Vocal Coach reacts to Karen Carpenter singing Superstar

[@roberttreadaway7853]

The biggest thing is she played in his band she never had any vocal training. It was all natural. She once spoke to dionne Warwick who asked if she had ever had vocal training. She replied no Warwick responded GOOD DONT EVER TAKE A LESSON OR CHANGE A THING!

[@rainerrain9689]

Thanks for this comment ,YOU ROCK !

[@worthington5687]

Yep, either you can sing or ya don't.

[@gregglienna1442]

George Gershwin gave the same advice to a young Ethel Merman

[@UncleCheekClappa]

She literally had vocal training. Her choir teacher taught her

[@worthington5687]

@@georgemorenstein No fair, Debbie ate some food.

[@s44577]

Forty years on, and it's still hard to listen to her without feeling a profound loss. Edit: Thanks for all the likes and replies everyone---it shows a sincere tribute to Karen. Truly missed by so many ❤

[@blueinfinite5940]

So true 😢

[@gailnelson3217]

Yes, she was amazing and I love her voice.

[@dianemcq64]

Their songs always make me tear up. They affect me profoundly.

[@KarlBeeThree]

So true. So true.

[@mippa]

It's so true. I just feel my breath stolen from my body.

[@robertfiedler4917]

You can’t listen to Karen Carpenter sing without tears coming to your eyes. She just had the most beautiful unique voice ever in pop music.

[@cjones32853]

I’m 70 years old and my heart hurts when I hear her songs. Such a beautiful voice!

[@lizhawkes2285]

Amen ❤

[@garyhill4811]

True

[@James41892]

Truly Angelic. : )

[@charlesmarkley220]

Appreciate your take on this

[@tonyfontane5603]

Some many years back, recording engineers at General Electric studied thousands of human recordings since voice recording was invented. Their summary was that Karen Carpenter had the most perfect recording voice of all time.....

[@ariadams3290]

I'm not surprised...even now when I hear that voice coming through the radio I do become very sentimental...

[@mutualbeard]

No surprise!

[@johngraham5543]

Karen has my vote! The best voice in music history!

[@wsc1955]

Agreed

[@wsc1955]

Years ago, a road manager never heard a wrong note.

[@kellysamson4521]

My dad was her driver on her European tour, he said she was a beautiful soul and it didn't matter who you were or how long she had known you, she treated you like an old friend who she had known for years, she was such a genuine person and treated everyone like they were really important, even her driver, my dad. There never has been nor will there ever be another Karen Carpenter, the voice of heaven, pure and effortless, beautiful, so sad that she is gone too soon, RIP Karen ❤️

[@nunyabiznes4471]

That’s a nice vignette! 🙂

[@jaimbu1895]

Thank you for sharing!

[@rrpurple]

Thank you for sharing that. I'm so glad they met each other!!

[@alevanek9388]

Your dad’s job was as important as any other!! Happy to know he got to meet such a kind soul!!

[@williampaz2092]

When I get to Heaven I am going to a Karen Carpenter & Whitney Houston concert!

[@kenhall5551]

So bittersweet hearing that magnificent voice again! NOBODY sings like Karen Carpenter. NOBODY.

[@robertgriffiths6842]

Karen and Nat King Cole in my opinion had something special in there voice ❤️❤️💰💰🙏🙏💰💰

[@colleenbonamico9143]

Well said!

[@Tux.Penguin]

A true legend

[@Meow99999]

Nope, a very unique voice her and Richard.

[@roykliffen9674]

Well, Rumer comes pretty close, especially when she sings Burt Bacharach & Hall David. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXemdGuQea2fhK8 - Slow kzbin.info/www/bejne/qInPdGeIrbR6Y5I - Alfie kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4iymoKLYsycoJI - I'll be home for Christmas kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqnaoH5rpb6Aapo - (They Long To Be) Close To You kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYu5qJ6bpLySjtU - What The World Needs Now Is Love

[@glennstirling1151]

One of my favorite things about Karen was she truly sang. She didn't scream, yell, bellow ... she just sang.

[@robster7316]

Agree. No vocal gymnastics, just great singing!

[@finallythere100]

And what an insightful review. Made me appreciate KC more fully!

[@ffjsb]

And all of that is absolutely fine in the context of the song. Of course you're not going to do that on this song. But every other song isn't THIS song.

