CLOSE TO YOU (LIVE 1970) - THE CARPENTERS - REACTION VIDEO!

[@4lanMorgan]

I am a drummer and I was born in 1958. Karen has always been my inspiration as a drummer. She's not just a drummer, she was one of (if not the) best drummer around in her time! I've done Jamm sessions where people have asked me if my inspiration is Pink Floyd, but no, Karen was superb in her creativity in what you can do with the hats and her broken fills. I always say it's how she keeps it simple, but so hard to emulate. That's without saying anything about her voice!?!? One of the most talented persons of my time!

[@rhmayer1]

Indeed, she was an excellent, under-appreciated drummer. Impeccable time and impeccable taste. But she could be very physical when she cut loose, too.

[@luckylenny8634]

She considered herself a drummer who also sang, but everyone wanted to hear her sing. She won an award one year for best drummer and did a special on TV where she showcased her drumming.

[@nwtraveler5266]

One of the most beautiful voices ever. RIP Karen.

[@keithpaulson7615]

In my top 5 of all time.

[@stephenorona2253]

Her voice brings tears to my eyes, her voice is beautiful, she's beautiful.

[@herbiethekat3637]

She could sing happy birthday and bring tears to my 👀

[@tomschmitz261]

I so so hear you Stephen.. my favorite singer male or female ever... while i love countless singers and groups and genre's and decades of music, she is ultimately the "IT" for me..my favorite singer as a little boy and now a man in my 50's.

[@jerryc8986]

I cry every time I watch her sing. What a loss.

[@jesusmateo5325]

instablaster...

[@johnreznick3506]

One of the best singing voices in history, I think. I don’t think her sound can be duplicated. It was uniquely hers. Check out Superstar

[@DaniAtkinson]

Yes, she has a very distinct voice

[@pcraig1383]

I once heard she had perfect pitch.

[@charlesburris6314]

There's a Japanese lady who sounds like her. She performed a song in front of Richard Carpenter.

[@richardwhite2344]

Absolutely 100% correct. There was no one else in the past or in the future who could ever compare with the voice of Karen Carpenter. People with voices like Karen come along ONCE. Her voice was absolute perfection. Karen felt every word she sang and she not only touched your heart so deeply as all of the other great singers do, but Karen went further, she touched your soul!! The one and only Karen. She could not be more loved and missed!!!

[@pwhit59]

But there is only one singer with that voice we're still talking about 50 years later. Most these other singers let's see if their longevity can go that distance!

[@dangoss7180]

The more I listen to this, after taking it for granted all these decades, I realize it’s the sweetest love song of the last 60 years, and counting.

[@chrisalldis3375]

The purity of her voice, sends tears to my heart

[@DaniAtkinson]

It is beautiful!

[@joemacinnis1972]

Simply the best female singer I've ever heard! She was a master drummer

[@bradhuskers]

Karen carpenter had a pure voice like milk and honey. A rich sweet perfect tone. One of a kind. Iconic.

[@maconcenter]

Karen had the purest, natural voices in the history of recorded song. She never had a voice lesson and a number of their songs were done in a single take. Karen had perfect pitch and Richard was incredibly talented at arrangement. There has never been anyone since that has come close to matching her tonality, control, and talent.

[@bootsy7]

I love Karen but I have to say that Whitney Houston is right there and might be a notch above not taking anything from Karen she was fantastic

[@maconcenter]

@ I totally understand and agree based on range. However, Karen was blessed with perfect pitch. It’s really difficult to compare singers from different eras due to stylistic variations of norms for different periods in time.

[@davidsewell5541]

I was born in 1960 and when I was a young boy I fell in love with Karen and still love her. She is one of a kind.

[@larrymead5911]

I've always had a thing for women with bangs because of her. I thought she was gorgeous.

[@Sunspot1225.]

​@@larrymead5911s SHE HAS Bangs?

[@MiaMidol]

Me too.

[@Mike-ye5ui]

Her voice has kicked my butt since 1970.

[@JohnSteech]

❤❤😂what a wonderful voice. The best female voice ever 🎉❤😅

[@jrc8640]

She had a beautiful tone!! Crystal clear!! Very talented!! Another artist who passed away far to early!!😢

[@DaniAtkinson]

Seriously!! She sang so sweetly! And her story is just so tragic, it really moves me.

