The Hawaii of my dreams! Maybe yours too. One day, one day, one day. But not now.
(Photographer unknown.)
April 28, 2020
April 22, 2020
Disney's Animal Kingdom: A True Life Adventure (Part Eight)
Twenty two years ago today, Disney's Animal Kingdom opened to the public. The topics of "Animals" and "Disney" had always tested well together, so Michael Eisner finally decided to approve the creation of a nature inspired park. On Earth Day, 1998, Imagineer Joe Rohde and his team celebrated their hard work. But that did not mean expansion wasn't already needed...
Here's Part Eight of an ongoing series. This look at the creation and evolution of Disney's fourth theme park in Florida is a very fascinating story. As with the first seven parts, Part Eight has rare concept art, photographs, and my personal trip reports.
The image above is my favorite ad from 1998. A brief recap: Would guests find wild animals? That's a given. A proposed African Safari would be the highlight of the opening years. The park was stunning to look at but short on attractions. Countdown to Extinction used the Indiana Jones Adventure layout to take guests into the world of Audio-Animatronic dinosaurs. The beautifully elaborate Beastly Kingdom - land of mythical creatures-never materializes. Attractions planned for Asia, once set for opening day, are built much more modestly than originally planned.
Kali River Rapids. The proposed Tiger River Run
was certainly much larger in scale and more thrilling.
See below.
was certainly much larger in scale and more thrilling.
See below.
Tiger River Run- compare the two.
Composite image courtesy marni1971.
Composite image courtesy marni1971.
The Safari's savannah in art form.Need to read the first Seven articles before continuing to this installment? Start at here at Part One of my series, The Genesis, Evolution, and Revelation of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Seven parts and counting. Each article shows rare concept art, photographs, and more. Including detailed trip reports. Return to this post for our continuing story.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
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Photo by yours truly.
When we last left off, Expedition Everest was the huge shot in the arm that the park needed. Crowds began to return and stay longer. The beautiful Rivers of Light nighttime show was uneven at best and certainly unreliable, but some guests did choose to stay later than ever. Improved attendance only highlighted an ongoing problem: A three minute thrill attraction on its own did not help fill up a day.
The 2007 agreement with J.K. Rowling to bring her beloved books and movies now made Universal Orlando a force to be reckoned with. Disney's arrogant fumbling of the offer to represent Harry Potter in the theme park world left them reeling. It was time to step up their game as when the new land opened at Islands of Adventure, Universal moved from taking away several hours of a guest's trip into now occupying two days of precious vacation time- and dollars spent elsewhere than The Walt Disney World property. (As first and foremost a long time Disney park fan, thank you Harry Potter for waking up a sleeping giant!)
The major lack of significant investment in the theme parks under the reign of Robert Iger became more apparent each year as crowds continued to leak away to the newly energized Universal Orlando. With bruised egos and an audience to capture afresh, the suits chose partnering with an interesting source of creativity, James Cameron, whose 2009 film, Avatar, was a huge success due to its breathtaking and groundbreaking imagery.
"Does it fit the theme of the park?" This was the question on every fan's mind when the collaboration was announced- including mine. I mean, giant blue aliens coexisting with earthly animals and prehistoric beasts? And what about those floating mountains and otherworldly landscapes? If anyone could put it all together, Disney could, but they would need the best artists they had on it. The Lead Imagineer for Animal Kingdom, the passionate and quirky Joe Rohde, was assigned this very prestigious project. What a great choice he would be to steward it all. Say goodbye to Camp Minnie-Mickey!
Guests would fly on the back of a banshee.
Image from 20th Century Fox.
Two main attractions would greet opening day guests to Pandora: The expected Flight of Passage, where they'd soar on the back of a dragon like creature; and Na'vi River Journey, a slow moving boat ride through the gorgeous jungles of the planet.
The twelve acre expansion was to become the newest park's biggest investment, topping out at just over half a billion dollars. Half a billion for a theme park land. But as I will tell you in the trip report portion of the article, you can almost see every penny spent. The end result is a land more stunning than the spectacular concept art created to promote it.
The twelve acre expansion was to become the newest park's biggest investment, topping out at just over half a billion dollars. Half a billion for a theme park land. But as I will tell you in the trip report portion of the article, you can almost see every penny spent. The end result is a land more stunning than the spectacular concept art created to promote it.
Three pieces of concept art
for the river journey from Stephan Martiniere.
Trip One- Grandpa and a sweet little girl.
for the river journey from Stephan Martiniere.
After three years of construction and a couple of delays, Pandora - The World of Avatar opened at Animal Kingdom on Memorial Day weekend in 2017. Little did I know, I would be seeing it for myself the following summer!
My first look at Pandora!
To make a very long story short, my wife and I had not been to Walt Disney World in almost a decade. Instead, we visited family, went to a variety of places in the United States, Europe and Asia, and saved our Disney park visits for Disneyland Paris and one in Walt's original kingdom. We weren't missing much as the World had clearly been focusing on resting on its laurels. All that would change when in the course of two years we would visit the World two times, once with each daughter and their families.
First ride together in the park.
After almost a decade away, I couldn't wait to see the World and experience it as a grandpa for the first time. It's one thing to go as a young married couple or with your kids, but you see and feel the parks in a whole different way when you're older.
During our 2018 trip, our first visit to Animal Kingdom came after breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe. We traveled via resort bus to Animal Kingdom. The crowds were as heavy as the air. Walking in, I had forgotten what a beautiful and peaceful place it was. The sense of calm passed once we traveled toward Pandora to get a ride on the Na'vi River Journey. The land is truly among the best work the current Imagineers have ever crafted. Tokyo DisneySea quality! You could just walk around for an hour admiring their work. And you might have to- the place is constantly packed with people.
Had we not had a Fast Pass, the wait time for this little boat journey was an hour and a half. We wouldn't be able to ride Flight of Journey until a second day. There are so many reasons to hate Fast Pass, but I'll save those for another time.
