They're coming! Clear the way! This is the real thing! More real than Death City! Universal Studios popular Halloween Horror Nights is coming faster than you can say, "Really! But Summer hasn't even started!" Ever been fascinated with zombies, vampires, and the occult? Boy, I have! Even going back to Dark Shadows television show of the 1960s. Looking back to a popular television series in the early part of this century, I found there's a lot of learning to do about zombies. Just check out The Walking Dead. Poor Sheriff Rick Grimes! The long-standing hero of AMC's The Walking Dead, loses one beloved person after another to the zombie invasion. With almost four seasons under his belt, you think he'd be a bit tired from this zombie invasion...and become a walker much sooner than later.
Truth is, we're all prisoners or walkers. In the Bible's book of Romans, the Apostle Paul tells the readers we are all dead in our sins, doomed for eternal damnation without God. In a sense, we are prisoners of our own making. Think of what you have done in your past that brings you shame, that has hurt others, that has been dishonest or lacked love. If you're like me, that is quite a bit of things to regret and can be a heavy weight to live under. We're prisoners of our own doing!
And yet, Jesus! Thankfully, Jesus, the Son of God, paid the price Himself for our sin- my sin, your sin. And those that would put their faith in Him and live for Him, believing Jesus was raised from the dead for our benefit, would be given a new life. A life that begins anew here and one that will last for all eternity. Can I hear an "Amen!"?
But- and this is a big one- even those of us that know and love and trust Jesus- can act as if we are the Living Dead. How does this happen? It happens in a few ways:
1- We can choose to live like we used to. Living a life that only pleases us, therefore we look and act no different than when we encountered Jesus. And the darkness in us grows stronger than the true light over time.
2- We can insulate ourselves from the dying world around us. In the church, this is sometimes referred to as "the Christian Bubble". What happens is we hang out only with those who think as we do. The problem is, this kind of living creates a dullness in our souls. Why? Because we are made for more! We are made to love others and share the news of Jesus with them.
3- We can live our lives as victims instead of as those victorious in Christ. I see this happen all the time. Let's face it- crap happens to all of us. Betrayal, deceit, disappointment, illness, misfortune, death. Jesus never did promise us an easy life- and He sure didn't have one. If believers in Jesus begin to own that as their identity, instead of realizing they love and serve the Living God, bitterness and sadness rule their lives instead of joy and peace.
There's a Zombie Invasion in our world. People of all types are lonely, discouraged, and disappointed. The church itself has even taken on a victim mentality. (And I'm not saying it should be all wealth and health and prosperity- that's not a godly viewpoint nor one that is supported by reading the Bible as a whole.) What I am saying is that too many people who say they believe do not live as if Jesus has really overcome.
Let's not be satisfied to live as a walker or a prisoner. Let's embrace new life in Jesus Christ- the only one who can give it- and live in freedom, joy, and peace- with a great eternity ahead as we persevere!
It's time for Scrubs to return to TV! Tonight- and tomorrow at Disney+/Hulu, the perennial favorite returns. But I bet you didn't know that Disneyland's Haunted Mansion played a very key role in part of the set design for the series. (Love the concept art, by the way!) It's quite an interesting story. Zach Braff takes a look at it all in this very cool clip from Architectural Digest right here.
I don't care if you are the President of the United States. To respond to the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife the way he did is just disgusting. Very inapproprite. President Donald Trump is showing a lack of respect for the dignity of the office. The same can be said for those who responded with equal amounts of inhumanity in the murder of Charlie Kirk. There's no excuse. We are all the worse for things like this. It's just so, so sad!
Last night, my lovely wife started asking me questions about a great television show I was watching. I've been totally absorbed in this show as it deals with a group of people trying to make it big in the music industry. Of course it includes great music, sung and produced with excellence!
As I continued to watch episode after episode, I began to realize it was also very focused on the main characters jumping from bed to bed. It was not a show I would have let my kids watch, that's for sure! Then I started thinking, "Why am I watching this?" But I let it slide, turned off the TV and headed off to bed.
Today, for my time of reading the Bible, praying, and reading a devotional designed to make me think about how I live my life, I uncovered the section shown above. Was I busted! Big time! I'm sad to have to skip the rest of the show, but I know enough to know that my wife was right and God wants more out of me. He is good- and boy, do I need Him!
I don't know about you, but Universal's fantastic Epic Universe has me excited about theme parks again! The Orlando Sentinel reports that to celebrate it all, NBC and then Peacock is about to premier a brand new show all about its creation. I'm looking forward to August 20th and 21st, respectively. It'll have to hold me over until I get to visit the park for myself. But, man, I cannot wait to do so!
"There has to come a moment when we pass from money to meaning, from possessions to purpose, from success to significance. Ultimate success is serving the purpose of God in our generation."
Pastor and Author Greg Laurie
Here Greg is, in his new companion book, a devotional based of the House of David - the new Amazon Prime television series- talking about God's ultimate purpose for each of us. As always, his teaching comes straight from the Bible. This time, it's a quote from the book of Acts (historical recounting of how Jesus worked through the believers once he had returned to Heaven for a season).
“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed."
Acts 13:36
What a challenge! What a question this is! Are we serving God's purposes during the time we are on this earth? Am I?
This is absolutely something I wrestle with constantly! I know without a doubt that my time is limited, and once again, the words written in the Bible and Pastor Laurie's fleshing them out instruct me and give me pause. The guy was used decades ago to lead me to Jesus. Back then, we both had hair and not a wrinkle! Now, we're older and grayer and hopefully wiser, but the guy leads me from afar.
What am I doing with the blessings and talents and gifts God has given me? What are you doing with those given you?
The global phenomenon known as The Chosen should have been a must see television event for this Christian man, but I've avoided it. Why? I saw one maybe two episodes when it first came out. It was definitely well produced, but I really didn't want a series that added to the truths in the Bible. I wanted to keep the facts straight from what was conjecture and not confuse story elements with truth. But then, unexpectedly, something changed. We restarted the show, and it was episode three of season one that caught me. "Jesus Loves the Little Children". Actor Jonathan Roumie's tender portrayal of the Messiah, the Savior of the World, as he interacted with a group of kids grabbed my heart.
