I remember being in second grade in 1984, and our music teacher telling us about her passing, and when he played her songs "They Long To Be Close To You" and "Top of the World", he started to cry and told us that he was a big fan of her's and that she had the voice of an angel and was too young to be gone from the world.
i imagine how many around the world with real talent and can sing without help of computers and technology that we aren't privy to listen to because they won't sell their souls to the music industry.
Well, not exactly. Much of "her sound" is overdubbing; not computers, per se, but certainly technology. The studio mixing made for great albums, not so much for live performances - which is where many of her and her brother's problems started.
@@snarky_user Overdubbing gave them that unique studio sound, which only enhanced her voice. There are plenty of live Carpenters videos. I saw them preform in 1974 at a dinner show at Lake Tahoe. Up close and personal. She was the real thing. A once in a lifetime voice and a damn good drummer. John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Buddy Rich, and Frank Sinatra ( to name a few) all had very high praise of her talents. She was preforming live at 15. It was when she was pressured to come out from behind the drums is when her problems came to the surface.
I've been in love with Karen Carpenter's voice since I was a child. Her voice was a tremendous gift to the world... so pure and just so perfect. While I love hearing her sing, the melancholy that radiates in her voice often makes me sad. Still... I listen and NO ONE compares to her.
I was listening to Paul Williams way back when I was a child. He also composed for Three Dog Night, "Just an Old Fashion Love Song" I prefer his version. If you haven't heard it, check it out! Take care and stay safe..🎧😎
@@sean92591 I don't know if "despised" is the right word, but there is something to what you say about Richard being the apple of their mom's eye. "'Lil Sister" Karen was just supposed to be the drummer in the band, not the principal voice. Even after it became obvious to everyone that Karen was the real star, she still had to fight to get Richard to agree to crediting her as "associate producer."
Well said, I feel the same. No one sounds like her . . . from low to high and back to low in a matter of seconds while never over singing. 1975, the Horizon album . . . The photo shoot, the sound, that's my favorite version of Karen.
Karen's voice was pure smooth chocolate. Such a wonderful voice, no one has replaced this Lady in respect of her style. Effortless, note perfect, pure - and that's what gives me goose bumps - purity of song
Pure and spot on, is the only way to describe her voice. To turn how you feel to musical notes and vocals is special indeed. To make someone or rooms full of people want to hear you is a gift. Great singers make you want to listen. So soft, so precise. What a wonderful talent she was. Could listen to her all day.
Karen’s voice was soooo angelic and full bodied.. she was such a treasure. RIP Karen.. you were such a beauty inside and out even though you couldn’t see it. 🥺
I grew up in Downey where the Carpenters lived. Every Christmas they decorated their home and people from all around would drive by to see it. After Karen died, her parents never hung up those decorations again. Her passing was devastating to the whole community but did bring about awareness
@@blakjack3053 A very distinctive voice that very few singers have. All you need is to hear a couple of notes and you know who it is right off the bat.
Agree! She was an amazing artist! Loved her! Still love her. So sad that she struggled so incredibly bad with her eating disorder. I just feel so sad about it. I’ve had a an eating disorder since I was 15. I’m 61.
The world lost an angel the day she passed....my grandmother was crying for days after, as Karen was her favorite singer to listen to. After I got to be a bit older, and studied Musical Theory in College, I listened to Grandmas old records of the Carpenters and understood exactly why it is said she was Timeless with her voice and had pitch control like no one ever befor her. R.I.P. Karen Carpenter you are missed to this very day and undoubtedly in the Far far future. Great Reaction sir, I enjoyed that immensely.
Vocal acrobatics, a la Mariah or Whitney will always have it's place in popular music. The richness of Karen's voice will always be second to none. Karen was about evoking a depth of feeling akin to a silky whisper rather than a triumphant crescendo. Rest in peace, Karen. There will never be another you!
