Carpenters - Music Music Music - 1980 [Part 5]

[devydu]

Wow - I love Richard showcasing his piano-playing with this Broadway piece "Slaughter on 10th Avenue". He has the classical piano training that was seldom demonstrated in the Carpenters songs, so it's such a treat to see him perform as a solo classical pianist with so much emotion & interpretation, as Karen did with her singing. I think he plays better than Richard Clayderman, the international pianist. I wish he would record a CD of new & traditional piano music, just like this Broadway hit.

[rematpac]

This is after Richard successfully rehabed from qualudes and was able to perform again.

[tonyf734atl]

Gotta say that "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" was one terrific piano piece for this special!  Wish he'd released it on "As Time Goes By" with some of the other songs from this special...

[karencarpenterfan1]

You can not have the "Carpenters" with just one of them. They go together, their talents and their strengths.

[earcandy2008]

Richard also recorded 'You'll Never Know' and I wish that he had performed it on this special rather than John Davidson.

[stillgotit01]

Yes, I think Richard was the driving force behind their team. It might have been due to Karen's disease but she didn't have any confidence in herself or her talent. After Karen died Richard didn't go on with the act, it was over, they were the Carpenters and Karen wasn't there anymore. I'm glad we have these wonderful videos to watch, they really did change music.

[kboyzrock]

Richard is an excellent pianist, one of the best in the business, composer, arranger of most all of the Carpenters' songs, and a damn good singer to boot, without him there would be no Carpenters.

[no1cfielder]

In the last half minute of this, Richard is beaming, probably out of satisfaction that it has gone well.

[KSchwab9]

Both had exceptional talent - each in different areas. It was the two of them, together, that made the Carpenters great!

[rustyoo2006]

Richard's talent was over-shadowed by Karen's voice. Her voice was one of a kind; Richard's piano's skill can be duplicated by a lot of pianists.

[stillgotit01]

rustyoo2006. did you know that it was Richard who pushed Karen out from behind the drums and got her to sing? She thought she was just a drummer. I'm not sure what you mean about Richard's piano skill being duplicated. Each piano player has their own "sound" or "style," now that can't be duplicated. They put their own signature on their "style." Richard's is great.

[rustyoo2006]

When I hear Karen's voice, I know it's her. No one else sounds like her. When Richard plays the piano, I cannot tell it's him. He's a fine pianist, but I am sure many studio pianist can fill in his part, as many studio drummer can fill in Karen's drumming. But no one can fill in Karen's voice.

[sweetgirl4JC]

I know I can always tell Richard is playing. And his voice is so unique I can't wait for his new Christmas album that he's been working on for a while. GOD bless him † Always †

[n2thai]

I don't think that Richard was ever given the recognition that he deserved as a keyboardist, in an genre.

[karenacarpenter]

At least... not the recognition he deserves.