As a rocker and a closet Carpenter fan, I remember where I was when I first heard the song, Close to You. I was walking on the beach at Doheny Beach, California., with my friends and heard it, playing on all the transistor radios. It was like one of those profound events in one’s life. The Summer of 1970. Unforgettable.
Exactly...I remember where I was too. I was 13. I remember thinking to myself...who is this chick....she sounds like an angel. Then I kept my transister radio on all day waiting for the song to come back to the top of the play list.
SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
Awe I was newborn, but loved listening to her late 70’s and even 80’s on the classic 📻 radio stations. Did not learn more about her till in my 30’s-40’s. 😢 so sad that she did not get the necessary help she needed. ❤ 🕊️
@@melissagarza2376 She got help but too much in a way...she put on weight too fast, had a big meal the evening before...her heart had gotten accustomed to working for a lighter body and it was too much strain. I loved their music, too.
I love The Carpenters, their orchestra, backing musicians & singers. Truly remarkable musicians, songs & talent. Their music, live performances, especially the London one-Concert at the New London Theatre 1975 & video's are legendary. What a voice Karen had. Seem like lovely people too. R uk
SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
As tragic as it was to lose KC so young, the silver lining is she brought Anorexia into the public consciousness. She probably saved my life. RIP Miss Karen. You live on through your music. 🕊
Beautiful Japanese Documentary… Expression of gratitude and admiration to the Carpenters by Japanese full of heartfelt and soulful thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
I've loved the Carpenters since I 17:07 was a little girl!! Their music 🎶 has always moved me!! Although Karen may be gone their music still resonates in my heart today! I love you Richard and Karen!!! And I miss you Karen!!! R.I.P. !!¡
Beautiful Gorgeous Elegant. So impressive It's truly remarkable that this kind of lively music is still live and fresh and enjoyable. Love you so much Richard 💗❤❤❤❤Love Karen Carpenters ❤️ ♥️
The Magic Lamp label was not started by Ken Osborn. He bought it from the Burnette family after Johnny's drowning in 1964. Dean Torrence was trying to keep Jan and Dean afloat after Jan's car accident. The Carpenters played on some of the recording Dean made at Magic Lamp. I discovered the record in 1976 and publicized it in my fanzine, Downey Soft. I met the Carpenters at the Mann Music Center in 1976 and talked briefly to them. When I asked Karen about the single she denied ever marking it. For two years their fan club denied it as well. Eventually they admitted it was her and it even appeared on their boxset so I was vindicated in the end.
@Larry Brown. But Richard Carpenter has acknowledged that the photo on the cover of the Horizon album accurately depicts how both he and Karen felt at that time - emotionally and physically worn out! It is also noteworthy that that photo was clearly doctored to give Karen a more bosomy look - she actually was flat-chested!
Rolling Stone has her rated 96th out of 100 as the best female artists. Absolutely in the top ten in my opinion. Such a rich, yet crystal clear voice. .. just magical. It’s so sad for the world that she left this planet so early.
ROLLING STONE: THE DARKNESS HATES THE LIGHT! SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
I still get the same feeling today as I did back in the 70s as a young girl the first time I heard her angelic voice. These documentaries make me sad. You can't help but to think what could've been had she not had anorexia. May You Rest In Peace 🕊
It is said that sometimes, when there is a vulnerable but very special soul involved, anorexia jumps at the chance to gets its hooks in. I agree such a shame it was Karen Carpenter taken too soon before her time. RIP.
SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
The absurdly excessive, busy touring schedule that the management of the Carpenters established for them in the early-to-mid 1970s was ridiculously grueling for a top notch music act! That overwhelming schedule indicates that their management was treating them like a second-rate act or a "fly-by-night" act that needed to capitalize on their overnight success by constantly touring and recording just in case they didn't possess long-term durability. The Carpenters should have done what modern music stars do which is only turn out a new album about every 2-3 years. The Carpenters, by contrast, were churning out a new album every year! Ridiculous! No wonder they were burned out mentally and physically by 1975. The exhausted and mentally and physically burned-out look on their faces on the 1975 "Horizon" album, as the old expression goes, "speaks volumes" as to how they both felt at that time!