[@johnbattles1002]

@@DaniAtkinson , you really should check out a couple of videos of Karen where she is only playing drums and not singing. She plays MULTIPLE SETS of drums at the same time! It's absolutely amazing! Drums were her first love before singing.

[@jaybrielakoi7747]

super smooth voice.

[@user-bp1qi4lm4i]

Impossible to concentrate to sing and play the drum at the same time and concentrate on both and stay in tune without cracking a sour note . Multi - talented .

[@jonisgrumby7409]

I was born in '68 and saw them in '73 with mom & sister at the Raleigh county armory in Beckley WV & can honestly say it's one of the few memories I have from being a 5 yr.old. THEY WERE AWESOME FOR THAT TIME!!!

[@scottski51]

I just call her Saint Karen. My favorite female vocalist of all time. Period.

[@tomschmitz5745]

agreed. mine as well, always has been, and always will be..

[@leonardocartes1253]

Wow! Thank you for bringing out Karen and the Carpenters. She didn't do any super high notes or vocal fireworks. She sang in that mid to low register, and destroyed hearts in so doing. I'm still in love with Karen's voice, and her brother Richard doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He has been a piano player/keyboardist, arranger, backup singer, and composer for The Carpenters.

[@gh9111]

So happy the younger generation is experiencing Karen Carpenter and her beautiful voice. A rare contralto voice that touches the heart.

[@andrewpetik2034]

Her voice is incredible! Like an angel. She was almost too much for this old earth. The 1970s were an amazing time for music.

[@grinnelld]

3 octave range, contralto, rare for a woman's voice. Once made the comment "the money is in the basement." Her lower register has no equal. Some stars just shine too bright to stay with us long as they just pass through.

[@DaniAtkinson]

Unbelievable!

[@ptr250]

@@DaniAtkinson I'd love to hear Angelina Jordon do a Carpenters cover.

[@tomschmitz261]

i read she had a 4 octave range?

[@cajunrescuemedic]

Karen Carpenter's voice is simply amazing. To me, one of the best of all time. She is certainly missed.

[@charlesr63]

She was so multitalented. Her true love was drumming. But her incredible voice could not be ignored. She was pressured to be the lead and obviously that was a major success. But drumming and singing is so rare and especially for a female during this era. And she made it look so easy. Beautiful Karen was one of a kind.

[@jaybrielakoi7747]

So weird seeing her as a drummer.

[@waynehauser3611]

I am a head banger, but you just can't not love Karens voice, it's simply golden !

[@abevillanueva1974]

Best drummer/singer of all-time! Continue your journey experiencing their music...you will not be disappointed. Karen is easily among the Mt. Rushmore of female vocalists!

[@DaniAtkinson]

She's wonderful!

[@trevaperes5343]

Karen Carpenter had the most 'Pitch perfect' voice I have ever heard. I was bought up on this sound in the late 60's and was forever thankful I listen to her and others

[@23skidoo46]

for me one the most iconic female voices in history. Most recognizable without a doubt along with Stevie Nicks.

[@artistbrindle]

As someone who became obsessed with Karen and the Carpenters at the age of six (and who cried when I heard that she’d passed) I’m so thrilled and BLOWN AWAY by all the younger people doing reactions to her music lately❤️. There will never, ever be another voice like hers, and it’s really amazing to think that she’d recorded so many of her hits when she was just a kid of 21 or 22 years old. She was one cool, talented lady.

[@carytakagawa2760]

Karen wasn't "just a drummer", she was an outstanding drummer. In a 1975 survey by Playboy magazine, she was voted best Rock drummer of the year. She herself stated that she considered herself as a drummer who also sings as opposed to a singer who can play the drums. She was happiest when she could play drums while singing. Sadly, people close to her insisted that she needed to get away from the drums and stand out in front because that was what was expected of a lead singer. And once you are standing out in front, it unfortunately invited unhelpful comments from people about her appearance which contributed to her anorexia.

[@sgnmath1234]

I am tickled to death to hear how these embryos pretend they are impressed with someone who sang way back when...that is more than 5 minutes ago...

