One of the first 78's I got, and I was born in 1966, so I remember them, was a Carpenter's album. Once she starts you know who it is immediately! It can't be anyone else!!
This was part of a live BBC performance in 1971. No studio enhancements, no autotune, just pure, unadulterated, pitch perfect vocal perfection. If you closed your eyes, one note in, you know it's Karen Carpenter. Who else sounded like that? No one.
Check this group. One of their stars, Ksenia honors Karen with this cover. You can't replace her but I think this is special. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JhWrggrJ20I.htmlsi=zO1GiuosNTjqdCmg
+Lori Miller She did but she was also a perfectionist in her music and lifestyle. She tried to have a 'twiggy' model figure but her naturally wide hips and broad shoulders made it impossible to achieve but she wouldnt give up. By today's standards her figure would have been celebrated, big booty. We have to be happy with what we have and work with it. Not all body frames are the same.
+NiteRider Band I don't think she got enough love as a child. It hurts to the core when your own mother doesn't think you're the greatest. I believe she suffered from the low self-esteem that comes from not being adored by family at an early age. Sad because she was great, she just didn't know it.
As the story goes, her brother Richard was the considered the star of the family & she was "just his sister". They were both extremely talented. As it turned out she had "The Voice" which was a gift from god. Richard had talent to showcase it . Although the music sounds a bit hokie by todays standards it still holds up, many decades later.
She had a weight gain problem and over the counter drugs helped her lose weight. She was a perfectionist and very aware of her presentation. She didn't want to be chubby unfortunately the drugs she was abusing damaged her heart and killed her. Had she knew the damage caused by the drugs I am convinced she would have never used them.
I think it went beyond that. All the things she did2 lose weight also added years (20+ years by the time she was 31) to her appearance. Just looking at her at age 31 (again, she didn't see this?) was enuff2 make me cry.
OK, that is an overstatement to me. Yes, past artists had less gimmicks. Still Beyonce, Adele, Lady Gaga can all sing wonderfully live. Times have changed, but talent is still there!
Pete Zereeah So true. I think my favorite single note in the history of pop music is when she sings the word "wait" around 2:11. She was truly an astoundingly talented singer.
If this song and performance does not touch your very soul, then you have no soul. Quite honestly the best female vocalist the world has seen. Effortless purity.
@@johngraham5543 As I said before, Patsy Cline. Judith Durham, Timi Yuro and Sonya Isaacs are her equal or in some cases her superior. Just flexing my right to my opinion.
you can just feel her soul and coincide with the sadness we all carry in this world, yet its so endearing healing and eternal. Like shes singing to all of us like an Angel. I wont talk greatest/all time talk but from a lyricism standpoint and just how emotionally she connects on HIFI id call her talent on the level of a Miracle to mankind. Something that just goes beyond talent/qualitative aspects of music.
This "live" recording is very much appreciated. It is so close to what the actual studio recording sounds like. Not many artists today can pull something like this off. This woman has one of the greatest voices ever. She may not have wanted to be front and center but that is definitely where she belonged.
@@goranyau1122 live vocal, probable backtrack music, but you can if listening closely pickup slight variations and they are slight.... what is missing of course are the strong backing vocals which were multi recorded
Definitely live vocal, probably has backing tracks for the trumpets and strings at the least. But her phrasing is not identical to the record and there are backing vocals missing that were in the studio version. This is definitely live vocal - and I'm really glad of it because it is so great to hear how good she really was.
Summer 1971. I was working during the Toronto CNE at a greasy spoon diner next to the stadium. I stepped out to take a break while The Carpenters were performing. I listened to this song. Hauntingly beautiful. Couldn't see a thing but the sound, the night air, the fairground smells of that late August night are with me still.
Yes 🙌🏽- and FINALLY THERES someone who sounds almost exactly like her‼️ her name is Tori Golub Here - she sings a bit of “We’ve Only Just Begun” ru-vid.com6eB4ebLI2uY?si=67CpRwGZoWi2hjPh
This is the best performance I've seen of anyone doing anything. So much emotion radiating out of these big brown eyes, so sad and fragile. She was too good for this world, too good for us. Rest in peace Karen.
Bettie Powe Depends on what you mean as best. Karen had the best tone to her voice. It was like velvet & crystal combined. Vocal control and acrobatics... then I would go with Whitney. She also had great tone but not on the level of Karen Carpenter. Whitney sang the best version of the Star Spangled banner of all time. Still my favorite version and makes me tear up everytime I listen to it. Just sWEEEt! She was a beautiful talent as well. Life ended badly for them both, what a loss for all of us.
TheRealJohnDoe Yes, there are all kinds of entertaining. Whitney had a belting, "head" voice. Her performances often struggled to stay on pitch-- hence the "acrobatics." Karen had incredible vocal and breathing technique. She can hold long, clear notes, then add vibrato for another 3 measures! Find a bad performance, even near her death.