Shaman of song. Singular.
From the mysterious caverns a la Pirates of the Caribbean to a slew of special lighting effects, the river journey is a strange mix of being lacking and being incredibly enticing. It's a short ride at just about 5 minutes. Yet, if you take it for what it is without expecting a real story, no narration, or any thrills, it is one chock full of little details that will take you several rides to see it all.
Due to some time restraints, we had to choose between Rivers of Light and seeing Pandora at night. No contest! If you think this new area is a masterpiece during the daytime, the nighttime visit will make you appreciate the art of Imagineering all over again. All I can say is, it is too bad this park doesn't stay open late regularly. Our second trip on Na'vi was just as beautiful to me as our first. We slowly walked out of the park, taking in all the sights. With the addition, I would now consider the park a 3/4 day experience, and it has nowhere to go but up.
I just love Animal Kingdom! It's Adventureland on steroids!
As for me, I find the creation and evolution of this park fascinating! It may be due to the fact that it's the newest on the property, but I believe Disney's Animal Kingdom has the most potential to be consistent in theme and execution- as long as Joe Rohde is around, that is.
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Thanks for reading Part Eight of the series. I'd love to get your feedback and insights on it!
Due to a lack of narration, it was hard to explain it all to the kids, especially when they saw creatures that looked scary. To them, the big blue people and scary looking animals were not reassuring. They asked, 'Who was the big blue guy at the beginning and the very weird giant lady at the end?" We quickly told them as we did a few times during our trip, "It's all make believe". A four and six year old can't easily understand the nuance of the storyline and its Gaia focused worldview. Even if it is a fantasy, there's no mistaking there's a deliberate teaching aspect that is core to the mission of this park. So, when it is appropriate, we just consider it an opportunity to talk about the beginning of the world and creation according to the book of Genesis. God's love for us is so great that He gave us a beautiful world we should enjoy and care for!
Looking at Na'vi River Journey from an Imagineering standpoint, I would have appreciated even a few Audio-Animatronic animals and even a hunter or two to bring some depth to it all. The thrills aren't needed. They're inherent in an adventure world something humans do not get to see. The whole thing succeeds as a secondary attraction. It's truly a lovely experience, but you can tell where the budget was cut. Too bad as I love Disney dark rides where boats are the vehicle for the journey.
Looking at Na'vi River Journey from an Imagineering standpoint, I would have appreciated even a few Audio-Animatronic animals and even a hunter or two to bring some depth to it all. The thrills aren't needed. They're inherent in an adventure world something humans do not get to see. The whole thing succeeds as a secondary attraction. It's truly a lovely experience, but you can tell where the budget was cut. Too bad as I love Disney dark rides where boats are the vehicle for the journey.
From an attraction roster standpoint, it fills a much needed gap between a couple of spinners, shows, E Tickets, and animal trails and exhibits, something the dark rides of Disneyland fill. Besides, it's great to have a calming boat ride in the park! There's so much water in Animal Kingdom and so few ways to experience it.
Beautiful during the day but a must-see at night!
The end of the night show.
As for the rest of this first trip, we loved the new placement of the Lion King show. It is finally in the land in which it belonged from the beginning. Everest still rocks- and the nighttime Kilimanjaro Safari, unfortunately, did not. Very few animals that we did not see during our daytime trip.
Due to some time restraints, we had to choose between Rivers of Light and seeing Pandora at night. No contest! If you think this new area is a masterpiece during the daytime, the nighttime visit will make you appreciate the art of Imagineering all over again. All I can say is, it is too bad this park doesn't stay open late regularly. Our second trip on Na'vi was just as beautiful to me as our first. We slowly walked out of the park, taking in all the sights. With the addition, I would now consider the park a 3/4 day experience, and it has nowhere to go but up.
I just love Animal Kingdom! It's Adventureland on steroids!
The promotional hype is exceeded by what was built!
We made a decision to take our little granddaughter on something she was tall enough for: Kali River Rapids. Smiles all around- even after getting soaked. Or was it because of it?
I'm going to quote my previous trip report because it is so telling: "The Safari was next, and the experience landed with a collective thud. I miss the opening days when drivers from the African continent were present. I miss the days I couldn't see so much chain link fence, and being we rode around noon, we missed seeing most of the animals. An antelope doesn't cut it, but at least the lion was out. Looking back through our photos, none of us had taken one single shot of anything related to the park's centerpiece attraction! Gorilla Falls did not charm the kids either. This visit - our only day in this park- was going downhill quickly. Very, very quickly."
I quickly suggested the winning Festival of the Lion King. The kids reluctantly gave it a shot. We went in, and once the giant character floats and particularly the monkey gymnasts came in, they were infinitely more interested.
I'm going to highlight my comments about Flight of Passage with photos from our second trip, this one in 2018. These kids were slightly older than our other grandkids and had not been to Disney World before. Their perspectives were a bit different. In my mind, they rounded out my feelings for the park and all the enhancements made since our earlier visit in 2009.
With these cute little travelers, Disney's Animal Kingdom came in last place when compared to all the parks. (Almost a year later, it did move up to Number One for one grandson. Why? Expedition Everest! Like grandfather, like grandson.) In their minds, for all its beauty and adventures, Animal Kingdom was nothing more than a fancy zoo. They wanted rides. In this area alone, the park fell short for them, and it was hard to argue otherwise.
Kevin brings the biggest smiles of the day
to these adorable little guys.
We were staying at Pop Century, and due to the coming Hurricane Dorian, the parks were absolutely empty. Very unexpected but a delightful find. Animal Kingdom fell on Day Two of our trip.
With a very late night and the little guys exhausted, we left them sleep in. But we missed both our 8:30am Kilimanjaro Safari and almost missed our Expedition Everest Fast Pass times. No matter. Everything was a walk on- except in Pandora. Of course.
Photopass was put to good use. Often!
