Karen Carpenter Biography
(A&M Records Inc. Press Dept.)


Karen Carpenter's Story has been told many times, but never as eloquently as when it's being told by her own voice-a voice that touched the heart of millions during the Carpenters' remarkable string of hits during the 1970s, and countless others in the years since. And while the 15 original albums released under the Carpenter's name attest to the successful musical chemistry between karen and Richard, the singer, like all artists, wanted to streych herself- and in spring of 1979, she set out to do just that by recording what was to be her first solo album.

The self-titled album, which was produced by Phil Ramone (who worked with artists as varied as Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Cyndi lauper) was to be a departure from Karen's trademark style. it was too drastic a departure for the taste of some, and at Karen's behest, the project was shelved in early 1980.

Due to complications relating to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, Karen tragically passed away on February 4, 1983, at the age of 32.

Through the ensuing years, Richard, with Phil Ramone's permission, re-mixed and included a total of six of the tracksfor inclusion in two Carpenters' releases: LOVELINES and FROM THE TOP. Nevertheless, the occasional request would be received to release the album as originally delivered.

Admittedly, it's difficult to listen to KAREN CARPENTER without reflecting on the singer's life. But if one is able to examine the performances on their own terms, it soon becomes clear that Karen's talent was versatile. From the mellow, jazz-inflected tones of her cover of "Still Crazy After All These Years" to the sinuous dance groove that underpins the surprisingly sensuous "Lovelines", the settings serve to showcase a voice at once warm and controlled, provocative and comforting.

As producer Phil Ramone wrote in his liner notes for the album, the tapes weren't re-mixed, or altered in any way from the time of their initial recording. "The love of Billy Joel's band, who had the best time working with her, gave Karen Carpenter's work in New York a sparkle that can be heard on this album", Ramone explains. And as evidenced by he intimacy of the gentle "All Because Of You" and the breezy infectiousness of "Makin' Love In The Afternoon", an abulliently driving track reminiscent of the best moments of contemporaneous rockers like Fleetwood Mac, that sparkle is unmistakable.

Karen and Richard Carpenter released their debut album in 1969 and the duo took less than a year to score its #1 hit with "Close to you". Over the next decade, the Carpenters would go on to sell more records than any other American group-ranking just behind Elton John, Paul MCartney and the Bee Gees in terms of worldwide sales for that decade.

But while the Carpenters epitomized pop tradition, the group's personality would go on to garner it followers from across the artistic spectrum-as evidenced by the wide array of alternative rock artists who covered the duo's music on the 1994 tribute album IF I WERE A CARPENTER (not to mention outside tributes such as Sonic Youth's "Tunic", which Kim Gordon penned in honor of Karen 's life).

After taping their fifth ABC TV Special in 1980 and releasing MADE IN AMERICA in 1981, the Carpenter reduced their work schedule due to Karen's continuing health problems. But their fan base never waned. To date, the Carpenters' catalog has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide.

Even so, the Carpenters' story remained incomplete without the release of this, a chapter that could have marked a new aspect of her career, but instead, acts as a bittersweet footnote to a tale cut short. The radience that emanates from the recording, however, is so vivid that one has to merely admire. Richard Carpenter explains, "Karen was with us precious little time. She was a great artist. This album represents a period of time and change of approach in her carrer. As such it deserves to be heard-in its entirely, as originally intended".

- OCTOBER 1996

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Created - November 1996