[@leonardshevlin7260]

Hal Blaine was a great drummer.

[@sjd5750]

@@leonardshevlin7260 Correct...This is actually Hal Blaine, the great session drummer for The Wrecking Crew....Phil Spector's "Wall Of Sound."..Not that Karen couldn't handle it, and was going to, until they got into the studio with Spector's Crew, and they felt it would be wiser to let Blaine handle it, for the studio cut. She didn't have a problem with that, since she worked with them before... From what I've read Blaine actually called her a great drummer..She had great timing, and knew exactly what she was doing behind a kit...Buddy Rich said she was one of his favorites...Now those are some pretty lofty praises!

[@TheToscanaMan]

Karen an outstanding drummer? I would say YES. Very clean style and singing at the same time is actually difficult. Check this live medley: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3Soc5iueNx6ra8

[@suziejane1008]

@@sgnmath1234 Yes but bit harsh, encourage 'kids' to listen to these amazing singers.

[@phantomcollector1976]

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS OF ALL TIME

[@golddredgewater]

Thanks for listening to Karen Carpenter. Please do more in the future

[@garylagstrom3864]

Karen Carpenter was an Angel 😇 sent from Heaven and left us way too soon! One of the most beautiful voices ever heard! The compositions are the direct result of her brother Richard Carpenter who really played to Karen’s strengths as a singer! I LOVE ❤️ the music of The Carpenters! RIP Karen!

[@pc1chas]

Perhaps the purest voice of all time...beautiful!!

[@joepowell7025]

Also please try We've Only Just Begun ... Karen had the voice of an angel ... miss her so much.

[@Gordan19758]

Absolutely great song too!

[@imuawarriors]

'We've Only Just Begun' was used for my 8th grade graduation song... It can still get me a little misty...

[@scottkrause477]

Great arrangement, perfection on the vocals!👍🏻

[@BassPotter46]

Her voice is so beautiful. Haunting

[@glenbentley5020]

I remember her so well.....she added to the sound track of my life

[@starman2337]

I saw them in concert and she played drums throughout.

[@mannylopez42]

Yes, she was incredible... she always played the drums and, sang at the same time. I know how hard that is cause I also play the drums and, i can tell you that singing and, playing is one of the hardest things to do at the same time. She was incredible!!! 😍

[@stephenhanft1226]

Hi Dani, as a kid from the 1970s, I grew up with the Carpenters music. While I have so many favorite female singers, Karen Carpenter is my all-time favorite. I think she had the most naturally beautiful female singing voice I've ever heard. She sang with such a sweetness and beauty. Karen literally sang like an angel. In 1982, when I heard that Karen Carpenter had tragically died of anorexia, I was heartbroken. I loved Karen Carpenter. In fact, I sang the Carpenters song "Top Of The World" in my school chorus. So, Karen Carpenter and the Carpenters music will always have a special place in my heart. I'm so glad you discovered their music. You picked two of their best songs to listen and react to with "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun". If you want to dig deeper into The Carpenters songbook, I have several more song suggestions. Those songs are "Top Of The World", "I won't Last A Day Without You", "Yesterday Once More", and "Superstar". Love your channel.

[@pauldourlet]

Karen was one of the best drummer/singers that ever lived . Saw her in 1972 --unforgettable . She broke a glass ceiling, Girls could not drum --that was what people believed back then . Watch Karen in Dancing in the streets 1968 tear up the drums a year before they made it, called the Dick Carpenter Trio, watch Karen drum and sing --it seems effortless....also check out Karen Carpenter, kick-ass drummer -all of these are on youtube.

[@abenapoleon3473]

Heartening to see another generation appreciate the incredible voice of Karen and the beautiful harmonies typical to the Carpenters. It is indeed impressive to see a musician play an instrument and sing simultaneously. Karen's voice was one of the best of that era and still impresses today. Often overlooked is the contribution of brother Richard, who played keyboards and arranged vocals.

[@mickeyhank]

Great reaction, thank you, Dani. I agree with your description and comments. Very happy that you are hearing one of my favorite singers ever. A lot of good songs in the Carpenters catalog.

[@michaelingram7896]

Karen always thought of herself as drummer first and singer second.

