PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE Help me select my next video. Just leave your suggestion in the comments. If I'm not familiar with the song, I'll add it to my list.
You know it's Karen Carpenter within 2 words of the song. An incredible talent gone way too soon. The world missed out on some more amazing songs with her passing. The best ever.
I've been saying for over 45 years now that Karen Carpenter could sing the phone book and it would sound amazing. Best female voice ever in my opinion. Listening to her always brings a tear to my eyes. Gone way too soon. Just thankful that we can still hear her incredible voice! Her brother was and is an incredible talent too. Great arranger and song writer.
The drumming on this recording is one of the reasons this is one of my favorite Carpenter songs. Jim Gordon played the drums on "Only Yesterday." He was a popular sessions drummer, and performed on literally hundreds of songs during the 60's and 70's. Unfortunately in 1983 he had psychotic episode due to undiagnosed schizophrenia and murdered his mother. He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. Even though doctors have testified that his illness can be controlled with medication, he is still incarcerated at the California Medical Facility
those are all great songs. also road ode, one love, a place to hideaway. just so many. anything karen sing is great. the 1971 bbc concert i thinks shows the carpenters at there best.
2 songs you should definitely checkout: “You’re the One” and “Someday”. There are simply no words adequate to describe how Karen’s voice speaks to our hearts and minds in ways no other artist can.
I heard both Richard and John Bettis say that Karen played drums on more than half of their recordings, and that she also played bass guitar an many of their recordings. John also said that she could do drum rolls without it effecting her pitch while she was singing. If you see some of their live performances, you see that she is doing drum rolls, and her voice stays on pitch. She was a real talent. On some songs they wouldn't let her sing and play drums at the same time, because the sound of the drums would leak onto her singing mic, and they wanted her voice to be crystal clear on the record.
Yassss! I was waiting for another Carpenters reaction from you. Please react to "I need to be in love," Karen's favorite song. Also her drumming video where she is wearing her "Lead Sister" sweatshirt. Karen was a truly, amazing and beautiful artist. There will never be another person like her, she is truly missed. Glad you enjoy their music as much as I do.
The feelings I get in my stomach and mind when I hear this and other Carpenter songs.. wow! I was in my early teens. I can actually see and smell and taste these times of my life. I'm very lucky music was a big part of my life by then already. It really cemented it into my memory until the day I die. How lucky I am.
Thanks so much for keeping Karen' voice alive. Never miss any of your presentation of Karen's performances! Love the fact that you pay attention to the lyrics.
Recall seeing the Carpenters circa 1974 at the Minnesota Stat Fair. My first and most memorable concert. Yeah, I was like fourteen and was amazed at her drumming and singing; she played drums on all their songs.
There are not enough superlatives to describe Karen, her voice, her beauty! But let us not forget Richard who is a musical genius, and whose arrangements, and writing perfectly accentuated Karen's voice!
IN my opinion, NOBODY had a voice like Karen Carpenter. Her voice had so many layers, just perfection and gorgeous beauty. A suggestion: Please listen to Carpenters: "I'm caught Between Goodbye And I Love You".
With its distinctive opening drum line and mesmerising lyric, Karen sings 'Only Yesterday' from her boots. The song steadily peaks in the chorus with lovely clattering castanets. Another stunning 'Carpenters' track brimming with melancholy
Angela I love all your reaction vids, but particularly the Carpenters as I am a massive fan of both the arrangements of Richard and Karen's unbelievable voice and ability to express the emotions of the lyrics of the songs, this sets her aside from other great performers Luther with Superstar brilliant, but Karen then demonstrates another level of emotion and it is almost a completely different song, even better. George Benson with this Masquerade also fabulous version, but again Karen's delivery of this song places it another league, This song is for you is yet another example of her ability to surpass the more popular standard of this song, and yet it is simply breath-taking. I need to be in love live is a must for you to watch, as the emotions of her voice are mirrored by her facial and physical movements. But one song that is a delight is those good old dreams, light cheeerful and with a country flavour, her voice is like an ocean breeze clear light simply wonderful. But I love your reactions to her voice and it is comforting to know that youngsters can appreciate her talent, she is also rather was a brilliant drummer. Love your attitude to your interpretations too fabulous,
so much good stuff..pedal points bass line, heavy compresssion on the Rhodes, castanets in the chorus, just pure genius stuff that nobody but Richard Carpenter would have thought of for an arrangement like that.. he definitely set a high bar with Karen in the studio.
Karen played drums on the first album (Offering aka Ticket to Ride) and the Now and Then album (except Jambalaya). If you want to see some good footage of our girl playing and singing, I recommend BBC 1971 and Australia 1972.
True. More addictive than Heroin. I sometimes go for a week or two without hearing a Carpenters song and think to myself "It can't be THAT great" and then I listen and I am immediately taken aback every singe time.
I was 14 when the Carpenters released their first hit, "Close to You" in 1970. They have been one of my favorites ever since. It really blows me away to realize that their music has been putting a smile on the faces and in the hearts of millions of people over the past 50 years. The same emotions they brought to me 50 years ago, are now being felt by people like you who are listening to their music for the first time. What a wonderful, lasting legacy to leave behind!! I enjoy your reaction videos and look forward to seeing more!