@@brianm6530Thank you for your kind words. Attributing descriptive words to something as ethereal as Karen's voice is next to impossible. Thankfully, we have the recordings!! Otherwise, her magical gift would've been lost. If we had never had the chance to hear her, how would one even begin to describe her voice to someone else?? No words could ever begin to describe it! It would be like trying to describe a color to someone blind from birth! And to think that her brother had to drag her out from behind those drums to center stage. She was extremely shy and was contented to take a more supporting role within the group. It's hard to imagine having such a talent and not being able to recognize it!
@@kittenkorleone2918 Just to let you know, I have spent many a late night putting her albums on, sitting in a dark room with my eyes closed just having a warm feeling of comfort as I listen to her. You might find of interest if you are not aware, of another reactor who is a professional musician named Fil Wings of Pegasus who dissects her drumming and vocals. He's very good. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BCMyQD1-LYc.html and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rfdh9x743Vw.html I hope you enjoy as much as I did. By the way, love your name!
I agree those with REAL TALENT vocally, will NEVER go out of style....but as far as Whitney and Mariah, they were as close to her since Linda Rondstat. And still could not touch the talent range of Karen, since she played the drums simultaneously....also Karen Carpenter is the ONLY singer that Frank Sinatra said he would insist on PAYING to see sing LIVE....now that is an AMAZING compliment.
Karen Carpenter had the voice of angels. She was 32 when she died from heart failure due to her years of anorexia. The powers that be at that time felt she was too heavy and not pretty enough, this is what ultimately lead to her illness and eventual death. What a dirty shame. There is a great movie about her life if you can find it. She is and will be forever missed. Some say she died of a broken heart. RIP Karen.
It was her boyfriend. She was in a relationship where she was terribly insecure. By the time she was too thin and decided she wanted to live, it was too late. 😔
Just LOVED your reaction to my all-time favorite singer, Karen Carpenter -- no voice has ever come along quite like hers. In a store she comes on and everyone around you starts singing along, commenting, etc. I have seen other musicians talk about her and they all agree her voice was one in a million! Thanks so much. She touches he deepest places in my heart too.
@@R.POWELL Thanks! I'm doing good. 57 yrs. old and dealing with lots of stomach issues, but happy to be at a healthy enough weight, and consider myself Blessed every day!
When I first meant my wife in 1981, I told her the only person I would ever leave you for would be Karen Carpenter. She was my first crush and it never went away.
Her voice is like putting soothing balm on a burn. It makes everything feel better immediately. It’s such a shame about what happened to her. It’s still heartbreaking all these years later. RIP, Karen.
@@Tmanaz480 y'know what Hal said about her, that she was one of the finest drummers he'd ever seen, and she should have played on the tracks herself. That's very high praise, considering Hal was one of the best drummers of all time. My daddy was a studio/tour drummer, and he loved Hal, in his opinion he was up there with Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Dad wasn't half bad himself, lol!
I grew up watching and listening to the Carpenters during the 70s. I'm am now 58 years old. When I hear their music and Karen's unique voice I'm transported back in time. Their music brings a smile to my face yet it leaves a dash of melancholy knowing that Karen left us too early in life. My father, who is 80 years old and a lover of music always said to me that Nat King Cole and Karen Carpenter are the only 2 recording artist that have a voice that will live on for eternity. Thank you for your review and your honest reaction to her singing. You made me smile. Peace.
demo77ef I was in the sixth grade when this song came out. We played it in band, I was the third trumpet. I loved their music growing up. To be honest I never bought into the sex and drugs and rock and roll mindset. I preferred James Taylor, America, Gloria Estefan, and especially the Carpenters. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, yes even the Beatles, bored me.
@@davidgaugamela9801 . Talk about Deja Vu! I too was in sixth grade when this song came out and instead of a trumpet I played the Alto Saxophone in the school band. I guess we listened to the same kind of music however I learned to appreciate the music of Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones later in life. Thanks for sharing.
great post! in fact, my 2 favorite singers of all time and in another video praising karen carpenter here on youtube, k.d. lang a huge fan of karen carpenter said that to her karen was a female nat king cole, on par with him.. which is so true! both were the ULTIMATE "crooners" and the ULTIMATE singers who sang TO YOU NOT AT YOU!...