My oldest daughter declared "Big Thunder on steroids" a winner. The two boys loved it in spite of it putting the fear of God into them, and once we got off, they immediately wanted to ride again. We stopped in the exit shop nearby to buy them an Everest T-shirt to commemorate them braving the mountain, just as I did last year with their cousin. Brand new designs, which was kind of fun that each group got something unique to the year of their trip.
We made a decision to take our little granddaughter on something she was tall enough for: Kali River Rapids. Smiles all around- even after getting soaked. Or was it because of it?
Her smile says it all. She is charming!
Kali has a gorgeous queue, perhaps the prettiest in all of the park. Such a waste for a journey less than half the length of what was originally planned when it would be Tiger River Run. (Check previous installments of the series for more information.) There were no fire effects working, no logging sounds, zero. Just one big drop after a few spins, and it was over. Even our little adventurer was surprised how short it is. Kids say the darnedest things!
I'm going to quote my previous trip report because it is so telling: "The Safari was next, and the experience landed with a collective thud. I miss the opening days when drivers from the African continent were present. I miss the days I couldn't see so much chain link fence, and being we rode around noon, we missed seeing most of the animals. An antelope doesn't cut it, but at least the lion was out. Looking back through our photos, none of us had taken one single shot of anything related to the park's centerpiece attraction! Gorilla Falls did not charm the kids either. This visit - our only day in this park- was going downhill quickly. Very, very quickly."
I quickly suggested the winning Festival of the Lion King. The kids reluctantly gave it a shot. We went in, and once the giant character floats and particularly the monkey gymnasts came in, they were infinitely more interested.
We were getting closer to our last ride time of the day, Flight of Passage. Finally. But we did have a small bit of time. We circled back to Everest for another ride. I made it to the last seat, my favorite. As we rounded the bend to Dinosaur, it was raining very hard again. I was excited to take them all on this, and we glad left our littlest traveler on the sidelines. Even the older boys were frightened by it all. The ride was another average experience.
The Valley of Moriah???
I can't remember much anything specific about this movie.
Finally Pandora! It was a mere 15 minutes to take the boat ride. Good thing, as it was another "meh" rated experience in their minds. But I knew Flight of Passage would impress them- or so I hoped. The boys loved it. Our granddaughter was too little, so we needed to make use of the baby swap option. Some of us rode twice. This ride was just as exciting and fresh as the others before it. It's beautiful, thrilling, scenic, and repeatable. A home run! Honestly, I now have to say Flight of Passage is my new favorite ride in this park- and even in all of Walt Disney World.
So, was Pandora in theme with the rest of the park? Surprisingly, it fit in fairly well. There needs to be more animals to seal the deal. Perhaps there's expansion plans to the area to include a trail or some other ride where we can see those giant banshees in real not "reel" life. But, yes, it fits in beautifully.
On our way to catch the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner Boma, I asked everyone what they thought of the park. Not a flattering answer: "Pretty but really just a zoo". They were very glad it was only one day of our trip. They told me they wouldn't go back next trip unless there were many more attractions. Real rides.
Everyone experiences the Disney theme parks in very different ways. We come with thoughts of what a Disney park should be. For me, this lush giant Adventureland is about soaking in all the details and seeing the creative work of the Imagineers. It's a nice change of pace from doing a park one ride after another.
So, was Pandora in theme with the rest of the park? Surprisingly, it fit in fairly well. There needs to be more animals to seal the deal. Perhaps there's expansion plans to the area to include a trail or some other ride where we can see those giant banshees in real not "reel" life. But, yes, it fits in beautifully.
Everyone experiences the Disney theme parks in very different ways. We come with thoughts of what a Disney park should be. For me, this lush giant Adventureland is about soaking in all the details and seeing the creative work of the Imagineers. It's a nice change of pace from doing a park one ride after another.
Safari expedition- definitely better during the day.
In a park with so few attractions and even fewer ones that everyone can ride, the next expansion of the park has to be very strategic. It has to be able to draw in the whole family. Will it be Indiana Jones themed as rumors suggest? The suits and Imagineers made huge steps forward with Pandora, but will it be enough when Universal opens its third park and stiff arms the competition with Nintendo World? They are upping the game once again! Now that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge has opened at the Studios and Epcot is getting a few new attractions, Animal Kingdom could take a big attendance hit in the future. Or be left behind totally. Magic Kingdom will always be the top Florida park if for nothing but sentimental reasons.
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Thanks for reading Part Eight of the series. I'd love to get your feedback and insights on it!
(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. All artwork copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
April 18, 2020
Castle of Dreams
So California Adventure is 19 years old today? Wow! I remember visiting the park and just being disappointed. That was the best word I could think of. After a couple of hours- and paying full price for the ticket- we went to Guest Relations. They easily offered to send us over to Disneyland for no extra cost. Done. Quickly.Disneyland? Never been disappointed in any visit there! It's beloved and iconic for a reason. Walt Disney himself made sure that guests got more than they bargained for! Gotta love him for that. Above is a piece of concept art for the castle. Sure, Disneyland has a much smaller castle- currently the smallest of all- but it's still charming. Brings out a sentimental response to anyone who went to the California parks before there were any others.
"When you wish upon a star..."
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
April 15, 2020
Jesus Speaks of COVID-19?
Did Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, speak of COVID-19 during his days on earth? Here's his startling words out of the account given by Luke:
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.”
That's Luke 21:6-11 from the Bible. We just celebrated Easter Sunday, the commemoration of His Resurrection from the Dead, after being crucified on the Cross on Good Friday. He died once for the sins of all who would choose to believe in Him and turn toward God and away from a self-focused life. He said that he is The Way, the Truth and The Life- that a no one could get to heaven except by Him. (See John 14:6.) His love makes his words simple, direct, and easy to comprehend. We must all make a choice that effects our eternity. We get to choose Jesus and believe or we get to reject Him. Yes, it's that straightforward.
