the park WOW!! Thank you for posting it for all of us to enjoy :)
THIS IS LIVE... and even playing the DRUMS.... Karen... SOUNDS AWESOME! MY THEE favorite pop GROUP!
Karen singing "Make It Easy On Yourself" is the highlight of this clip. Flawless! What an amazing talent she was.
This is so exceptional it brings me to tears. Perfectionism in music arrangement with a whole orchestra, pure unadulterated vocals - there is NOTHING that even comes close today. Please don't even try to suggest names because I'll stick my finger down my throat to every one you mention. I'm biased, but I also know great when I hear it. Miss you, Karen.
I agree with you, no one will ever come close to creating the magic that she did with her voice. She's the only singer that ever made me cry.
I heard someone say that they think one of the reasons why so many people have such a visceral response to Karen's singing is because it sounds like a mother singing to her child, it's an interesting theory,who knows? Have you heard the version on TH-cam of the Bacharach medley from The Riviera? It's just the audio from 1974, it's my favorite version of this. The tempo is a little slower and the sound quality is so good,,if you listen with headphones it feels like you there.
Shirley Bassey😀
How can a singer's voice sound so perfect, pitch, tone and intonation, LIVE? The answer: only one singer could achieve this in modern music and you are listening to her. This IS LIVE. LISTEN TO THIS VOICE AND THINK ABOUT THAT.
True words..
God have laid the Spirit of Art into some People...here The Carpenters..
Enjoying to listen to..
My dad asked me that same question. He asked, 'how the hell can a woman sing like that'? After hearing her sing, 'This Masquerade'.
I'm always so amazed at how Karen's voice live sounded exactly like what you'd probably hear in the studio. Flawless and perfect! I don't think I've ever heard even a slightly off note come out of her mouth when they were performing live. Richard was no slouch either. 😁
She makes it look easy, doesn't she?
A truly gifted and natural performer, made all the more clear by her ability to be as flawless on the drums simultaneously, and they had a fairly expansive repertoire and grueling touring regimine. I've watched dozens of videos, never once seen her flub even a note. Amazing.
they called her "One-take Karen" for a reason.
I’m thinking, listening to this - It’s like her voice is channeled from another, higher dimension.
This is the Karen Carpenter I always prefer to remember... completely healthy... with that great voice sitting behind her drums playing while she’s singing... and making it look so effortless. This takes me back... as this is how it was when I first began to listen to them on the radio. I was instantly drawn to the quality of her voice... and it wasn’t until a little bit later that I learned she was playing the drums too. Being a young percussionist myself... and finally getting to see her play and sing... I was hooked.
First... not many girls played the drums in those days... I can remember just one girl in our HS band that did so. Second... not many drummers sang in those days either... in fact... that was the major reason I chose the drums in the first place... so I wouldn’t be expected to sing. The fact she did both... and did both very well... was very appealing to me. Thus, I never thought of it as gimmicky... I always viewed it as what made them unique.
Just as many people remember where they were and what they were doing when a tragic event took place like the JFK assassination, the Challenger disaster or 9/11... to this day I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news she had passed. It had that kind of impact on me.
Wow. That was impressive.
I was fortunate enough to see a Carpenters live show in 1975 and was amazed at how good it was - far surpassed my expectations and this film clip illustrates their quality precisely
Very sad to lose such a talented young lady so early on - bless her 💖
I love that they slowed the tempo down just a tad on the Bacharach medley from earlier live concerts. It's perfect! BTW the guy conducting the hiden 25 piece Orchestra behind the stage is Frank Pooler.The Carpenters college music teacher from Cal State-Long Beach.
Wow!!... Perfection!! ..tight Harmony and timing! I'm blown away by the talent they had..so sad deep inside her there was imperfections 😱
Snow..agreed!
I love her drum style, light and precise, but thump when she needs to. She makes the drums sound lyrical.
Karen referred to herself as a drummer who could sing. She always seemed happiest when drumming, and as others have pointed out, she was able to sing so flawlessly while simultaneously drumming. I'd call it unbelievable, however there she is doing it!
this clip finds the Carpenters at the top of their game
All of this is just plain amazing
Besides having the most beautiful soulful voice of all time, how 'bout the way she could effortlessly casually throw in just a few bars of a jazz rhythm in the middle of a tune with a normal straightforward rock beat?
