We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
The brother picked the songs, did the arranging and played all of the various keyboards…the sister provided the angelic vocal stylings. The results took them to the top of the pop music business and in 1972 they released a really solid record called ‘A Song For You’. They were, of course, the Carpenters.
The duo had two real strengths. Richard’s ability to pick good songs, arrange them in a way that suited Karen, and play some top notch pop keyboards in almost any style you could ask for. And then there was “The Voice”. We talked last year about the beauty of Karen Carpenter’s voice and what she could do with a lyric. That fact that she was unlucky in love most of her life and suffered and died from a well-publicized battle with eating disorders, only adds to the pathos of her performances.
This album features a slew of good songs, many were hits, some not until the next year. Side one is particularly strong featuring a cover of “Hurting Each Other” which was previously recorded by Ruby & The Romantics. The Carpenters version went to #2.
Other covers include the title track, written by Leon Russell and a nice version of Carole King’s “It’s Going To Take Some Time”. Side one also included the #1 smash “Top Of The World”, although it wouldnt be released as a single for over a year, and then in a re-recorded form. The classic “Goodbye to Love” closes out the side with a bang. It features Tony Peluso’s great fuzz tone guitar work.
Side two, while not as strong, does have another hit single that wasn’t released until 1974. “I Won’t Last a Day Without You” is that classic Carpenters sound. Also included is the movie soundtrack song “Bless The Beasts and the Children”.
Along with Richard’s keyboards and some work from Karen on her beloved drums…the albums hired guns include Peluso, Louie Shelton, Red Rhodes, Buddy Emmons, Joe Osborn, Hal Blaine, Earl Dumler and the great Bob Messenger on sax and flute. Tim Weisberg also makes a guest appearance.
The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard Charts and although they would continue to crank out hits for awhile, this was probably the high water mark for the group.
Comments