AE Biography - The Carpenters: Harmony and Heartbreak (Pt 4)

[tidbittoo]

and what has become of Richard since Karen's death...

[Rudy61287]

Her solo album is far and away more satisfying to listen to, on the overall, than "Horizon," "A Kind of Hush" and the sparkling (but also somewhat vacuous) "Made in America."

Reasons why: "If I Had You," "If We Try," "Lovelines," "Guess I Just Lost My Head," "Make Believe It's Your First Time."

[mylittlebuckaroo]

It's sad that it was handled with such insensitivity by A&M and Richard, but I think he was right in that Ramone had her singing too high, and some of those disco songs on her solo album were horrible.

[liljon71]

its a shame she didnt find someone who loved her for who she really was,this materialistic fool just wanted another trophy,its a shame agnas didnt support her daughter in not wanting to marry this fool after she had found out certain things about him.

[mcflugger]

How dare he (Richard) say that the material on her solo project was "unsuited for Karen"...I've heard every track and "every track" sounds Great!! Poor Karen, He was envious of her success!! She had no support at the time, what a shame and disgrace that her brother couldn't support her and put aside his own ego!!!!

[mcflugger]

How dare he (Richard) say that the material on her solo project was "unsuited for Karen"...I've heard every track and "every track" sounds Great!! Poor Karen, He was envious of her success!! She had no support at the time, what a shame and disgrace that her brother couldn't support her and put aside his own ego!!!!

[calilammy]

the picture at 8:44 tells alot...look at the mom huggin on Richard, and Dad standing proud...then Karen...wonder what she was thinking in this photo. Dad should of put his arms around her... damn!!!!

[vmuto1]

Mike, I don't know if Randy Schmidt is gay, shouldn't matter anyway he still left so much out of that book of his Little Girl Blue, thanks for your comment. I just hope that the world understands that the book was indeed done with NO RESPECT for the Carpenter name. Seems like the people who wouldn't talk to Randy never have a hard time speaking to me, Only difference is I respect the Carpenter name & always will. Eye's ain'ts a talking!!!!

[georgebur]

I do disagree with Richard Carpenter, when he criticises the upper voice range that Karen employed in her solo album. I think that her brighter upper range communicated just as well as the lower range, if not better for this particular material. Also I like the more "raw" vocal sound - her true resonance - not so much of the double tracking. There were many other attractive features in the solo album with great musicians involved.

[jezkn]

Yeh- it all goes pear shaped around 1976 with the TV show. Best forgotton. Sending up ‘Close to You’-not a good idea either. She’s lost some of the lustre, bloom and spontaneity (but not the voice)-u can see it in TV skits. She never ‘owned’ the theme (or vocal register) of the solo album. But u can’t blame family for all Karen’s woes (as people do with anorexia) inspite of ‘control’ issues.Njce NOT to see Anna Raeburn oince again!

[ThePolkadotbikini]

god what an overbearing old bag. yea, i mean the mom.

[akapitaRN]

@chrisjr1 They may look outdated but I would not call anyone on this video ugly. I think both Richard and Karen were good looking.

[chijeii]

Karen was soo funny. Miss her soo much. :(

Happy memories of her make me feel sad.

[reneecalling]

Let me rephrase that statement at 00:08. "Disco was rearing its ugly head."

[jimdivax]

Richard's right, though. The material is weak and doesn't exploit the very part of her voice that WAS Karen Carpenter. She could have done a Captain and Tenille sexy thing with those dulcit tone of hers.

[no1zgrl4eva]

Near the end of this segment, her eyes are sinking, she looks like she is dying.

[jude1871]

I think Richard needed to understand that Karen had a right to evolve and develop as an individual.

[1angel23]

damn that's some high notes

[ClarenceFisher]

The solo album - SEXUALLY EXPLICIT??!?!?

HOLY TIPPER GORE, BATMAN!

[no1cfielder]

If you listen to these tracks, I think you'll see that "sexually explicit" is a bit of an exaggeration....

[ClarenceFisher]

Well, of course I know that - I have the disc and it's pretty mild stuff - nice, but mild.

[chrisjunior1]

i grew up listening to the carpenters and i think they were great singers, but EVERYONE in that vid was ugly as sin. jeez, those people can knock a bulldog off a meat wagon!

[bevaneachy]

WOW! How squeeky clean can 2 people get?! It's even to conservative for me! GEEZ!!!!!!!

[genniirocka]

lol. Defo.

Karen ramone is a fatty!

[chijeii]

@genniirocka

[zabadu]

choosesarah has a pro-anorexic website. Ignore her.

[auntbecky]

huh? How could she be ok? She died from it.

[rlph346]

She tried to get control of her life FOR HER LIFE - this would never be.

She is greatly, deeply missed.

#1KacFan

[dexterville]

Cloistered in their careers, it's easy to see that the pressures of celebrity took it's toll.