Karen Carpenter (album)
Encyclopedia
Karen Carpenter is a solo CD released by A&M Records
in 1996
. All of the songs on the album were from the New York solo sessions recorded with producer Phil Ramone
in 1979 and 1980. During this time, her brother Richard
was being treated for an addiction to Quaaludes and Karen wanted to remain productive and record songs until Richard was able to return to the recording studio. Some of the songs included on this album were featured on The Carpenters
' 1989 compilation Lovelines
and later releases. In the liner notes, Karen dedicated her solo project to Richard. Karen wrote, "Dedicated to my brother Richard with all my heart."
The liner notes also include comments from both Richard Carpenter and producer Phil Ramone, with Richard explaining the reason to shelve the album and his decision made later to release it as Karen approved it.
After completing the album, Karen played it to A&M executives in New York with much approval. However, upon playing it to A&M executives in Los Angeles including Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, with Phil Ramone and her brother Richard also in attendance, the response to the album was relatively negative. Ramone recalls that Karen broke down in tears. She was said to be so devastated that she opted (with A&M's urging) not to release the album.
The E! True Hollywood Story
- Karen Carpenter" claims that the album was not sold in 1980, because Herb Alpert
called it unreleaseable. However, Quincy Jones
argued with Derek Green, an A&M Records
vice-president, for the album's release, but, Alpert, Green and Jerry Moss
said the album had to be cancelled. The album itself cost $
400,000 of Karen's own money to make. The cost was offset against Carpenter's further album royalties; something that Karen was not happy about.
One other note of interest about her solo album was that Karen called Ramone on February, 3, 1983 and in the course of the conversation with him the solo album was brought up. Karen said in that conversation, according to Ramone, "I hope you don't mind if I curse. I still love our fucking record!
It remained shelved until 1996—thirteen years after Karen's death. The songs on the album remain the way Karen wished them to be mixed. Many fans have determined that the album should have been released in 1980 as it is a solid work and contains some of the best work Karen has done in her career. The same fans completely disagree with the negative opinion that A&M executives and Richard Carpenter had about the album.
Karen Carpenter is currently out of print in the United States.
All of the unreleased songs have surfaced on the internet with the exception of Church Choir and Basket Case.
Something's Missing(In My Life) was recorded as a duet featuring Paul Jabara
and Donna Summer
, and can be found on
Paul's CD Greatest Hits and Misses.
Originally released on The Carpenters' 1989
album, Lovelines
Different arrangement from The Carpenters' version released on Voice of the Heart
.
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in 1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
. All of the songs on the album were from the New York solo sessions recorded with producer Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone is a South-African violinist, composer, recording engineer, and record producer.-Biography:As a young child in South Africa, Ramone was a musical prodigy, beginning to play the violin at age three and performing for Queen Elizabeth II at age ten...
in 1979 and 1980. During this time, her brother Richard
Richard Carpenter (musician)
Richard Lynn Carpenter is an American pop musician, best known as one half of the brother/sister duo The Carpenters, along with his sister Karen Carpenter. He was a producer, arranger, pianist and keyboardist, and occasional lyricist, as well as joining with Karen on harmony...
was being treated for an addiction to Quaaludes and Karen wanted to remain productive and record songs until Richard was able to return to the recording studio. Some of the songs included on this album were featured on The Carpenters
The Carpenters
Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
' 1989 compilation Lovelines
Lovelines
Lovelines is a 1989 album released by The Carpenters.In 1989, Richard Carpenter decided to release an album of unreleased Carpenters tracks along with selected solo tracks by his sister, Karen Carpenter ....
and later releases. In the liner notes, Karen dedicated her solo project to Richard. Karen wrote, "Dedicated to my brother Richard with all my heart."
The liner notes also include comments from both Richard Carpenter and producer Phil Ramone, with Richard explaining the reason to shelve the album and his decision made later to release it as Karen approved it.
After completing the album, Karen played it to A&M executives in New York with much approval. However, upon playing it to A&M executives in Los Angeles including Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, with Phil Ramone and her brother Richard also in attendance, the response to the album was relatively negative. Ramone recalls that Karen broke down in tears. She was said to be so devastated that she opted (with A&M's urging) not to release the album.
The E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and well-known public figures...