I got a bit choked up inside. Then Jesus' words from him that I know so well rung in my head:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” These words of his recorded in Matthew 11 verses 28-30 seemed fresh and new once more. And they were once again very personal. I hope they are personal for you as well.
As I went to turn on the television and watch another episode, a series called Jonathan and Jesus popped up. It's a four episode look that takes viewers behind the scenes. But not of the show per se. It's an in-depth look at what actor Jonathan Roumie has gone through as he wrestles playing the Son of God. It's as riveting as the series which birthed the behind the scenes look. Really challenging and inspiring at the same time.
So now, I've changed my mind and am watching The Chosen. (If I had to pick one episode so far to watch, it would be episode 7 of season one. Jesus encounters different people and asks them to follow him. It's powerful and very heart wrenching to say the least.)
So, I'm now a fan of The Chosen. I'm still paying attention to what is said and if it's Biblically accurate. But I'm asking God to touch my heart and keep me tender toward Him as I watch. Needless to say, God has grabbed my attention in a fresh way. And I couldn't be happier about it.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" So reads Psalm 33:12 in the Bible. As you watch the Hall of Presidents, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln or the American Adventure at the Disney parks, listen with an open mind and heart. You'll hear the story of how God was so involved in the creation of our nation. Do we still believe that? I do.
No, we're not perfect- but you cannot take away our heritage. Many try, but it's evil to remove what God has done and his role in our story. I'll be very curious to see what stories historian Ken Burns uncovers with the new documentary on PBS, The American Revolution.
Personally, as we celebrate 4th of July, our Independence Day, we should stop and ask ourselves if we are truly living a free and vicarious life. God's Word shows us the truth once again: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) How we gain this real freedom is through turning our lives over to Jesus, holding nothing back- holding absolutely nothing back- and letting him transform us into what He intends for us to be. It may be painful at times, but pleasing God begins to be the priority of those He calls his children. His Spirit is always present when we submit to God and His ways. Every day is a new opportunity and a choice. What will you choose?
Any fans of super hero movies? I know the Marvel Universe stories have been. a mixed bag, but there's hope for a new round of heroes to take on those always present bad guys. Then, there's a real life super man, Christopher Reeves, who turned tragedy into inspiration. As for me, when it comes to comic book fantasy, I’m a big Captain America fan! He was a hero before he was a superhero! His heart’s desire: do the right thing and serve people by serving a cause bigger than himself! Who is a fan of Star Wars? Star Trek? Indiana Jones? Sherlock Holmes? Maybe you have a hero in the sports world or business world?” Any American Ninja Warrior fans? Why do we love these heroes? They are always overcoming an obstacle of some sort! We love the Marvel universe, DC Comics, Star Wars and Star Trek movies, and athletic competitions because they are exciting and fun- and the good guy eventually wins! We live vicariously through characters/people that make a difference and move in power. Powerful stories capture our attention. We get a rush watching the good guy win! It’s only a temporary fix, because life goes back to normal. But we can get addicted to this! There lies the danger! "On the tombstone of America, the inscription will read: they entertained themselves to death." - Leonard Ravenhill Let that sink in. This quote above, by the renowned English pastor, applies not only to America as a nation but us as individuals. Christians are susceptible, but according to the Bible, those who don’t know Jesus are imprisoned! The risk is we can get our adrenalin fix this way- and ignore the truth: In real life, we are in a battle for our souls! One with eternal consequences. And Jesus is returning soon! (War in the Middle East, Microchipping humans? Natural disaster after natural disaster? The earth growns. Not a good thing- and right out of Revelation 13 and 14 and 20.) With its marvelous fantasies, the world tries to copy what God has already designed. But why accept the counterfeit? The best imitations of God’s reality fall short when compared to the real thing! You’d be right if you expect me to say this: Jesus is the ultimate superhero! Only he could accomplish what he did! Conquering death (the last enemy) and paying the price for our sin.
But did you know we are also called to be superheroes???? We have an enemy to fight and captives to free! Ephesians 2:1-10: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 all of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 but because of his great love for us, god, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 and god raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of god— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has designed us to be drawn to something greater than ourselves (eternity in mind). God has designed us for adventure because he has designed us for his work. We live in a world that promises freedom but delivers bondage- Isn’t that the great lie? Setting the captives free is true superhero work! People are held captives of the enemy. They are not the enemy! See 2 Timothy 2:25-26. Here, Paul is writing this towards the end of his life to Pastor Timothy in Ephesus (Modern Turkey). About 67AD – just before he was beheaded for his faith in Jesus. Important words here from someone at the end of their life! "25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that god will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” What’s our lesson here? Whether they are false teachers or non-believers, we must learn to see people as God does!
Mistakenly, we can view them as the enemy instead of captives of the enemy!A very big difference! We shouldn’t treat captives like enemies! When we do this- the enemy wins- and people Jesus loved and died for are on the road to an eternity without him! Are we ready to risk reaching out, building relationships and loving them so we earn the right to speak the truth into their lives? We need love, discernment and wisdom. Where would you be if someone in the church treated you as the enemy? Even as believers- we can be in bondage to the ways of the world! Isn't it funny how we can play around with sin, justify it, get as close as we can to it- and before we know it, it has power over us. But we can also be caught thinking like the world. It's very subtle. Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Note: Christians are at risk too- Paul is speaking to the church here! Fear- that’s not of God! Racism- that’s not of God either! Hatred- do I even need to go there? The devil and his demons are at work here too. Not just in 3rd world countries! Anywhere sin is prevalent, the enemy is given an opportunity and moves in power. Humanism? Materialism? Nationalism? Idolatry? Are these of the kingdom of God? These are demonic strongholds in our world and in the church! Let me ask you- Isn’t the enemy just as successful when he is subtle as when he is obvious?!!!!
The main obstacle for us who are Jesus followers is accepting our mission! What is our mission? I think we can all agree: According to the Apostle Paul, we've been given The ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-19) "14 for Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 so from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 18 all this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” We are compelled by Christ’s love to share the message everywhere we go.