[@rubbersole79]

My Mom always used to say that about "American Idol". - "Why are they always hollering?"

[@PC-dc1kv]

And she didn’t warble. I can’t stand warbling.

[@1alb]

The ‘superstar’ in this song is Karen, herself. Actually, superstar doesn’t do her justice - she was in a flawless universe of her own. We were, and still are, blessed that she shared the subtlety of heart, the nuance of her soul, and the breadth of her beauty and talent with us mere mortals here on earth.

[@LesleeWilliams-zd4uz]

I do not believe, anyone has ever made a more thoughtful or soulful observation, of Karen Carpenter!

[@gordonculp3646]

The amazing thing about Karen Carpenter is that her voice is entirely unique. Nobody else sounds like her. You know who it is as soon as she starts to sing. Beautiful.

[@brettmeares9716]

Yeah... I've always said she had the' Golden Voice'... 🎵

[@mykey39]

This woman sounds close. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZy8d61veJuSlck

[@teresathompson235]

Absolutely! She was so amazing.

[@thornbird6768]

All the best singers have their own thing going on 👍🏻 Karen Carpenter , Barbara Streisand , The Bee Gees, Sting and many more . Unique and not copiable .

[@gordonculp3646]

@@thornbird6768 I would disagree slightly here. The singers you mention certainly have unique sounds but they can be copied. I have mistaken several singers for Barbara Streisand over the years for instance. And I know there are bands that try to copy the BeeGees. Not well but they try. I have never heard a singer able to copy Karen Carpenter's low range and tonal depth. Give her the first 3 notes and you know it's her.

[@michaelcrews46]

What's extraordinary, and no one mentions, is that she was only 19 or 20 there. She was already singing with an old soul. ❤

[@brettmeares9716]

Great comment... Yes I think so too✌

[@rockymntnliberty]

About 21 years old, she was awesome.

[@freeguy77]

She was 20, recorded in Feb. 1971, a few days before her 21st, with her b-day on Mar. 2, 1950; released in Aug. 1971.

[@deanallen927]

Karen didn't always follow the proper rules of singing; she was such a natural that she simply did it, just the way it came to her. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@ParkAvenue34]

And nobody in her circle of friends/ family knew she could sing. Everything was wrapped up in the success of Richard, her Brother. How sad is that?

[@NotSo-bp9op]

They were both working hard on music from childhood onward and you claim their parents didn't know Karen could sing? I guess anything goes on the internet these days. @@ParkAvenue34

[@user-Vegas1]

According to Wikipedia, there’s some truth to this. She always played the drums, but they weren’t aware that she could sing as well as she did.

[@NotSo-bp9op]

You using your alt account to bolster your clearly erroneous post? Haha

[@palirvin1871]

People may not know how long and hard Richard & Karen worked to become the superstars that we know. RIchard is another inspiring story but both worked and practiced and practiced and played countless places to learn their craft starting in high school and then in the college choir program where Karen got incredible coaching to perfect her amazing voice. Both of them should not be thought to be born with their talents alone, they worked very hard. They both knew how fickled the music industry was and that's one of the reasons they worked so much and toured and toured and really seized their day.

[@jeffjones9038]

40 plus years later, and literally hundreds of new female singers have come on the scene. And still no other singer can come close to her angelic perfect voice. 🙏

[@michaelireland7239]

amen to that

[@susanwittig1483]

Too many so call singers yell and the don't really know how to sing. It is a gift that Karen C and B Streisand and Josh Groban have.

[@moddel]

A voice like that isn't just a voice -- it's her soul. She sings her deep deep soul.

[@brendacarlile4320]

AMEN !!!!

[@jameshowland7393]

Her voice brings me to tears.

[@tubester4567]

Also it was great that women artists in the 1970's and 1960's didnt need to sexualize themselves to make it. Women were respected as great artists. Karen is a legend and was huge around the world.

[@KirkWilliams]

So true.

[@jamezkpal2361]

This is a sad song. She could be really uplifting toʻo.

[@mmm-uw1ep]

The studio vocal for this song was reportedly Karen's first take. Still my favourite of all The Carpenters songs. When she sings the word "loneliness" you feel every bit of the sadness and emptiness it conveys. She was every rocker's guilty pleasure, a great drummer, an extraordinary singer and she is greatly missed by millions of fans all over the world. A real Superstar.