John X FYI.....as managing director of Bill Reed Voice Studio, you should know that "head voice" and "belting" are not the same thing. They are actually exact opposites. Head voice implies singing above one's break. Classical singers sing primarily in their head voice. Belting, on the other hand, is one's natural outdoor calling voice. It's also referred to as one's chest voice. Broadway singers and many pop singers are known for their belting skills. When one uses both their head voice and belting voice together (with no break), it is called the mixed voice. Karen used her mix voice to perfection, which results in the rich velvety tone that characterized her voice.
I’m 69 years she was an idol to me and everyone in middle school and we all grew up with her BEAUTIFUL VOICE . I still listen to her songs to this day .
@@reggaefan2700 I listened to Bonnie's recording and her singing requires jazz affectation to compensate for her lack of clarity and range. Karen voice was as clear as a bell, and she infused emotion into each perfect note. Both women could tell a story in their singing, but only Karen could deliver melodic clarity and feeling to such a degree that this live performance sounded like it was a studio recording.
Her talent is staggering. Her tone and pitch changes are perfect. Her inflection is rare for popular music. Her tone and pitch change at 2:28 is impressive...clearly natural talent..
Karen normally sang as a contralto, but she had the rare ability to transition from that more typical female register to a much lower range-something she called her “basement.” Thanks to Richard's songwriting and song selection, her basement voice was used masterfully on music that tended toward the melancholy,
She was a very savvy (musically speaking) perfectionist. She knew how to hold each note just long enough--no rushing. Although her voice IS a one-in-a-million voice, it is her innate awareness and singing style that makes her so incredibly exceptional. A musical genius at multiple levels.
Karen normally sang as a contralto, but she had the rare ability to transition from that more typical female register to a much lower range-something she called her “basement.” Thanks to Richard's songwriting and song selection, her basement voice was used masterfully on music that tended toward the melancholy,
@@RainCloud848 Richard knew her 'basement' voice was exceptional. If he hadn't reworked so many songs to accommodate her lower register, she might not have achieved the musical distinction that she did. Their work together is a stellar example of a sparkling talent carefully maneuvered into superstardom. I personally would have liked to see her pull away from pop music and into a more sultry jazz genre. 'Masquerade' is one of my favorite songs.
Such a beautiful elegant woman. I have NEVER heard anyone sing like Karen. NEVER. Today’s pop singers are more concerned with screeching & looking sexy. Karen was very sexy & her voice - pure, low, clear - is something we’ll never hear the likes of again.
Glorious and Elegant yet Relatable and Captivating! Guess what? There’s FINALLY a brand new singer that sounds Like KAREN!! Her name is Tori Golub Here she sings a bit of “We’ve Only Just Begun” ru-vid.com6eB4ebLI2uY?si=67CpRwGZoWi2hjPh
SHE is one of the few singers in the world who was able to sing low notes efficiently. IN fact she reigned supreme on singing low notes . MOST of the famous singers even have / had problems producing same degree of excellence while singing low notes . IT specially happens when a high note of a song plunges to a low note and requires to remain there between three and seven seconds -- here most of the singers find themselves in an unknown territory but LATE KAREN CARPENTER was different and exclusive. AND of course her mellifluous voice which still enthralls the audience UP AND DOWN THE WORLD. INDEED, A RARE VOICE.
She had a 3 octave range - and shows her high range on most of her background vocals and especially on their Christmas album- but she humorously admitted “the money is in the BASEMENT” (meaning her songs that showed her languid rich clear LOW tones - were the songs that soared to the top of the charts) 📈
Same hear. I loved her voice even when I was mainly listening to rock in the 70's, good ole high school days. It makes me sad that she had to leave at such a young age, we've missed out on a lot of Karens music. She'd probably still be singing.
One of the greatest female singers of all time. Her voice and singing were perfect. All Karen Carpenter fans miss you terribly. Keep singing for the Lord in heaven Karen
The most beautiful voice I've ever heard. Even the best female vocalist today cannot hold a candle to Karen Carpenter, and to think that singing wasn't what she really wanted to do! What an amazing talent. It's a pure tragedy that she's gone.
Unbelievable voice! I’m 60 plus and hearing her sing (especially this song) still brings me to tears! An amazing instrument she was blessed with....so sad she couldn’t hang on to life R. I. P
Her voice is like medicine for the soul. Gosh, her voice still moves me to tears, even after all these years. She was such a treasure, plus her brother with his perfect arrangements.
@@renarga6886 the greatest hits 1969 to 1973 album has been ingrained into my body since i was 12 yrs old, its still there at 58, no one has ever come close
You can tell she was deeply and beautifully somewhere else during this performance. I wish I could have given her a hug telling her "Karen ... You're so beautiful, it's going t be OK ."
Haunting, sad, powerful, inspirational, moving and just plain awesome performance. I was astounded this was live . . . she sounded so good. Notice her cute hip dance from 2:53 - 3:08, she loved to perform and it showed! I just recently became a fan, my 8 and 11 year old boys are singing their tunes around the house!