The biggest obstacle is from within us: Choosing who we will serve •What do I want? What I’ve been told / trained / wanted to do? •What will my family think? What will my friends think? In our culture, we’ve made a big mistake: We’ve made our hobbies extreme and our faith sedate! The believer’s mission issue has always stayed the same: Love your neighbor, proclaim the gospel and go out into the world! Go where he leads you! Now as then, submission and obedience to the Lord is the issue. Will I fail? Is it safe? Since when are these issues that stop us? Dietrich Bonheoffer, the famous- German pastor: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” He lived his words. He was tried and hung during World War 2 by the Nazis! Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of god’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to god—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." In context of the previous chapters, Romans 12 is not about sexual purity- although that is crucial- it’s about sacrificial living for the sake of the kingdom. It’s followed by discussion on spiritual gifts and then persecution and overcoming evil with good. Do we think like the world by living by our cultural traditions and common sense? Instead let’s live by the commandments given in the word and the leading of his Holy Spirit! Let’s not just read about our Christian heroes, let’s imitate them! Sure, we can all fall flat on our faces! Every superhero has a weakness or area where they are susceptible: SUPERMAN – KRYPTONITE IRONMAN- HIS EGO AND HUMAN AMBITION HULK- HIS UNCONTROLLABLE ANGER CAPTAIN AMERICA- HIS PATRIOTISM? (ETHNOCENTRICITY?) BATMAN – DEFINED BY HIS PAST DAREDEVIL – BLIND GREEN LANTERN – THE COLOR YELLOW (OR IS IT JUST A BAD MOVIE?) ;) What’s your Kryptonite? Focus on God and not your weakness! "The first thing a pastor or any leader needs to do is to start living a life that terrifies him." Erwin McManus, pastor and author But I would change it to: "The first ANY BELIEVER needs to do is to start living a life that terrifies him."
Be encouraged- Jesus promises abundant life in the midst of this! Like any superhero, once you choose to accept the mission, the challenges come! Afraid of the challenge? That’s ok- you should be! - but don’t let it stop you- you go out equipped!
Here’s some encouragement- We go out in his power! Jesus is the only superhero who gives his power to those who follow him. God gives us his great power for his purposes. It is written in Ephesians 1:15- 22 15: "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the lord Jesus and your love for all god’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the god of our lord Jesus Christ, the glorious father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." What is power given for if it’s not to be used? Paul says as we wait for Jesus to return, we are not lacking in any gift. Without God’s power and his gifts, we will be limited in our effectiveness because we will be dependent on our own human strength and strategy. The Creator of the Universe has given us his power and his gifts to do his work. An eternally focused and real work that should overshadow the marvelous and creative but imaginary worlds designed by Hollywood. Love is faith in action - We go out in power and in love! We serve a good God and a loving Father who sends us out ready for the battle! We’ve got the armor of God as our defense against the work of the enemy- And we’ve got the gifts of the Holy Spirit to advance the kingdom of God, to draw others to Jesus and a life that makes an eternal difference!
How do we activate God’s power? It’s not a special magic formula! Look at the Book of Acts 4:8-13: (Here, Peter and John stand before the authorities.) "8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “rulers and elders of the people! 9 if we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom god raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 when they saw the courage of peter and john and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Jesus is the source of our power!! •It’s impossible to remain the same person when you draw near to Jesus! •The Holy Spirit doesn’t bypass our brains- but we must discipline ourselves to apply what we read. •The religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew the scripture but had no relationship with the author! As we read and study the Word, do we interact with Jesus, asking him what he wants us to learn and how it applies to our life? We have a living relationship with the Eternal God! •His “ministry of presence”, being with us, changes us- your ministry of presence with others changes them. Do you ever wonder why Jesus called the twelve first- and then later, the schooled intellectual Paul? Maybe he wanted to make a statement that god uses all people- beginning with us ordinary folks…. God chose the foolish things of the world... (I Corinthians 1:27) It’s our love for him and our thankfulness for all He’s done that motivates us! We acknowledge the truth we’ve found by joining Him in his work! Lastly- God goes out before us! This is the best news of all! Not only does God give us work to do and empowers us to do it, He also goes before us preparing the way. Here are Jesus’ words before He ascends to Heaven days later, in John 16:7-11: "7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 when he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." 1- He will convict the world of sin 2- He will convict it of righteousness 3- Judgment is coming All this is setting the stage in people’s hearts to prepare them to receive the message of the Gospel! The Good News that Jesus died for the sins of the World, offering freedom and eternal life in Heaven for all who would choose to believe in Him. You are called to be a superhero! The mission is real. As Christians, we’re called to set the captives free. We’re sent out in the power of the word and the power of the Holy Spirit! If you’re led by God, you will never regret stepping out and taking risks as he leads. Who will you serve? His Holy Spirit lives in you (empowering you) and should be controlling how you live. We must: 1-Accept our place in life 2-Adjust to our unique design 3-Understand our mission Can you hear him speaking and drawing you to his purposes? Are you listening for his voice? Is it time to release your inner superhero? There’s no age limit! Don’t get your adrenaline fix on the imaginary! Be led by the spirit. Don't be a slave to fear. Be willing to share in his sufferings (his will for your life instead of yours). (Romans 8:12-18) Are you tired? If you have been serving God, if you have been reaching out, if you consider yourself “on mission”, know this: God is pleased. Keep going! The race isn’t over yet! Or want to step out? Feeling God’s call to you? Wanting more than what you’ve known? Know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58) Maybe you’ve never come to the place of allowing Jesus to take control of your life and wash away your sin? He’s been calling you and it’s time to respond. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12) He not only shares his power with us, he shares his victory over death with us- it’s a gift! Are you ready to release your inner Superhero? (Art copyright Marvel, Star Wars, etc.)
The Eternal City earned its nickname- and we just love Rome! Like the two days before it, our next - and unfortunately last- day was filled with one adventure after another. Had we a bit more time, we would have explored the city at a more leisurely pace. We still had the southern part of the country to see (Amalfi Coast and Sorrento) as well as our last stop, several days in Paris.
The breakfast room- Beautiful!
After yet another wonderful breakfast at the Hotel Ponte Sisto, we decided to walk it off to our next destination, a tour through the breathtaking ruins the Palatine Hill. Next would be the Colosseum, right across the street. We walked, but if you wanted to take the Metro, the Termini station is literally at the base of all the tour operators.
My measly photographs do not do it justice.