And Richard, super underrated. Creative, composer, arranger, super keen ear like his sister, solid keyboard chops, go down the list.
And Burt. My favorite song writer...Burt...Hal...l can't even imagine being without their songs anymore.
Absolutely unique & amazing talent! Could you please indicate a Time Stop 00:00 to show an example of what you mean?
I would get the feeling that I would know Karen Carpenter in petson.but I don't.there will never be a singer like Karen Carpenter.her voice is like no other.even as a drummer.
Dear Karen made it look so very easy.........the mark of a skilful performer.
The Mark of Karen Carpenter
Burt is one of my fav songwriters and Carpenters are one of my fav musical acts. I didn't even know they did Bacharach medleys until now so this is a real treat. I wish they had done more of his biggest hits. This video demonstrates why they won that Hollywood Bowl jazz competition.
I’m sure their mother praised him constantly.
..always.
Miss you Karen. Your voice was the best!
+Mary Walker SHE... was STUNNING... my favorite pop singer... of all time!
+MrLisztian Mine too, she was the best!
and such GREAT tunes... i keep hearing the "rumors" that Beach Boys "God Only Knows What I'd be Without You"... is the GREATEST pop song ever written... in my humble opinion... doesn't even come close to "Rainy Days and Mondays"....
Among others try; Make believe it's your first time and Your Baby doesn't love you anymore, but beware, keep tissues handy, I have so many favorites of hers I've lost count.
Man would I love to get my hands on this arrangement. It should be published! Miss you Karen and Burt.
RIP, Burt Bacharach. No one could deliver and sing his songs as beautifully as the Carpenters.
I love how you can always tell how much Richard was in awe of Karen's talents on stage and while I don't know about how they were when they weren't performing, there was no apparent sibling rivalry between them when they were performing, He was more than willing to let her have most of the limelight.
I think her singing talent was what most people wanted to hear.
True & that's why their management& Rich decided to bring her out to Front the band. They didn't consider what she wanted & unbeknownst, opened up the can of worms for her downfalls 😣
Richard and Karen truly loved each other, that’s for sure. But sadly, the sibling rivalry came from their mother, not each other. She doted over Richard and left poor Karen feeling unloved.
Decades ago, I played in a family country band (keyboards) whereas my sister played drums and sang like a professional vocalist from age 12. She was a natural musician as was Karen. Some people are just born with incredible musical talent. My sister is suffering from a debilitating illness in the twilight of her 50-year musical career which started early in her youth as did Karen.
Both Karen and Richard were incredibly gifted; the fact they are siblings makes it even more rare. My only thought is perhaps Karen was overworked; I know from being on the road a lot takes a huge toll on a musician's physical and mental health to be sure. Karen laying down between performances, as Richard has mentioned, is a sure sign both of them needed a break from the constant recording and touring. Reality can quickly become distorted. Body dis-morphia was not uncommon especially in the 1960s and 1970s whereas slim was 'in'. Anorexia is definitely a mental disease; my own SIL died of it weighing a mere 75 lbs. still believing she was 'fat' until her early death.
Carpenter fans are fortunate enough to forever listen to the voice of an angel (the best ever) with Richard's impeccable arrangements. RIP Karen; it is so sad you suffered with inner conflicts along with one incompatible and gold-digger of a husband. But you were blessed with an awesome brother. We miss you dearly Miss Karen and you will never be forgotten. Thanks for visiting Earth sweet angel.
not only Karen, It's the whole ensemble that does perfect work on an outstanding composer, Richard doesn't get the praise he deserved
Rich has been recognized. Perhaps that's due in part to his not being in the "Mainstream" of Music since early 1983? 😕. He's done some things, but not where it reached radio or airplay.
Wow. Karen always seemed so happy when playing the drums. And that beautiful voice. There was a female drummer in the 60s, Honey Lantree, played drums for The Honeycombs, "Have I The Right". I think she also sang backing too. It seems that Honey Lantree inspired Karen to play the drums.
Her inspiration for playing the drums came from Joe Morello. The drummer for the jazz band Dave Brubeck and Buddy Rich.
Great bridge in "Any Day Now" - wonderful harmonies in this song.
Bacharach really suited The Carpenters - a great opportunity for Karen to do her vocal and drumming thing with all the demands that this great songwriter made. Also the scope for imaginative vocal arrangements and snappy electric piano was there.