Wow one of my favorite songs of The Carpenters a great song Richard Carpenter co wrote this song fantastic song fantastic vocals like always by Karen Carpenter rest in peace Karen Carpenter
She played drums when they performed live, although there was a second drummer - actually Cubby O’Brien, “the Mouseketeers” Cubby - who played when she went out front. In the studio, it was mostly Hal Blaine, Ron Tutt, et al, members of the famous “wrecking crew” cadre of studio musicians in LA at the time. Drums on this track were Jim Gordon. This song is by Richard Carpenter, John Bettis, and Koji Makaino. Richard did the music, and he always puts the key just right in Karen's register. That was always a consideration when selecting or writing songs - her voice is so fantastic in certain registers that makes her singing sound effortless.
yes Karen played the drums in every song they recorded in the studio she only let someone other than herself play because they pushed her to the front but she did not like it when they did, she always said she was only one part of the group. but everyone who was lucky enough to meet her as I was knew she was the voice of the Carpenters and if it was not for her voice, there would never have been a great group called the Carpenters. I was a member of the Carpenters fan club card number 68 so I was one of the first 100 members, I wish I could go into what I know about her and her life, the movie dabs into it some but it is deeper than most will ever understand. but I digress, AS you say, Her Voice,,,I call it Angelic.
They "built" their songs in the recording studio from scratch. Richard was the musical genius behind the group and Karen was the lead vocalist. They laid down the main tracks then went back and added the harmonies, the additional instruments and refined their signature sound until they were satisfied. While they did add additional performers and backup for road touring but the bulk was studio recordings.
I had the fortune and pleasure to see the Carpenters in concert 3 times. The first 2 concerts, she played the drums on most of the songs. During the 3rd concert, they had moved her in front of the band, and she only played drums on one or two songs. I’ll also never forget the gasp that came out of the audience when she first walked out onto the stage the 3rd concert I saw. She had lost so much weight. I turned to my friend and said, she looks like she has cancer”!. She was obviously not healthy. It was and still is so sad. Think of the songs we’ve missed out on hearing from her.
and yes, she was playing drums in this track, as she did in most of all of their tracks. She was quite an accomplished drummer and didn't need anyone else to take care of those duties, regardless of the track.
Thank you, Angela, for sharing, in such an awesome way, my favorite vocalist of all time. She was a March Baby. We March people feel things a lot deeper, it seems, than most people do. So sad that we lost her to a hard battle she had with Anorexia. She left us on February 4th, 1983, just 26 days before her 33rd birthday.
"In my own time, nobody knew, then pain I was goin thru....." yep,yep. We didn't know. Karen is so loved and missed. Since many never saw her drumming, how about reacting to drumming video of her.
Karen was an AMAZING drummer which was her true passion! She would've been just as happy bein Rich's kid sister and a drummer who sang! Love Karen ALWAYS!!
"I Just Fall In Love Again" is an underappreciated track from a lesser-known album. If you listen to it, you will be overwhelmed; it's truly awe-inspiring. One of the most beautiful things she ever recorded!
For a very HAPPY, UPBEAT Carpenters song, please try "Those good old dreams" co-written by Richard Carpenter. Released 1981 (the year I graduated from high school. Yeah, I said that out loud. 😹) I love that a young person such as yourself appreciates what beautiful and talented people Karen and Richard Carpenter were/are. Keep being you and I'll keep coming! Stay safe and peace ❤
Love your Carpenters reactions. According to her brother Richard, Karen's favorite song is I Need To Be In Love. Another one that will blow your mind and will make you cry. This song was also sung by Japanese singer Keiko Toge after Karen passed with Richard Carpenter present. She doesn't speak English but memorized this song and sounds amazingly like Karen. Richard loved it, complimented her, and gave her a hug. That video is amazing and is where Richard mentioned it was Karen's favorite song. You may want to check it out.
Credit to whoever mentioned this in other comments but there is a reason nobody covers carpenters songs. I'd love to hear a modern artist do their songs without autotune. Her voice gives me chills still today. What a perfect voice.
Autotune or no, the songs don't need covers. It could turn my love for The Carpenters' music, into hatred for whomever would presume to make their own version. It implies that the Carpenters' version isn't good enough, but it is. Would-be cover artists can just keep their music to themselves.
Former "mouseketeer" from the original 50's Mickey Mouse Club, Cubby O'Brian played drums on tour during the Carpenters first album and also some in the 80's.
No doubt,great pick, I really really HOPE Angela does the version with a young Karen looked "like a natural",although I gottta say was kinda weirdnsexy the closeups of her mouth at times, lol.
I went to two of her concerts and they put on a great song pure songs and great music no special effects at all, just her and her brother on stage with background singers. Really good. Herb Alpert was her friend and play music in the studio.
Yes, "How can you not love them?!" Even though my favorite genre' is primarily R & B, Hawaiian, etc....I always pause and listen to the Carpenters if I hear them on the radio. And, they are among my playlist with my other faves.
