Amen, Bro. This is the "Karen's voice," that was perfection on earth, and was to represent "mankind" on earth. This song made listening to Late Night FM radio fun. RIP, Karen.
Her voice was just interstellar. Truly unique, no has sounded like her since. Just pure velvet. Always love your smiles and reactions Angela. You'll kick this flu's butt soon enough, the cough is always the last to clear up. All the best.
The Woman could sing the Alphabet!!! I see why the Carpenters are not played in Elevators, Shopping Stores and etc; You forget what you are doing, where you are going and you just want to stop and listen.... Karen Voice is just so Haunting...
Love it! This is from their album Passage which came out just after the Star Wars craze. The album has several songs on it that were considered unusual choices for them but the album is a hit with me and many fans. They wanted to record something totally opposite from their usual music so they chose this and Mission Accomplished! ❤️🎶
It's amazing to me how the song starts with that very silly comedy intro, and yet within five seconds of Karen starting to sing I forget all that and I'm hooked.
Every time I hear the intro when she starts to sing, and it gets to the line: "Upon the recitation we're about to sing...", that lone bass with "calling occupants..." makes the hairs stand up. Such an unusual song, but the vocals are amazing as usual.
Thank you for realizing that this is a masterpiece and goes way beyond anything they ever did. And Richard's arrangement and creation along with Karen's incredible voice cannot get any better.
this was my first Carpenters album when It came out. I can still remember every word to these songs, As a 10 yr old girl I wanted too be Karen Carpenter. well I can't sing but became a drummer, Now at 54 I love that these songs are still so timeless.
A departure for The Carpenters but it showcases the true talent and brilliance of Richards musical arrangements added with the always angelic voice of Karen . At the time it was under appreciated but now it’s pure Carpenters magic. One can only imagine what more these two siblings would have accomplished.
The Carpenters were still performing when I was a young kid, I’m only now getting into their music because I’ve always been more into rock bands. Thanks Angela for helping make that happen!
Fun fact: the DJ was voiced by Carpenters guitarist Tony Peluso. Now that you've done this song, I think the only major and oft-requested Carpenters song left to react to is Bless The Beasts and the Children.
Hi Angela, Yep always loved this song originally written and released by Klaatu, a Canadian rock band in tribute to World Contact Day which was inaugurated in 1953 as a mass meditation to send a telepathic message to our Alien neighbours it's held every year next one on 15 March 2023, I personally prefer the Carpenters version seems everything they touched they took it to another level often compare their music to a fine tapestry woven with the finest silk it never loses it's magic, such a beautiful haunting voice & wonderful production and arrangement Glad it's Phoneworthy! Cheers Jim, Surrey, UK X
This one needs context. I believe others have noted it was released for World Contact Day. I know. You just had to be there. This era was full of fanciful ideas of alien life that, by contacting us, would bring Earth to a next level of global consciousness. Seems a very quaint idea now, I guess. We haven't been forthcoming with this ideal behaviour lately. Thanks for the memory.
I'm sure that others have already pointed this out, but this is a cover of a song by the group Klaatu. Although I'd imagine that Richard did the arrangements for this cover. This version is certainly more lush than the original, and Karen's voice takes it to a whole new level.
Yeah it's originally by Klaatu so they get all the credit for the song, which is superb in itself. But I do think that Richard's arrangement - melding loungy, MOR 70s pop with weird prog-rock freakouts and gorgeous strings - is what pushes their version over the edge. I really don't like the Carpenters, but this song? I could listen to it all day and not get bored.
I was used to the radio version, but this album version was totally awesome, I think the carpenters did a better version than the original Klaatu version, or you could say it was a different animal.
@@tetsuoishiki4677 I saw an interview with a Klaatu band member and he mentioned what a high compliment it was to think Klaatu were the Beatles. Of course they were not, but the influence was there.
richard said he spent more time arranging that song than an entire album, he wrote and arranged most their songs and played piano and gave backup vocals. karen was a drummer but he persuaded her to start singing
This song is a cover by another band I know a lot of people say no more Carpenters but they don't understand once you go down that rabbit hole you can't come back your music is absolutely amazing everything else seems secondary to it love your reaction God bless bye k
As long as I can remember I’ve believed in intelligent life on other planets while my mom thought it was stupid and unthinkable. The Carpenters were a non threatening music group in her eyes, and since they were willing to do a song like this, she changed her mind and thought I might have a point. This song will always have a special place in my heart.
I have read where Richard and Karen devoted a geat deal of time and resources in producing this song, and that they enjoyed producing this track. I believe there remains a substantial number of Carpenter pieces rarely heard, e.g., Aurora and Eventide, Crescent Noon, Someday, Eve. Richard and Karen left us with such a vast Carpenter discography, so much of which many fans may be unfamiliar.