If you are planning a trip to Rome, you'll definitely include these two destinations in your itinerary. If you are interested in history, you'll find the tours go by much too quickly. (Make sure you also do the Scavi Tour, which you must book way in advance. It's a very limited group that gets in and can be quite a pain to get, but it is the neatest thing we've ever done anywhere. Make sure you go through the official site here.)
Back to the ruins. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and on a variety of street conditions. It's often uphill. It's often rocky. It's often difficult. But it is always worth the effort! Buy the icy cold water offered by street vendors. You'll need it. Even in the early winter months, it is quite hot. I wish I'd remembered a hat.
With the area's rich, rich history and incredible views of the city, this is something you do not want to miss. Any of the tours will do the trick. Know that you will be placed into groups of about 20+ people. If you want to hear the narration, and you should, stay close to your guide. The place is buzzing with people. You'll hear dialects and languages from all over the world.
As with every civilization, the more the people engaged in debauchery of all types, the quicker they went downhill. Then, another conquering people would come in and set up camp. You see opulence in full color on this tour. The wealth of the city's richest patrons is easy to see as the architecture and stonework make this a place like no other. When you add in the stunning views, it is just magnificent. The four of us may have taken more photographs in just this part of the city than anywhere else on our trip together.
All this stone makes it very, very hot!
With the Colosseum across the street, this is the tourist hub of the city. The Vatican may hold more people in the wide open spaces of the outer courts, but this area of Rome feels absolutely crushing at times. Hold on to your children. They can easily get lost, and parents urgently looking for little ones will have a hard time finding them after a few minutes. These tours are not stroller friendly. Rome is great for families, but Pre-School aged kids will not be able to get anything out of these tours nor can they handle the decaying steps and difficult paths.
The Colosseum is a marvel of engineering and a place of bloody spectacle. According to history, the local people would come by during their breaks from work to watch the epic battles which took place. Sometimes, it was man to man, gladiator to gladiator. Other times, it was a criminal (usually a Christian because Christianity was outlawed then) up against the lions. In either case, man to man or man to animal, it was a bloodbath. Once the faith of those who follow Jesus was recognized, eventually this cross (above) was placed inside the great arena.
At both the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, the security is very tight. You will go through a complete search and check much like you would at any international airport. Be prepared for long waits.
A little lunch, please.
Completing our tours, we were hot and hungry. There are plenty of places near these attractions, but we decided we would walk about one mile or so into some of the neighborhoods in town, away from the tourists. We found this worked to our advantage and the food and drink were usually better and the prices lower.
We stumbled into this busy little locals hangout. Like a lot of Europe these days, English language menus are offered when they have them. It seems Italians in particular like Americans, as everywhere we went we were warmly greeted, and everyone seemed to enjoy interacting with us. (Later, contrary to popular opinion, we also found this to be true in Paris.)
This just belongs here.
Our midday break with salads, pizzas, and a nice beverage created a terrific stop as well as a chance to rest and talk about the morning's adventures. Friendly, relaxed service and excellent food. Great friends and lots of laughs. What more could you want, right?
From the top of the Spanish Steps.
Refreshed and reenergized, there was still much more to see. If you want to meet the world in a famous city, go to the public squares. One of the most popular in Rome is the location of the Spanish Steps. There is a small (for Rome!) fountain and lots of people to be found before you ascend to the top. The walk up was not quite as bad as we expected it to be, and the view from the top (shown above) is more than worth your time and trouble. It was late afternoon. The crowds were thick but friendly, and folks began lining up to watch the sunset and wait for the bars on the upper tier to open. One young couple was taking their wedding photos and the top of the steps, making the most of a very charming location.
The worldwide popularity of the television show Friends continues on.
Walking the streets of Rome is an experience in both caution and delight. When cars do go through here, you've got to pay attention. But when there's a stretch of empty road, you have a chance to see some unique shops and cafes and well known clothing chains. People watching is fun here! There's a collective mentality I find all through Europe where being out socializing is just the norm. It's pretty common to find folks just relaxing with coffee or gelato and letting the world pass by. The pace of life seems a bit slower and more focused on relationships. Being is important. One unique thing I did notice is that although there are cel phones, people don't seem glued to them as they do in the States.
The was our last night in Rome. You'd think we'd go out to a fancy place for an elegant dinner, but you'd be wrong. Instead, we went home to our hotel later in the evening and sat at the garden patio under the stars. We each chose a different glass of wine and sat back, feeling the blessing of God to allow us this adventure together.
Tomorrow, we'd take off for the southern parts of Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. We couldn't wait, but then again, we could have stayed in Rome for a full week and not seen enough. I'd go back in an instant. There's nothing like it on this earth.
Walt Disney's newest experiment, Disneyland, was a beloved success! Since its opening in 1955 millions of guests entered the gates, drawn in by television and the honest to goodness fact that Walt Disney's company produced high quality work regardless of the media they used. (Note to Robert Iger and company: Quality work results in long term profits.)
The land of tomorrow might have been shortchanged at opening with attractions that were mostly corporate exhibits, but by 1959, that was changed for good. The impact of adding the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Submarine Voyage, and the Monorail cannot be understated. Guest numbers were at one million for 1955, but by this expansion, the park was now running at 5 million. Not too shabby for something critics thought would fail.
Tomorrowland was now a destination unto itself- and a much more beautiful one with a shimmering lagoon and a snow covered mountain.
Beginning a day at Disneyland with a leisurely stroll down Main Street U.S.A., guests now had to decide whether to head straight to the beloved Jungle Cruise on one side of the park or head to the other and experience the newest and most compelling to date attractions.
Perhaps the best plan was to go to Frontierland and explore the Old West before the crowds hit. The East vs. West debate continues to this day. Maybe the best plan is straight through the castle to ride Peter Pan's Flight or the equally beloved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
From Daveland.
As you can see in the rendering above, Tomorrowland now had a wide variety of choices with attractions to suit just about anyone. Thrill ride? Check. Outer space adventure? Yes. Liquid space journey? A long time favorite. You could drive a car even if you were underage. Visit the House of the Future. Ride in a Rocket Jet. And hop aboard the transportation of the future.
What a beautiful world Tomorrowland was! At least for another 15 or so years. Until it wasn't. But for now, just imagine a glorious day in the Land of the Future in 1959. It's all there waiting for you!
