When the Carpenters were at their peak of popularity in the early to mid 1970's, I didn't appreciate them. There was too much other good music happening that I didn't have room for them. Took some time to listen to much of her work lately and now understand what all the hype was about. I can't believe how precise her singing is. She was on all the time, even live. Her brother said she would nail performances during recording sessions in one take. In biopics it is said she sang very quiet, barely above a whisper, and that the microphone and amplification just loved her.

Her brother was an amazing musician, and he featured her singing well. I get a little tired of the bubble gum nature of the instruments and of his excellent but pervasive keyboards. Her voice is the show and I wish there was recordings of her singing with other players and styles.

Their rendition of "Ticket to ride" is number 5 on this greatests hit album and is really excellent. Who today is better than her? I think she is better than Carrie Underwood, and more consistent during live peformances than Celine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqNAbMWM2B8

Yes she was extremely talented but also very troubled person and I adore many of her songs.

Her voice even today takes me back to some of my fondest memories and best of times. Though I was mostly into the rock scene of the times, her voice was like an angel and will never be forgotten by me.

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Originally posted by just1tym:
Her voice even today takes me back to some of my fondest memories and best of times.

Yes indeed. During their peak, I was in the 8-13 age range and I really liked them. I remember watching them on all the variety shows on TV and of course, hearing them on the radio. Some really good times in my life. Back then, I didn't realize just how good her voice was; I just knew that I liked her singing. Listening to some of the songs at the posted link really took me back in time. So sad that she met such a tragic end.

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Who today is better than her? I think she is better than Carrie Underwood, and more consistent during live peformances than Celine.

Florence Welch

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Originally posted by grumpy1:
Yes she was extremely talented but also very troubled person and I adore many of her songs.

I started that video but I could not click it to stop until it ended by itself. such a beautiful voice made haunting by knowing her tragedy.

The Carpenter's, as cheesy as some of their music sounds today. were very, very good. The music still stands up when the mood strikes. I was fortunate enough to see them once in concert. Redwood City, at the Circle Star Theater, probably 1974 or 1975.

I read somewhere....probably here, that she was also an unusually good drummer. Like REALLY good!

I was working in a Record Store in the mid-seventies when their stuff was coming out.
It was selling like crazy but "not cool" to everyone in my age group back then.
Now, I recognize the talent albeit lost way too soon.

Truly a one of a kind voice.

She died way too young.

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Originally posted by 6guns:
I read somewhere....probably here, that she was also an unusually good drummer. Like REALLY good!

She considered herself the group's drummer who also did the singing.

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Originally posted by ScorpionBoy:

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Who today is better than her? I think she is better than Carrie Underwood, and more consistent during live peformances than Celine.

Florence Welch

I don’t know, I haven’t listened to her in a long time and the Carpenters weren’t my taste. Are these women “better?” Maybe. Beth Hart, Danielle Parente, Melody Gardot, possibly Julie Roberts, and although her career goes back to the time of The Carpenters, she’s still active today—Emmylou Harris.

I was a closet fan in the 70s when I was a kid, and came out of the closet in the 80s. The Carpenters rule.

The following video from their live shows in Australia showcase their considerable live talents, particularly Karen Carpenter. She channels Levon Helm . Karen Carpenter was truly talented. Awesome stuff.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1AH6AheBSw

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Originally posted by ScorpionBoy:
Who today is better than her?

Better in what way?

Voice? I don't think you'll find anyone today with a better vocal range and delivery than Karen Carpenter. I think the best way to describer her voice is angelic. It is near perfect. Not unlike Steve Perry on the male side. I don't think you can find someone to match his vocals.

Overall musical talent? I think that there are many who can compare to her.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by ScorpionBoy:
Who today is better than her?

Better in what way?

Voice? I don't think you'll find anyone today with a better vocal range and delivery than Karen Carpenter. I think the best way to describer her voice is angelic. It is near perfect. Not unlike Steve Perry on the male side. I don't think you can find someone to match his vocals.

Overall musical talent? I think that there are many who can compare to her.

I didn't specify, I assumed her voice being so outstanding that I was talking about her singing. Great drummer, that's great, but her voice is so outstanding it doesn't really matter.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
I was a closet fan in the 70s when I was a kid, and came out of the closet in the 80s. The Carpenters rule.

The following video from their live shows in Australia showcase their considerable live talents, particularly Karen Carpenter. She channels Levon Helm . Karen Carpenter was truly talented. Awesome stuff.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1AH6AheBSw

This was the concert that showed me how outstanding she could sing live. She just nails everything so effortlessly.

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Originally posted by 6guns:
I read somewhere....probably here, that she was also an unusually good drummer. Like REALLY good!

I remember way back when there was a best drummer poll in Playboy magazine I believe and she ranked higher than John Bonham of Led Zeppelin which caused quite a stir LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I read somewhere....probably here, that she was also an unusually good drummer. Like REALLY good!

I remember way back when there was a best drummer poll in Playboy magazine I believe and she ranked higher than John Bonham of Led Zeppelin which caused quite a stir LOL.

That's just Bonzo!

One of the things Karen Carpenter had going for her when comparing her singing with others, is that she didn't live beyond her prime years of singing. Many singers who perform pretty well later in life rely on lip sync and recorded fillers for notes they can't reliably hit anymore. Some singers never sang with any range and can continue to perform songs of their youth for a long time.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
I was a closet fan in the 70s when I was a kid, and came out of the closet in the 80s. The Carpenters rule.

The following video from their live shows in Australia showcase their considerable live talents, particularly Karen Carpenter. She channels Levon Helm . Karen Carpenter was truly talented. Awesome stuff.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1AH6AheBSw

This was the concert that showed me how outstanding she could sing live. She just nails everything so effortlessly.

Listen to her open the song at 8:00...