Best female vocalist of all time. I’ve idolized her since I was a teenager. Remember no auto tune back then. That is God given talent. Voice of an angel.

This is one of the most haunting songs in existence with Karen’s vocals.

I’m 70 years old and this is the music of my generation

@289hipo

2 ай бұрын

Me too, 63 here. I can vividly remember listening to her on my cousin's tape deck in 1973; his mom, my mom (they were sisters), and my dad all sang in the same choir in college. They were all amazed at the unique character of her voice, her range, her dynamic and pitch control, and the emotion she put into their songs. The world is a sadder place because she passed. 50 years later haven't heard a voice like hers since.....one of a kind.

@Coastal15

29 күн бұрын

70 😵 sadly I'm not far behind (and I mean really close) but I agree, it's just proper music.

Sometimes it can be difficult to watch her as she sings. For those of us that grew listening to her and Richard and know their stories, it brings back so many memories when they were everywhere. She was so beautiful, and her voice just made you fall in more in love with her. For one of their songs that is a bit of change of pace, check out "Good-bye to Love".

@garyjohnson9353

6 ай бұрын

My favorite Carpenters song.

@pwhit59

6 ай бұрын

She was the light, but Richard was the flame!

@fredtan1506

6 ай бұрын

Her voice touches my soul.

@robertmitchell7811

5 ай бұрын

Check out Road Ode and Crystal Lullaby

@susanross7430

5 ай бұрын

Karen was the Best her unique beautiful voice still brings back good memories but at the same time brings tears to my eyes I was just 10 years old when I first heard her on the Ed Sullivan show my parents could not believe what a beautiful voice she had. and of course the Song she sang was “Close to you” my mother loved that song! I Love all her Music and the Carpenters ,Wonderful Background Band and she was a Terrific Drummer as well! I Miss you Karen and my Mom and Dad too🙏🙏🙏😢

Karen's voice was like a warm hug. The world was shocked when she passed from Anorexia at a young age but it did bring attention to a disease that wasn't really known or talked about at the time. I can't help but think that she saved others even though it was too late for her. She was a fantastic drummer as well and considered herself a "drummer who sang".

@karentrupp3746

7 ай бұрын

So very well said!!!!!!

She was a brilliant vocalist and drummer, opening the door for other women to be taken more seriously as musicians.

@michaela9798

7 ай бұрын

I stand up for women to be taken seriously in music. I got you.

@CobraPlaysGames

6 ай бұрын

@@michaela9798fear not women! Michaela9789 will save you!

Karen Carpenter is the most talented female singer ever in my eyes. "Rainy Days and Mondays" is amazing!

@lindabergman3127

7 ай бұрын

One of the most talented 1❤she was awesome 👏 s👏👏👏

@TheSulross

4 ай бұрын

do a YT search on "Leonid and Friends Superstar" - listen and be amazed at their cover of this song - the woman singing does THE very best rendition of Karen Carpenter's special magical voice that exist on the planet today. The musical arrangement is just as impressive.

There will never be a voice like Karen's. She reaches into your soul when she sings. Her brother, Richard, sings harmony and plays piano, and does all the arrangements. It was a very sad day when the world lost Karen.R.I.P. beautiful lady❤. Thank you for reacting to this beautiful song.😊

@vicschauberger2737

6 ай бұрын

When you hear some songs you remember where you were the first time you heard it . This is one of those songs .The memories come rushing in a wave that's almost overwhelming . Even after 50 + years .

Recorded in 1 take, reading the lyrics off a napkin and Karen Carpenter only 21 years old at the time! OTHERWORLDLY incredible! A once in two lifetimes voice....While the song has been recorded by both male and female singers, countless number of times, NO version matches this. Luther Vandross a huge fan of Karen's voice has probably the second most recognized version of the song, a song he recorded in homage to the Carpenters. The writers themselves have said out of the long list of version and singers who have recorded this song, the Carpenters version was the best for them....

For those of us that were able to share, with her, our time on earth, her voice was that of an angel that came down to give us the 15 years of wonderfully, beautiful, moving sounds of her unmatched vocals. She was a one-of-a-kind human being, that was unfairly taken from us, way too soon. I still remember where I was, the moment I heard of her death. So sad.