Your smile is always contagious! 😊 A star studded song you might try is USA for Africa “We are the World”. Video would be best to see all its glory… Bless you
if there are, and I believe that it is true, what we call aliens visiting this Earth would surely be assured by Karen Carpenter's voice that Earthlings are a gentle and kind race and well worth knowing, .............. to quote my favorite RU-vidR " ... HER VOICE !! "
Great song, I remember it hitting the charts in the UK and getting a mediocre response and maybe a top 10 but it's another one of theirs that show the talent of the both of them and in particular the depth of Karen's voice.
THIS MASTERWORK WAS ARRANGED / ORCHESTRATED BY THE LATE PETER KNIGHT. HE USED THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA , & A CHOIR TO COMPLETE THE VOCAL . RECORDED IN LONDON AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIO. ----THE DJ AT THE START, IS TONY PELUSO, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CARPENTERS TOURING BAND. ---------------------MJL, 75 Y/O
This song was somewhat of a hit on college radio stations on late night FM radio stations. I think the Carpenters did the song in jest, and it just took off on radio. "The Carpenters version was recorded on the A&M sound stage in Los Angeles and featured the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, along with a large choir. The orchestral arrangements were made by British arranger and conductor Peter Knight, whose credits include Nights In White Satin, on the Moody Blues’ Days of Future Passed album. Of course, Karen's voice, she could do no wrong in any of the songs she sang, not even with a silly song like this one, as she still touches my soul when she sings it. Richard spent a couple of months in the studio adding all the extras to the song, using over 100 musicians in the recording. This was a song that Richard picked to be recorded. This is the "Karen's voice," that was perfection on earth, and was to represent "mankind" on earth. This song made listening to Late Night FM radio fun. RIP, Karen.
The band Klaatu wrote and released this song in 1976, and they were thrilled by the Carpenter's version of it! Too bad Angela didn't play the video version, it is very visual! The DJ was played by Carpenter's guitar player extrodinaire Tony Peluso, an ex DJ himself. Klaatu: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jJ4IUjjVfng.html
Haha! Things did get a bit spaced out in the 70s at times… Cross-reference the Moody Blues “Thinking is the Best Way to Travel”. Elton John “Rocket Man” and David Bowie “Space Oddity”. 🚀🚀🚀🛸🛸🛸
This song was Inspired by an actual event as described in The Flying Saucer Reader by Jay David (1967). It seems that a group known as the "International Flying Saucer Bureau" sent a communiqué to all its members asking them to participate in an experiment termed "World Contact Day." Basically, they said that at a predetermined date and time, all the members should try to simultaneously send a telepathic message into outer space, in hopes of contacting Extra Terrestrials. The actual message they 'sent' started with the words "Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!" >>
I have just watched Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, again, and 2001 A Space Odyssey, and I come across this wonderful song , again, that you reacted to. So good. And Karen's beautiful voice rings out across the universe, as usual, again.
I love this crazy song lol it's a bit of a departure for them but let's be honest...Karen would be a great representative for our earth...and her voice makes any song great with her amazing voice
It's an odd song to be sure, but even if you don't love the song itself, you have to acknowledge Karen's voice and Richard's very under-appreciated arranging/orchestration talents.
Listened to this while in the garden, star gazing.Following the songs ideas, I asked the universe for some sign, then a huge 20ft sphere or light was sitting atop my house. This song is special recitation😉😉
This is the Carpenters' outstanding remake of a song by a Canadian band called Klaatu. Klaatu's version isn't quite the production the Carpenters' was - but it's worth a listen! Leave it to Richard and Karen to take on this truly unusual piece of music. If you'd like to hear something really, really sweet, listen to the sweeping big band arrangement and Karen's romantic, anachronistic delivery in the song "I Can Dream, Can't I?"
This song deserves a little history lesson. In 1953 a bunch of crazies who belong to the "International Flying Saucer Bureau (IFSB)" decided the way to communicate with aliens was through a telepathic message into space. They decided it would take many people thinking the same thing at the same time to do it. Their answerer to this was World Contact Day. They sent out this message to read and think on World Contact Day. Calling occupants of interplanetary craft! Calling occupants of interplanetary craft that have been observing our planet EARTH. We of IFSB wish to make contact with you. We are your friends, and would like you to make an appearance here on EARTH. Your presence before us will be welcomed with the utmost friendship. We will do all in our power to promote mutual understanding between your people and the people of EARTH. Please come in peace and help us in our EARTHLY problems. Give us some sign that you have received our message. Be responsible for creating a miracle here on our planet to wake up the ignorant ones to reality. Let us hear from you. We are your friends. Being 10 years old at the time I thought it was a wonderful idea and spent several hours reading and rereading the message. Mom really enjoyed it I think as it kept both myself and my younger brother busy for several hours. P.S. On the event's 60th anniversary in 2013, World Contact Day was extended to a whole week. Still have not seen any sign they received the message!
HER VOICE!! just bet that you can't listen to her early recording from 1969 or 70 by burt Bacharach. "SOMEDAY" This song just always touches me. She delivers it pitch perfect and I see your taken by live songs lyrics.can't hope but for the best that you might react to this song.