By all accounts, Harvey Weinstein is a serial rapist of the worst kind. A man who also destroys careers and reputations of his victims- as if sexual violation and emotional defilement were not enough.
The guy is royally messed up!
With Hillary Clinton in 2012.
Harvey going all the way to the top.
Weinstein, the founder of film studio Miramax - which was Disney owned for almost 20 years- was a very successful businessman and film producer with connections to the rich and famous and the politically powerful. Very powerful folks who once partied and worked with the man have wisely distancing themselves from him, especially California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose wife was also a victim. They all clearly knew something we do not?
It seems just about everyone in film and politics, from Washington D.C. to Hollywood and beyond, interacted with him. Actresses were offered much more of him than they may have wanted. Just a look at his potential conquests, and you've got a whole slew of top Hollywood stars.
Unfortunately, Weinstein is just one of many Hollywood and business types that have been exposed for their offenses. Actor Kevin Spacey, film producer Bryan Singer, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and many others, have all had to face the music one way or another. Epstein ended up in prison until his death. When exposed for the bad decisions we make, we get desperate. When crimes are punished, it would be natural to consider a quick death by suicide. Certainly, all the victims of these men have probably considered it as well, making healing next to impossible. Or forgiveness, for that matter.
What has been forced upon Weinstein's victims is inexcusable. Rape ruins people, destroying lives, and impacting families for generations. (Yes, mine too.) The percentage of women experiencing sexual assault or rape is surprisingly high- and the numbers of male victims are increasing as well. Evil, yes, but it's also the human condition. It's not excusable. God certainly doesn't excuse it as it breaks His heart to see a people He created so engulfed with selfishness and utter depravity. He will judge our sin, and we all have fallen short in various ways. It's easy to point fingers. Because God's laws are designed to protect our lives and lead us on a path full of goodness and mercy, we suffer when we walk a different direction. Pain is the end result when we walk our own way. If you're like me, it's a lesson we learn over and over again.
Honestly, in the eyes of a loving and holy and pure God, we deserve nothing less than death and punishment. Yet- and I so thank God for this- because He loves us so, He sent Jesus to earth to die for the sins of all men and pay the price in full that a holy God requires. We can choose to believe in Jesus' own words - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" and find the wholeness, healing, new constantly look for. If we believe that he died and rose again, it is ours. It's a very gracious offer. One paid for at a very high price. Or we can continue on in our search for fulfillment and pleasure and power in disobedience to God.
Harvey Weinstein deserves to die. So do we. Thank God, we can all have a fresh beginning and full forgiveness by turning our our lives to Jesus and walking another direction. What will Harvey do now? Hard to say. But I have to focus on my own choices. So do you.
Smallville? Wow, what a show! What begins as a simple take on Clark Kent aka Superman as a teenager becomes an acting tour de force for a few of the characters. Yes sir, Tom Welling as the Man of Steel is pretty impressive, both innocent and wise while navigating raging hormones and teenage dreams. Certainly, Kristin Kreuk's Lana Lang is great as the girl of his desires. She's both alluring, available, and not willing to settle for anything but the best. Third wheel Chloe, played by Allison Mack is sharp, charming, and the perfect foil to all those creeps who show up in what must be Kansas' most dangerous town in which to live. (In light of her choices and battles, it's safe to say she's a pretty good actress!)
Smallville's the story of an ensemble cast to be sure, but it's the masterful, understated performance and character development of Michael Rosenbaum that darn near steals the show. When Lex Luthor is on the screen, it's impossible to take your eyes off it.
Hope against hope- and against knowledge of the comic series and other Superman films before it- I find myself rooting for Lex to find his way out of the increasing darkness in his soul, to come into the light and become someone who is free, lovable, and worthy of doing good that only he can do. And there's plenty.
I find myself wanting to tell him "It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?" (These are the words of the Apostle Paul in The Message translation of the Bible.)
No one is beyond God's redemption. But if Lex did come clean, who would then be the villain?
I find myself much like Lex at times- called to be free but fighting against the desires of a sinful nature. Thank God for the gift of his Holy Spirit who empowers me to stay the course- and to Jesus Christ who paid the price of my brokenness, shame, and shortcomings.
Now, James Gunn as you step into DC's universe for yet another version of the Superman mythology, I want to ask you- Who can make a better Lex Luthor than the man whose players him for years and to such great success?
If you think you know the whole Live at the Palladium story, I may be surprising you by including one you probably haven't heard. It was one I hadn't heard of until one incredible night of discussing the music of Karen and Richard Carpenter a few years ago.
Before you read this latest Fresh Look review, a Carpenters Revisited article about their late 1976 album, I'd recommend you first read my previous two reviews on Horizon and then A Kind of Hush to fully understand the story that surrounds this next release. Or even go all the way back to my review for Offering/Ticket to Ride where I look at them in chronological order and the impact the music has had on my life.
These days, it's
an unfortunate truth that I rarely have the time to place an album on
the turntable or pop a disc in the CD player and really listen to them. Life is just too busy. But the Palladium album follows Hush on my i-tunes as well as in order of release date, so I often listen to these collections back to back. That's a definite plus for this article.
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"Live in Concert" albums are tough. A studio recording is designed to capture the best of an artist and their current career direction as well as producing some radio friendly hits to propel sales. Conversely, a live album is designed to capture the energy and memories of a concert. Two very different things- and something especially difficult for Karen and Richard Carpenter who were first and foremost recording artists.
By many professional reviewers and at times their own management and close friends, the duo was not known for their stagecraft. In fact, the Carpenters took quite a bit of criticism for being rather bland even if they were as technically precise as they could be in replicating the sounds of their records. Richard may have wanted them to come across as much like their recordings whenever possible, but by too many accounts, this worked against the duo and their image. That said, they did begin to get better reviews once Karen was up front and center instead of behind a drum kit... and Richard's arrangements of the hits for their shows were as musically compelling as the iconic ones done for their studio recordings. He is definitely a genius.
Just a couple of years before the release of this album, they had put out Live in Japan for that country's adoring audience. It was a Japanese only release, and I never thought we'd see another concert album. Not for Japan, and definitely not for the States.
