FIRST TIME HEARING “The Carpenters”

[@close2u2000]

That's Karen Carpenter. And that is the best voice that ever lived.

[@isaackovitz4791]

Amen! RIP Karen

[@michaelbarlow6610]

I consider Karen Carpenter and Judy Garland as equally the 2 greatest-ever female vocalists!

[@bruschmidt9943]

Judy was close only in her youth. After she aged some & started drinking, her performances started dwindling downward.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

​​@@bruschmidt9943. Although Judy Garland was not as great a vocalist in her later years as she was when she was younger because of the toll her personal problems took on her, in her prime her singing voice was the equal of Karen Carpenter's! Two different singing voices and distinctly different styles , but equally great!

[@marialanchester8180]

The most two beautiful female voices I’ve ever heard Karen Carpenter and Joan Baez❤😊

[@TheFunk79]

Her name was Karen Carpenter. She is considered one of the greatest voices in popular music. The guy standing next to her is her brother Richard, who did the musical arrangements. They were both geniuses musically. Unfortunately she passed young, in her early 30s of anorexia. She was basically the person who brought attention to the eating disorder because people back then didn't really know what it was until she died and it raised a lot of awareness and people started having societal conversations about eating disorders. They left behind a treasure trove of great music. My favorite song of theirs is "Rainy Days and Mondays", check it out next!

[@raybrown3667]

My favorite song too!

[@johnnyc8169]

I never got over her death

[@beckyburkart6570]

I loved the Carpenters. I saw them in the concert and will never forget them. Today's culture does not know what real music is.

[@JoyfulinLA]

I concur!

[@bradwatson1048]

I would put money on all those harmony tracks being laid down by Richard. Nothing in close harmony singing is GOLD like voices that blend. Siblings are a triple bonus. Their timbre, their production, their vowels... Karen and Richard were state of the art. Still are.

[@gaetanoschristmaschannel]

You just happened across the greatest female voice ever.

[@bobhoffman9848]

Karen Carpenter had one of the most soothing voices I ever heard. When she sang, it didn’t feel like a performance. It felt like she was singing directly to you. You can’t teach that.

[@tomschmitz-dj1fg]

therapy for the soul was her voice... Her brother called her photo PHONO-GENIC and Herb Albert always said it sounded like she was sitting next to you and singing only for you. This is one makes her a once in two lifetimes vocalist, not just a singer, because she was the master of someone who sang TO the listener NOT at them!....

[@masudashizue777]

It's physically impossible to hate the Carpenters.

[@jakerazmataz852]

I think "psychologically".🤷‍♂

[@DanalynTuthill-yl4hd]

I haven't seen a reactor not like them yet.

[@misspad7282]

You got that right!

[@nathans3241]

In their day, The Carpenters were as famous as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Adele. Everybody loved the Carpenter's sound, as someone once called it. When Karen Carpenter died about 40 years ago, I was so sad, and to this day, so many of us miss her.

[@pauldourlet]

NOt true --at the time, the soft rock played by the Carpenters was looked down at by those in to Rock and those who were in to Rock who liked the Carpenters kept it secret.

[@nathans3241]

@@pauldourlet Who mentioned anything about rock music?

[@pauldourlet]

@@nathans3241 somebody did not know that back in their day, the Carpenters were looked down on by Rock fans. In fact, the Rock Hall of Fame still snubs them. Tony Peluso was the first person who played guitar on a power ballad. Richard got angry letters accusing him of selling out .

[@nathans3241]

@@pauldourlet Like with any other group or individual artist, there is always going to be people criticizing. I know that a lot of people who like Rock & Roll music actually did like some of the disco, for example, and yes they were quiet about that, however with The Carpenters, their fan base/popularity was overwhelming so they had a huge audience, sold millions of albums, and made more money touring.

[@michaelhwenig]

They sold 150 million records in their career 💥. They would still be singing and arranging today. Yes, they were that talented. Her brother arranged songs around her voice with their harmonies. She could easily do jazz, country, pop, broadway. Her natural voice was effortless. - smooth as butter. Gone way too soon.

[@Coastal15]

No matter what your taste, It's very hard/impossible to dislike the Carpenters.