- Karen Carpenter" claims that the album was not sold in 1980, because Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
called it unreleaseable. However, Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
argued with Derek Green, an A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
vice-president, for the album's release, but, Alpert, Green and Jerry Moss
Jerry Moss
Jerome S. "Jerry" Moss is an American recording executive, best known for being the co-founder of A&M Records, along with trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert....
said the album had to be cancelled. The album itself cost $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
400,000 of Karen's own money to make. The cost was offset against Carpenter's further album royalties; something that Karen was not happy about.
One other note of interest about her solo album was that Karen called Ramone on February, 3, 1983 and in the course of the conversation with him the solo album was brought up. Karen said in that conversation, according to Ramone, "I hope you don't mind if I curse. I still love our fucking record!
It remained shelved until 1996—thirteen years after Karen's death. The songs on the album remain the way Karen wished them to be mixed. Many fans have determined that the album should have been released in 1980 as it is a solid work and contains some of the best work Karen has done in her career. The same fans completely disagree with the negative opinion that A&M executives and Richard Carpenter had about the album.
Karen Carpenter is currently out of print in the United States.
Track listing
- "Lovelines" (Rod TempertonRod TempertonRodney Lynn "Rod" Temperton is an English songwriter, record producer and musician most famous for writing a number of songs performed by Michael Jackson, including the title track of Jackson's Thriller, the biggest-selling album of all time.-Biography:As Temperton remembers music was in his bones...
) (5:06) - "All Because of You" (Russell Javors) (3:31)
- "If I Had You" (Steve DorffSteve DorffSteve Dorff is an American songwriter and composer whose work is mainly in the field of country music.Dorff has written several songs for other artists, including "Hypnotize the Moon" and "My Heart Will Never Know" for Clay Walker, "The Man in Love with You" and "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait,...
, Gary Harju, Larry Herbstritt) (3:54) - "Making Love in the Afternoon" (featuring Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) (Peter Cetera) (3:57) - "If We Try" (Rod Temperton) (3:46)
- "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" (John Farrar, Molly-Ann Leiken) (3:50)
- "Still in Love With You" (Russell Javors) (3:15)
- "My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" (Leslie Pearl) (3:46)
- "Make Believe It's Your First Time" (Bob Morrison, Johnny Wilson) (3:12)
- "Guess I Just Lost My Head" (Rob MounseyRob MounseyRob Mounsey is an award-winning composer, music producer, and musician. He was born in Berea, Ohio and grew up in Seattle, Washington and several Ohio towns. At the age of 17, he was awarded a BMI Student Composer's Award in New York. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1971 to 1975...
) (3:36) - "Still Crazy After All These Years" (Paul SimonPaul SimonPaul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
) (4:17) - "Last One Singin' the Blues" (Bonus Track) (Pete McCann) (3:29)
Unreleased Track listing
- Love Makin' Love To You - 3:34
- Something's Missing (In My Life) Paul JabaraPaul JabaraPaul Jabara was an American actor, singer, and songwriter of Lebanese ancestry. He wrote Donna Summer's "Last Dance" from Thank God It's Friday and Barbra Streisand's song "The Main Event/Fight" from The Main Event...
- 4:49 - Keep My Lovelight Burning - 3:18
- I Do It For Your Love - 3:44
- Midnight - 4:16
- It's Really You (It's really Me) - 3:21
- Jimmy Mack - 3:36
- Truly You - 3:18
- Don't Try to Win Me Back Again - 4:46
- Church Choir - unknown length
- Basket Case - unknown length
All of the unreleased songs have surfaced on the internet with the exception of Church Choir and Basket Case.
Something's Missing(In My Life) was recorded as a duet featuring Paul Jabara
Paul Jabara
Paul Jabara was an American actor, singer, and songwriter of Lebanese ancestry. He wrote Donna Summer's "Last Dance" from Thank God It's Friday and Barbra Streisand's song "The Main Event/Fight" from The Main Event...
and Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
, and can be found on
Paul's CD Greatest Hits and Misses.
Originally released on The Carpenters' 1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
album, Lovelines
Lovelines
Lovelines is a 1989 album released by The Carpenters.In 1989, Richard Carpenter decided to release an album of unreleased Carpenters tracks along with selected solo tracks by his sister, Karen Carpenter ....
Different arrangement from The Carpenters' version released on Voice of the Heart
Voice of the Heart
Voice of the Heart is the eleventh album by American pop duo Carpenters. It was released in 1983 after Karen's death and contains material from her final recording sessions, as well as previously unreleased tracks from sessions over the years....
.