@michaelbarlow6610 Karen and Richard pushed themselves to be perfect. Even when sick they had a hard time resting. Their work ethic was very strong. Notice when Richard was in rehab Karen pushed herself to make a solo album when she should have been resting and dealing with her illness. Collapsing on stage while performing is just 1 sign of working to extremes even when she was weak. Or wasn’t solely their management team. Richard was the boss and they didn’t make any decisions about their career without his input!! He would gladly (and did) fire people he couldn’t work with. RIP Karen. I will always love you. I’ve been a fan since the beginning, and certainly wasn’t ashamed to say so. Karens voice melts the heart.
IN THIS VIDEO DO NOT MISS THE MOVIE SCENE AT 1:07:37 "TOMMY BOY" ACID ROCK HATE & RAGE VS. AMERICA ERA > IT WAS 'NOT COOL' TO LOVE OR EVEN LIKE THE 'CARPENTERS' > YET THEY SOLD MORE SONGS & ALBUMS THAN ANYONE > TO MILLIONS & MILLIONS OF ANONYMOUS FANS! 😛
An extremely good vocalist. A gift from God to the planet Earth is the only explanation. There are vocalists who practice for years that can hold a candle to her. She just instinctively knew the right tone, at the right time, adding subtle inflections and all perfectly timed. I have heard her hold a note then smoothly turning into a vibrato, sustaining it for 15-20 seconds, no sign of straining or cracking. There are very few vocalists, famous or infamous that can even approach such control.
She's my favorite female singer of all time, and my favorite duo. I grew up with their music. I actually have collected all their albums in vinyl. You will be always remembered.
SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
I hated vinyl records from day 1. That snap crackle pop, always fighting it with the Discwasher and Zerostat but never winning. In general I am not an early adopter, and I also take my time migrating, but the day I first saw a compact disc player is the day I adopted it and never looked back. I took all my vinyl and gave them to the local thrift store with zero remorse to this day. But I still have all my Carpenters vinyls.
Joe Osborn seems like an abrasive type. He seems to want to make a point of saying "this chubby little girl can sing." I heard another interview with him and Hal Blaine and he said that there as well and even repeated it. Very odd that he would say that. There's no way he can think it's ok to say that, so he's doing it on purpose. Maybe he's jealous of her success, maybe he thinks he should have gotten more credit and money for discovering her....hard to say but he has dropped off of my list of nice people.
I was just wondering two days ago what actually happened to the Carpenters. And here I am hearing about this tragedy - 40 years later. It's so sad. I'm so sorry for Richard, too. They were a cornucopia of good ideas as a couple. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing....
SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED & ANOINTED BY GOD> PLAIN & SIMPLE! EVERY SONG SINCE 'CLOSE TO YOU' & 'WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN' etc. WENT MULTI-PLATINUM 'WORLD WIDE' > 'ALBUMS' WERE A TSUNAMI OUT OF STORES INTO THE PUBLIC! IN THEIR 1st 5 Yrs. alone > DURING THE ERA OF ANTI-AMERICA ANTI-GOD ACID ROCK > CAL BERKELEY BLACK PANTHERS SDS SOCIALISM RIOTS BURNING & LOOTING etc. THE 'CARPENTERS' (Little Bo-Peep & Big Brother Producer / Arranger Richard) were the MEDICINE SENT BY ALMIGHTY GOD!
He was only part of the success. He acted like he was the full act at times. But Karen was also a huge part of their success publicly. Now that she has passed , you listen to her voice you immediately know it’s Karen. So sad she never was able to get a handle on her illness. ❤😊
As we all know, he was the brains and almost the whole act. He, and all of us, also know that Karen was a huge part of the success, you think he doesn't know that? He knows that and believes it and appreciates it. It's not that he acts like he's the whole act, it's just that he's intense and passionate about it and that comes out of him when he talks about it.
