Listen to how clean her voice was on 'Rainbow Connection' ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PYuE2roIkH0.html Open that 'SHOW MORE' thing beneath the video....to read the crazy story about why & how she laid down the vocal.
Joygernaut M I think it was more her ice-hearted narcissist of a mother, along with her much-favored brother. Poor Karen was trapped in such a toxic and controlling family dynamic, and likely developed anorexia as a way to control something in her life.
This is my first time posting here Jamel but let me say this. Sometimes in life we're blessed to to be in the company of truly wonderful folks. You sir are one of those special people that I was lucky enough to find. You get it. You understand the passion, the love, the inspiration, the commitment it takes to produce these beautiful songs from our present and past. How they impact us and our lives is very special. You understand how important it is to keep good music alive. My hat's off to you for sharing yourself with us. Thank you. Peace.
Karen's voice is like a warm blanket. Having grown up throughout the 70s, The Carpenters were an integral part of my childhood. Hearing their songs, particularly this one, always brings me back to my childhood, with all the warmness and feeling of safety that goes with it. I'm extremely lucky to have been born into this era of music.
He worked her hard so I have mixed feelings about him. His talent as an arranger, producer was outstanding. But he knew she was his meal ticket. Obviously they needed each other because the best work either of them had was when they were together.
@@abc456f There were a lot of rumors going around about him back in the day. He didn't come out of them well. No idea what he's doing now, he dropped out of sight.
@@LM-hb6yn This is referring specifically to the song "Close To You," but yes they used the overdubbing technique throughout their library of music. Carpenters’ version was punchier than the original, with a swinging harmony and shorter pauses. Richard used a click track to synchronise the vocals (masterfully arranged into four-part harmonies tripled into 12 overdubbed vocal parts) and achieve the right effect. It took 47 takes just to get the extended “wahs” the way he wanted on the closing chorus. Trumpeter Chuck Findley had to repeatedly modify the trumpet part to get the sound waves to modulate in the way the producer wanted. “People were coming in during recording and saying, ‘We’ve never heard anything like this,’” Richard recalled.
Me too. I still cry and I always will. She was much more than a singer/drummer to me. I was 10 when I heard this song and it made me a fan for life. So this song means a LOT to me. ❤
"The lady... literally sings like - she's flying around with wings on!" - A perfect appreciation of Karen's vocal talent, thanks for getting back to The Carpenters, Jamel.
I have searched far and wide for a negative Carpenters review.. just can't find it. Karen Carpenter has the absolute best singing voice of all time, never to be replicated....A one-off.
In 1975 I joined the British Army. This was one of those songs that sent all of the barrack guys into silence as we remembered out girlfriends back home.
Well, I think the melancholy you speak of largely comes from the many bittersweet song lyrics they did. But her voice does fit those songslike a glove. It's just that it's equally effective and invigorating to hear her sing top of the world, or Mr Postman, you know?
@@johnboehmer6683 I do agree with everything you’ve said. But something about the tone of her voice just stirs something in me. I’ve loved her since I was a child.
There are several "acapella" versions of Karen's recordings. It's unbelievable! You can hear every damn note she sings with absurd clarity. Right here on RU-vid!
Those a acapella versions out there are not the real acapella. They're a CD layer SACD (Super Audio cd) from Carpenters singles 1969-1983 released in 2004.
@@abc456f And her brother was a selfish prick not letting her have time with her new husband so she could have more balance and control over her own life
I don’t believe I have ever seen a more happy look on your face the instant her voice starts. It appears you are in major love with her singing. That’s OK. I have that feeling, too.
I remember being 7 or 8, standing on top of a stone retaining wall in our front yard during summer break busting out as loud as I could "I'm on the top of the world, looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find...is the love that I've found ever since you've been around...your loves put me on the top of the world!" Cute right? Yup, unless you're my mom & you find out 20 minutes later, your goofball kid doesn't know any other part of the song😄😁😜 #FrontYardWorldTourCancelled Edit to add: In the early 90's I'm 23 or so & am woken up at daybreak on my day off. My neighbor's 8 yr old daughter is standing on our shared cinderblock fence belting out only the chorus of Eternal Flame by The Bangles...over & over again. I could only laugh😄
Hi Donna, from another Donna. I have an almost identical memory! Probably age 6 or 7, took the dog for a walk and stopped on the street corner singing my heart out with this song. Probably getting the words all wrong. Didn’t care!
That anecdote from your youth is as perfect as the song. Thank you for sharing the sentiment the 70s gave us all who loved our growing up during that time. Love it.
LOL we really HAD to wait for our favorite songs back then. Biggest hits they'd play a lot more often. Just sitting there waiting to hit "record" on the cassette player...
The struggle was real! Then you'd be wanting ti strangke the dj because he wouldn't shup up & would ruin the start or end of the song you'd waited ages to record 😠 🤣😂
Like bathing in liquid gold. So very beautiful and so instantly recognisable. Karen's tragic passing just broke my heart. I can't imagine the effect it must have had on her truly talented Brother. R.I.P.
Listening to Karen just makes me want to reach out and give everyone a hug. I was a young teen when this song came out and even though I listened to the Carpenters endlessly, I never recognized how sad Karen was and how much emotional pain she carried with her. I often wondered if that was the secret quality, depth, beauty that her voice had. Thanks for your reaction, Jamel. Take care and be well. Peace.
I really think that her inner sadness and struggle was an integral part of the emotion she always portrayed. Her voice needs to be piped onto every city street corner across the nation in this God forsaken time in which we find ourselves.
Her brother did all the song arrangements and keyboards....background vocals as well. He kept his sister alive through interviews and TV appearances over the years after her death.
Over 50 years I have never known anyone who didn't love the Carpenters' music. By the way, Herb Alpert, who owned the record company, was shocked when he found out they only did one take on each song. JUST ONE TAKE!