Her voice is a RELIGIOUS (whether your religious or not) Experience! LITERAL therapy for the soul!....ULTIMATE storyteller and master vocalist who sang TO the listener NOT at them!....

@scottyh8494

5 ай бұрын

This is so True. It's like she is singing directly to your soul. The best voice since recorded music started in my opinion.

There is something amazing about the Contralto voice. and Karen Carpenter is a prime example.

Her Brother, Richard was an absolute genius arranging all of the instruments, horns, strings, keyboards etc. as well as arranging all of the background voices and harmonies. Pure gold. That's him at the 4:24 mark to 4:33.

Another example of God delivering His beauty thru mankind...Just wonderful

I’m a child of the 70’s and we did the greatest music. I’ve always loved The Carpenters. Karen’s magical voice/drums and Richard’s musical genius.

I just wish she could have seen her true beauty and value. I just wish she could have seen what we saw and heard what we heard.

If this song doesn't move you emotionally to tears then you are not a human being. Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song in 1969, it is about a woman who falls for a rock star, has a tryst with him, but then in a bout of delusion awaits his return, apparently falling for it when he said he loved her. "Superstar" was recorded by Karen on her first take, singing the lyrics that had been scribbled by Richard onto a napkin. It took a while for Karen to warm up to the song. "For some reason that tune didn't hit me in the beginning," she recalled in a 1981 interview. "It's the only one. Richard looked at me like I had three heads. He said: 'Are you out of your mind?' When I heard his arrangement of it I fell over, and now it's one of my favorites too." When the Carpenters version became a hit, Bette Midler took some shots at Karen Carpenter, often mocking her wholesome image. Karen claimed the jokes didn't bother her; after her death, Midler apologized in Redbook magazine, saying she often thinks of Karen. The alternative rock band Sonic Youth covered this in 1994 for the Carpenters tribute album "If I Were A Carpenter" It is a beautiful and powerful version. Karen was also an awesome Drummer.

The hauntingly beautiful power of the French Horns elevates KC's unique voice to the Superstar level!

The instrument is a cabasa. Trumpet during chorus. The internet says oboe during intro. Glad you liked the video. Been crushing on Karen since I was a teen (63 now). Well done!

She had such an amazing voice! RIP.

Literally the voice of an angel.

- One thing that many people hear and appreciate, but don't fully realize, is the impeccable musical arrangement of Richard Carpenter, which entails the instrumentation, and background vocals/sounds. Just amazing; and a joy to experience :)

When I was 8 years old my grandmother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My response: I want to sing like Karen Carpenter.

This is my childhood. Carpenters and EVERYONE had a variety show.

Simply the best! 50 years later and she still gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye. Her heavenly voice distracts from Richards immense talents and all his contributions. Awesome and timeless music by this dynamic duo. Rest in peace beautiful Karen.

Not sure if it's a video that you'd want to react to. But, there was a tv special, back in the day. Within it, there was an amazingly touching (at least for me) section that was Karen Carpenter doing a staggered medley with the great Ella Fitzgerald. Miss Ella was getting up in years, but could still belt out some vocals. She was one of the great entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Anyway, watching this medley felt like Miss Ella was passing the torch, that she held so marvelously, over to the new coming star. It was so beautiful to watch. Not sure you'd get that same feeling, but I'd suggest you give it a peek.

Thank you for your reaction on this Legendary Hit. The brass in the chorus was Trumpets, Trombones & French Horns. In later remixes & versions, Richard tried to soften the brass down to a minimal level. I never understood his endless need to change things? You said it 100% correct in Karen's vocals were the perfect blend of power & vulnerability. Their original recordings are unsurpassed perfection. Karen's talent is beyond human comprehension!

@ElizaHamilton1780

5 ай бұрын

I understand Richard’s need to keep changing things: He can’t make new music because he would never replace Karen with another lead singer. He still can’t make much music on his own because of that lisp he has. So the best he can do is keep messing with the songs and re-releasing them. But they’re turning out more and more horrible. Like the version with the full orchestra backing up every song…the drums are aggressive and loud. It’s horrible. He can’t leave perfection alone.