I will take these interpretations ahead of Dionne Warwick - much greater colour and contrast here. Even with the Walker Brothers unbeatable classic "Make it Easy on Yourself" they succeed in heading off in a new direction!
As good as it gets. Agreed?
As good as it gets indeed!!!!!!!
i concur in spades.
Totally agreed!!!
+George Burrell Karen and Richard remain unchallenged, no doubt.
No doubt also, that had the Carpenters come out first with the David-Bachrach repertoire instead of Dionne Warwick, it would have been just as successful.
But you had to have been there when the authors entrusted their songs to Ms. Warwick. You could not help but sit up, scratch your head in amazement at her unique style and timbre - and take serious notice.
Karen had it alone in song where romance and flawless pitch are concerned, pretty much the Ella of her time. Dionne was Lady Day, which, in MY very humble opinion, is what Hal and Burt would have been after in their songwriting. It might be said without fear of contradiction that the authors wrote songs predicated to suit Ms. Warwick's particular strengths.
Aretha alone stood out the way Dionne did.
Mauricio Durón I agree I think what some people miss about Dionne was/her amazing flexibility. Dionne's ability to sound or her the ability to sing similarly as Ella, or Billie or soulful like a lighter Aretha or
cute like Diana...is what made Dionne so valuable to Burt. It was natural for Dionne to understand
gospel, pop,jazz, classical...and how they fit into a 3 minute record. Burt and Hal got her and she got them!
I absolutely love watching her sing and play the drums at the same time she was so talented
Wow , Thank you ever too much.
I really need to hear that, right then
Awesome!
A magical 13 minutes.
Karen is out of this world when I die I hope her voice is the first one I hear, her timing is spot on and how can someone drum soo well and still hit the exact notes at the exact time.
She was magic 💫
Undescribable talent!..this was well put together!..thank you for posting 🥀RIP KAREN 🥀
IT's incredible, wonderful!!
As John Bettis said, "Karen could do drum rolls, without effecting the pitch in her singing." Yeah, she was a great drummer, and an even better singer.
How can she sing with such accuracy, and still play the drums??
& as easily as breathing for the rest of us! 😎
Karen...40 years gone this year, but her voice will live on.
She's great, I love her voice!
Thank you for share this. Its historical.
Absolutely great....compare this please to what now passes as "groups"...........
Must've been pure joy for the band members to be that close to Karen listening to that incredible voice.
SIMPLY FANTASTIC VERY VERY APLLAUSE FROM BRAZIL
Simply fantastic
Best female vocalist ever,pure
This is bad ass. Very Mellow....but bad ass. This young chick can sing in my ear anytime.
I love those old songs
Beautiful video!
Karen Carpenter could fucking sing. Thats greatness at work right there.
Saw them in concert in 1972 and I remember them saying this medley.
What an amazing concert this was, an honour to see it now! :)
I would have liked to see her, Stay Behind the Drums, maybe, she would not have developed an eating disorder, At least it might have helped . I agree, to see her sing perfectly, up and down notes, drumming, using feet, arms etc..Is Amazing. Truly a gifted soul. God bless.
Timeless treasures 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I'm a rock fan. Rock music is great...but rock can be performed in various states of mind and body relying on the audience that is often "partly blinded" by noise and their own drink/drugs abuse, etc. Rock music would have been much better if rock performers had as much respect for their own music and therefore maintained the level of performance quality as this kind of musicians and songwriters. This kind of music will endure the test of time (as long with many successful rock acts...but..) when the "cool" of that rock period in music will no longer be validated as dominant. These people will surely be appreciated and loved by audiences that are just seeking good music. Nothing else.
I'm a rock fan! And I f...ing love The Carpenters! What a treat to listen to such good music performed so skilfully and just...awesome..
They were perfectionist's.
Good times back then. It was great to be young and very free. It was exhilarating. Vietnam was still on but at least I was still in college.
Talent means when you do it effortless. Karen has tremendous God-given talent. Her angelic voice will reverberates for all eternity…
And, Karen killed it at drums. I wonder if they'd let her continue to play drums if she would never have become anorexic? Back then it was unusual for a female to play drums and she was amazing at both singing and playing the drums. What a voice, one of a kind.
OMG I LOVE THIS!
real music!