Carpenters was a landmark, Grammy award winning collection because of some classic performances and impeccable production. Yet it was important for other reasons as well. The release of the disc set in place frustrations that would greatly bother the duo for the remainder of their career. 
The soft and sweet first release from the album.
The powerful second single.
Another career defining single release.
No one would or could cover it like Karen.
Billboard magazine ad for Rainy Days and Mondays.
Billboard ad for the Tan album- already gold.
Single releases aside, the disc contains the intimate Let Me Be the One, the wistful Hideaway, and the simple reflective Sometimes. It is the rest of the material that highlights some potential problems in the Carpenters camp. A generally mellow sounding disc, the tan album steps even further away from any rock and roll nuances, avoiding the 60s and the Beatles and Beach Boys influences altogether. I liked it- loved it even- but the album did not have the variety of textures I so appreciated on Close to You.
Unimaginative ad for Superstar- one of their most powerful releases.
Obviously wanting to follow the content of Superstar from a different angle, Richard and John came up with Druscilla Penny. Bluntly, this is a terrible song all around- in my mind their worst ever. The lyric line smugly takes a swing at rock and roll bands and their groupies, just begging for a fight. A&M should have demanded this song be replaced with something else. Ironically, many of these same executives had a purported dislike of Karen and Richard and their music. (See below. Notice who is standing behind Karen and Richard's album? I'd prefer to think the shot was done in good humor.) Maybe allowing this song was a type of silent mutiny. Regardless, this fine album would have been much better without it. 
A&M poking fun at their best selling artists.
Ultimately the tan album took its place at the top of the sales charts for many months and continued their string of hits. Superstar and Rainy Days and Mondays became instant classics. Karen began to be recognized for her marvelous voice. Fans wanted more- and the duo delivered with constant touring, single and album releases, and television appearances. 
Promoting the album in Australia in May 1972.
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This is part of a continuing series on the albums of Karen and Richard Carpenter. There are so many stand alone posts highlighting different aspects of their career, recordings, rare photographs, and life that I've lost count.
Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and then my initial ones a decade earlier. Each have different photos and clippings.
My Revisited / Fresh Look at the albums:
My Initial Reviews of the albums:
2 comments:
"Drucilla Penny" quickly became a relic and casualty of it's time.It would've probably fared better with the counterculture crowd had Richard and John Bettis stuck with the original premise of the song - a takedown of a police officer's run in with Richard (but that would've alienated their core fan base). Instead we're left with an innocuous little ditty.
I wished instead,they used a wonderful undiscovered gem called "When he Smiles" Fifty years later, it is still fresh-sounding and remains relevant for today. Simple,heartfelt,timeless, immaculately produced and appeals to all - hallmarks of a Carpenters Classic.
When He Smiles" is terrific, I agree!
Thank you for reading!
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