April 14, 2020
Song of the South: From Troubled Movie to Iconic Attraction
From somewhere deep in my files: a piece of concept art for Song of the South, the Disney animated / live action movie that was the source of inspiration for the deeply enjoyable Splash Mountain.
Back when Tomorrowland's America Sings at Disneyland was sadly set to be demolished, Imagineer Tony Baxter thought about what to do with the great characters by Marc Davis that were turned into Audio-Animatronics. The combination story and flume ride approved by Michael Eisner and Frank Wells was so popular another version was created for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. All goes to show even a troubled movie can turn into a great the park attraction!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
April 13, 2020
Two Looks at Space Mountain
Consider it another stroke of Imagineering genius that Space Mountain was created at all! Placing a roller coaster inside a building? That was a first for the theme park industry. Theming a coaster? Yes, another Disney first when they Matterhorn Bobsleds roared into Walt's original kingdom.
When it came time to place a version of the beloved attraction into the Jules Verne themed Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris, Tim Delaney came up with a brand new retro look at the future, and he placed it all in a version of the mountain that would soon be recognized as the most beautiful of all. The top piece of concept art shows a more "rocky" environment. The piece above reflects a design much closer to what we got today. And the ride inside is as different from the others as the exterior is from the iconic white cone look.
This attraction has an interesting history! Riding it has become a rite of passage for kids all over the world. Want to dig deeper and discover even more? Take a look here at this extended article which talks about every Disney park with a Space Mountain in intricate detail.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
Notable and Quotable: Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan, Wrestling Superstar
April 12, 2020
The Ultimate Victory
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After they had assembled with the elders and formed a plan, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole his body while we were asleep.’ If this matter is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story is told among the Jews to this day.
So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(From the Bible's book of Matthew, Chapter 28.)
April 11, 2020
Carpenters Revisited: A Fresh Look at Now & Then
"When I was young, I'd listen to the radio..." In these days of the Coronavirus, I find myself reflecting on my life. I have some very sweet memories of family times, exploring new places, lazy days in the sun on the beach, working in the garden with my wife and young kids, and car rides filled with music. Even something as simple dinners with friends or a Sunday morning church service to worship God together seem like things from the past. I miss helping others, running camps for underprivileged kids and other projects, all with a group of people who love God and love others. I miss the ease in which I was able to go about as I pleased. How many things I took for granted! Karen's words seem all the more poignant than ever before. But for today, and for this article, it's yesterday once more.
Can I begin this fresh look review with a controversial statement regarding the 5th disc by Carpenters? I either really enjoy Now & Then or it ends up being one of the albums I listen to the least. How did I get to this place after hearing it for over four decades? Read on.
Can I begin this fresh look review with a controversial statement regarding the 5th disc by Carpenters? I either really enjoy Now & Then or it ends up being one of the albums I listen to the least. How did I get to this place after hearing it for over four decades? Read on.
After the release of the stellar A Song For You album, fans and critics alike were curious as to what would be next. Serious artistic credibility was awarded the duo when the last single from the album, Goodbye to Love, blazed on the Billboard charts with its unexpected and searing guitar solo by Tony Peluso. Yet, nothing came afterwards. Just about six months later, the first single from their forthcoming album arrived, and it defiantly threw that credibility aside.
Was this any way to build credibility?
Sing was everything Goodbye to Love was not.
Lightweight, happy, upbeat, candy coated lyrics, complete with background vocals by a group of kids. But true to form, it was taken seriously by the producer. Even the great Tom Scott played that simple little recorder piece! This was nothing more than a Sesame Street song aiming for the Top Ten.
On TV: Robert Young with the Young
where the song was first heard by Richard.
But why Sing? Was this Richard's way of giving the middle finger to the rock community that had snubbed them so long? Was this his way of saying they would do as they pleased, thank you very much? It would be difficult not to fight back after receiving so much hatred because of their art.
Perhaps it wasn't such a stretch. One of 1972's big hits was Sammy Davis Jr.'s frothy Candy Man. Then the following year, just a couple of weeks after Sing was released, the equally catchy singalong number Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn hit big. Really big. So maybe pure pop kid-friendly music was still acceptable to some degree. Although I loved just about everything Karen and Richard chose to do, this record made it difficult to be known as a fan. It only reinforced what harsher critics thought about the duo. Totally white bread America, playing to an older, gentler, conservative audience.
The announcement in Billboard.
You can hear it here.
During this time, I began to withdraw more and more. Friends were fewer than ever, and I retreated into my bedroom and the comfort music brought. My mother still drove my sister and I to Huntington's beach after school, so I regularly disappeared into the waves with its crashing sounds and rhythms and the smell of saltwater. Where my sister was growing in popularity, her brother was on the other side of the social scale. I'm sure it was embarrassing for her at times. We weren't close back then, but how many young teens really are with their sibling of the opposite sex. A few years later, that would change.
In spite of Karen and Richard's success with the new record, it had to be a head scratcher to industry insiders. Their manager Sherwin Bash, and perhaps even A&M Records executives, had a fondness for linking them to much loved, well established, but decidedly older, performers: the amazing Carol Burnett, iconic Bob Hope, Gene Kelly and the like.
On the television special.
(Again, from Getty images.)
Granted, these folks were big for decades, so the idea to pair them with television star Robert Young for a special broadcast seemed not all that different than others. The nagging question remains: Why were newer and contemporary stars ignored? Were Karen and Richard never considered for projects with current artists or was this a conscience decision on their parts or someone else to separate themselves? Regardless of the reason, this choice may have shortened their chart life, but by the same token, the group's avoidance of following trends may have contributed to their enduring longevity.
Did Richard sense this song Sing was a mistake in the long term?