Ok. You’re a recent fan, so I just wanted to tell you…..don’t neglect the awesome music on their lp’s that wasn’t played on the radio, but was every bit as good as the hits. Their first lps were their best, but they were all pretty good.
This is probably my favorite song by her. Also up there Rainy Days and Mondays. Really showcases her voice, the emotion, the purity and beauty of her tone.
My favorite too, although the sadness in her voice is overwhelming. Her disease (anorexia) starts out about wanting to lose weight for a legitimate reason, but morphs into a power struggle with yourself and an effort to totally control one aspect of life to the exclusion of all others. You don’t “see” yourself anymore, you see a challenge. Are you disciplined enough to get juuuust a little thinner? And you think you’re winning, while you’re actually losing your LIFE. It’s horrific.
Karen Carpenter had a phenomenal golden voice that just pierced right through my heart. She was angelic and authentic. I hope that Karen Carpenter will RIP, in the Heavens up above.
That VOICE ringing out like a bell...every note PERFECT without lip synch or auto tune. Wish she were still here making music...happy healthy and LOVED
I'm only 23 and I play their CD in my car and I study to the Carpenters. Her voice and their music is so pure. When I was little, my mom would sing me their songs and it's how I feel asleep. We need more talent like this today. You are missed by many Karen. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
When most celebrities pass away my reaction is "Oh, that's sad." When Karen Carpenter passed away it felt like somebody had punched me in the stomach. I knew how much the world had lost.
I know many truly appreciate the Carpenters' intense talent of so many excellent recordings. The amount of poise and control Karen displays here approaching the beginning speaks volumes to the high effort and dedication the Carpenters put into excellence in live concerts. Here while absolutely live (with no effects whatsoever), what strikes me as amazing is the depth of concentration the entire band has playing live from a tremendous amount of composition writing and practice.
This song reminds me of how little love there is in the world...People are so afraid to care about each other and forgive! The video is beautifully done...Karen was such a beautiful talent.
There's plenty of Love it is just usually for someone else! Karen was great and so in the reincarnation belief ( Lord, 2005 'as not in this lifetime') who is she now, a star as Taylor or just your next door neighbor singing in her home that no-one ever hears?
Sadly, I think you are right. I sometimes think we are afraid of one another. I don't think forgiveness comes into it. We cannot do it. Once a person has made a decision to move on, that is it. In films misunderstandings miraculously get cleared up, differences get resolved, love conquers all. In real life the waters are much muddier. Also people can harden in their stance and hate. That is way easier than trying to imaginatively put yourself in someone else's shoes.
una mckillen I think more we are afraid we will fail or that the other will ask too much of us. I'm a loner, been a loner, will be a loner, it's written in me code. Next incarnation maybe the great Romeo in reality instead of in me songs I have wrote and War game text I have made for me game Panzer General II/ SS Amerika campaign, for me SS Fuhress Savannah, a porn star who killed herself in '94. Karen brings a tear to me eye, she was beautiful and I really liked her singing and she did good songs with her brother. If he don't commit suicide someday I will be amazed. Cats have softened me loner stuff, I got a Herd. Though I have wrote a few songs about suicide it's never the way to go. Fight the challenges the Lord tosses to you, live , die, live again.
KC's voice is instantly recognisable. This is a wonderful performance. Her lead vocal is not double tracked during the chorus and she still sounds supreme. Thank Goodness for recorded music and video footage so that future generations will be able to witness and enjoy her incredible talent.
Wonder if in 2050 people will still listen to these Carpenter songs. The songs will be almost 80-90 years old, but are just so soothing. But here we are 40ish years later listening.
Certainly!! Quality music will always have an impact on anyone with good taste... ; consider Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Chopin, etc. Also, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, ... you get the picture. Anyway, I hope that this is the case. Barney
So beautiful and such sadness in her face here...she was suffering which is so hard to deal with when you hear the pure beauty of her voice. This was a live music broadcast and not a flaw in it. Miss her terribly even after all of these years.
Karen Carpenter was, one of, if not the finest female artists of all time. She had control, tone, feel and a presence. No electronic aids or autotune back then, just pure natural talent. Her vocals are so distinctive, and stand alone from anyone else. She was a living legend, but she just did not know it. One of the sadest stories ever. R.I.P Karen 🙏🙏🙏
karen is unique in that she always sounds better than one remembers - easily the most talented musician since Mozart, and yes, all of us who grew up with her miss her terribly ...
They couldn't f**k with her voice here like they did in the studio with their "enhancements" which in her case were anything but...it was a crime how they distorted that incredibly beautiful voice at times...
With a tear in my eye I watch this Video. Hauntingly beautiful performance from the best female vocalist in recorded music history! Ladies and gntlemen, the late, great Karen Carpenter!
Best Version Live or Studio ever. Song showcases Karen's voice and Richard's accompaniment talent. Sounds like a studio version but it is live! Karen and Richard are perfection.
This song brings back so many memories of my years growing up. It especially reminds me of the Jackson Five and my siblings and I dreaming that we would meet them one day. Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful and melancholy voices ever heard. RIP Superstar!
