Akiko Kobayashi & R. Carpenter: How Could I Ask for More

[tonyf734atl]

I must say that this album was a great one...and thanks to Richard Carpenter we have been introduced to this wonder singer/preformer ... over the years I have come to find more of her music and really love it ... and realize that alot of the tunes that she has done would've also been perfect for Karen Carpenter as well...

Great job Akiko!!! and thanks Richard ... i truely miss Karen!!!

[johnson1095]

Well at leat she's better then Yoko Ono. LOL!

[justinjameswest]

How did he find her. nobody is Karen. But a pretty sound to her voice. Nice. I seem to not know what Richard has been doing. This is Pretty. I hope he is doing Carpenters anything everything new again.

[vmuto1]

To add Akiko is the closes to Karen as I've heared & I've heard many- this my friend is a Compliment!

[vmuto1]

No one can compare to Karen Carpenter- Yes this is good, but Karen could sing higher & certainly lower register notes. I think people alot of people don't realize how great Karen was. In my opinion the best female vocalist of all time. For Richard all this must be bitter sweet. He had the Best in Karen. Karen was the most Angelic & beautiful person that I have ever seen. People in Japan are still so much into the Carpenter now in 2010 wish it was the same here in USA. CARPENTERS RULE!

[cd72]

That is why I love this album. I know it's not Karen, but it gives me a pleasant feeling to listen to it...and how Karenesque it is. Of the songs are in the style Karen would have sung them. And Karen has passed, so it's natural Richard would do something in the same vein they were used to doing...makes us miss Karen more...

[Jenot59]

It is the styly and the arrangements of Richard and the voices together which resemble the sound,for Richard he was THE Carpenters musical sound. so the arrangements for the Voice of Akiko make her voice sound like Karen ofcourse! It sounds great I agree, and I am most of all happy that Richard is still arranging, composing and producing this wonderful music!

[MsHurryCane]

All these songs are beautiful and I think Richard should make this beautiful music. This is the Japanese tribute to a beautiful music. Karen is gone but this is a tribute to the kind of music she made. No one sounds just like her. But this lady has the same deep quality and it is a joy to hear her sing. This kind of passion only keeps Karen and Richard's music alive and vibrant and is a tribute to her. You know she is with him in his heart with anything he does. What a loving brother.

[THEmotownboy]

I have played this album countless times over the years and I still don't get tired of it. What I also found really chilling were the backing vocals on "Only The Angels Know" and "Suddenly Love" and how much Richard & Akiko sounded like Richard & Karen....

[chiefj]

I have this album but the title on it is AKIKO the cover is in this video I love her voice. My favorite song is China River

[christophernejman]

Where the heck had I been???? I never heard this album and I cannot find it anywhere!!!!!!!

[Jenot59]

I have to correct my sorry, The album most be Great for her. Akiko Kobayashi is a great Singer and I wish her all the luck and succes she deserves. It is not in my place to say it should not have been done.

It is just I hear Music exactly like in " Voice of the Heart" and "Time". Also it is a shock when one says Karen is sounding just like Akiko!

Richard Carpenter is the best and I apologize.

Good Luck and Peace to you Both.

Still there is only one Karen A Carpenter, may she rest in peace.

[Jenot59]

It sounds like Karen every now and then, but not always, and I am glad:!!that would be so wrong! Cause already the arrangements are by Richard and it would not be right if Akiko would sound exactly like our Karen Carpenter.

Her way of starting the low key notes in certain lyrics sound just like Karen but also I hear a whole unique Akiko Voice in there, with more high pitched sound. Also the english is real Japanese English, good singer though! Still I think Richard shouldn't have done it, Sorry

[mrshinyshoes]

I agree with you Jenot59. There are shades of Karen Carpenter in Akiko's voice, especially when she begins singing a line, on the accented parts, but Karen's voice was just a tad more smooth and clear, and rich. Karen also sang the high notes with more clarity too.

[earcandy2008]

on 'Suddenly Love Has Found Me' I'd swear that Karen was in there. Awesome. Voss records distributed this CD. Not sure if they are still around.

[shaunie57]

Where can I get hold of Akiko's cd " A song for you" A tribute to the Carpenters?

I've tried everywhere but told it's now out of print.

I really want to hear this cd so much.

Please help :)

[ssoko]

I saw it in Japanese web site.But the Cd is out of print. :-(

[sweetgirl4JC]

what about amazon or ebay?

[kboyzrock]

Wow, her voice sounds just like Karen's, this is the first time I've heard her sing. Beautiful!

[bobosemlimit]

that´s very funny...

When she sings "Koi ni ochite fall in love"her voice is very different....

Are they the same singer?

But, by the way, both songs are very beautiful!!!

[ssoko]

Probably was Richard's influence that made her sing that way... :-)

[jwr3281]

She sounds JUST like her!! It's eerie!

[trashysinatra]

What a wonderful song. Welcome to all who discover Akiko Kobayashi`s beautiful voice through this link.

You may also wish to check out Fall In Love. A wonderful song written and performed by her when she was just a wean*!

(*scottish for young person)

as brian would say - love and mercy to all

[sisterlead02]

Amazing! At the first note, she really sounded like Karen!

[florcha34]

Guao!!! This woman has a beautiful voice and sounds very similar to Karen!!

Thank you for putting it.

[shaunie57]

Just discovered Akiko last night as I was looking for Karen songs.

She certainly sounds very similar indeed.

I would love to hear her cd she did of Carpenter songs. Can someone post some?

[sweetgirl4JC]

me2

[pslaw]

Awesome song! Please please put everything from this album up! Thanks for sharing.

[sweetgirl4JC]

Beautiful. How I wish Karen was still alive. She sounds very similar to her on many notes. I wonder how Richard felt hearing this dear lady sing. GOD bless her.

The harmonies in the background even sound like Rich and Karen. Maybe she's singing throug her.

Love & Blessings to all †

Lisa

[NedNickerson57]

This is my favorite track from that album. You're right, there are moments one would swear it was Karen singing. The song that follows it, Beg, Borrow & Steal sounds like a song that would have fit perfectly on Karen's solo album. I often wonder why Richard didn't work with her more. Thanks for the video!