It was hardly just familyoforigin issues that had carpenter depressed in her final couple of years. Karen carpenter karen carpenter lyrics and tracklist. The album played better when listened to straight through, but even then, some of richards tinkering on the tracks that appeared on lovelines and from the top, sounded better than the way phil ramone had produced the tracks. Little girl blue is karen carpenter s definitive biography, based on exclusive interviews with her innermost circle of girlfriends and nearly 100 others, including childhood friends, professional associates, and lovers. Little girl blue is an intimate profile of karen carpenter, a girl from a modest connecticut upbringing who became a southern california superstar. Teaching her everyday tasks karen ichiuji said that she taught carpenter how to order food at restaurants, hail a cab, and become street smart. Aug 08, 2010 a biography of the illfated 1970s pop star karen carpenter.
Use this form to enter the current s why karen carpenter matters giveaway between 7. Karen, wanting to stay active, decided to become bicoastal and record a solo album with producer phil ramone. Recordings carpenters, richard carpenter and karen. Karen carpenters tragic story karen carpenters velvet voice charmed millions in the 70s but behind the wholesome image she was in. It was herb that suggested karen work with megaproducer phil ramone. Jan 31, 20 her producer was the legendary phil ramone. It suggests that part of our unending fascination with karen includes the unintentional role she played in raising awareness of anorexia. Carpenters looking for love karens first record youtube. By including insights from business associates like songwriter paul williams and producer phil ramone, we get a good glimpse into how, why and where the carpenters made their music in the studio and on stage and how karen became the unique talent she was.
Karen carpenters tragic story karen carpenters velvet voice charmed millions in the 70s but behind the wholesome image she was in turmoil. The media reception of karen carpenter was contradictory. In the liner notes, karen dedicated the project to her brother to richard, with all my heart. Carpenters gold 35th anniversary edition original release. The liner notes including comments from richard carpenter and producer phil ramone include richards explanation for shelving the album in 1980, and his later decision to release it as karen.
Karen carpenter s last songs recorded with phil ramone unofficially released by her label remixed 2018 other versions 1 of 1 view all. Aug 19, 2009 karen carpenter with phil ramone karen carpenter with john denver i was just browsing the internet and ran across an unrelated article which made me think about the friends karen carpenter made in her lifetime. Karen carpenter solo album question steve hoffman music. Karen carpenters 50th anniversary message in a bottle. Phil and his wife itchie ramone grew very close to karen during the solo project, as well, so it had to be a very personally challenging time to see her dealing with her health issues and see a great album being shelved after spending so much time and effort on it. Phil ramone, her producer, let her stay with him and his wife karen ichiuji at their home in new york city when she went there to record her music.
This was karen s and phil ramone s way of paying tribute to the legend paul simon. Philip ramone was a south africanborn american recording engineer, record producer. I mean, i never met a straight girl who wanted to play the drums, but my butch exgf played the drums in her high school band. The reunited duo released their last album of new material, made in america, in 1981. For an album meant to be an artistic and career pickerupper, karen carpenter is a long way from the top of the world. Produced by phil ramone and featuring musical support from several members of billy joels band, the album sounds professional, which should be expected. Phil ramone was born on january 5, 1934 in south africa as philip ramone. Pin by mari em on livvy karen carpenter, olivia newton john. They had three children, including matthew ramone, general manager of phil ramone incorporated. Karen carpenter richard carpenter karen richards book proposal thirty two easy listening hit songs. Kc called her itchie, but she was known to the entertainment world by.
According to karen itchie ramone, karen s friend and the wife of producer phil ramone, thats when. Karen carpenter one of three people who i most admire in the entire universe. On the morning of january richard carpenter boarded a plane to menningers clinic in topeka, kansas, for treatment of his addiction to quaaludes. Karen carpenters only solo album was nine months in the making. Karen carpenter karen carpenter lyrics and tracklist genius. Producer phil ramone was legendary for getting great vocal sounds. The album was recorded in new york with producer phil ramone in 1979 and 1980. Karen carpenter, the velvetvoiced girlnextdoor lead sister of the duo the carpenters, was born march 2, 1950 meaning today would have been her 70th birthday. I am saddened to report on the passing of karen ichiuji ramone, wife of the late phil ramone, and one of karen carpenters closest friends and confidantes. Discussion in music corner started by paulktf, feb 28. The series includes new interviews with phil ramone, who produced karen s only solo, noncarpenters album. Whenever i need comfort her voice calms the demons. The album was a very accomplished mix of disco and light jazz of which both karen and ramone were justifiably proud.