@bruschmidt9943

5 ай бұрын

​@@ElizaHamilton1780 I agree & mostly on his Philharmonic Orchestra Production. The instrumentals were overplayed, at times drowning Karen out. Her voice was meant to be heard standing alone. Out front, even Acapella. The most sensational voice I've ever known. The original cuts portrayed Richard at his best. His arrangements stood the Test of Time!

What a beautiful gift she shared with us

Probably the finest female voice of all time. Was brought up on the Carpenters in the 70s. Timeless.

I've commented on other reactions to the Carpenters that Karen's voice gives my soul a hug it didn't know it needed!! A lot of what we see here is without the use of auto-tune or any other enhancements - pure, natural beautiful talent!

Karen and Richard, an awesomely beautiful, many talented duo❤

@beverlysmith8025

7 ай бұрын

Range, tone, control, emotion...Karen took each technique to new levels because she was Karen.

Voice of a angel ❤

they were SO underrated! the media was brutal on them and how they portrayed as being too pure and bubblegum. I loved their music and always will!

My absolute favorite from the Carpenters. She had such an astonishingly beautiful voice. Gone far too soon.

I cannot listen to the Carpenters without tearing up. What a magnificent talent. When she passed away at such an early age I was crushed. She was a true treasure. They were magic together. When a talent is so great they can perform without gimmicks and fanfare. The Carpenters were pure, clear and impactful without any sense that they were forcing their music on the listeners. Though they were such a presence during the seventies and eighties, there is no sense that they are pigeoned Holden in that time period. They are timeless. Karen was timeless. Thank you for spotlighting a magical talent.

The instrument you described is called a cabassa,Karen was a one of a kind talent, phenomenal vocalist and fabulous drummer.

We saw them live in 1972 and it was a fantastic show!

Angelic. What memories.

I’m so happy you are feeling the vibe. This is my favorite version and it’s a lip sync. It was the start of the legend that was “one take Karen.” She did what she thought was a practice track. She was ready to do a “real” take and the booth came back with a nope, we’ve got it. That happened a lot including her very last song ”Now” done in one take. There are so many instruments in this song French Horns, Oboe, Harp and so many more including that scratcher thing, don’t know. They used that a lot you will see it in other Carpenters songs. The song was co-written by Bonnie Brammlett and Leon Russell, Leon was also responsible for This Masquerade and A Song For You, more amazing songs and vocals. All the above are amazing but I’m going to recommend a different take. I’d like you to see more of what Karen loved to do more than sing, drum. She did them both together and was amazing at it. In 1970 they performed The Bacharach/David Medley live to tape on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was performed outside at a military hospital in front of patients and vets. It’s a more up beat and Jazzier performance and Karen is just electric. I hope you’re ready for this. It’s an important part of your journey down the rabbit hole. Enjoy my friend. Joe kzread.info/dash/bejne/q6an1658dpyspKw.htmlsi=Uy_oFpxJ1575MQ5F

Karen not only sang the songs she was the drummer R. I. P beautiful lady gone to soon

My idol!! One of the best voices ever. Such a loss at such a young age.

Thank you for your reaction. Richard certainly arranged the music to display her special amazing voice. I appreciate a number of female vocalists… but Karen is the one that causes my tears to drop. There is something about her voice and how she performs that somehow goes deep inside of me. It is bizarre! Please react to their song, “Make Believe It’s Your First Time”… that one was released after she passed away.😢

Many singers through out time have been able to sing to a persons heart. Karen was one one of the very, very few that could sing to your soul.

I don't think Karen had a bad song, such an amazing voice

Voice of an Angel. 😔💓

Her brother, Richard composed many of the tunes and did ALL of their arrangements. Both made a great team. Such talent!