After the under-performing A Kind of Hush in the U.S.A. (just barely in the Top 40 album sales but a pretty big hit in the United Kingdom at Number 3), the duo began a European tour, making up for lost time and cancelled concerts due to Karen's hospital stint the previous year. Fans were more than happy to see them in person, particularly to see Karen recovered and sounding terrific.
To commemorate their wildly successful tour of the U.K., Karen and Richard would releaseLive at the Palladium at the end of the year. Back home, it would remain an import album in the U.S., as did Live in Japan before it. As expected, the second live in concert collection would eventually reach Japan many years later with some extra packaging details. Ever popular, it hit the Top 30 in the sales charts. Gotta love the Japanese.
The two disks- Live in Japan and Live at the Palladium couldn't be more different. Or my response to them.
Don't get too excited- this is a cut and paste mock up.
I just wanted to see if I could pull it off
because I couldn't find a photo of the real one.
It was during the same year Hush was released (1976) that I first saw Karen and Richard in Las Vegas. They were playing at the Riviera with comedian David Brenner as their opening act. My sister and I would see two shows in one night, and I would see another show the next evening. (It was during at the end of the second show, I got to meet Karen and Richard backstage. I'll leave that story for this post. God bless my sister for making this happen.)
Opening act comedian David Brenner.
It was finally time for the first show. I was so excited to finally see Karen and Richard in person I thought the time waiting would never pass. We approached the entrance to the main showroom. After bravely offering a slight "incentive" which with my meager earnings was as much as I could afford (and I was terrified to do so), my sister and I were seated much closer to the stage than I thought we would ever be. Placed just off to the side in the center in the room, it was more than perfect! We were given a great view and in my opinion, we were placed in an optimum location for sound as well.
David Brenner was rather dirty- not even close by today's standards- but honestly pretty funny. Yet, I couldn't wait for him to exit the stage so that I'd finally see the musical duo I followed for many years.
It was certainly an eternity of waiting until the room darkened and the announcer stated, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Richard Carpenter!" To the opening drum line leading into Flat Baroque followed by a vocal intro of Only Yesterday, Richard came on stage to an enthusiastic crowd and hearty applause. Taking his place at the piano, he looked confident and happy.
A radiant Karen.
Then the moment I was really waiting for: Karen- the one and only Karen Carpenter- walked onto the stage to an absolutely thunderous round of applause. As she coyfully played with the audience during a sensual, slow boil opening to There's a Kind of Hush, her voice and charm were in full command of what was to happen. Like much of the audience, I was mesmerized. Smitten. Overwhelmed. And honestly, very emotional, close to tears with excitement.
I certainly was not alone in this. Hard core fans of the duo knew and understood Richard's incredible significance to their success, but to the more casual concertgoers, there was no doubt Karen was the star. His wide range of talents (and good humor) would be further displayed throughout the evening, but Karen's was the familiar and beloved voice we heard through the radio.
Imagine paying this little for this show.
The official fan club newsletter dated April 1976 reveals that after completing Hush, Karen and Richard took off for a Japanese tour. Later they would return home for a series on concerts that included Fresno, California- notable specifically because Helen Reddy was the opening act. She would release her own Palladium album in 1978. (The only known photo of them together would be at the Grammy awards in 1983.) Next up was Lake Tahoe, and then on to Las Vegas.
Definitely not a Rock and Roll look!
From there, it was on to Canada, the Midwest, and the East Coast before returning them once more to Las Vegas by the end of August. Giving manager Jerry Weintraub the benefit of the doubt, perhaps these dates were booked long before his tenure began, but no doubt it had to feel a bit exhausting as well as exhilarating for Karen and Richard to be back on the road. If these shows were not already booked, then the duo's new manager made a big mistake throwing them back on the road so quickly.
At least the show would be very different than their last outing.
With Ken and Mitzi Welch.
With Joe Layton, Stage Producer.
In response to the bad press with the Neil Sedaka incident of 1975, and the dreadful comparison in performances between Sedaka and the Carpenters, the duo's 1976 stage show was fully transformed. If the critics considered the latest album to show a lack of ambition, the new Carpenters show was on the exact opposite side of the spectrum- full of energy, variety, and interaction with the audience. This was mainly due to the involvement of Ken and Mitzi Welch, who spent many years writing for The Carol Burnett Show and choreographer / director / producer Joe Layton. He'd
won an Emmy award for the "My Name is Barbra" television show for Ms. Streisand and later
also directed and produced the first U.S. television special for Olivia
Newton-John.
Billboard review from July 24, 1976.
Never again would Richard and Karen be seen as boring, predictable, or unprofessional in concert. Yet, the duo couldn't win. Now, the show would be criticized by some for being too slick and one that didn't offer full length versions of their multiple hit records. Many fans seemed pleased, however. Still, their critics rarely were, and it was always easier for them to focus on what wasn't to their liking rather than the duo's significant strengths. Decades later, it would be this exact concert lineup that was often enacted by one of the many Carpenters tribute bands. (Check out this one.)
Goofus hit its peak on September 25.
In September, by the time Goofus, their 3rd and final single from A Kind of Hush, fell off the U.S. sales charts, the duo were mid-tour and playing
to full houses across the States. By the end of October, they were beginning
their European tour. Two very special offerings would end the year with a surprise for fans in the U.K. with something very different for fans in the States.
Classy place for a classy act. This photo is real.
Playing several European countries, Karen and Richard saved the best for
last. In the U.K. alone, they performed to 42,000 adoring fans. There, the siblings and their band did something I'd never heard of before or read about until a few years ago. Unless you are an industry insider or known those in the Carpenters entourage, you probably haven't either.
When author Randy L. Schmidt asked me to help review A Kind of Hush for his book Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography, I was blessedto have a round table discussion with Randy and two great men: Patrick Summers,
Artistic and Music Director for the Houston Grand Opera and Michael Lansing, Karen's personal assistant and the sound engineer for their U.K. tour of 1976. (How I ended up with these three guys can only be described as a gift from God! I'm just an ordinary fan.)
As a roadie, Michael saw quite a bit! I'm going to try my best to retell a story that highlights not only the incredible response to the duo's tour but also Karen and Richard's stunning appreciation and graciousness. Here goes...
So pretty in person!
The Carpenters were set to play a week of shows at the famous, well loved, London Palladium which was also the host venue for the monarchy's annual Royal Variety Performance.
Thanks to Billy Rees for this newspaper clipping.