She is much sexier, that is probably why phil ramone and herb alpert and richard carpenter did not want to release it to destroy karen s squeaky clean image she had with richard. Consequently, karen decided to pursue a solo career, recording a solo album in 1979 with phil ramone. I still would have loved to see another producer with a little more vision than phil ramone take on a karen solo. Rather than remain idle during this time, karen carpenter decided to make a solo album, and chose the accomplished new york producer, phil ramone, to guide her through it. As a self proclaimed drummer first and singer second, karen carpenter always possessed just what it took to make it on her own without brother richard. Photography for karens solo album by claude mougin. In 1981, she entered the studio with famed producer phil ramone for her first solo album. The life of karen carpenter sheds light on a wasted life. She is perhaps best known for her performance of manhunt on the soundtrack to the movie flashdance. In 1979, richard carpenter was being treated for an addiction to prescription pills so the carpenters went on a hiatus.
The artist that drew karen carpenter almost every diehard fan of carpenterskaren carpenter has seen chris tassins artwork. Recorded in 1979 and 1980 but left unreleased until 1996, this eponymous album is an attempt by karen carpenter to expand her sound by delving into disco and synthtinged softrock. She also sang squeeze play on the soundtrack to the movie d. Kc called her itchie, but she was known to the entertainment world by her stage. Karen carpenter was a star at age 22, a hasbeen at age 30, and gone at. Schmidts little girl blue is a workmanlike but compelling biography of carpenter, the preeminent martyr of easy listening, the joan of arc of soft rock. He believed that he would get the best sound by making the cumbersome. In 1979, karen recorded a solo album with legendary producer phil ramone, consisting of adultoriented and disco, uptempo material with more sexual lyrics and the use of karen s higher vocal register. Karen was the instantly recognizable lead singer of the carpenters. Ramone was married to karen ichiujiramone, with whom he had one son. This was a startling break for karen, who had never made a single record with anyone but richard.
Remembering karen carpenter on her 70th gr8er days. In reality it demonstrated that she didnt need them. Jun 05, 2019 the current s why karen carpenter matters giveaway. She realized this break from the duo and family was the perfect opportunity to explore. It too, consists of recordings from a number of periods. Two 2 winners will each receive one 1 paperback copy of why karen carpenter matters. Simons recording includes bob james electric piano and steve gadd on drums, both of which play the same instruments on karen carpenter s recording. Karen wanted to remain productive and record songs and did that for the next year, recording an album with producer, phil ramone and billy joels backup band.
Ramone had a protfolio more impressive than anybody. Ramone was married to karen ichiuji ramone, with whom he had one son. Its odd that producer phil ramone tried to bury carpenter s pristine voice in upbeat disco arrangements that include excessive popping bass guitars. Schmidt relied largely on the recollections of karen s closest confidantes, including frenda franklin and karen itchie ramone the wife of producer phil ramone. She was married to him from 1984 until his death in 20 at the age of 79. Still, nothing could completely submerge carpenter s talent. In 1980, she bravely made a solo album with phil ramone, against the wishes of richard and agnes carpenter.
For a number of reasons, karen later decided not to release it. Heavily criticised at the time by karens brother and musical partner. With richard on a muchneeded break, karen went to work in new york with producer phil ramone on a solo album. Karen carpenter solo cd produced by phil ramone is an exploration of other musical venues for karen s extraordinary vocal abilities. Richard released it in 1996, years after his sisters death. Close to the carpenters joel samberg remembers karen. Everybody knows how great a producer phil ramone is, but in the end i think karen missed the chemistry. Karen carpenter is the only solo album by singerdrummer karen carpenter of the carpenters. Mar 26, 2020 message from randy schmidt on his little girl blue facebook page. With phil ramone at the helm, karen set forth on a creative mission of experimentation and soulsearching. Its a must have for the karen carpenter afficianado. Thatas why you wonat find mention of ramone on the covers of cds by paul simon, billy joel, frank. Then there is the not insubstantial matter of karen carpenter s voice, an instrument as. While richard recovered from his quaalude habit, karen teamed with phil ramone, a star producer, to work on a solo album.
Feb 04, 20 it was hardly just familyoforigin issues that had carpenter depressed in her final couple of years. By early 1980 we were underway on made in america, and ended up recording far more tunes than would fit on one album. The topselling american musical act of the 1970s, they delivered the love songs that defined a generation. The scenes behind the music, written with chuck granata, was released on october 9, 2007. Karen carpenter s only solo album, recorded in new york in 1979 with producer phil ramone but unreleased until 1996, was also the only album she ever recorded with a producer other than her older brother richard. In 1981, she entered the studio with famed producer phil ramone. Oct 23, 2010 between 1970 and 1984 brother and sister richard and karen carpenter had 17 top 20 hits. Carpenters looking for love karen s first record skip navigation. Jay gablermpr when i was sitting in a lounge reading karen tongsons new book why karen carpenter matters, a colleague walked by, read the book s title, and just chuckled.
Karen carpenter recorded her solo album in 1979 80 in new york with producer phil ramone. Franklin was especially blunt about the carpenter matriarchs role in karen s inability to love herself. When she recorded a solo album with producer phil ramone in the late 70s, richards strident. Released in 1981, it produced the duos last hot 100 top 20 single, and the last of 15 billboard adultcontemporary.
