Wow what a coincidence, just yesterday I was viewing YouTube videos of the Carpenters and listening to Karen’s beautiful voice.
I too also got to see the Carpenters at Harrah’s Tahoe back in 1975. Their opening act was the Righteous Brothers. I was 12 at that time and looking back I am so grateful to have seen their act 6 years before her passing. I remember Karen asking everyone if there are any kids in the audience. God I wanted to jump up and run from the table (Dinner Show) and up to the stage. The reason was her next song was “Sing Sing a Song”.
You are right they are a Class Act and there will never be another class act like them. I wish Karen had gotten help but Anorexia was rarely diagnosis. Her death was not in vain because her death allowed this ugly illness to revealed to the public which was unheard of back then.
I learned a little about the recording industry over several months, not enough to truly understand it but to appreciate all the work it takes to put out a single, let alone an album.
In one video which I won't remember, Richard talked about his development as a pianist, composer and arranger.
He started piano lessons in New Haven according to the classic technique. It followed him when he went with his parents to California, but playing according to the classical style (as his talented paternal grandparents had done), was not what he was after only he didn't know how to do things he'd heard on his father's record collection and didn't know what to ask for in the way of lessons; he went to college for a couple years and seems to have been self taught after he discovered where he wanted to go with his music.
First, he discovered the chord and improvisation method, fortunately for what followed in his career, and became brilliant at making even a Bacharach sheet music transform from ho hum to brilliant. Late I learned about improvisation, have listened to some who play that way, by ear and adding chords and fills, it appears effortless and, for them, it becomes that, but not for me. Richard was just as talented of the two as Karen but she always outshone him.
The other intriguing lesson I learned was when Richard discovered dubbing while listening to a Les Paul and Mary Ford record, Les on guitar, and Mary on guitar and vocal. It is recorded as a single melody voice note one time. Then it is re-recorded to add a complementary vocal note, and so on until there were what I think are called "voices", all Mary harmonizing herself. Richard said Karen couldn't do that, but it didn't matter.
Self voicing or however you put it makes a song so much richer if not overdone. I got in a discussion about how Skeeter Davis harmonized with herself in part of one of her songs. I never understood that effect before but knew what my ears heard.
I wanted to try improvising with my keyboard and Garage Band, I have a fine full keyboard with weighted keys, but it doesn't have a compatible interface with anything on the computer because it is too out-dated. I made one video using iPhoto, fun, and used apple music but yt called me on a copyright violation so I just took it down. Then I occasionally opened iMovie, but it is way too complicated for me, will leave it to the pros, will have to learn it if I want to advance.
There is a tribute Richard wrote for Karen, piano only, a lovely piece with photos called Karen's Theme. Look for one that sounds like Richard playing.
On talk radio recently, the host used to be a DJ and mentioned how he hated having to play over and over Mr. Postman. I don't care much for it either, but I was disappointed to hear him say that because Karen left a legacy of many fine albums, live, and so many photos. How lucky we are to have all that.
I will listen to her Christmas music, but I like her medleys, two in London, one in a large studio with full orchestra, and the performance in Budoken (sp?) Japan. How I wish I could have seen one of her live performances.