I think I read somewhere that Richard was really interested in UFOs. I can't remember which album this was on, but if I remember correctly this was not the only song where they sort of stepped out of the box.
I remembered once you asking if she was sad and or depressed,,, Well, I was lucky enough to be one of the first members of the Carpenters fan club and got to see them two times live. The news letters always told of how she could never seem to find that special guy that would fill her empty part of life but the she did date from time to time but the not very long before Karen passed away she met a guy who was in real estate. They dated for just a few months before becoming engaged, but just a few weeks before the wedding he told her that he had gotten a vastectomy . that torn her heart out and she really wanted to call off the wedding but Karen's mother, Who in my beliefs caused Karen to become depressed to start with wouldn't let her telling her that everything was set and she couldn't back out. So she married the #@#& and he used her for her money and abused Karen. The divorced and not long after it was final she passed. Now here is what killed Karen yes her illness was the starting point but what really killed her was Karen used, no abused a medication that caused her to throw up. That medication caused her heart to become very weak and damaged it bad. The truth is she had started eating better and had gained some weight but her heart could not take the pressure and she passed from heart failure due to the damage caused by the drugs she used lose weight and throw up. It almost killed Richard. But now you know. Oh you can research Karen's life and you will find out about how her mother was the start of Karen's down hill fall along with others telling her she was getting fat. She wasn't getting fat, some women have wide hips and if you look at the live shows you can see she wasn't fat but had nice hips. Just a note. She would sing every song she recorded on the way to the studio in the back of the car very low and hardly ever have to do retakes, and she did record 95% of the drums on the recordings, I say 95% because whe n she did do the solo album she use a studio drummer. Hope this gives you what you wanted to know. By the way, Karen was 8 years older than me but I was so in love with her, not just for her voice but to me she was so pretty.
There is a video covering the vocal range of Karen Carpenter. They point out that at the point that corresponds to around 7:05 in this video, she goes up to a high G. She was an alto, but she had excellent range.
Thanks, Angela, for your react of this Carpenters slightly less-known hit single (just slightly). Not sure but I believe the "occupant'" voice is a heavily synthesized Paul Williams. Orchestrations ably provided by Richard Carpenter. This debuted on the airwaves right after Steven Spielberg's 1978 suburban adventure film "Close Encounters of the First Kind" (scripting and directing by him) was enjoying a lengthy run in movie theaters across the USA. It was the first sci-fi film wherein the occupants of UFOs turned out to be friendly and not menacing. It caused Richard Dreyfuss's star to rise very quickly -- following up his co-starring role in the 1977 romantic comedy "Tne Goodbye Girl." Paranthetically, the same happened that year to Christopher Reeve when he starred in the very first "Superman the Movie," also enjoying a long theater run. Same was true a couple of years later when the unknown Zucker Brothers went stratospheric with their madcap comedy "Airplane."
The Carpenters go prog. This is a fantastic cover of progressive band Klaatu's original song. Have you thought about reacting to more progressive rock (I know you have listened to some Pink Floyd) but a few other groups/suggestions for you I'd think you'd really like would be - Firth of Fifth by Genesis, Starless by King Crimson, I've Seen All Good People by Yes. Oh, and always more Carpenters reactions.
PLEASE LISTEN TO -------" SOMEDAY " ----------" YOUR BABY DOESN'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE " ---------" SLOW DANCE " --------" I BELIEVE YOU " --------------SOME OF MY FAVORITES BY RICHARD & KAREN.
The only significant hits of the Carpenters that Angela hasn't previewed yet (those she's covered most of their best) are "There's A Kind Of Hush", "Touch Me When We're Dancing" and "Bless The Beasts And The Children" (which is the one I think she should do next). That's not counting their hit covers of the 1960's classics "Ticket To Ride" and "Please Mr. Postman" which are notable in their own right.
Please listen to one of the Carpenters original songs from their first album ticket to ride called "Eve", it is another strange song from them, but it really highlights her rich tone and is one of her best sounding songs.
This entire album was experimental and a last attempt for the Carpenters to be relevant again after they had already peaked and were on the decline. Although timely with blockbusters like "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" in theaters, I just couldn't get into it as a Carpenters song per se. But it is nice to have an intergalactic message of peace and goodwill.
Speaking of great voices, check out John Farnham and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, ‘Help”. In my opinion, one of the greatest rock voices ever. Beatles cover.
All analog. And was produced this with a Neve sound board? It certainly feels like it. If you don't know Neve sound boards, there's a fun rabbit hole for you to dive into
Never heard this song it’s good, thanks also you should listen to The Scissor Sisters “Land of a Thousand Words” it’s very similar to this song and excellent in my opinion!
Since you appreciate Richard Carpenter, listen to "Druscilla Penney," one of the few Carpenters songs in which he sings lead vocal. Hope your cold is better.