[@Dragon-di1zg]

She was an awesome drummer too. I had this song at my wedding in 1982

[@terryfall8915]

Didn't she have a drum off with John Bonham?

[@matrox]

She also played Bass.

[@tomconstance2391]

Every white person did :)

[@viennaactress]

Don't forget she was an amazing drummer

[@bonester50]

Karen Carpenter was the perfect singer. Nobody else had a voice like that, and I don't think anyone else ever will. It's not only the voice, though. She delivers perfection every time. No lip synching, no auto tune, no need for flashiness or nudity. Just a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. Karen is one of if not the best voices ever according to the music industry and myself. # 1 selling American group in the 70's. Tore up the Billboard easy listening charts with 14 #1's in the 70's. Karen also is the top female drummer of all time. No one ever will touch their musical talent

[@C.O.G.]

@bonester50, well, I wouldn't say no one. Not until you have heard Tori Holub. "No lip synching, no auto tune; no need for flashiness or nudity." kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGqYnZmAptRsjLssi=DFREcGxZOL3X8pxB

[@sbruobk05]

In my humble opinion, her greatest singing performance was “Superstar”. Hauntingly beautiful. Do a reaction to it and won’t be disappointed.

[@sandramoore]

I agree 100%. Her voice conveys the ache and the longing of the lyrics. And you just know the Superstar is done with her.

[@misspad7282]

She was meant to sing that song.

[@elizabeths.5612]

Superstar makes me cry, it's so beautiful. All of their songs bring tears to my eyes, but Superstar breaks my heart every time. 💔

[@williambowman1660]

Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice, excellent voice , and was a consummate professional. She was known in the music industry as one take Karen because she would make a finished product in just one take. Remember these weee the days before auto tune yet she could hit her notes exactly and use phrasing not incorporated into the song but make it better.Frank Sinatra famously said that Karen was the only female singer he would pay to hear sing. Sadly she was mocked as to square and not pretty by the petty music and entertainment press of her day. She was hurt by the fairly constant insults and her fragile personality led to developing anorexia. She died at a young age and it really shook most of the country. Her sudden death brought eating disorders to the public discourse and gave a greater perspective to the effects of body shaming on young girls. The work she left behind is remarkable. If you enjoy her singing, you will have a catalog of songs to enjoy. 2 unique clips are available on You Tube from their popular television specials. One is a medley of classic songs with the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. The other is Karen showing off her talents as a first class drummer. One thing you will learn is that true talent finds its way and we are the better for the experience.

[@williambowman1660]

@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Thank you for the information. I am sure that A&M records had the most recent technology for the day. The image shown from the era and films was still of the groups still performing as a group. I know multi tracking goes back to Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1951 but I did not know that auto tuning was late 50’s . Regardless, she had an incredible and unique voice. I can image her in a film noir singing in a smoke filled night club to Bogey and Bacall. Timeless voice that could make a song intimate and personal to anyone listening.

[@philipem1000]

There is no voice like Karen Carpenter's. I doubt I have ever seen a single reactor who didn't remark on that voice. It was the voice of a generation.

[@lorilawry1532]

This song was the song most played at weddings and Senior Balls in the 70s

[@terryfall8915]

Naturally. It's a wedding song. "White lace and promises."

[@helokopter924]

Im in my 60s and remember Carpenters well. Herb Alpert heard Karen's voice on a demo in 1969 and signed her brother, Richard, and her to A&M records. Karen received 3 or 4 Grammys in the 70s and sold over 80 million records by 1982. She was 1975 rock drummer of the year according to Playboy. KC had the most beautiful voice-ever, and perhaps THE best female vocalist-ever, because she compels you to listen as she sings in perfect pitch to you, not at you, with emotion and enunciation. No auto-tune or gimmicks. No professional voice or drum instruction. She was known by the studios as 'one take'. She rarely, if ever, did more than one take of any song. She was also the ONLY female harmony/background voice in all her songs. She was truly born with an incredible singing talent. Documentaries point out the accolades to her voice, such as, Paul McCartney said she had the most angelic voice after hearing her sing 'Ticket To Ride'. John Lennon ran into her at an LA restaurant and told her "you have a fabulous voice, luv". Supposedly Frank Sinatra stated that Karen was the only singer he'd pay to hear. I recommend songs such as, Yesterday Once More, Solitaire, This Masquerade, Need To Be In Love, Hurting Each Other, Only Yesterday, I Can Dream Cant I, Crescent Noon, Ordinary Fool, Close To You, Superstar, We've Only Just Begun, A Place To Hideaway, and A Song For You. KC never knew true love. One of her few friends included Dionne Warwick. 5'3" KC really lost weight, due to anorexia, in earnest beginning in 1975. She died in Feb 1983 at age 32 due to heart complications from anorexia