6:47, whatever that is, it's not Joe Osborn's 1966 studio as we are led to believe. He would not have had that computer in 1966. Maybe that's his studio in 1995, and it just happens to look the same as it did in 1966. That I could believe.
What a lovely heartwarming couple! Their music was/is a light in this world. It is healing, light, positive, a voice that floated through my youth like a great glittering ribbon of tinsel. A great gift to create something like this, rare in the music world ... ❤
One thing that makes Karen so great is how effortless she is. You can hear superstar singers like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Barbra Streisand and you know they have intense training and huge effort to sing that way. Karen, on the other hand, just let's it float out with no apparent need for traning and no effort.
Just listening to Karen hold and maintain perfect control of that extended "youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" word/note in her singing of "Close To You" on the videotaped performance of that all-time great song is absolutely amazing! Wow!!!! What phenomenal lung capacity she had! R.I.P Karen Anne Carpenter 1950-1983. How the world so greatly misses your magnificent vocal and drumming talent and wonderful beauty!
After reading your comment I went and watched that and I was impressed as well. Then I tried singing with her and was able to do it no problem, so it's not all that long. I am a singer, but I'm not great at holding long whole notes. Try it yourself and let me know if you can do it.
9:11 I'm not sure who made this video, amatuer or pro, but that is not 1968 footage there as we're led to believe. That is more like 1972 at the earliest. In 1968 they were still in the garage.
Timeless voice. Her songs will never get old. They are as fresh today as when she first sung them. It is always an escape of the norm of the day to listen to her sing. Missing you KC. Hope to see you singing again someday.
9:54, Karen is playing the hi-hat with a swinging motion, swinging the stick back and forth horizontally over the surface of the hat. Ringo is famous for that.
It is interesting that when Karen told Richard that she wanted to keep working by recording a solo album while he would be in treatment to overcome his addiction to sleeping pills, that he said to her that she had his blessing to do a solo album but asked her to not do any disco music on the album. And yet the song that he and Karen recorded for their "Made in America" album, "Beechwood-45789" has a definite disco sound to it even though it was first recorded by "The Marvallettes" years earlier well before the disco era in music! Richard Carpenter some time after Karen's sad passing stated that if he had known that Karen was only going to live 32 years, he would not have wasted time recording songs like "Beechwood-45789" and "Please Mr. Postman" and would have done an album of standards with Karen similar to the 2 great albums that Linda Rondstadt recorded with Nelson Riddle years later, "What's New?"and "Lush Life".
I don't think it sounds like disco at all, but anyway he can change his mind. Also everyone involved realized that The Carpenters needed to evolve somehow. What worked so well from 1970 to 1975 simply couldn't be expected to work forever.
@mimiity9585. Although Richard and Karen Carpenter were hard workers and perfectionists at their craft, there is no question whatsoever that their management and A&M Records were pushing them too hard via grueling, unending touring and recording and making television show appearances which mentally and physically exhausted both of them which definitely - along with their overbearing, possessive mother Agnes - led to their health problems! Also, I have not read any firm evidence that Karen actually collapsed on stage during a concert performance - that scene in the 1989 made-for-TV movie, "The Karen Carpenter Story" may have simply been the screenplay writer trying to add "drama" to that film with no factual basis for the incident. Richard has stated a number of times that Karen at her worst physically, would barely make it through a live performance and THEN collapse in exhaustion in her dressing room as soon as she got offstage.
Billy Rees, thank you so much for sharing this. It was lovely to see so many of the Carpenters great performances compiled in this documentary. The Carpenters filled our hearts with joy and sadness through each of their unforgettable songs. The quality of the music they chose and their interpretation of that music are extraordinary. Karen and Richard, we are forever grateful to you for your immeasurable gifts and inspiration!