[@jaybrielakoi7747]

which is weird because she's an amazing singer.

[@Isleofskye]

Which is ridiculous because she is one of a zillion drummers. I realise it's unusual being a Female drummer and also to sing, as well like Don of The Eagles but it is her voice that is truly outstanding...:)

[@SayItAintSo4real]

Well, female drummers were extremely rare in her day, and she loved playing drums. That was her first love and was what lit her up inside. Her becoming the lead singer for the band was actually kind of a fluke and rather happened by accident in the beginning. She backed up her brother in the first couple of bands he created, Spectrum being the band that ultimately became Carpenters. Check out the biography on her and the history behind it all. She never really wanted to front a band but just be the drummer. And yet she had a magical voice that rather forced the issue. All she did was open her mouth and that voice for the ages fell out, not even trying. Amazing.

[@Isleofskye]

Good analysis , my friend :)

[@AFmedic]

She was happiest when playing drums. If you want see pure joy on Karen's face, watch this clip..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWq3noCco7-sj5Y

[@Aquagirl-wf5ur]

Most amazing and beautiful female vocalist ever and she was only 19 or 20 when this was recorded. "Superstar" is a Must!

[@sharkmedia5969]

Another impressive aspect of this video in particular is the fact that she is playing along with the studio recording which featured Hal Blaine on drums and she is in perfect sync. You can even see that she appears to physically play harder and softer in accordance with the actual dynamics on the recording and every motion is right on point. Much more difficult to do that along with someone else rather than if she had played on the record herself.

[@ssilversgs]

Karen Carpenter was an award-winning drummer (and drumming made her happy), but once The Carpenters were very popular, she played the drums less often.

[@IAMCAVE]

Don Henley of the Eagles, Phil Collins of Genesis and other drummers also did lead vocals while playing. Karen was unique in that she was a woman accomplishing that feat. The talent of that woman was incredible. Her private life off stage/studio, was tragic and thus her pain came through in several songs. “I Know I Need To Be In Love” and “A Song For You” showcases her heart.

[@stephenbosanquet3577]

Superb singing and drumming she is masterful and has a beautiful expressive tone bringing the words alive with meaning truly a wonder.

[@DaniAtkinson]

Yes, gorgeous!

[@scarlettohara5030]

Truly the most beautiful voice in music during my lifetime..."Superstar" and "We've Only Just Begun"

[@juliebergmann2890]

Well done, letting folks in on the difficulty of playing the drums and singing. That's were her happy place was, behind her drum set. There was an angel inside her....

[@peterdavis8471]

That was so sweet bless their beautiful hearts thanks 💓💓💓👍👍👍

[@terryvalliant6389]

She was very talented on the drums, her preference. Her brother is one who encouraged her to begin singing. It was a double edged sword for her because she was always her worst critic and very sensitive about her image when she was thrust into center stage. But she has the voice of an angel. Thanks for playing her music.

[@jimearnest4342]

Her voice is "magical"

[@PortgasDAce-wt2qu]

I'm so thankful that my parents bombarded our house with CARPENTER songs when I was a little boy. Even now, at 20 y/o, her voice still plays my heart...

[@dlee4319]

Loved her and her voice since the beginning in the mid sixties, marvelous voice!

[@neilmarpatricio5934]

Since she was in high school, she plays drum on their marching band. Fun fact: karen was so shy when performing, she always wanted to sit beside her brother.

[@DaniAtkinson]

Aw, she did not look shy in this video, but it makes sense to me knowing that she had an eating disorder that she would feel shy to be on stage. So sad.

[@Flon17]

She did NOT want to sing lead. Lead to years of depression weight loss anorexia and eventually death

[@neilmarpatricio5934]

@@DaniAtkinson Yes mam, its so sad and she didn't deserve the tragic life she had. She only had two dreams this appears in documentary of "goodbye to love the carpenters documentary" which is True Love and A family, a true love for her mother and a family of her own but Tom burris (her spouse) married her bank accounts. Sad, many people love her but the one who bear and raises her didn't even give love for her. And that's how her anorexia nervosa starts. As dione Warwick said only the good die young.