[@pauldourlet]

Karen was discovered by Joe Osborne, the bass player for the legendary Wrecking Crew. He sent a demo tape of Karen singing to Herb Alpert.. If Karen had ridden horses, she might have become known as an actress first and singer second. She auditioned for the part of Mattie Ross in True Grit and lost to Kim Darby because she did not ride horses.

[@GregoryMcLean]

The only 'gimmick' they used was overdub for the harmonies, and double tracking her voice at points in the the songs. Mind you this takes nothing away from her voice or talent.

[@kimthomassen3352]

The true beauty of Karen Carpenter was that she sings and it’s so effortless. It flows out of her

[@kylesuperbaby9616]

She’s also on the drums, incredibly funky and tasteful

[@amandathibodeau4996]

The most incredible female voice EVER!

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

Great Vid. I've heard it said that if you don't like The Carpenters, you don't like music.

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

Thank you so much.

[@garykephart]

Her voice is like butter...

[@bethking7348]

RIP Miss Karen

[@rlew49ers]

One of the "best" groups of the 1970's; they had many-many hits. During their career, the duo scored 1 number one album and another 4 Top 10 albums on Billboard 200, 3 number ones singles, 12 top 10 singles and 20 top 40 hits on Billboard Hot 100. I hit the scene in 1969 with their album Ticket to Ride. I was fortunate to attend their 1st concert in the Bay Area and my 1st ever concert!

[@MegaSkills9]

After your comments at the beginning, I am glad you still listened to it. I wanted to watch you react and get blown away...lol. They are a hard group to hate. She had many hit songs and became famous before dying at a young age. Glad you liked them in the end. Thumbs up to you.

[@BrandonLeRon]

you wont find a single person on earth who isn't moved by Karen's voice. Literal voice of an angel.

[@bowieupland6112]

She sings without any effort. A true Talent

[@kimmarievan-ever6599]

This was Miss Karen Carpenter .the G.O.A.T of female singers..had a challenging life and died way way too young ..listen to Superstar which is my personal favorite. Merry Christmas Darling...Won't last a day..i think i need to be in love..l need to be in love..Close to you and This Masquerade..🇬🇧💕👍👌

[@Suessplendidmemories]

She had an unbelievable pure voice.

[@karryfranks9097]

One of the most beautiful voices ever. Love The Carpenter's. Brother and sister group. Tragic story of an eating disorder and death too early.

[@ganggreen9012]

This song was originally a bank commercial jingle, a newly wed couple getting a loan for their first house. Richard saw it and saw the potential and worked with the jingle writer to arrange a full song. The commercial is on KZbin, Crocker Bank, Only Just Begun.

[@slm_766]

I remember seeing that commercial, when this song was first used. I was 19, and my boyfriend and I were watching some movie or other on TV, and this came on at the commercial break. Our jaws dropped in awe. To this day, I can remember that moment, that commercial -- that song; but I can't remember what movie we had been watching moments before.

[@stevetournay6103]

Yes. Richard did stuff like that a few times...watching TV or seeing a movie would result in a classic Carpenters song. In this case "the jingle writer" was a friend of Richard and Karen's, the noted singer-songwriter Paul Williams...

[@viccimauldin9786]

You have seen true talent. Karen Carpenter had the best female voice during that time period. So sad how she left us. But still love the music. Miss her. ❤ She played the drums.

[@Vee1music-lover]

The most beautiful voice EVER! She was a drummer too! Passed way before her time.

[@lisahinkofer2085]

Her voice always gives me the chills. So beautiful.