Were these old school celebrities chosen at the request or influence of their parents Harold and Agnes who might have tried to protect their kids from the excesses of Hollywood. More than one wanna-be junior psychologist has attempted to tie their later troubles and Karen's anorexia to the duo's upbringing, making out their mother to be villainous at best. When we face hardship and struggle, we each make our own choices in life, good and bad. The truth is, so many things we love about Karen -her approachability, her warm humility, her quirky but very vulnerable charm- were also the result of her old fashioned upbringing. Therefore for many reasons including being kind, I say it is time to leave the human and imperfect Agnes, in particular, alone.
Regardless of the reason it was chosen, Sing was an undeniable hit.
Above images from Vinyl Album Covers.com
When Now & Then was finally released to the public on May 1st of 1973, it was clear Karen and Richard Carpenter returned with an album that sounded very different from their previous and very ambitious collection.
The tri-fold cover was unique- and expensive- befitting A&M Record's best selling act. Making a clean break from the look of the previous two album covers, the Carpenters logo would still be prominent, but for the first time since the Close to You album, the brother and sister team were finally seen back on the cover. There's no sugary sweetness in the photo either.
This is partially due to the fact that the label had no plan for a cover. Richard says, "It was almost as if A&M completely forgot we even were releasing an album." It was his idea to pull out one of his favorite autos as a focal point. The large scale lapse in thought on part of the label revealed an ongoing sense of Karen and Richard being taken for granted served up with a large dose of general disrespect. These would be issues that would continue throughout their career, only to be readdressed once Karen would pass a decade after this album's release.
Richard goes in to even more detail with this rather chilling reveal of what was happening behind the scenes as told to the BBC: "
We were their biggest act, and they hadn't given it any thought. They said to us, stand out at your front door and we'll shoot your picture. I kid you not! I said 'what you mean like OUR MOTHER would do?!!! Like a snapshot to go in the family album?! We're supposed to stand out here?' I said 'we’re NOT doing it!'. So this went on, they were saying 'no we have to have it, the album's nearly out', so after all the bitching and griping... we got in the Ferrari. And if you look at that, you can tell I am pissed off. I am not smiling on that album cover. All they did was get us driving down the street, and they just shot us with me driving the car. That was it.
THEN to make it worse, they said 'this cover is going to be more of an artistic statement, 'we're going to have the picture painted'. If you look at that album, it folds out three ways , it cost a lot of money to make it. Of course by this time, we're not in the studio, we're out on the road, so we didn't get a chance to see what they were doing with it until we are out on the road. And they sent it. And it was wrong. If you look at the cover, there's this thing with the Ferrari Daytona, where it has a vent window. And it so happens that the way they took it, it cuts Karen's face in half. Again, if management had anything to say, they should have said 'what the hell are you taking a picture of Karen for [forget painting it!], and cutting our star's face in half?' So when they went to paint it, they just couldn't get this part of her face matched with the other part. So we'd send it back, they'd send another one, we'd send that back, they'd send another, and it's not right to this day. Because although they finally got that part right, they THEN went and painted 8x10s of us from a previous photo session and they painted Karen with an overbite! She never had an overbite, but you look at this thing, and she looks like a chipmunk! It's DREADFUL!
And that's my biggest regret, that I didn't just put my foot down and say, 'if this doesn't stop, we're just not going to cut any more records for you guys.' It was absolutely disgusting, the way they treated us. We should have just stood up to them and said 'get the hell out of here'. They should have been there to look after us, not just book us.
So as I said in this PBS documentary I did, you couldn't actually blame the critics for some of what they said. It was horrible. So if you look at Horizon, I finally did put my foot down on that one. So we BOTH look pissed off on that one!!! But at least our cheeks aren't together and we're not smiling!'
(Courtesy BBC Interview Archive 1993)."
That said, Karen and Richard were finally presented by A&M marketing as contemporary artists in an equally contemporary setting. Richard may have hated the cover as he did many others, but it was a good beginning to being viewed more favorably in tune with the times.
As for me, I loved the cover, and when it was revealed by the fan club that the photo was taken in front of the Carpenter home. Once I had my driver's license a couple of years later, I made it a point to drive there as it wasn't more than 30 minutes away from Garden Grove by freeway. Often. I knew the street name, so I jumped into my not-so-trusty 1967 Ford Cougar with my Thomas Brothers Map in hand. Once I found Newville Avenue, it was very easy to find their home as there were few houses on the street.
Of the many visits I made to Downey, I never once caught even a glimpse of Karen, Richard, or their parents. I did see the van there once or twice. As tempted as I was to knock on the front door, I never did. I was also a child of some good old fashioned upbringing (to a degree), being taught to respect the privacy of other people. Almost as if to reward my patience and treating them respectfully, just a few years later, I was able to meet both of them backstage after a concert in Las Vegas and have a conversation with Karen. (Read about it here.) But back to the album...
Yes, the house looked just like that.
I tried...
Of the many visits I made to Downey, I never once caught even a glimpse of Karen, Richard, or their parents. I did see the van there once or twice. As tempted as I was to knock on the front door, I never did. I was also a child of some good old fashioned upbringing (to a degree), being taught to respect the privacy of other people. Almost as if to reward my patience and treating them respectfully, just a few years later, I was able to meet both of them backstage after a concert in Las Vegas and have a conversation with Karen. (Read about it here.) But back to the album...
An autographed tour book. Not mine, unfortunately.
Deadman's Curve may be the weakest in the medley due to its spoken segments, but it's still more than credible and a whole lot of fun! Better yet, this Jan and Dean tune sets up the next song brilliantly.
Fans knew early on she had
the voice of an angel.
What can I say about Johnny Angel? The faithful but improved rendition of this sweetly charming Number One hit by Shelly Fabreres is just perfect in Karen's hands. Her velvety rich voice shines but is also light as air on the opening lines that repeat the title. A musical parfait of pure delight. The intro demanded repeated listens from the very first time. Not only does this selection fit the medley well, it is also one of many testaments to Richard's ability in choosing compositions which would best serve Karen's voice.