This song was originally recorded in 71 with their band playing the music. Carpenters with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was redone using original tracks from 71 with an arrangement by Richard with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Richard Carpenter in 2018. If you are interested, you can see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra taping it at kzread.info/dash/bejne/l3umrreaptnReaQ.html I love Karen's voice and was fascinated by her when she was just a drummer in Richard Carpenter Trio they entered the Hollywood Bowl annual Battle of the Bands competition. They played an instrumental version of "The Girl from Ipanema" and their own piece, "Iced Tea". You did not see many female drummers back then and none that were close to as good as she was. Now the negative I do not like music that was redone after the original singer died. When they die you live with what they did you don't change it!

She REALLY had a voice. Sad that she left so early. Thanks for letting us hear her again. It is kind of sad.

From the moment I have heard Karen back in the days, I fell in love with her voice and the rest of the band! I share the same birthday with her and it’s an honor, she was like me a true Pisces! I now realize why I was drawn to her music.

"Close to You" and "We've only just begun"....two other really popular ones by the Carpenters (and yes, there are many many more too)

Superstar is a Leon Russell song. Leon was such a good writer. By the way, this song was recorded by the wrecking crew in LA. Leon was a member of that incredible group of studio musicians. Leon was from Tulsa. There are so many important musicians and writers from Tulsa that it is kind of mind boggling.

I was 15, 16 years old when this song came out. I’m now 71 years old. We had the sweetest music, and the best Rock and Roll starting in the 50’s. It’s to bad that music has gone demonic!

Song For You is my favorite by Karen.

I love watching your reactions! You have such a soft, kind heart to music. It moves your heart and that is as it should be. Thank you.🤗

My all time favorite singer! I’m so glad you are reacting to them. Hands down the best female singer ever!

What a loss to the world with her gone. She was three-octave contralto.

They made the greatest team. He wrote them & she sang them.

She has so many great songs. One I heard regularly on Sesame Street as a kid was "Sing", which is so affirming.

@kathyastrom1315

7 ай бұрын

My Brownie troop sang “On Top of the World” around 1973 or 4. The Carpenters were ubiquitous at that time.

@bruschmidt9943

7 ай бұрын

Also she sang "Rainbow Connection" & they used her first Take. The recording you'll hear is Karen's work lead.

I saw Karen sing and drum in 1972. The Carpenters opened the show by singing and drumming a cover of Help by the Beatles.(on KZread) The best songs Karen did?. Superstar, Rainy Days and Mondays, Yesterday Once More -, are up there. I remember Karen singing and drumming through a Burt Bacharach Medley --that was pure magic . As for the single best song.? I think that would be either Solitaire or TRYING TO GET THE FEELING AGAIN(recorded in 1975,then lost, found by Richard,he released it in 1994 --19 years after it was recorded and 11 years after Karen died )

She didn’t understand how beautiful she was. So sad.

Loving your reactions to Carpenters and I’m so glad you’re enjoying them so much! If you like the piano you must react to This Masquerade!!!!!! Thanks

Greatest voice ever!!!

Karen had a beautiful voice, what a talent

Steve Perry is always referred to as "The Voice" and rightly so .....well she has my vote for "the Female Voice "..........appologies to Joni

@A-whiter-shade-of-pale

7 ай бұрын

I take it you mean Joni Mitchell. She was a great song writer, (like Taylor Swift) but I always enjoyed her music more when Judy Collins sang them. Joni's voice was a little too high for me and many parts sounded a little like a fingernail on a chalk board. I do have (like Carpenters and many others from the 60s and 70s) all her albums though.

This lady was such a great gift to the world. Amazing

Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful voices of all time!

Karen's voice, Richard's brilliant arrangements and the quality of the other musicians equals magic every time.

"Ordinary Fool" and "Solitaire" should be your next Carpenters reactions.

She also played the drums. She referred to herself as a drummer who could sing. You can find videos on KZread of her drumming and singing. Special talent.

Karen Carpenter is the reason I wanted to sing when I grew up. I was devastated when she passed. There will never be another Karen.😢

Karen was known for being able to sing a song perfectly - in one take - right off the bat. This was one of those performances. "Solitaire" was another, which she only ever sang once - and then never sang it again (she disliked it). "Trying to get the feeling again" was a cast-off originally recorded for the album Horizon, but dropped because Richard felt there were too many ballads. That was a one-take scratch vocal recorded late in the evening when her voice was tired - and she intended to record it again once the instrumentals were complete. In that recording, she was unfamiliar with the song and was actually reading the sheet music with the lyrics. Right after the first chorus, you can hear her turning the page.