[@robertorossi521]

great reaction to the most beautiful voice which can only be described as gold silver platinum emerald ruby sapphire topaz and diamonds all wrapped into one

[@raybrown3667]

It's really just Karen and Richard Carpenter singing, as the audio is from the studio recording and not a live performance. On the record (indeed on nearly all of their recordings through the mid-1970s), it's just the two of them overdubbing their voices to create the dense, layered harmonies. They were enormously popular, at home and abroad, during the '70s, with 20 Top 40 hits between 1970 and 1981, including three that hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 that hit #1 on the adult contemporary chart (which was a record number for many years). Their career ended when Karen died at age 32 in February 1983, the result of a lengthy battle with anorexia. Since then, Richard Carpenter has released recordings of previously unreleased material as well as remixed and repackaged compilations of their hits and noteworthy album selections.

[@Nicovertime]

The entire world is still mourning the loss of a musical genius 😢 thanks very much for your response and appreciation of Karen ❤

[@sassyfrass7029]

One of my all time favorite duos!!!!

[@RosyRosy24]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful voice Really!!!! Really!!!!! Love it!!!! 🩵🩵💚❤️ This is amazing!!!!!!! Common what is not to like about this great song and theater voices. 👍👍😀🥹

[@randieandjodistrom854]

The very first music recording I ever purchased was The Carpenter, "Close to You" album and "We've Only Just Begun" was the first track (yes, I'm that old, and this was way before the days of streaming or even CDs...it was the day of vinyl and cassettes). While a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, I heard the Carpenters in concert in Arnold Hall, close enough where I could almost touch them. God rest the soul of the late great Ms. Karen Carpenter, may she receive blessings in multiples for the blessings she gave to us.

[@rychergirl5126]

The Carpenters were my very first concert when I was 5 years old. I'm 54 now and I remember it vividly. I remember the venue, what I was wearing, and how completely mesmerized I was by her voice. She had one of the most accurate voices anyone has ever heard and her pitch was often more accurate live than on the studio recordings. It's utterly tragic she died so young. There will never be another like her.

[@JoyfulinLA]

This was my 8th grade graduation song. It was used at a lot of graduations. They are both so talented.

[@jayweb51]

The Carpenters are a brother and sister singing team, Richard is singer/songwriter/musician; and Karen is a singer, and accomplished drummer. Karen has the voice of an angel, and with Richard's vocals, speaks volumes.

[@dianesterns4961]

Such a pure and beautiful voice. Lost too soon.

[@scottenneking]

I hope you like it , it was one of the songs at my wedding the other was Annies song from John Denver

[@jbs256]

Hi Doug, I see the Carpenters Army has started to find you. It’s a good thing, we love those that just melt when they hear Karen sing. I’m seeing a good list to choose from. I like to go in a different direction and recommend a lesser known but amazing performance. This was also from 1970, like We’ve Only. It will introduce you to Burt Bacharach music as He asked Richard Carpenter to create a medley of some of his songs. This is what he came up with. It was fully a live performance for The Ed Sullivan Show. It’s outside at a military hospital in D.C. Veterans and patients are the audience. It is The Bacharach/David Medley. Oh, here since it’s live all the band members join Karen and Richard in live harmonies. In the studio for albums, it was mostly only Karen and Richard with Richard stacking multiple vocals to get the full effect. He was a wizard at arranging and orchestration, and keyboards. Karen as you’ll see in this video drummed, also, while she sang! Enjoy! Try to hate it, not gonna happen! LOL I knew exactly what was going to happen when you said you’re gonna hate this. You melted. She does that (RIP). Joe kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6PWpn95e555qqssi=QDlkR4FaazD5pcSq

[@kenhobbs9251]

Hauntingly Beautiful

[@gingw7333]

I was fortunate enough to be a teen and young adult in 60s and 70s. We had what seemed like a never ending number of amazingly talented singers, songwriters and musicians.

[@MotownJT]

This song was played at many wedding receptions and anniversaries in the 70s. Loved the Carpenters growing up.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Indeed, the harmonies between Karen and her brother Richard (who also arranges and produces the music) are beyond amazing. Glad you appreciated them, Doug!