[@neilmarpatricio5934]

@@DaniAtkinson and can I suggest 1 song to react? 😁 Just "Yesterday Once More" the carpenters also I'm sure you'll emotionally touch by its nostalgic message. Thank you!

[@antifax8434]

Karen the voice of Angels...!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@noelgarcia7256]

God made her to sing for us...she is one of a kind angel. I love her so much.

[@1calvinfunny1]

Her singing was so amazing when you watch her, it's like she is talking. But a beautiful voice comes out. Truly amazing.

[@drinnenber]

Such a beautiful soul and voice. I'm still crushed inside from the day I heard she passed. You can just tell she was a loving and wonderful spirit. Listen to Superstar.

[@LyonsArcade]

If you think about it, she's singing the softest, most delicate part of the song, the beautiful, gorgeous vocals... and at the same time, playing the sharpest part of the song, the rat a tat tat of the drums. It's pretty impressive. Brian Wilson with the Beach Boys used to play the bass, the lowest part of the song, while singing the falsetto, the highest part of the song. Both genius level musicians in my opinion

[@grammiesjojo7961]

Karen described herself as a drummer who sings a little! I say, there's Karen Carpenter, then there's everybody else~amazing talent

[@davidclementi5434]

Her voice was so...angelic in it's delivery. In my opinion, she produces the smoothest, most emotional musical experience that will ever exist. You ought to review the songs "MASQUERADE" & "SOLITAIRE"

[@seanfitzpatrick4730]

The voice is very soothing sweet and touching touches the soul in a sweet sentiment away beautiful music can be very therapeutic for the human soul she was a wonderful singer a beautiful performance thank you ✋😎✋🏻👍🏼✌🏼

[@kristindunstan172]

Karen's voice was amazing! As an alto, it was fun to sing along with her. I could actually reach the notes. We lost her much too soon.

[@paulstewart6203]

"The Carpenters We've Only Just Begun HD 1970". another great one with Karen on the drums.

[@DaniAtkinson]

I have to check it out!

[@richardhooser5096]

One of the most beautiful voices every to grace our ears. My wife and I had that song in our wedding (along with the rest of the universe at the time) in 1976. We still get emotional each time we hear her voice soar.

[@bernhardjanssen9284]

My all-time favorite Karen Carpenter thanks for listening to her at my age at 66 she means a lot to me !

[@joemacinnis1972]

Simply the best female singer I've ever heard

[@minnidrake8516]

To me Karen carpenter is the voice that haunts your beautiful and sad all at once thanks for a great reaction u rock

[@rofyle]

The first record I ever listened to. I was a kid and the Carpenters were my mom's favorite. This was all I had to listen to as a kid until my neighbors had a yard sale and I got a hold of some Earth, Wind & Fire records. Things were never the same after that. hehe

[@jazzmaan707]

Not only did she play the drums, but she also played the Bass Guitar on about half of their first 2 albums they recorded, according to John Bettas, who wrote 6 of their megahits.

[@proverbs35-67]

She considered herself a drummer who sings. Check out her drum solo - amazing!

[@quirkystamps4696]

Karen's voice was one of the most natural vocals ever done. No one has been able to duplicate her voice. You need to react to the Carpenter song "Superstar". Truly amazing. On my favorite playlist.

[@davidfellows2874]

Her voice is considered one of the Best ever! Never been duplicated. They had a ton of hits in the early seventies. Her brother played the keys and did all the musical and vocal arrangements. The harmonies were also unique. By the late seventies they were considered out dated. Sadly Karen struggled with eating disorders and she lost her battle in Feb. 1983. Even though she continued to play the drums they made her stop playing during the live shows because they wanted her to be out front. Check out We've Only Just Begun, Superstar, Rainy Days and Mondays

[@WilliamJones-sf5pt]

She wasn't just a drummer, but a great percussionist. Incomparable. Proficient.

[@chrisalldis3375]

hi dani my favourite re actorette, not only has she have the most purest voice, she is an accomplished drummer

[@roysekii8730]

The Carpenters had the crazy idea of putting in the middle of a slow ballad a raging Electric Guitar Solo and thus created the Power Ballad that almost every rock band uses to this day! That song was...Goodbye to Love!