@user-hk1fg5ye7t

6 ай бұрын

Solitaire is my favorite KC song, with I Know I Need to Be in Love second. I had read that Solitaire was not her favorite, but she sang it like the pro she was and it has been a very pleasant part of my life. Gone too soon, and no voice will ever be like hers.

Top female voice of all time -- Karen Carpenter. She was an angel. I absolutely love ONLY YESTERDAY and HURTING EACH OTHER. They were my new hope song and break up song .

I've heard this song at least 1000 times & I never-------ever-------tire of hearing Karen's gorgeous alto--contralto, & Richard's perfect arrangement & production. it just does not get6 any better than this, -----------MJL, 77 y/o

Karen is a dream!!

This song is perfection. You can tell she is feeling it. Best voice ever.

The Carpenters and Luther Vandross are the most well known versions. It has been covered by numerous artists, and of course, the "styles" of them vary, so you can get one you'll like. The original was by Delany and Bonnie and Friends, written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. The idea for the song was from Rita Coolidge (she was a backup singer for D&B and Friends at that time) who when watching groupies of famous performers thought there was subject matter in the interactions she had seen that would work for a song.

I lived thru this. 76 yr old here. She was not appreciated and I was made fun of when I said I liked them. Now I love seeing current generation appreciate her. Interesting to see who was popular when they came out and now who listens to them. Look into her family history and how her mother never appreciated her. I miss Karen so much.

1 take Karen is all she needed she always got it right

I would recommend the Carpenters' song, Solitaire. It really shows off her voice and gives your chills, chills.

So sad she died, she had such talent, beautiful songs and a beautiful voice

also her version of I need to be in Love again live treat yourself

Karen’s brother Richard Carpenter recorded/remastered Superstar using the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the backing track and Karen original voice recording track, in super high quality. The brass instruments were French Horns and the Oboe was the instrument at the start of the track. She had such rich and smooth voice, such a sad loss.

She had a voice like no other, beautiful

She insisted she was only a drummer but the producers wanted to hear her sing 😮... The rest is history.

It feels great every time Carpenters sing. 💖💖💖

A great video watching you react to the Carpenters Karen was a once in a lifetime singer and drummer who continues to amaze people with her clarity perfection and the gift of making you feel she is singing just for you. By the way the school instrument is called a Cabasa 😊

Grew up listening to Karen. She had an amazing voice. The hard part was watching her fade away as the years went by. A lot of her songs were so sad. She had the world, but for some reason, it didn't make her happy. I miss her😢

Her voice, OMG!

I first heard this song in 1989 and I never get sick of hearing it, only song I never get sick of hearing

I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SINGER AND HER BROTHER, I REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU SAID IT'S LIFE-CHANGING! THANK YOU ❤

I listened to the Carpenters back in the 70's, and Karen had a voice that was soothing and i sobbed when she died! I miss her! My top 5 female vocalists are: 1. Susan Ashton(hardly anyone knows about her because she's a strong christian, but she also sang backup vocals for Garth Brooks), 2. Ann Wilson of Heart, 3 Pat Benatar, 4. Karen Carpenter, and 5. Linda Ronstadt.

In some of their videos she's on the drums, and is a very very good drummer.

I love your reactions to what I feel was probably the most beautiful voice that ever was

That percussion instrument u can't remember the name, is a "cabasa", it's similar to the shekere, I think it was the name.

French horn is that beautiful brass you’re hearing!

Great review. And I like your screen format. It was like she was there with you.

The handheld shaker you asked about is a Toca Bamboo Seed Shaker. They were commonly used in the 1960s.

Shes the best

Man, she makes that microphone sound so good.

I do love watching people the very first time they hear Karen sing. She just grabs you and locks you in. No matter how long you may live, you will never hear a better singer.