[@raywright8226]

I remember the story of when Richard and Karen were first signed to A&M Records. I think it was Herb Alpert who was extremely impressed, but all the same, Karen was sent to a vocal coach (supposedly it's the done thing?). Anyway, within half an hour the vocal coach sent Karen away and phoned Herb to say something like "There's nothing I can do for this girl. She's perfect already. She's good to go". Amazing to think that Karen never had a singing lesson in her life 🙌

[@rankedpsiguy1]

Think it was 1970 when I first saw Carpenters. The song was "Close to You" and Karen was playing drums while also singing. I instantly fell in love - at age 12. I was driving home from work in 1983 when the news of her death came on the radio. I pulled to the side of the road and bawled like a baby.

[@martyadams3915]

Hard to believe that sweet sounding white girl in doll dresses was also one of the funkiest drummers of the 70's.

[@lindawerring8736]

Her voice was like silk

[@jpack85]

Everyone loved her voice. It was one in a billion.

[@carolel2851]

Love the Carpenter's her voiice brings out the goosebumps....beautiful ❤

[@jazjasmine9496]

She can sing! She's amazing!! Every song she sang was angelic with lyrics and singing both drawing you in.

[@EnoshimaUke]

In addition to being a fantastic singer, she was first and foremost an awesome drummer!

[@gailcalderone5229]

This is when music was PURE.....Karen had a voice of an angel..But she always felt comfortable being a drummer,which that's what she was....She always liked being in the back ground...Shame that she passed away at such an early age....

[@mikerobertson4041]

Before I watch your reaction, if you don't like the Carpenters, well... I'll just leave it at that. I am a child of the 70s, and spent many hours listening to them. Karen is the greatest female vocalist that I ever heard, and her brother, Richard, is a musical genius, who did all of the arrangements that perfectly accentuated Karen's voice.

[@stevetournay6103]

He didn't not like it. 😁 KC left him no choice but to NOT not like it...

[@Tevoro1962]

It's a treat to watch people hearing Karen's voice for the first time. They all have the same reaction - the exact same reaction us old folks had when we first heard her in 1970.

[@ShirleyHage]

such an angel voice ... Karen Carpenter and her brother Richard ... wonderful

[@ls-kk4pq]

Thanks for this reaction! I hope you do more of the carpenters. Phenomenal voice gone too soon.

[@kmill3887]

I went to high school with both of them and they were good peeps back then also.

[@AlienatedNortherner]

I rarely cry, but I did when Karen Carpenter died, in February of 1983.

[@Chatta-Ortega]

The Carpenters was the rock and roll our moms liked.

[@leannlaplante3643]

Thank you for trying not to like this. I find her voice soothing. When I was little The Carpenters were played all over the radio. I adored them. I still do.

[@derrickcox7761]

Loved their cover of Please Mr. Postman

[@clayrowden3916]

Yes, so very special. Her singing makes me feel right.

[@C.O.G.]

The Carpenters were phenomenal. Herb Alpert once commented that the duo never made a mistake when they sang. Not one "sour" note, ever. Perfect.

[@Rkbmomma]

There was a lot of harmonizing in music in the 60s, 70s & 80s. A great time for music, musicians and lyricists.

[@siblis20]

The group is the Carpenters, Richard and Karen, brother and sister that topped the charts back in the 70's, she had perfect pitch with her voice

[@matrox]

I was in Jr High when this hit the charts in the early 70s. I have been digging all their stuff since their first hit "Close to You" in 1970. Like I said the 1950s -1970s is the best collection of music in world history. Glad I was around to see much of it as it happened.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Carpenters are a legendary Brother/Sister duo and their studio musicians The Wrecking Crew. Karen sang like an angel and played drums 🥁, some base and Richard harmonies, piano 🎹 . They started out in jazz. Karen’s an award 🏆 winning jazz drummer. 🎶🎼🎵🎤🎧🎸🥁

[@classic-kool]

Don't let people tell you how you think or what you like... Many of the artists that are being reviewed are being heard for the first time, and if you're used to listening to rap or hip hop, this is completely new. I've seen reviewers so touched by the music that I grew up with that it brings them to tears... This is a new experience for them .. Who's to say what you like... Stay true to yourself................ ✌️😎

[@Sheepdogtraveling]

And get this. She is also the drummer.