This is definitely one of my favorite Carpenters songs. The song just takes you on a dreamy bliss, with a dash of sentimentality. Just pure Carpenters magic.
I grew up listening to the carpenters and sill remember the first time I heard Karen's voice, "oh my goodness" I still listen when ever I can and yes it makes me tear up everytime. I remember I was driving to work when it came on the radio she had passed on, I had to pull over because I was so overcome. A beautiful lady with a beautiful voice RIP Karen xx
Jamel, yours is the only channel that I feel gives due respect to the artist, the genre and the fans who love it. Most of us (even me! 42 years old) grew up listening to these tunes, so they are precious to us. I so appreciate everything you do for us. God bless, thank you for helping keep great music alive!! 🇨🇦❤️
It is SO wonderful to listen to your reaction to Karen Carpenter's stunning vocals. I was born in the 60's, and she is STILL, and ALWAYS WILL BE, my very favorite singer....EVER. Thank you for appreciating her, the way you do. Much respect to you.
Every time I hear her sing I cry; partly from the tragedy, but mostly because of the sheer beauty of her voice. I'm surprised she hasn't made you tear up.
I've been alive for 60 years and I've NEVER heard another voice to compare to Karen Carpenter's. It could lift you up, it could bring you down, it could melt you to a puddle of the purest essence of emotion. Most Carpenters songs are happy and upbeat, and on the surface that's what pulls you along with the most contented of smiles on your face... But... There is also the most exquisite undertone of melancholy that, once you recognize it, can just shred your heart to tatters. The truly amazing thing is, YOU DON'T EVEN MIND... I have no doubt that its a reflection of the internal demons she struggled with, and SO sadly... Ultimately succumbed to. Rest in peace indeed, dear sister. There will never be another like you.
Karen Carpenter is my favorite female singer..No one's voice can top her natural melody..I went out and purchased a cassette tape in the early 90's..I don't give a hell about color when it comes to great talent...
Carpenter's music 🎶💞 God gave her a lovely and special voice. Jamal really gives credit to her talent. We enjoy how he appreciates and animates with his reactions 😊👍
Voice of an angel. Her voice makes me cry almost every time I hear her voice. I remember watching on TV all of their appearances and that heart breaking day she left us. We will never see or hear the likes of her again. Truly an angel.
Jamal, thank you so much for your Carpenters reaction videos. I'm sitting here tonight in a pool of tears from missing Karen and her angel voice, knowing we'll never hear any new songs from her again. I'm so thankful we have the ones she did leave for us and future generations. I'm deeply grateful to revisit this timeless artist.
I loved (still do) the Carpenters growing up. Was tough too, because it wasn't "cool" for men to be Carpenters fans back in the 70s and 80s. When you say her voice soothes the soul, that's exactly how I felt back then. At our wedding, we played "We've Only Just Begun." Through the years, when I was having a bad day or a rough time, my wife would put on the Carpenters and I would immediately be calm. Richard (her brother) was an amazing composer. Karen is "the voice" every man needs to bring him back to reality when the world seems to be crumbling all around you.
Karen was one of a kind and you will never hear another voice like her's. I would love your reaction to "Bless the Beasts and the Children". Not only Karen's phenomenal voice, but a beautiful message. Please.
I can’t recall a time during the 70’s when a Carpenters song wasn’t playing on the radio, And all the TV shows and specials they did, Richard and Karen were truly “On Top Of The World” RIP sweet girl.
I'm not old enough to remember when this song was originally released. I grew up listening to The Carpenters though. It's strange how this song about remembering songs and memories of the past does exactly that for me.
Bro J, why you do that to me. I grew up on The Carpenters, the harmonies, arrangements, and her voice. Then I see those beautiful pictures of her, happy smiles, and remember we lost her way too soon. I guess I needed to cry today.
One of the most beautiful voices you miss but you say AHH when you hear the first word. Puts you in that place of being centered and calm. Such a loss to the musical world.
Contralto to be specific. Super rare for females. She said herself that when she sings those low notes, that's where the money is. It's also where the magic is.
@@abc456f You're right because I am a contralto (balance between tenor and alto) also. She was right that the low notes is where the money and magic happen. You can have all those "high up in the rafters" female singers but I appreciate the "low note ladies" much more!
@@abc456f oh yeah I almost forgot that she was a drummer. I remember when I was in 6th grade in 1971 in Alabama I was in a talent show and I played trumpet and I played "Close To You"...and no I didn't win but it was hilarious to watch me come on stage in my little Sunday dress juggling my trumpet, sheet music stand, and sheet music cause I was so nervous (LOL!)! It was on a Friday night and my mom was there but my older sister was with her buddies and my dad was at work. I did a good job and my mom said she was very proud of me and I didn't miss a note. One little Southern black girl's fond memory:).
Oooo. Yes. (If he hasn't already. I know that song pretty much made reactor Dereck Rivera's head explode...) I happen to have had the CD "A Song For You" in my car lately, and keep repeating Track 5 ("Goodbye To Love") over and over...it was the first power ballad ever recorded, you can draw a straight line from that to, say, Evanescence's "My Immortal"...
Karen Carpenter was 1 of 1. No voice before or after like her voice. Also nicknamed 1 take Karen for her ability to get the song perfect the first time. Her brother was a great song writer and arranger and great on several instruments as well. What a tragedy to lose her at such a young age, someone as beautiful as her with that voice who never thought she was good enough.
A song that makes those of us of a certain vintage become emotional for a multitude of reasons. Happiness & sadness in equal measure. One of the great vocal performances.
You what what I like about you. You are sincere, you don’t “over react” like a lot of other reviewers. You are natural and that’s why people come to listen and watch. A fan here.
