FAVORITES LIST
Every two months this page will feature a new list of favorite Carpenters songs, CD's, DVD's, Books or any combination of. These lists are compiled by "you" the visitors of THE CARPENTERS ONLINE. Scroll down below for more information on how to submit your list.
Rick's Picks for 2006 This is a list of the Carpenters songs which really caught my attention throughout the year. These are the songs I played regularly and brought up in discussion on The Carpenters Online Forum.
In assemblying this list I decided to not include the hit singles as Carpenters have recorded an outstanding body of work and most of their albums contain great songs beyond the hits.
These are the songs I loved the most in 2006.
This list was written and compiled by Rick Henry (Developer of The Carpenters Online) January 2007
DESPERADO
The Carpenters' rendition of "Desperado" (written by Don Henley and Glen Frey) is a beautiful deep, dark, mournful and soulful ballad, boldly vocalized to perfection by Karen Carpenter. Tommy Morgan adds a chilling mystique to the song with his most meritorious harmonica work.
GUESS I JUST LOST MY HEAD
This astonishing song was written and arranged by the multi-talented Rob Mounsey. Mounsey's resume reads like a who's who in the music industry. Karen treats us to an uplifting and somewhat playful vocal performance with this song. Her vocal is soothing and refined. Mounsey's sparkling keyboard solo brings the listener to a higher dimension on this dazzling smooth jazz number, which could have easily been a hit in 1980.
"Guess I Just Lost My Head" rates 100% on the "cool factor" meter.
B'WANA SHE NO HOME
One of my favorite songs in the entire catalog of Carpenters music. I enjoy this one for it's adventuresome nature. Written by smooth jazz master Michael Franks for his 1997 album "Sleeping Gypsy". With it's electrifying guitar chords and rhythmic percussion Carpenters turned this song into a jazz musicians dream, containing many of the same musical elements found in Grover Washington Jr's 1975 masterpiece "Mister Magic". The "cool" and "seductive" vocal arrangement, which bought out a new dimension in Karen's voice, was composed by the talented Gene Perling.
ROAD ODE
Another of my all-time favorites. This song contains all the soul and smooth refinement found in all Carpenters songs along with a bold "rock n' roll era" character which gives the song an appeal which spans a wide cross section of music afficiandos. What's most alluring of this song is Karen Carpenter's dark and soulful vocal. She sings with a yearning and a knowing authority of what it's like to live your life on the road. Recorded during a time when Carpenters were doing over 200 shows per year.
CRESCENT NOON
Dark, soulful and mournful coming around to a "brand new day" and a rebirth of the morning light. Then ending with a burning away of "all our seasons". This is one of the Carpenters most mysterious songs with lyrics which paint a vivid journey of the soul.
BOAT TO SAIL
Chiming, echoing, multi-layered treat of smooth sailing vocals and musicianship. "Boat To Sail" is one of the Carpenters' most excitingly creative tunes containing a spirited and gleaming lead vocal by Karen Carpenter which always manages to bring a bit of sunshine with every listen.
NOWADAYS CLANCY CAN'T EVEN SING
Written by the legendary Neil Young and originally recorded in 1967 by the supergroup Buffalo Springfield. This song is fantastic in that it features a young Karen and Richard (19 and 23 years old respectively) joyfully trading lead vocals as they sing of sorrow and social tribulation. Best of all is Richard's shimmering keyboard work backed by Karen's robust drum rhythms.
THIS MASQUERADE
Although the Carpenters never released "This Masquerade" as an A-side single, it is widely known as a Carpenters classic. The song has ended up on countless Carpenters compilations including; "Yesterday Once More", "Interpretations", "Treasures", "From The Top", "Love Songs", "Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition" and several others.
Leon Russell wrote and originally recorded this song for his 1972 album "Carney" which also includes his top 10 hit "Tight Rope". Russell also wrote "A Song For You" and "Superstar".
Richard Carpenter took the song and transformed it into an elegant cocktail lounge song of superior quality. Karen Carpenter's vocal is outstanding. Many consider this to be one of her finest performances. At the age of twenty-three Karen sings with a graceful maturity and depth far beyond her youthful age. Displaying her ability as a multi-talented musician Karen plays the drums to perfection. Showing off her specialty in complex jazz patterns.
Along with being a highlight track from "Now & Then", "This Masquerade" was used as the b-side to the 1974-75 worldwide #1 hit single "Please Mr. Postman".
What attracts me most to this song is it's dark and mysterious mood.
(I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN) GOODBYE AND I LOVE YOU
Karen delivered this easy going song with such a convincing soulfulness, that some speculate it may have been a reflection on her recent breakup with David Alley (a longtime associate of the Carpenters). The song, like 1976's "I Need To Be In Love", was autobiographical of the Carpenters' romantic dilemmas. At the time of the release of "Horizon" lyricist John Bettis claimed "Goodbye And I Love You" to be his and Richard's best collaboration.
Again, like most of the songs on "Horizon: this song has a darker edge with a beautiful arrangement of low-key country-tinged guitar work. This again is one of my favorites. As for autobiographical songs I tend to prefer this one over "I Need To Be In Love" by far.
REMEMBER WHEN LOVIN' TOOK ALL NIGHT
Now to end this list on an exciting and upbeat note. It's always good to end things on the up and the exciting - a little fun in life. This is what Karen Carpenter was trying to create with her solo album. She wanted to add a little fun to her music - a little bit of spice. In this she was 100% successful. Not to mention the musicianship and vocals on her solo album were also fantastic - first rate all the way.
"Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" is one of my favorite songs on the album it's bold and tantalizing. It's disco and pop mixed into one song. I call it dance-pop - which is a style that became hugely popular in the '80's. Karen was on the verge of being a trendsetter with her solo album - had it been released in 1980. "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" opens with a great percussive rhythm track and funk-filled guitar chords carried by Karen's buoyant and thrill-filled vocal. Karen reaches to her upper cases and hits every note to perfection.
The song was co-written by John Farrar, who wrote many hits for Olivia Newton-John (one of Karen's best friends). The musical arrangement and orchestration was composed with much finesse by the jazz great Bob James - he also added his own jazz influenced keyboard work to the song. Drummer Liberty DeVitto has commented that this is his favorite song on the album as he says, "It's the way everthing fits together, the groove , her voice, the amazing background vocals. Its all there."
Rick's comments: Karen smoothly yet boldly belts this song out with a sense of confidence and assertiveness of a well seasoned pop-music diva.
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