The last song where Richard takes the lead is also the one with his strongest performance: The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. The crisp, clean, and confident read matches well with his snappy true-to-the-era arrangement, complete with some of Karen's most effective background work. I loved - just loved- this recording upon the very first listen, and it still impresses me to this day. Reminds me of his earlier I Kept on Loving You from the Close to You album. 
Given so many releases came at the beginning of school being out and because I had a mid-summer birthday, it was customary for me to receive a Carpenters album as a gift. Well, that and a ticket book to Disneyland! My wonderful grandmothers- may they Rest In Peace- always looked out for me, so I convinced one of them to buy me the Now & Then album as a very early present. I was not disappointed.
Opening a new album by Karen and Richard was always quite an event. (I still miss that sense of anticipation!) Even if I was sure there would be yet another album the following year, the first listen was always special. I'm sure I was a bit distracted with the fresh, innovative packaging of the album when I put the disc on my parents huge television/ stereo console fake walnut wood monstrosity. Sing I knew, so I could quickly look at at all of the packaging before song number two came on.
I was not prepared for This Masquerade. On every level it was just unexpected. I didn't "get" the style, it seemed too old and too lengthy a recording at the time. Yet the completed song sounded so, so good! It wasn't until years later I came to fully appreciate the beauty and utter sophistication of what had been accomplished by everyone involved. From the engineering to the mixing, the song and the album were sonically crisp and clean.
As far as the players, here each one is at the top of their craft. As expected, Karen sounds incredible, but if possible, even more so on this number. Using her God given vocal gift, she was up front and in the room right there. Her subtle phrasing on some key words (noticeably the first use of "lost") gave it a sensual flair in the midst of resigning that long term relationship to one now placed in the past. Whether Karen sang higher or hit those wonderfully long, lower register notes which rightly made her famous, it was a flawlessly mature, beautifully textured performance. Certainly ahead of its time for me.
Regarding the instrumentation, Karen's drumming was just as accomplished as her vocals. She's in fine form throughout the album. Richard's piano work is magnificent on the entire disc but it is especially brilliant here. On Masquerade, his sparkling piano and Bob Messenger's playful flute are as memorable as Karen's vocals. With these two men trading off on the break, it is another reminder of what great musicians the duo had working alongside them. Richard's skill as an arranger is often overlooked in light of his sister's contribution, but that's unfortunate. The man knows his stuff. The final vocal line by him punctuates the end of the song as the music trails off. As Karen and Richard were in their early to mid-twenties when they crafted this masterpiece, it becomes even more of an astounding work of art. Other producers and artists rightly took notice. Although George Benson made it a huge hit three years later, this Leon Russell composition has been recorded by over 140 artists. With more than 60 of these versions being released in the 21st century, it is now a modern American standard.
The next cut, Heather, is a beautiful piece of music that reinforced the popular view of the time that the duo was out of touch and aiming for the older generation. Hard to argue with that. When word got out that the song was originally the music found on a commercial for Geritol, a vitamin and mineral supplement marketed to the older generation, the jokes began to fly. It's lovely, but it is out of place. In a rather strange way, Heather was ahead of its time as Richard would create this type of music years after Karen's passing.
Although I enjoyed it at first, Jambalaya is a recording that hasn't worn well with me and plays like a novelty record. Had they wanted to include a country number, they would have been better served by selecting a brand new one to show off their versatility. And it could have been another single release to further promote the album.
I do like the song itself, however. The Blue Ridge Rangers, a band comprised only of John Fogerty (of Creedence Clearwater Revival) had a Top 20 hit with it just a month before Karen and Richard's poppier version was released. It's a stronger, fun, and more faithful interpretation of the Hank Williams enduring classic. The tune is still being covered effectively today. Even actor Scott Porter's version on television's Hart of Dixie is energetic and very well made.
Here on Now & Then, Karen sings Jambalaya well enough, Bob Messenger's flute solo is great, and the steel guitar is an expected touch, but all the pieces just doesn't come together. I'm sure I'm in the minority. Fans just loved it in Japan and adored it in the United Kingdom. Released as a single in those countries and others, Jambalaya seems to make many greatest hit compilations year after year.
The "Now" side of the concept album closes with I Can't Make Music, another solid Randy Edelman song. The ballad falls in the vein of the previous album's Road Ode and even Goodbye to Love with its lyrics of regret and desperation. The arrangement of a mournful harmonica against organ flourishes adds to the drama and melancholy. Often overlooked, I find the song to be very good, a hidden gem that makes more of an impact with the passing of time.
If Side One is somewhat disjointed due to the variety of styles and effectiveness, Side Two's "Then" is a nearly flawless collection of early 1960's era Top Ten American radio hits sandwiched perfectly between two variations of one of the Carpenters most loved records, the instantly iconic Yesterday Once More.
Opening a new album by Karen and Richard was always quite an event. (I still miss that sense of anticipation!) Even if I was sure there would be yet another album the following year, the first listen was always special. I'm sure I was a bit distracted with the fresh, innovative packaging of the album when I put the disc on my parents huge television/ stereo console fake walnut wood monstrosity. Sing I knew, so I could quickly look at at all of the packaging before song number two came on.
A single in Mexico,
a B-side to 1974's Please Mr. Postman in the U.S.
As far as the players, here each one is at the top of their craft. As expected, Karen sounds incredible, but if possible, even more so on this number. Using her God given vocal gift, she was up front and in the room right there. Her subtle phrasing on some key words (noticeably the first use of "lost") gave it a sensual flair in the midst of resigning that long term relationship to one now placed in the past. Whether Karen sang higher or hit those wonderfully long, lower register notes which rightly made her famous, it was a flawlessly mature, beautifully textured performance. Certainly ahead of its time for me.
