Change In Universal Attitude?
KarenCarpFan
13 Mar 2005
Hello Everyone.
I have been thinking for a while now..Has Universal gained anewed appreciation for the brother and sister duo? I was reading on the forum before where carpenters fans have written Universal and havnt recieved very nice responses! With the recent chart success of Gold which reached top status at #4 on the british charts, Will Universal be more cordial with Richard? I believe i have read on peters site that richard has changed his contract status.
Like it or not Richard is semi retired..I mean what more can he do without Karen? sure he can write movie scores..a drama perhaps which he stated in an interview in the 1980s. I do believe there is enough material for one steller final album of unreleased tracks.,.and an additional medicore albums worth. The question is..With sales of their albums at perhaps a historic record for many single music artists, will Universal be willing to risk another unreleased album? I know this is a sensitive issue with many as they feel richard has done so much since the tragic death of his sister, his friend karen, But he does mention and feel that it is bittersweet work but he feels like he owes it to karens memory.
Btw..I wouldnt be surprised if carpenters units in sale have reached 200 million!! after all the carpenters were one of teh few artists that has an enormous world wide appeal..Britney spears probably sells better in the usa than anywhere!
Britney hunny..You have Nothing on Karen!
ritney reached # 5 for the best female vocalists on the VH1 count down special. I think Karen was #25 and Barbara Striseand was a few spots behind! Jeeesh!)
Michael
I have been thinking for a while now..Has Universal gained anewed appreciation for the brother and sister duo? I was reading on the forum before where carpenters fans have written Universal and havnt recieved very nice responses! With the recent chart success of Gold which reached top status at #4 on the british charts, Will Universal be more cordial with Richard? I believe i have read on peters site that richard has changed his contract status.
Like it or not Richard is semi retired..I mean what more can he do without Karen? sure he can write movie scores..a drama perhaps which he stated in an interview in the 1980s. I do believe there is enough material for one steller final album of unreleased tracks.,.and an additional medicore albums worth. The question is..With sales of their albums at perhaps a historic record for many single music artists, will Universal be willing to risk another unreleased album? I know this is a sensitive issue with many as they feel richard has done so much since the tragic death of his sister, his friend karen, But he does mention and feel that it is bittersweet work but he feels like he owes it to karens memory.
Btw..I wouldnt be surprised if carpenters units in sale have reached 200 million!! after all the carpenters were one of teh few artists that has an enormous world wide appeal..Britney spears probably sells better in the usa than anywhere!
Britney hunny..You have Nothing on Karen!
ritney reached # 5 for the best female vocalists on the VH1 count down special. I think Karen was #25 and Barbara Striseand was a few spots behind! Jeeesh!)
Michael
CarpentersToYou
13 Mar 2005
Now, I hate the snide Britney comments, but I'll let them slide this once.
I think UNIVERSAL needs to PROMOTE -that's why LOVE SONGS was such a success.
Britney is promoted very well and her package is great to offer. She is one on one with fans. She knows what they want.
Richard, on the other hand, used to. He's lost touch with his fans. Hopefully the UK stuff will make him realize that there is a demand for the C's!
I think UNIVERSAL needs to PROMOTE -that's why LOVE SONGS was such a success.
Britney is promoted very well and her package is great to offer. She is one on one with fans. She knows what they want.
Richard, on the other hand, used to. He's lost touch with his fans. Hopefully the UK stuff will make him realize that there is a demand for the C's!
KarenCarpFan
13 Mar 2005
Hey Alex! Im very sorry about what I said about Britney. I just love the sincerity and lush sound of Karens voice and lush Richard Carpenters melodies and arrangements. Though To be very fair..Karen and Britney are solar opposites. Britney is a fresh and young talent. she is promoted well. she looks good.
Perhaps what makes me like karen even more so perhaps..is that she was the girl next door. she didnt have to be a sex siren to be popular. the perfection that went into every record shines through, and will last a lifetime. friends of mine, Though not liking the Carpenters, have to admit the beauty of karens voice..very pretty music they say. and well Christmas Portrait has no foes of even Carpenters haters! so all said, while one may not like the music artist, one can sure be respected for..But Karen, Not britney, i can relate more to. just the tender soul who wanted to be in love so much, she starved herself for control.
But PROMOTION is key! Timelife should promote their albums! I see it for old cronies like the very talented perry como, and Nat King Cole..I see these commericals and wonder why dont I see the Carpenters??
thanki you all,
Michael
Perhaps what makes me like karen even more so perhaps..is that she was the girl next door. she didnt have to be a sex siren to be popular. the perfection that went into every record shines through, and will last a lifetime. friends of mine, Though not liking the Carpenters, have to admit the beauty of karens voice..very pretty music they say. and well Christmas Portrait has no foes of even Carpenters haters! so all said, while one may not like the music artist, one can sure be respected for..But Karen, Not britney, i can relate more to. just the tender soul who wanted to be in love so much, she starved herself for control.
