Music Music Music- The 1980 Carpenters album that was released but then again, it wasn't. With the forced shelving of Karen's solo album behind her and Richard ready, refreshed, and wanting to work again, the duo had to figure out how to begin anew. Just as before, this was Richard's job. One such project- the television special, the best of them all- aired 45 years ago today.
I was glued to the television, in awe of what I heard and saw and just had to add this music to my collection. Unfortunately, the soundtrack was released, but the fans had no way to buy it.
The album was, in fact, pressed on vinyl and given as gifts to close friends and family of Karen and Richard. Almost as if by instinct, they knew this was top notch material of the Great American Songbook, and they just had to record it. The project was the exact opposite of Karen's solo album or even what would be its replacement, Made in America. It is neither edgy or bubblegum. You can be sure a copy of this very rare gift sits in Richard's private collection. (The version above is my imagined fan art, by the way.)
Karen Carpenter was meant to sing songs of this stature.
On the television special, she and Richard both looked fantastic and sang and played well. ABC Television executives may have hated the PBS type special, and the ratings were horrible, but it helped cement the truth: Karen Carpenter was a vocalist for all time.
On these songs, Karen's voice and her performance are warm, relaxed, and self-assured. Richard was in his prime zone as well. Without corny skits, having to dance, or foolish lyrics to sing, the special brought out the strengths of the man who helped make them famous. Slaughter on 10th Avenue in particular is a showcase for his masterful finesse of the keys. It's a shame it is has never been released.
Several cuts from the show would make it to the one disc boxed set - as Richard refers to it- As Time Goes By. The striking medley with Ella Fitzgerald, the lovely 1980 Medley, and the very charming You're Just in Love would fit perfectly next to Lovelines' two standards, When I Fall in Love and Little Girl Blue. Of course, the show's opener Without A Song would fit as well here; the short but great song finally making it on the duo's 1995 Interpretations: A 25th Anniversary Collection. With so many elegant recordings of this type in the duo's repertoire, why has anyone at A&M Records not put this all together? You can be sure fans have built their own collection for years. But I can dream, can't I?
This short little interlude leads us to the next album in this Carpenters Revisited / Fresh Look series for the next time, Made in America. Stay tuned.
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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:
Mark, I agree, it was the best special....with the most music! It would of been a great opportunity for Karen to have preformed a solo song from her "upcoming" album! I think this special was probably the least least commercial.....but to Carpenters fans.....the best gift of them all. :) JA
It was a WONDERFUL gift, JA!
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