[@danupaul6926]

It seems like my mom becomes an Angel sining lullaby for me...such a beautiful motherly voice. So pure and Beautiful😘😍😘😍😘😍😘😍

[@jerrybowers7678]

Karen Carpenter started out playing the drums in their band but as they got more famous they put her out front with Vocals only Her Voice is truly one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard

[@raymcnulty5252]

R.I.P. Karen. Truly one of the greatest female vocalists ever.

[@KlassyKat45]

Karen is an accomplished drummer and had a natural pitch-perfect voice. Check out one of the videos of her drumming on KZbin.

[@imuawarriors]

so many images/memories flood my brain when I hear Ms. Carpenter. RIP. An iconic talent. No one sounds like her....

[@hempchimp]

Enjoyed your reaction. I am one lucky old fart that got to see The Carpenters Live in Concert twice in the mid 70's. It was like listening to Cotton Candy with the most beautiful smile and a pair of drumsticks...

[@sarahpiaggio2693]

There are some videos around of her playing drum solo, and where she shows that she was not just a good drummer, but absolutely spectacular. A real talent which she obviously worked really hard to perfect. If it were nowadays, I suspect that her producers wouldn't pressurise her into giving up the drums to focus on the singing and "leading" the group. It's too unusual and eye-catching to have the singer play drums too. But in those days they couldn't see beyond the rule book.

[@NorthernFella]

Karen was a gift to the planet! I believe she considered herself a drummer, but it was the 1970s and female drummers were quite rare.

[@eddie195777]

Karen Carpenter was an incredible drummist. Buddy Rich was one of the greatest drummers of all time who never complimented other drummers, had high praise for Karen's drumming skills. Her brother stated that she preferred playing the drums over singing. The drums were her first love. So sad she passed away in the prime of her life and career.

[@lisaharrison1031]

Still grieving over the loss of this angel.

[@827dusty]

She wanted to sing and play drums on all of their songs, but the record producers wanted her to sing only. Not because she wasn't good enough, on the contrary, She is more than just competent, she's excellent in studio sessions and recording their material. So very talented, and yet so humble. God Bless her. Her Brother Richard is also a great song writer and piano player. No wonder they sold so many albums. They made a lot of people very wealthy. Thanks for playing this. There are many more too.

[@thomastimlin1724]

She was only 20 years old in this video 1970. she was a hell of a natural percussionist, jazz drummer. Her drumming here is superb, but it's beneath what she can really do.

[@t.r.1708]

Thank you! You make very thoughtful comments! I love family harmonies like The Everly brothers etc! Well done!

[@t.r.1708]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooW8lmybedarm5o

[@billparthum206]

She was only what, 20 years old here? Wow!

[@mylcioquites3133]

Os Carpenters erma maravilhosos, Karen cantava muito o época maravilhosa grandes grupos musicais

[@Tony-5000]

I see everyone has told you all about her, so I will simply say that it doesn't matter what I am doing, if she comes on, I stop and listen. Her voice is the most calming and relaxing I know of. I miss her.

[@DaniAtkinson]

Well said

[@Tony-5000]

@@DaniAtkinson I have just found you. I like singers before Auto tune because they had to be able to sing wonderfully. Have you heard of "The Righteous Brothers"? They weren't brothers, but their voices were Righteous. "Soul and Inspiration" is an amazing song, as well as " You've Lost That Loving Feeling". I will pay attention to your channel 👍 Good luck

[@nickfiorenza5930]

KAREN, we lost you to soon. God blessed, with your beautiful voice. We are blessed to be able to listen to you sing, for generations to come. What power house of a voice. RIP - KAREN.

[@steelers6titles]

Some voices are just naturally gorgeous. Ms. Ella Fitzgerald is another who comes immediately to mind.

[@Maccbruce]

I am drawn to the music of my youth. They had such good harmony. Karen had such a strong voice. She did a solo album that was not released till her passing. Her version of "Jagged little Pill." Keep up the good work.

[@nuummuun]

Beautiful reaction to Carpenters. Thanks from Rio - Brazil, Dani.

[@DaniAtkinson]

Thank you - more to come!

[@darkjedi447]

She's my favorite singer....EVER!

[@OHW313]

Magical voice and arrangements😮😊❤