But PROMOTION is key! Timelife should promote their albums! I see it for old cronies like the very talented perry como, and Nat King Cole..I see these commericals and wonder why dont I see the Carpenters??
thanki you all,
Michael
dvb
13 Mar 2005
It seems Richard has been able to release a lot for the past few years with Universal, the SACD being the latest and greatest. I think the sales figures might help in getting more things released (Rare tracks and more DVDs) I'd certainly welcome them. And hopefully he comes out with that Christmas album this year!
puppy
13 Mar 2005
My opinion, which is completely uneducated, is that the music industry didn't understand the Carpenters success. It's fine that the fans loved the music (and not just fans, but EVERYONE seemed to know and sing along whether they were fans or not)... but the industry itself didn't get it. Over time, the fans haven't "gone away"... the industry really does need to think about the way the Carpenters are viewed (I agree with putting them on the same nostalgic pedestal as Perry Como and Nat King Cole!).
But I don't know the first thing about the industry, recording labels, who gets what, etc. So take my opinion for what that's worth, lol.
Linda
But I don't know the first thing about the industry, recording labels, who gets what, etc. So take my opinion for what that's worth, lol.
Linda
SOMEDAY87
13 Mar 2005
About the Britney thing, I don't think she should have been #5.
The only reason she was is that she is popular at the moment and well..... she is no where a good a singer as well.... bunches...
1. Ella Fitzgearld
2. Billie Holiday
3. Karen
4. Barbra Streisand
5. ONJ
To me Britney isn't a "vocalist" she is a preformer and she is very good at that!
Her album sales can tell you that, but her voice doen't compare to the others.
I mean Madonna & Kylie don't have the greatest voices either, but they are very good performers.
I really do like Britney and most of her songs
That's my Rant
The only reason she was is that she is popular at the moment and well..... she is no where a good a singer as well.... bunches...
1. Ella Fitzgearld
2. Billie Holiday
3. Karen
4. Barbra Streisand
5. ONJ
To me Britney isn't a "vocalist" she is a preformer and she is very good at that!
Her album sales can tell you that, but her voice doen't compare to the others.I mean Madonna & Kylie don't have the greatest voices either, but they are very good performers.
I really do like Britney and most of her songs
That's my Rant
ttunez
14 Mar 2005
[quote name='KarenCarpFan' date='Mar 13 2005, 10:00 AM']
Hello Everyone.
Like it or not Richard is semi retired..I mean what more can he do without Karen? sure he can write movie scores..a drama perhaps which he stated in an interview in the 1980s. I do believe there is enough material for one steller final album of unreleased tracks.,.and an additional medicore albums worth. The question is..With sales of their albums at perhaps a historic record for many single music artists, will Universal be willing to risk another unreleased album? I know this is a sensitive issue with many as they feel richard has done so much since the tragic death of his sister, his friend karen, But he does mention and feel that it is bittersweet work but he feels like he owes it to karens memory.
Well, he could work with singers, arranging songs for them as he did his sister.
But are there any exceptional voices out there that want to do songs in that style?
Whatever he does, he can offer it through his website. I don't think performers and artists need "the industry" as much as they think they do.
Hello Everyone.
Like it or not Richard is semi retired..I mean what more can he do without Karen? sure he can write movie scores..a drama perhaps which he stated in an interview in the 1980s. I do believe there is enough material for one steller final album of unreleased tracks.,.and an additional medicore albums worth. The question is..With sales of their albums at perhaps a historic record for many single music artists, will Universal be willing to risk another unreleased album? I know this is a sensitive issue with many as they feel richard has done so much since the tragic death of his sister, his friend karen, But he does mention and feel that it is bittersweet work but he feels like he owes it to karens memory.
Well, he could work with singers, arranging songs for them as he did his sister.
But are there any exceptional voices out there that want to do songs in that style?
Whatever he does, he can offer it through his website. I don't think performers and artists need "the industry" as much as they think they do.
KarenCarpFan
14 Mar 2005
Hello again..
I just wanted to reinstate that i know many of you disagree with the possibilty of richard making another hidden gem of unreleased/rare tracks..however i do know that it iz posible. I know "The Moon is a harsh Mistress" is indeed a complete track. "Better world" come to find out is from 1971, a complete track or complete lead, i forget but richard says he hates it. and tehn you have songs he likes..
All my life, and Dont try and Win a friend which he may release..i know this has been talked about before in this forum. I hate to make others think i expect richard to do another album, but reality is..Richard is indeed getting older. I mean how much more time really? he has been raising his own family! which is more important than keeping us hungry fans well fed, which he has done a decent job at. Universal could be more helpful in his role, so i blame universal of course for lack of promotion. To begin with A&M never really promoted their artists well! i think thats why Captain and Tenile left the label.
