Carpenters- A Kind of Hush, Alternative Cover Photo

Here's a rare alternative cover photo for Richard and Karen Carpenter's 1976 album cover, A Kind of Hush. This is not an AI photo. Not AI at all again I tell you. I had this shot decades ago, and I was going to use it for the third go around of reviewing each of their albums. (Don't worry, I have a few more rare images I've yet to share.)

At first glance it looks the same, but the horse on Richard's shirt is nowhere to be found on the cover. The logo for the album sits against his shirt. 

The music inside is way too soft, and the album was not a big hit. That said it does include some gems: I Need to Be in Love, One More Time, and Boat to Sail.

If you want to read the initial review, look here. If you want to see the much more extensive look at the album, the duo's history, and this collections chart success, look here.
 

One More Time with Karen Carpenter

Among fans of Richard and Karen Carpenter, their 1976 album "A Kind of Hush" is often forgotten compared to their groundbreaking disc "Close to You", the hit studded "A Song For You" or the mesmerizing "Horizon".  But that doesn't mean it's without its own fine moments. (And don't forget the Carpenters first greatest hits disc, The Singles 1969-1973- the one that made most people reconsider their initial assessment of the duo's talents.)

I was in my car the other day, needing to make a long drive. I took along Hush and Horizon. Both sounded excellent. Although Hush is softer with less edge and more background vocals, there is one cut that stood out to me: One More Time. I listened to it several times and I realized again what a gifted vocalist Karen was! She immersed herself into the story here, making it come alive. And I noticed her pronunciation on certain words really brought out the skill in her interpretation, particularly the "zh" sound in "Baton Rouge". Beyond lovely! Richard's arrangement is no less special. The subtle interplay of piano, strings, and the harp at the end of the song add to making it an instant classic. A tough act to follow after the heartbreaking I Need to Be in Love, which precedes it on the disc.

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Although I am revisiting all their albums, one at a time, I've only gotten as far as 1972's A Song For You. My original album review for A Kind of Hush can be found here.