[@mikebrock7606]

They were HUGE in the 70's. Her voice is a true alto and so very smooth. I am generally a harder rock/progressive rock guy, but you can't deny the quality of her voice.

[@MelissaDalehite-ey4bu]

I knew you would like. Her voice is incredible.😊😊😊

[@bln3576]

Music is soothing to the soul. Gives you goose bumps to.

[@slm_766]

Whenever I hear her sing, I am impressed by how WARM her voice sounds.

[@MDElam]

Not only was Karen Carpenter a great singer, but she was also a really good drummer. There's a video of Carpenters on the Ed Sullivan Show playing a medley of songs for people in the Naval hospital (I think that's it, or a base or something), and she is on vocals and drums--no backing tracks or overdubs, just talent!

[@pauldourlet]

That was at Walter Reed Navy Hospital outside on the lawn

[@stevebutler8387]

Greatly enjoyed your reaction video. 67 year old man here. Carpenters came out when I was in junior high school and I fell in love with Karen's voice. I still have her music in my work truck today. Check out Solitar and Masquerade, they will blow your mind. So happy we can both love the same music

[@kathyhayden2499]

I love Karen carpenters voice❤

[@marthadragovich7747]

How could you not love such an angelic voice ❤

[@dionysiacosmos]

It's Gonna Take Some Time This Time, is my favorite. It's about mistakes, and self comfort in recovery.

[@uschibuchanan5329]

This is so beautiful, sibling and family harmonies always sound amazing ❤ so sad she die so very young 😢

[@transitengineer]

This is so funny. Because, back in the day on local majority radio stations ... you would hear "Soul" music, then "Funk" music, and next would be a song from "The Carpenters" and you would, just start to slowly sway back and forth siting in either, your automobile or on your sofa with a big smile on your face...then with the next song it was back to rocking to "Soul" music (smile...smile).

[@jamess4535]

She also was a great drummer. One of the best of her time in the industry.

[@ReneVanKralingen]

A touch of heaven .... don't know if you ever listened to The Mamas & the papas .... please give them a try .... so much good music in the past ... keep doing what you're doing ... love it... greetzz from The Netherlands

[@jolhu]

@itsdoug, don't feel bad because you like it. They did a show with a bunch of professional orchestra players in the audience, who wanted to hate their pop music as much as you did. They loved it and were astonished. Her voice is so naturally in tune with the music and emotion, it's like one of the instruments.

[@susanmainville510]

Lol, lol, that happens to everyone. Their lyrics are astounding. Down the rabbit hole we go!

[@judyl5260]

Her magic was you could sing every song…every lyric…such a loss, someone who truly was gone too soon…miss her still

[@msrocker2121]

And this was a live performance! One of the best singers ever. So sweet and so sad that she never saw her beauty and talent. She is still missed by millions😔

[@justtere]

Raise your hand if you snickered when he said he wasn’t going to like it. ✋✋✋✋✋ Hard to believe this song, played at so many weddings came about because Richard heard a scrap of this in a commercial for a bank.

[@RhondaEdie]

Shes my idol!!

[@ChuckHackney]

In my opinion, spiritually and purity wise, the GOAT. Ever. There will never be another one like her, but God bless Tori Holub for her vocals and for keeping Karen's sound alive. Happy New Year, Tori and Jim--keep on doing what you are doing!!!!

[@estherstone4860]

We had that song sung at our wedding in 1971. But I think her best one was ‘Close to You’.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

You have to listen to the studio version of A Song For You. The live version cuts out a crucial part of the song

[@andreaclarke161]

Love the Carpenters fantastic voice

[@rickgochoel3749]

Also props to her brother Richard for his incredible ability to arrange and produce.

[@kevinferrin5695]

That's exactly what got everyone when they first heard this, that voice and those harmonies!

[@merribell]

One of the major factors of their sound is that the two of them also perform all of the harmonies, giving a seamless blend. They were one of the very early adopters of the overdubbing technique. Karen is perfection ❤