Love songs was a success before the Universal invasion. Im just happy that Universal was able to take advantage as well and use promotion on TV and newspaper. It
certentely took them long enough..take for example not releasing As Time goes by in the USA, until april 04. By the way..does anyone know if anyone is still buying it? the usa COPY of As Time goes By. I had to buy the USA copy. I mean teh only good thing was that "and when he smiles is on its own track" and i had to support this USA release and to say kudos to Universal for the very much delayed USA release of As Time goes By. see you all!
Michael
p.s. oh and Britney is a very good performer..she id very fit and energetic. something i wish karen was..well karen was kinda fitjust before her anorexia took a nose dive in 1974..1974 she looked very full and nice..I am thinking of watching her sing "Jumbalya" and yesterday once more from 1974 with the white pants that look like a dress..and its all one piece. my step dad was rude and said..wow what big hips she has! when he was watching me watch teh Carpenters forever documentry. she was in top form performing Jumbalya!
I just wanted to reinstate that i know many of you disagree with the possibilty of richard making another hidden gem of unreleased/rare tracks..however i do know that it iz posible. I know "The Moon is a harsh Mistress" is indeed a complete track. "Better world" come to find out is from 1971, a complete track or complete lead, i forget but richard says he hates it. and tehn you have songs he likes..
All my life, and Dont try and Win a friend which he may release..i know this has been talked about before in this forum. I hate to make others think i expect richard to do another album, but reality is..Richard is indeed getting older. I mean how much more time really? he has been raising his own family! which is more important than keeping us hungry fans well fed, which he has done a decent job at. Universal could be more helpful in his role, so i blame universal of course for lack of promotion. To begin with A&M never really promoted their artists well! i think thats why Captain and Tenile left the label.
Love songs was a success before the Universal invasion. Im just happy that Universal was able to take advantage as well and use promotion on TV and newspaper. It
certentely took them long enough..take for example not releasing As Time goes by in the USA, until april 04. By the way..does anyone know if anyone is still buying it? the usa COPY of As Time goes By. I had to buy the USA copy. I mean teh only good thing was that "and when he smiles is on its own track" and i had to support this USA release and to say kudos to Universal for the very much delayed USA release of As Time goes By. see you all!
Michael
p.s. oh and Britney is a very good performer..she id very fit and energetic. something i wish karen was..well karen was kinda fitjust before her anorexia took a nose dive in 1974..1974 she looked very full and nice..I am thinking of watching her sing "Jumbalya" and yesterday once more from 1974 with the white pants that look like a dress..and its all one piece. my step dad was rude and said..wow what big hips she has! when he was watching me watch teh Carpenters forever documentry. she was in top form performing Jumbalya!
Boo
14 Mar 2005
KarenCarpFan, on Mar 14 2005, 07:49 AM, said:
my step dad was rude and said..wow what big hips she has! when he was watching me watch teh Carpenters forever documentry.
Well, how nice of him
It's a good thing he didn't say that "to" her, she would have definitely taken a comment like that to heart 
Goofus
14 Mar 2005
Uh, yeah good thing, she already had a hang-up about her hips from what I read somewhere! My sister saw the Beachwood video yesterday and it only took a minute before she said "She looks old". And I hate to say it but when I first saw her singing "Touch Me When We're Dancing", I didn't think she was all that great looking myself...
but that was what anorexia caused.
As for energetic, she always seemed so mellow and calm! But in 1978, she does a Christmas number with Kristy McNichol which is probably the most energetic I ever saw Karen!! It was almost "out of character" to me! But I liked it anyway. So she had energy for performing.. her songs didn't really allow that sort to come out on stage though!!
but that was what anorexia caused. As for energetic, she always seemed so mellow and calm! But in 1978, she does a Christmas number with Kristy McNichol which is probably the most energetic I ever saw Karen!! It was almost "out of character" to me! But I liked it anyway. So she had energy for performing.. her songs didn't really allow that sort to come out on stage though!!
puppy
14 Mar 2005
I really don't like watching the video "Touch Me When We're Dancing". I can't get past the way Karen looks... in fact I even have started to dislike the song itself, just because of the association. When I first saw the video all I could do was say "oh my god!!" As an aside, did anyone notice that she's wearing her wedding ring in that video?? 
(I think also in 'those good old dreams')
Linda
in fact I even have started to dislike the song itself, just because of the association. When I first saw the video all I could do was say "oh my god!!" As an aside, did anyone notice that she's wearing her wedding ring in that video?? (I think also in 'those good old dreams')Linda
prwjr
16 Mar 2005
I'm old...I didn't know Britney was a singer...I thought she was a cover girl for People's Magazine or something...
newvillefan
16 Mar 2005
linda76, on Mar 14 2005, 06:12 PM, said:
As an aside, did anyone notice that she's wearing her wedding ring in that video?? (I think also in 'those good old dreams')
Linda
(I think also in 'those good old dreams')Linda
Karen was still married to Tom when these promos were filmed in 1981 - I think she only took it off once and for all later on, by the time she was in therapy. In fact, it was during one of her sessions that she removed it, started to cry and said she wanted a divorce. And pretty soon after that she kept her word and started divorce proceedings.
Stephen