I have been a Carpenters fan for over 40 years. I love seeing younger generation discover them. 💕❤️. Thank you for sharing this rare talent. It feels like having eargasm.
Thought I would add my 2 cents. I too love Jamal' s reactions. He is authentic and very well meaning making it s pleasure to see enjoy his musical journey with him. He's discovered much gold with lots more around the next curve. At the same time, we know that all that glitters is not gold. But mostly what he's putting forth has been just that.
absolutely agreed. Richard is a music genius. He never needed to be the star. SOOO much of a LOT of songs we love, Richard played a huge role in the production.
She was talking about depression. Back in the 70's cognitive theories of depression were just starting to emerge so there wasn't a lot of treatment for those with depression.
Listening to this song & looking at her singing, actually listening to the words, and thinking about what she must have been going through. Back in the 70s depression was rarely diagnosed. People suffered with melancholy, or they were having mood swings & given uppers if they went to a doctor. Hearing this song just now seems to have touched something in me
@@geriatricraver she didn't actually write this. Most of their material was from professional songwriters, this one from Paul Williams (lyrics). Richard composed music for the group, but wasn't a lyricist either. Not saying she didn't suffer from depression, but its more a case that her amazing voice could convince you of anything.
@@geriatricraver you are so right.in the 70s people did not touck about depachen .they would give you pills or put you in a sico ward.at least now they have treatement
Bless her sweet heart & soul. Can't ever listen to her without getting teary eyed.💙 That song was written by the great Paul Williams who also wrote "We've Only Just Begun" for The Carpenters and so many 70's hits for other artists.."Just An Old Fashioned Love Song", "You & Me Against the World", too many to even mention here but wanted to mention him. Great talent, lasting music.💙
@@markellwilliams3594 I do have a favorite, "Superstar". Just because it takes me back to a certain time & place as a young teen. And I love it no matter who did different versions (like Rita Coolidge). But Karen made it so special. You could hear the longing in her voice. But aside from that song I'd have a hard time picking a 2nd fave. Well, maybe "Close to You". Another sentimental favorite. Now I've got "Superstar" on my mind. Think I'm gonna have to listen to it now.💙
@@renaerolley5670 I forgot about that! Must be getting old, lol. But I do remember he wrote "Evergreen" (love theme from "A Star Is Born", the movie with Streisand & Kristofferson). Gorgeous song.💙
Karen had a voice that was heaven sent and possibly too good for us mere mortals to appreciate and for me personally she had the best ever singing voice planet earth has ever heard period. By the way great channel Jamel.
When you hear Karen... is like a big wall hits you right in the face...her voice was so powerful and so clear.. yeat so smooth...she was so amazingly talented...too bad we didn't have more of her... and she was so beautiful.
I remember when Karen Carpenter died. I think everyone I knew was sad. She was and is definitely part of the fabric of America. You’re right, there is just something about her voice. The clarity and smoothness are just intoxicating. ✌️
clarity , (she has the most perfect diction and enunciation for every word to every song she ever sang better then any male or female singe i've ever heard), smoothness, richness, purity, intimacy, movingly beautiful, the ULTIMATE singer who sang TO YOU not AT you.
Your reaction to this song is so spot on. I'm 63 yrs old, about 14 back in the seventies when they were singing and a bit embarassed that I liked them so much because hard rock was "cooler". Well I'm "comin' out". Karen's voice will always be my favorite along with Richard's arrangements and backup. It's just perfect music. To see you enjoy it too is so affirming. Great music crosses all lines and borders. Love the way you love it. Hope you keep doing this. Whenever I need to smile I turn this on, watch you, listen to them.
I have always said that her voice was like wearing your favorite comfy PJs, wrapping up in the softest blanket on a big comfy couch in front of a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate.
Most singers today have trouble emoting, or think that simply having a lot of runs or melisma is all it takes. Karen just oozed feeling from every note. And she looked really good here. Whoever did her hair and makeup knew exactly what to accentuate plus she was a healthy weight. I like to remember her exactly like this.