Regarding the instrumentation, Karen's drumming was just as accomplished as her vocals. She's in fine form throughout the album. Richard's piano work is magnificent on the entire disc but it is especially brilliant here. On Masquerade, his sparkling piano and Bob Messenger's playful flute are as memorable as Karen's vocals. With these two men trading off on the break, it is another reminder of what great musicians the duo had working alongside them. Richard's skill as an arranger is often overlooked in light of his sister's contribution, but that's unfortunate. The man knows his stuff. The final vocal line by him punctuates the end of the song as the music trails off. As Karen and Richard were in their early to mid-twenties when they crafted this masterpiece, it becomes even more of an astounding work of art. Other producers and artists rightly took notice. Although George Benson made it a huge hit three years later, this Leon Russell composition has been recorded by over 140 artists. With more than 60 of these versions being released in the 21st century, it is now a modern American standard.
Impressive packaging inside and out!
Photo from Snupps.
The next cut, Heather, is a beautiful piece of music that reinforced the popular view of the time that the duo was out of touch and aiming for the older generation. Hard to argue with that. When word got out that the song was originally the music found on a commercial for Geritol, a vitamin and mineral supplement marketed to the older generation, the jokes began to fly. It's lovely, but it is out of place. In a rather strange way, Heather was ahead of its time as Richard would create this type of music years after Karen's passing.
The single from Spain.
I do like the song itself, however. The Blue Ridge Rangers, a band comprised only of John Fogerty (of Creedence Clearwater Revival) had a Top 20 hit with it just a month before Karen and Richard's poppier version was released. It's a stronger, fun, and more faithful interpretation of the Hank Williams enduring classic. The tune is still being covered effectively today. Even actor Scott Porter's version on television's Hart of Dixie is energetic and very well made.
The "Now" side of the concept album closes with I Can't Make Music, another solid Randy Edelman song. The ballad falls in the vein of the previous album's Road Ode and even Goodbye to Love with its lyrics of regret and desperation. The arrangement of a mournful harmonica against organ flourishes adds to the drama and melancholy. Often overlooked, I find the song to be very good, a hidden gem that makes more of an impact with the passing of time.
Thanks to Chris May and the A&M Corner for this image.
A rare shot from 1973. Photographer unknown.
The sole Richard and John Bettis composition here is the emotional center, the very heart and soul, of the album. Yesterday Once More is quintessential Carpenters: warm, inviting, instantly distinctive but memorable with a slight nostalgic feel. Uplifting and bittersweet all at once, the longing in Karen's voice can't be hidden, but it is also has a sweeping chorus that begs the listener to happily sing along. Quite the accomplishment! The creation of yet another worldwide smash finally proved they were international artists of top caliber.
Giving credit where it is due.
It's no mistake that the center panel of the interior tri-fold triumphantly announced this album was "Produced by Richard & Karen Carpenter". The oft told story is that Jack Daugherty, who was credited as producer on their previous albums, booked the studio time and the musicians, but that's where his efforts ended. This had to be a sore spot for Richard who brilliantly brought the concepts in his head to life on vinyl. From the beginning of their career, he was actively involved in writing and choosing songs, doing the arrangement and orchestration, playing, and generally putting the duo's whole sound together. Beginning with this collection, the producer credit would change, marking a new era in their career.
I've often wondered when Karen realized she was a world class vocalist, but has Richard ever come to the realization that his own work is that of a genius? I'm hopeful one day others will come to this conclusion and be as kind to him as they now are to Karen.
Richard and Karen had many reasons to smile
with the world's reception to this album.
If you love the Oldies medley, you have the duo's constant touring and relentless schedule to thank. When time for album five arrived, Richard had little time to look for songs let alone write them. Thinking creatively, he drew upon the idea they just used during their recent concerts. Playing songs they loved from their teen years, Karen and Richard were surprised by the great response to them. This shouldn't have been too much of a shock as America was in the midst of an oldies revival. He decided on the notion to split the disc into two, starting with contemporary songs of various types for the first side while keeping the oldies medley for the other.
Eight oldies! Each much too short!
One of the best photos ever taken of Richard.
When I first turned over the album, I couldn't believe the number of huge hits found on the second half. I was excited as I knew all of them but Da Doo Ron Ron. As Side Two's opening classic winds down, a cover of The Beach Boys' Fun, Fun, Fun takes off with an engine roar and a flashy guitar- and with that beginning, the song and the entire medley never loses steam. Richard's vocal is assured and right up front. The last twenty seconds or so highlights his excellent falsetto work, something he would put to great use during their live performances.
In their early days, Richard often remarked that his influences were the Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Burt Bacharach (and sometimes he'd also mention the BeeGees.) We know Ticket to Ride launched their career, serving them well as a first release, but I truly wish they'd covered Brian Wilson's beautiful The Warmth of the Sun. Can't you hear Karen on it? Maybe one day, Richard will finally release that duet of them with John Denver on Good Vibrations. The background vocals are particularly great. (Surprisingly, the song is paired with Comin' Thru the Rye, whose lyrics and meaning are rather surprising.)
In their early days, Richard often remarked that his influences were the Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Burt Bacharach (and sometimes he'd also mention the BeeGees.) We know Ticket to Ride launched their career, serving them well as a first release, but I truly wish they'd covered Brian Wilson's beautiful The Warmth of the Sun. Can't you hear Karen on it? Maybe one day, Richard will finally release that duet of them with John Denver on Good Vibrations. The background vocals are particularly great. (Surprisingly, the song is paired with Comin' Thru the Rye, whose lyrics and meaning are rather surprising.)
At the conclusion of Fun (x3), when Tony Peluso's alter ego disc jockey comes in, it provides a "Wow!" moment that pays off- for the first fifty listens or so. It's a bold creative choice reflecting all the others Richard made through the years. I was instantly won over by it. Decades later, I love having this piece of Tony's personality on record, but sometimes his shtick becomes a rather ill-fated gimmick. That said, it is a small price to pay for such a great medley.
The money was in the basement.
Her peers couldn't compare.
Her peers couldn't compare.