In addition to a charity benefit show done at the suggestion of Karen, where concert goers brought a toy in exchange for a ticket, the duo also offered a free late night performance for the city's taxi drivers. Wishing to show their appreciation for the hard work these folks who would be carting fans, media, and music critics to their shows, Karen and Richard performed their full show totally free of charge. And they requested no media coverage for doing so. Can you imagine? In this day, every word or move by a star is used as media coverage to promote "the brand". Not with Karen and Richard. This was certainly one of the many reasons the Carpenters are so well loved in the U.K. years after turning out hit after hit.
The ad for the album.
In the 70s, Licorice Pizza was the best place to find
Carpenters import only albums.
Months later back in the U.S., you can only imagine my surprise and absolute delight when I walked into my local record joint, Licorice Pizza, and discovered Live at the Palladium. The import hit the States much, much faster than the Japanese concert album ever did, and it was only a few months after the U.K. release that I found it in the bins.
The flimsy light cardboard cover did not do the disc justice. Not one bit. The colorized photo of Richard and Karen gave it the feel of a rushed release, which in actuality it truly was. It was eye-catching, however, and certainly had a fresh look compared to how their albums were marketed previously.
Turning the package over, I noticed it didn't include everything I heard them perform in Las Vegas. Missing from action were I Need to Be in Love, the Grease medley, the Spike Jones inspired Close to You, and their Don't Be Afraid/Sing audience participation number. (Nor would it include Good Vibrations / Comin' Through the Rye duet which they performed in London.) Still, the most important selections of the concert was there. I couldn't wait to hear it and in a sense relive that first night!
The Grease medley- not on the album but a blast in person!
This photo by Andre Csillag.
For a hardcore fan, the initial listen to any new Carpenters album is a treat. However when the disc contains the music of a concert you actually heard in person, it's a whole new experience. Using today's vernacular, I'll shamelessly admit that this album gave me "the feels" from the first few minutes. It still does, 45 plus years later.
Performing There's A Kind of Hush and I Need to Be in Love in Amsterdam.
I'd never seen these before.
The intro begins as I described above with Flat Baroque, a taste of Only Yesterday and then There's A Kind of Hush. For some people, it would seem strange that one of the Carpenters lesser hits would kick things off, but in the U.K., the studio album containing the song was a solid success. In the land where Herman's Hermits first made the song famous back in 1967, it made perfect sense for Karen and Richard to highlight it for their British fans. Less refined than the studio version with a brand new arrangement, Karen's relaxed and playful rendition only hinted at what was to come.
Jambalaya's next up, one I did not hear in concert. I never understood the European and Japanese audiences love for this song. Nonetheless, it's here, but to my ears it feels a bit out of place, just as it did when it first appeared on their Now & Then album. Was the very unfortunate exclusion of Karen's heartbreaking I Need to Be in Love an effort to get fans to buy the latest studio collection? Maybe the execution or recording of the iconic song was less than perfect? I do not know, but the emotional centerpiece of A Kind of Hush certainly is missed here.
The next few selections on the live album showcase both Karen and Richard as musicians: Richard's story song Piano Picker (with brand new lyrics) is followed by Karen's drum solo on a medley of Strike Up the Band / S'Wonderful / Fascinatin' Rhythm.
With headphones on and eyes closed, I can almost see her animated and very, very happy as she pounds away, moving from drum set to drum set. Toward the conclusion of her performance, the orchestra is revealed bringing a whole new dynamic to the show. Karen brings down the house with her spirited performance before leaving the stage, introducing Richard for a time of "serious music".
A rather nasty review from a UK Record Mirror writer. December 18, 1976.
Thanks to Rick-An Ordinary Fool at the A&M Corner for this review.
Stating in a Rolling Stone interview in 1974 ("Up From Downey") that he wanted to perform Richard Addinsell's popular Warsaw Concerto with the Boston Pops, here it is captured in all its glory but instead with Dick Palombi and his orchestra. Richard's performance is serious in tone, befitting the piece and equally strong. In person, a giant mirror was lowered and tilted so the audience could see his masterful hands at work on the ivories. While the piece is quite effective in length, giving Karen adequate time to change clothes, it's really too long a piece to be fully appreciated. Both in person and on the album, the listener gets anxious for what's next.
These two instrumental pieces make for great concert memories, but I have to wonder what would have replaced them if Karen and Richard has chosen to sing something from their vast catalogue. On the plus side, these are pieces I heard for myself and remember quite well, so I'm pleased to have them.
Karen always gave Richard respect and props on stage and off.
When Karen finally returns from her wardrobe change, the duo sits at the piano to perform a rather baroque take on Cole Porter's famous song From This Moment On. Although this is not one of my favorites on the disc, I cannot deny what it displays. With just Richard's piano and Karen's vocal, there is nothing for them to hide behind. No stacked vocals, no strings, guitar or saxophone, oboe, or harp.
Their precision on the tune is absolutely stunning. Richard's playing is sharp, crisp, and clear. Karen is equally impressive. The last note particularly reminds me of what an outstanding vocalist she is. Her clarity and purity of tone is simply incredible. There is no other singer that comes even close. Not in her generation or those that have come since. Superlatives are just not enough. This selection also highlights an additional and obvious fact: All the duo truly needed to make great records was her voice and his piano. An "unplugged" disc would have been a great addition to their catalogue in the later years of their career.
One hit after another.
As a live album, the disc hits its obvious high peak when Karen and Richard move into their medley of well known hits. Just the choruses make up a majority of the collection, but what a line up! From Close to You to For All We Know, they move on to perform Top of the World, Ticket to Ride, Only Yesterday and I Won't Last a Day Without You. The latter Paul Williams / Roger Nichols tune sounds particularly good live, and I'm still surprised as this was not one of my favorites at the time either as an album cut or a revised 1974 hit single.
Karen didn't want to be a star, but there was no denying that's who she was.
There's an ever so brief pause in the music to give the audience a chance to respond. Then Karen and Richard and their band continue with an intimate Hurting Each Other, followed by the powerhouse combination ofSuperstar, Rainy Days and Mondays and the majestic Carpenter/Bettis single Goodbye to Love. We've heard this trio of songs sequenced on record together before, but in listening to it live, the impact is just mesmerizing.
