tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post3062445133303418184..comments2023-03-21T17:58:03.942-07:00Comments on Clayton Cramer's Blog Archive (pre-Ambulance Chasers): Gone Too SoonClayton Cramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258083387204776812noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-67704871469102776672010-06-16T03:53:17.409-07:002010-06-16T03:53:17.409-07:00There's a bunch of Capenters memorabilia at th...There's a bunch of Capenters memorabilia at the Carpenters Performing Arts Center, California State University Long Beach. It was amusing to see people dressed to the nines in front of the exhibits.Samuelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11204316653206669863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-68220572237121658592010-06-16T08:06:41.382-07:002010-06-16T08:06:41.382-07:00One of my favorite groups to work. I ran spotlight...One of my favorite groups to work. I ran spotlight for them a few times at Bally's Las Vegas (MGM at the time).<br><br>Richard was really underrated as a producer.<br><br>They did a 'Spike Jones' thing that was hilarious.Retired Geezernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-470348941481183652010-06-16T08:16:06.649-07:002010-06-16T08:16:06.649-07:00People thought it was odd that I liked them when I...People thought it was odd that I liked them when I was a little kid. I have one album that had an amusing little intermission piece that consisted of an extraordinary choral arrangement of the phrase "We'll be right back, after we go to the bathroom"<br><br>Barely related, there's some videos on Youtube of Carl Sagan set to music after being run through AutoTune. The first one is very evocative.<br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbcMauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11732614352398473302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-46648801758697551892010-06-16T08:33:23.351-07:002010-06-16T08:33:23.351-07:00I recall having heard that Karen described herself...I recall having heard that Karen described herself as a, "drummer who could sing." Virtuous humility indeed. <br><br>I like the Paul Williams recollection of writing <i> We've Only Just Begun </i> as a Crocker Bank commercial ditty, getting a lead on publishing , rushing to make a complete commercial pop phenomenon out of it.<br><br>Thanks, Clayton.dmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701970257321622149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-60784451011613078032010-06-16T13:19:10.967-07:002010-06-16T13:19:10.967-07:00Golly, Clayton! Who knew you were a music critic?...Golly, Clayton! Who knew you were a <i>music critic</i>?!! You are truly a Renaissance Man! (I enjoy your writing.)<br><br>I was never a big Carpenters fan - didn't care much for the "hopeless romance" and the lush arrangments that you describe. But I totally agree about Karen's voice - that lady had a sweet set of pipes! (The only Carpenters material I have is a "Christmas Portrait" CD, which gets plenty of airtime in December. The Missus has a couple albums, I believe.)<br><br>There are few sounds that can compare with an awesome human voice, whether it be Karen Carpenter, or Ella Fitzgerald... Johnny Hartman... Luciano Pavarotti... Kathleen Battle (a personal favorite). Perhaps the call of the western meadowlark. (You should be familiar, living where you do.) Or a lonely loon, or an elk.Bikeboynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-54524298006352572342010-06-16T13:28:11.580-07:002010-06-16T13:28:11.580-07:00Friends look at me like I am daft when I tell them...Friends look at me like I am daft when I tell them I love the Carpenter's music and my son seems vaguely embarrassed that his ol' dad can be so musically unsophisticated.<br><br>It is good to know that I'm not the only one who found Karen Carpenter's voice to be astonishing in it's quality. She had special clarity to her voice that few female singers could or can match (the young Toni Tennille was close). <br><br>Ms. Carpenter was the polar opposite of Janis Joplin, who's music I also enjoy. Each seemed to be at the best limits of their own style. So much talent needlessly gone too soon (in both cases).Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16120274946344780566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-81448922215155995822010-06-16T18:38:34.765-07:002010-06-16T18:38:34.765-07:00I have to admit that I always viewed this music to...I have to admit that I always viewed this music to be a guilty pleasure, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys it.<br><br>I have to admit I was surprised when I was listening to it in my office and my wife walked in and admitted she liked it, too. I always knew she had good taste!RHPZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08147496672965460228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-16980047672910642212010-06-16T19:48:02.432-07:002010-06-16T19:48:02.432-07:00Clayton, the Calling Occupant video was not a Carp...Clayton, the <i>Calling Occupant</i> video was not a Carpenters production except for the frames that actually show them (and often not the surrounding image). Only the original <i>Star Trek</i> series images even existed at the time she died. A <i>Carpenters/Star Trek</i> fan created the video.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13020691218911007635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-10670769383462061692010-06-19T18:19:28.839-07:002010-06-19T18:19:28.839-07:00I appreciate the Carpenters and Karen Carpenter in...I appreciate the Carpenters and Karen Carpenter in particular much more now than I did at the time.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07843351294592716332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545829112289555883.post-48533977234294835262010-06-24T22:38:25.365-07:002010-06-24T22:38:25.365-07:00A few years ago my early 20s niece who had always ...A few years ago my early 20s niece who had always been just a little overweight decided to start dieting. She was trying all sorts of whacko fad diets. And losing way too much weight.<br><br>Knowing that she was a music lover I sent her a CD with one song on it - Karen Carpenter singing Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore. <br><br>I told her to sit down in a dark room, put on her good headphones, close her eyes and play the song. Don't listen to the words, just the sound of Karen's voice.<br><br>When the song was over I told her, that voice died at the age of 32 when her heart failed due to complications from anorexia.<br><br>My niece eventually lost the 20 lbs she wanted to, but she did it by eating healthy and exercising. <br><br>She told me last year that every time she looks in a mirror and thinks she needs to lose a little more weight she gets out that CD and listens, and knows that she is just fine the way she is.Davidnoreply@blogger.com