Karen comes in after this surprise with her only plaintive ballad on the medley, and because of this, the medley is all the stronger. The Skeeter Davis hit "The End of the World" suits her perfectly. In typical teen style of the era, the sun will never shine again as her boyfriend's gone away. Her last note of the song is one that makes you appreciate her vocal prowess. It's way down on the scale and lasts as long as can be, but Karen never once loses her power, tone, or control. Not one of her contemporaries could do what she just did. I remember being in the car and rewinding the tape of it over and over just to hear her sing it again. And again and again.
Whether or not it's an intentional but loving jab at the highs and lows of adolescent emotion, Karen leaves yesterday behind and shifts into high gear with Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home). It's a blast! The girl group sound fits them extremely well. Mixing all those layered background vocals with a very hot saxophone and guitar, Richard creates his own "Wall of Sound", one easily on par with the work of famous producer Phil Spector and his original version of this song with The Crystals.
On the 8-Track version of Now & Then, this song is split between tracks, so the song ends with an even lengthier guitar solo by Tony Peluso. (You can listen to it here before it disappears.)
Just a side note: Having your ficticious DJ mention The Crystals when introducing your remake of their song was a gracious and generous thing to do. Richard and Karen had great respect for the artists who came before them. Even though they were some of the biggest music stars at this point in time, they certainly showed their appreciation by this very classy move.
On the 8-Track version of Now & Then, this song is split between tracks, so the song ends with an even lengthier guitar solo by Tony Peluso. (You can listen to it here before it disappears.)
Just a side note: Having your ficticious DJ mention The Crystals when introducing your remake of their song was a gracious and generous thing to do. Richard and Karen had great respect for the artists who came before them. Even though they were some of the biggest music stars at this point in time, they certainly showed their appreciation by this very classy move.
Deadman's Curve may be the weakest in the medley due to its spoken segments, but it's still more than credible and a whole lot of fun! Better yet, this Jan and Dean tune sets up the next song brilliantly.
the voice of an angel.
The last song where Richard takes the lead is also the one with his strongest performance: The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. The crisp, clean, and confident read matches well with his snappy true-to-the-era arrangement, complete with some of Karen's most effective background work. I loved - just loved- this recording upon the very first listen, and it still impresses me to this day. Reminds me of his earlier I Kept on Loving You from the Close to You album.
A rare little photo.
Photos used in Billboard's ad for Now & Then.
Way back in 1973, if there was one remake I wanted to hear full length, this was it by a large margin. My only complaint with their version was I didn't want it to end. Our Day Will Come should have been the third single off the disc. Other fans felt the same way, as almost 45 years later, someone finally took it upon themselves to create a seamlessly expanded version of it. I must say, it's great, everything it should have been initially.
Even as I listened to the disc while writing this article, Our Day Will Come still sounds as if they'd recorded it only yesterday. Still fresh and contemporary. The lyrics and music have stood the test of time. Richard had good taste in music, but he wasn't the only one to recognize this song was a classic. Bobby Darin, Doris Day, Cliff Richard, Frank Valli and countless others also tried their hand at recording it. In the 1980's, Barry Gibb produced a great version for Dionne Warwick on her Heartbreaker album. Decades later, Amy Winehouse recorded the Bob Hillard tune without a trace of irony or parody.
The popularity of the single cemented
their career in the U.K. for decades to come.
The Billboard ad did a bit of (deserved) boasting.
After about a month of the album's release, Now & Then was in the top five of the American music sales charts, peaking at Number One on Cashbox and Number Two on Billboard. Back in America, just as the golden oldies craze was hitting, their home country seemed to validate their creative decisions, but Now & Then was also a huge smash in Canada, overseas in Europe and the U.K., Australia, and Japan, peaking at numbers just as big or even higher. Make no mistake, Karen and Richard were big.
Their grueling concert schedule made time off rare and left them with all too little studio time, extra time to plan for the future and give themselves badly needed rest. Did anyone around them have a plan for their career trajectory or were they all too busy enjoying the bundles of cash Karen and Richard put in their pockets? There was not even a single in the wings to be pulled as a third hit from the collection to give them some breathing room. How could Richard and Karen, their manager, and A&M Records executives overlook that?
After Now & Then, things would be difficult
for both Karen and Richard.
There was no denying Karen and Richard were superstars all over the world. The album was a smash, and the awards started coming in. Could their star shine even brighter? Yes, and it would continue with the year's release of their first greatest hits album. In many ways, the peak of their career would be 1973. As they'd soon discover, something had to give. The pace and pressure were killing them.
Photographer unknown.
"Those old melodies still sound so good to me
as they melt the years away…"
Yes, these songs are terrific! Yes, the years do melt away when I hear Karen and Richard during their glory years. It's a vibrant, Kodak colored snapshot in time. Now & Then is filled with so many wonderful songs by distinctively American songwriters, highlighting the best of 60's Pop as well as introducing some new American standards. Karen and Richard sound great. Everyone involved is at the peak of their abilities. The collection is upbeat, optimistic, and just plain fun. The album rightly could have been titled Made in America! True to then President Richard Nixon's words, Karen and Richard were "Young America at its best". Why then do I rarely play this stellar effort?
The answer is the execution of the very concept behind the album. I need to be in just the right mood for the disc jockey banter or else I will, sadly, generally skip the disc. Instead, I'll pull out the Readers Digest compilation which features most all the songs of the medley but without Tony Peluso as disc jockey. Or listen to my own.
After I finished my initial listen to the album, I couldn't wait to turn the vinyl over and hear it again! Of course, just like all the others, I'd play it as much as I could until next year's album came out. Boy, was I surprised a few months later when I'd discover a new single and album in my local record store- and a Greatest Hits one at that!
---------This is part of a continuing series of posts on the albums of Karen and Richard Carpenter. Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and then those from a decade earlier. Both the initial review and the newer ones have unique sets of photos and other images.
My Revisited / Fresh Look at the albums:
My Initial Reviews of the albums:
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