At the beginning of their career (mid 1960’s), Karen plays the drum track of the record, but as time went on and they were under more and more time restraints, label obligations, touring schedules etc etc, she played less and less on the records. On this track the drums are played by Jim Gordon .
If you really want to watch her live in the early years. This video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ECEBexCwGwM.html from 1970, was taken at a hospital where they put on an outdoor show for Vietnam vets. Pay attention to the soul running through her veins - the way she follows the music and completely lays down a rock solid beat and tempo on the drum kit She’s not timid shy and dainty like the image A&M wanted to paint of her They ROBBED her of her essence and soul - and too bad her self esteem was already low from her childhood years way before she even knew she could sing … You have to remember she was a teenager the first time her her brother and the Dick carpenter trio performed on television in circa 1966/67 (she was born in 1950) There’s videos of that too .. where they play dancing in the street At the Hollywood bowl and was actually a battle of the bands (they won of course … everyone else was competing for 2nd place anyway). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ECEBexCwGwM.html This is must watch - but pay attention to her non verbal cues That’s what great musicians do - communicate by nods glances and motions to keep the rest of the band in sync This is not like all the lip-synched garbage that came out in the early 70s This performance was her her brother and the bands peak before Sherwin Bash (manager), Herb Alpert and the corporate claws of A&M had delusions of an image they needed to portray and In Conjunction with their. roboticizing their every movement, we’re huge contributing factors to the demise of not only Karen but Richard the family and the touring band members I say Touring because they played with different musicians on the road Most notably Doug Strawn and Bob Messenger were instrumental in their success . Doug played all the trumpet, oboe electric clarinet and was a great backing vocalist and messenger played bass in the studio they started off using student musicians from Long Beach State to form the band Spectrum. The group included John Bettis (who collaborated with Richard for yearswriting songs) on guitar, who began writing lyrics to Richard's songs, guitarist Gary Sims, bassist Dan Woodhams, and vocalist Leslie "Toots" Johnston Sorry I digress
Of course, you're right when said "your voice". You're Beauty, you crying? i love It. Really was the best singing: Karen Carpenter #1 ...dont worry, not just you crying.
She played drums only very early in her career. She begged Richard to let her try drumming in his band before they became the Carpenters. She did because she was so shy she needed to "hide" behind them. Once she moved center stage she overcame part of her shyness.
Hal Blaine played the drums on most of the Carpenters songs. Karen played the drums during concert along with a back up drummer Cubby OBrian. There are some great clips of Karen doing drum solos and also during some concerts. There is a great video of the Carpenters doing a medley of Burt Bacharach songs where Karen sings and plays the drums for 13 minutes straight flawlessly. Keep it going with the Carpenters . There are many more great songs.
That's correct. Karen Carpenter did play drums on the band's first album Offering (later renamed Ticket to Ride) but Hal Blaine, part of the legendary Wrecking Crew group of studio musicians, played drums on most of the rest of the Carpenters' recordings.
I am an old man now, nearly in my 60's and this came out when I was a boy in shorts at school. For someone of your age who can appreciate the quality of this song/band today, restores my belief that music always connects people. Please continue, there is a galaxy of music as good as this out there.. ATB and P+L Nick
Karen Carpenter is my favorite female singer her tone will stop you dead in your tracks.. only one other singer who comes close and thats Angelina Jordan 15 years old now but has been releasing mind blowing video's since she was 8... I'd love for you to react to her... she will rock your world....ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qF0JV28vgLw.html
Welp, you're the only reactor to pick the studio version of this song to use for the video. Thanks so much! The video all the other reactors use has a two-second fade-out from a previous song, and the really nice, jarring drums to start this song are lost on that video. I have the record, and it's so nice to hear the strong drums at the beginning from a clean start. When there's no video, you can really pay attention to the music, her voice, the sax, the guitar, and everything. Really enjoyed that. Very nice selection!!!
Hi angela Keep up the good work Please listen to carpenters I need to be in love try the live version it's so good and the facial expression on karen is so special on the live version
This is one of those songs that is so uplifting, that you don’t want it in. The only truly sad part about the song is that it fades off, and you have to start over!
Thank you for granting my request i know you will love it. If you want more love songs from Karen, kindly react to LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM, her voice is awesome, cool, and lovely and more emotional on this song. Godbless and stay safe. Thank you.
I never saw a video of her playing drums for this song so I'm not sure. Thanks for reaction and playing it. Your reactions are sincere, keep it going. ✔️😉
At their concerts, concerts, on all the fast songs, she would play the drums, but on their ballads, their mega hit slow songs, they made her get out in front of the band to sing, as the audience wanted to see her sing in front of the band. On many of their recordings, she did play the drums, but on many of them, they used the studio drummer from the Wrecking Crew, Hal Blaine.
Karen mostly played the drums before 1974. The drummer on this song is not Hal Blaine as someone alluded to in a comment. The drummer on this song is the infamous Jim Gordon. He played with many musicians before he was sentenced to life in prison for killing his mother with a hammer and a knife. He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and serves his time in a mental hospital.
Hi Angela… It would be great if you reacted some of the carpenters lesser known songs like, Mr. Guder, Road old, still crazy or trying to get that feeling again. You have a great channel…🤩🤩🤩