Phil ramone a former violin prodigy and expert engineer, he worked with dylan, sinatra, mccartney, bennett, charles, streisand, simon, joel and bacharach and spent more than 50 years in the business. Karen ichiuji ramone was born on may 15, 1951 in the usa as karen k. As a self proclaimed drummer first and singer second,karen carpenter always possessed just what it took to make it on her own without brother richard. John bettis, richard carpenter s longtime lyricist and no fan of the solo album, agrees. On february 4, 1983, karen carpenter, the american singer who with her brother formed the successful carpenters duo, died aged 32 from heart failure as. Karen ichiuji ramone, known by her stage name karen kamon, was an american singer and actress. Tony bennett, burt bacharach, karen carpenter, rod stewart, julian. Karen carpenter s only solo album was nine months in the making. Also in 2011, ramone produced the songs you were meant for me and im coming back on lalah hathaways album where it all begins. Tragically, she struggled her whole life with disordered eating, succumbing to a heart attack at just 32 in 1983, a side effect of her anorexia nervosa. While he was in treatment for addictions to quaaludes,label owner herb alpert got karen hooked up. On february 4, 1983, karen carpenter, the american singer who with her. Karen carpenter solo album tribute celebration youtube. Little girl blue explores the life and legacy of karen carpenter.
Historically despised by richard and herbert who actually suggested phil because it was not carpenter material. Karen and richard carpenter s early 1970s hit parade will be with us forever, along with the equally perfect pop of contemporaries abba and the bee gees. Remembering carpenters, 50 years after their hot 100 debut. Dec 10, 2006 yes, it was good to hear karen s voice, but the material was sorely lacking. I always has the feeling that inside karen carpenter was a lesbian dying to get out, hence the anorexia, relationship problems, etc. Karen carpenter march february 1983 she collapsed there from cardiac arrest, and was pronounced dead by responding doctors. He is known for his work on flashdance 1983, ghostbusters 1984 and sleeper 1973.
This was a young woman who gave the world a treasured wealth of music, but always living in the shadow of her brother and having a controlling mother, she never felt the control she craved over her own life. Karen carpenter with phil ramone karen carpenter with john denver i was just browsing the internet and ran across an unrelated article. The album was recorded in new york with producer phil ramone in 1979 and 1980, during the time that her brother richard was being treated. I am saddened to report on the passing of karen ichiuji ramone, wife of the late phil ramone, and one of karen carpenter s closest friends and confidantes. Pianist, arranger, composer, conductor original release. Karen carpenter and the mystery of the missing album. Karen carpenter message in a bottle 2018, vinyl discogs. It tells a story as touching, warm, and involving as any of karen s greatest songsmore.
In 2011, ramone worked with george michael, during his 2011 symphonica tour. Theres a chapter in the phil ramone book where he describes playing it for the record company execs and the deafening, uncomfortable silence when it was over. By the time she was 20, four, karen carpenter, the singing sister half of the pop group the carpenters was rich and famous nothing more than a dozen hit records with her so much less than 10 years later, shed be dead the victim of heart failure brought on by anorexia nervosa arts commentator joel sandberg says three decades on karen carpenter remains a musical and. So in 1979 karen flew to new york to cut a solo album with producer phil ramone, who had delivered hits for such stars as paul simon. Little girl blue, his widely acclaimed biography of karen carpenter, was published in 2010. Feb 17, 2010 phil and his wife itchie ramone grew very close to karen during the solo project, as well, so it had to be a very personally challenging time to see her dealing with her health issues and see a great album being shelved after spending so much time and effort on it. Kc called her itchie, but she was known to the entertainment world by her stage name of karen kamon and for her performance of manhunt on the flashdance. I also replaced the original bass player on if i had.
A biography of the illfated 1970s pop star karen carpenter. Several of its songs have appeared on earlier compilations, but karen carpenter marks the first time the project has been released in its entirety. On one hand, the solo album which had been shelved after being produced in 1979, was framed as karen s aborted. Little girl blue is karen carpenter s definitive biography, based on exclusive interviews with her innermost circle of girlfriends and nearly 100 others, including professional associates, childhood friends, and lovers. Karen sounds alot different in this album, superb even right up to her death just a week or so after the album was completed so i read. Apr, 2016 in 1979 and early 1980, while richard was taking time off to overcome his dependency on quaaludes, karen recorded a solo album in new york with producer phil ramone and she was back by billy joels band. Kc called her itchie, but she was known to the entertainment world by her stage name of karen kamon and for her performance of.
That album once again proves just how vital richard carpenter s touch was on an arrangement, he is sorely missing in action on that project. Message from randy schmidt on his little girl blue facebook page. Little girl blue explores the life and legacy of karen. Karen carpenter remaster by karen carpenter cd, oct1996. While he was in treatment for addictions to quaaludes,label owner herb alpert got karen hooked up with producer phil ramone. Karen recorded it first for a solo album she was making with producer phil ramone in new york. Karen carpenter s life shows her intense struggle to break away from the unsatisfactory life she was living. He died on march 30, 20 in manhattan, new york city, new york, usa.