Truly talented brother and sister. She got all the limelight because of her drumming and heavenly voice but his arrangements and keyboards were both brilliant and very tasteful and really played them both to their strengths.
Sad thing is somehow,she thought she wasn't pretty enough, I wish someone would have given her that deep love that she craved,she would still be with us I think had she found that.
When talking about Karen’s singing, sometimes there just aren’t good enough words. She was 32 years old when she passed away due to complications from her illness anorexia. So tragic! Yet because she was the first “superstar“ to pass away from this illness, it brought awareness of it and its treatments that may have helped save tens of thousands of others’ lives. Karen‘s gift just keeps on giving.....
I remember the day she died. I was 10 years old. I still recall the miniseries they made about her and her brother. Her heart gave out, right, from anorexia.
Excellent point. I'd never heard of anorexia before Karen. She has saved countless lives whether those people know it or not. God Bless her. No question she's singing and jamming the drums in heaven.
OMG...what a voice !! Just like velvet...smooth as silk. And to be able to sing AND play drums at the same time...SO talented...love this song as much as Superstar. The world needs to listen to what a beautiful instrument she had. I hear all these young kids that THINK they can sing...they're not even in the same ballpark as this girl !! Amazing in every way...so sorry she's gone...
Her voice is so beautiful and always sounds effortless. I wish more was understood about eating disorders back then. I don’t know if she could have been saved, but there would have been a better chance. Her voice is definitely missed. 😢
Sadly, ED’s are rampant still in show biz. Those actresses are forced to go on extreme diets to achieve that ultra thin look. Many develop ED’s from this.
Sadly, Karen was beset by a multitude of issues, many of which did not manifest clearly or consistently. Her talents are amazing, but like all of us she was more than her magic moments.
She has such a phenomenal voice. It's so sad how she had to die. Rest In Piece Karen🌹 And Jamel your reaction was beautiful. Genuine and to the core of how her singing made you feel.
Loved your reaction! Growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s, I guess I took great music for granted since we were surrounded by excellence like this. I feel sorry for the young folks of today who don't know what they're missing. Talent like this is almost non-existent right now, but thankfully the music of the Carpenters will last forever. Thanks for highlighting it and helping others to discover how fabulous music can be. If it gives you chills and brings tears to your eyes, you know it's something really special!
She is amazing. I remember watching her on TV and thinking she always looked so sad or she had a far away thought in her head. After she died, it wasn’t until then that you could kind of see her illness consuming her. It was something people could she. - she was always on TV and you could see her fading physically, BUT that voice . . . always angelic Love your channel big guy - keep up the journey
Karen Carpenter struggled with depression, all her life. Most all, if not all, of her songs were a reflection of her troubled life. She bared her soul to us, which was incredible. Taken from us way too soon.
One of my favorite songs Karen sang, was "Bless the Beasts and the Children". GETS to me every time I hear it, and mostly because of her special voice and the emotion she puts into it.
This woman was all-around beautiful...beautiful voice, beautiful soul, beautiful face. She'll always be the greatest female singer that ever lived in recorded music history. I miss her.
Karen Carpenter🌹 definitely had a golden voice. No other female singer ever came close to her . She was and still will be an unforgettable music legend.🎙️🎶
She was truly an amazing singer. I was raised on a farm in south Georgia. I was mowing around the fields in one of my father's tractors when the news of her passing came over the radio. I instantly broke down and cried. I remember thinking that surely everyone in the world was crying with me. Right away the radio station began playing her most popular songs. I must have sat there nearly an hour before going back to work. It was a sad day on the farm. May she forever rest in peace.
A famous record producer said of her when she went in the studio to record, "It's always completed in only ONE take." Her voice is like an angel to me. That's what she reminds me of. Your comments were so kind and thought-provoking. I resonated with everything you said. NOTE: If you ever get the chance to hear "Fool on a Hill" by Brazil '66, the lead female voice is similarly angelic. She also happens to be the wife of Sergio Mendes.