Karen
seems to balance the audience acknowledgment of each song without
sacrificing the quality of her performance. Her natural warmth,
vulnerability, and intimacy shine while alternating with the raw power and
exacting control of her instrument. Chilling contrasts indeed.
In both segments of the medley, Richard hits his stride as an arranger, effortlessly it seems sequencing one smash after another in perfect harmony. Whether we like them or not, it is hard to deny that he is just brilliant at creating these. Like a loving father with his children, the strengths of each song are highlighted and never once do they distract from the ones that come before or after.
With their band mates, their friends.
When we fans (and more honest critics) stop to think of what Karen and Richard had accomplished in only a few years of popularity, it is pretty incredible. For good reason, their body of works remains viable even after so many decades, beloved by generation after generation. Beyond the Beatles, Elton John, and perhaps the Beach Boys, what other pop act from their generation has this kind of following?
Another photo by Andre Csillag.
After introducing the band and orchestra,Karen and Richard come to the front and face the audience, and toward the end while singing their signature song, We've Only Just Begun, they face each other. The sheer impact of this simple gesture is profound. Particularly hearing it in hindsight because of the tragedy coming less than a decade later, I still get choked up. In many ways, this performance feels like the duo's swan song. Substantial recording and more television was still to come, but it would all be very different than what came before.
With much applause, both the album and the show ends, always leaving me wanting more. And yes, it always leaves me thinking about what could and should have been.
Dec 18, 1976 Billboard Palladium show review.
Live at the Palladium captures Karen and Richard at the top of their game. They gave it their all, and I can feel it as I listen. Although it is well scripted, this is not fully a by the book performance.
Something tells me that after Karen's health scare in 1975, she and Richard began to sincerely appreciate their fans as well as their band and each other. Maybe it is a blend of thankfulness and humility. There's an emotional connection I feel from them again as I listen to this disc- something that I sensed was missing from the earlier Live in Japan, where the songs are full length but their performance feels almost strained at times as the duo tries to duplicate the perfection of their studio accomplishments.
Perhaps it is my short discussion with Karen after the performance that makes me read into it all. Maybe I just wanted to believe this because I was so moved by the evening's concert and the unbelievable blessing of meeting Richard and Karen backstage. Time, nostalgia, emotions all in play. Even in writing this, I'm transformed back to years past.
Oh, that voice. Just as wonderful as on record.
Richard and Karen released the
Palladium album to commemorate the sold out tour on December 10. Their BBC television network
special also featured the group performing the same show. Closer listening actually reveals this disc comes from a different concert than what played on BBC television. Still, with this type of publicity, the live in concert album
reached #28 on the U.K. charts, making the Carpenters gift to fans a very popular Christmas present in British households.
In the U.S., Americans did not get the Palladium album. (Neither did Japan initially.) In it's place, Stateside fans got a gift of a different kind: The Carpenters Very First Television Special.
Back in March of 1976, Billboard magazine discussed Barry Manilow being signed to ABC for a television special.
Others artists already under contract to do the same were Captain & Tennille, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John, and John Denver. Although long term this may not have been good for their career, Karen and Richard were in some very good company.
Victor Borge, Karen, Richard, and John Denver.
Naturally, their shrewd manager Jerry Weintraub gothis other big client John Denver to appear on the Carpenters show and duet with each sibling, his medley with Karen of Good Vibrations/Comin' Thru the Rye being the highlight.
Star power together!
Karen's friend Olivia Newton-John shows up to give Richard a kiss after he wins an auto race against the great Al Unser. Unfortunately, there's no musical number with Olivia. If there were, we'd all be cherishing that at this point in time.
In a poor move from a strategic standpoint, gifted pianist Victor Borge appears with Richard for a brief segment. He appeals to a much older audience, and the duo instantly loses any credibility with the younger crowd- the one currently buying albums- and radio programmers. This unfortunate pairing solidly shoved Richard back in the very limiting box much of America kept him in. Career manager Weintraub clearly forgot the end game. His job was strengthening his client's superstar status while concurrently increasing sales. In this regard, Jerry failed them miserably.
This would not be a wise thing to do today.
I was glued to the television set. Karen was as charming as ever, and Richard seemed like he did know how to have some fun. All said, the disaster of the Borge decision aside, the first television special was mostly a pretty good piece of image marketing.
Parts from the Palladium album do make it onto the show- the drum medley and a revised hits finale. In an interesting move, the Spike Jones version of Close to You that was wisely cut from the album shows up on the television special. In a country obsessed with ranking everything, the U.S. presentation is a big hit, earning great numbers in the Neilsen ratings for the week, landing at number 6.
During the Hits medley. A rarely seen outtake...
... and with just a touch of color correction.
The television special has zero impact on their album sales, however. A Kind of Hush does not reappear on the Billboard charts nor is a fourth single released.
By many accounts, the year was a decent one for Karen and Richard. Karen's health seemed to recover, and the Sedaka incident was now mostly behind them. Their international tour brought them to even greater heights, and the first of several television shows was a hit.
Even though their album sales were not nearly as strong as in the past, Karen and Richard had established a solid market for them to continue making and selling albums and performing in front of an audience whenever they wished to do so.
Usually I only consider studio albums when asked to rank my favorites by the duo. If included, Live at the Palladium would easily make my Top Ten. Why? Much like A Kind of Hush, it's almost impossible for me to separate this disc from the events in my life surrounding it, the bundle of emotions from seeing Karen and Richard perform live for the first time, and meeting them afterwards. It was definitely the highlight of my year.
After a stellar and unforgettable summer, I ended 1976 completing my first, my only, my last, semester
at community college. I began to drift as I couldn't decide what route
to take with my life. But I knew it was time to make a break with the past and move on into adulthood in a new way.
I had no idea change was on the horizon for the Carpenters in a big way. As I would discover in the coming year, brand new management and television specials were only the beginning.
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On the Insights blog, there are also numerous stand alone posts about Karen and Richard Carpenter highlighting different aspects of their career, recordings, and life. There's many unique photos to be found here as well. I've also written extensively about their music, album by album, and how each affected their career and my life. Since there are stories about my life mixed in, you'll also get a glimpse of what it meant to grow up in Southern California during the 70s.
Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and those that came a decade earlier.