[@jimcameron2511]

Yeah the video or her singing this is out there, or I should say was. One of the commercial companies has the rights. She was completely withdrawn and eyes closed as I recall.

[@dellerwin1]

Truly one of the greatest voices ever! So sad she died so young and was unhappy.

[@LaughingStock_]

It was actually a warm-up, rather than an official "first take".

[@Mark1958-wwjd]

There is no doubt, whenever she sang, it was from the heart. Children have that gift of honesty and telling us what is on their heart. Karen never lost that when she sang.

[@moreplavoplavo]

@@Mark1958-wwjd So true! Such a wonderful description of the unique talent Karen possessed ...

[@FionaEm]

Karen's voice was pure silk. Every note so controlled, so velvety. This is my favourite Carpenters song. So haunting 😍

[@lindaliang3825]

velvety and honeyed because I can't stop listening to her voice.

[@jonrosen7980]

Agreed with this version, but I love Leon Russell's version as well, completely different of course (rough gravelly, etc.) and it was HIS song of course...

[@tinyshepherdess7710]

Same here! Always loved listening to her sing this song. For me, it's a tie with "Close To You."

[@shermantank6564]

This was one of her greatest live performances imo. She was really feeling the second verse- loneliness is such a sad affair…. It is quite haunting and touches me every time. What a treasure and I’m glad I grew up listening to her voice.

[@salonsavy6476]

Ditto 👍

[@rankedpsiguy1]

I was born in 1958, so only learned of the Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Big Bopper plane crash (February 3, 1959) as a piece of history. For me, the day the music died was 24 years and one day later - February 4, 1983 when I heard Karen Carpenter had died. I was driving home from work when the news came on the radio, and I had to pull off the road to bawl my eyes out. RIP Angel Voice.

[@missleawitch]

how about that you almost NEVER hear her take a breath? she is flawless .. one of the most amazing voices that ever lived

[@ChuckHackney]

Never thought about that, but yes what amazing control. Has any singer ever been able to master such control? No pun intended, but it leaves you breathless.

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

The most amazing female vocalist of all time!😊

[@GuamChris]

@missleawitch Karen's performance on Superstar is almost flawless. It's as close to perfection as anything I've ever heard. You can hear her take breaths on "We've Only Just Begun", but it's a different type of song. I think she needed to project more and that may have required taking deeper breaths. I'm nearly 63, and I still feel that Karen had the purest voice of *any* female vocalist.

[@ChuckHackney]

@GuamChris Dear GuamChris, I am 69 and have the exact same feeling about Karen's voice as you do. EXACTLY THE SAME FEELING. WOW. Stay in touch as it looks like we are "Karen-mates". Much love, Chuck in North Carolina. 6/7/1954

[@ChuckHackney]

Miss her voice and sweetness so much....

[@ItCanAlwaysGetWorse]

My father was a singer, trained in classical, lyrical school from the early 1940s. He heard just one song by Karen Carpenter in the 80s or 90s, and instantly recognized the unique warmth and depth of her voice and delivery and expressed his profound admiration. Her voice still moves me deeply. I just haven't wanted to research how and why she spiraled into the complications that ended her life. You can't sing like that and communicate feelings so naturally without being a profoundly sensitive being. Such a tragedy.

[@pen64]

Part of it had to do with the fact that she was petite and “chubby” as a young girl - she was a California girl in the 60’s/early 70’s where and when thin was definitely in - which she dealt with by dieting sensibly. As she got older and they began to perform, she was a drummer and initially would have preferred to sing behind a drum kit but she was pulled up front and therefore on full display. Early in their career, she saw photos and television performances in which her healthy body looked heavy to her and unfortunately, someone in the press commented on it at some point… and you know how it all ended.

[@kellyredinger5974]

Anorexia. So sad.

[@MsJimmysgirl]

Her problem with anorexia started at the very beginning of her career because of a comment a newspaper wrote about her weight. Whats truly sad is that she finally got treatment and then her heart gave out from the years of abuse.

[@symonrocks9847]

Obviously nothing to do with her being bullied by just about everyone, mother, brother, husband and press. She put up with so much abuse mentally and after all the bullying from her brother perfecting the unique sound of the carpenters he was nothing without her yet still had him appear on her show, they didn't want him, she had the talent, she was the carpenters, she was also very beautiful, if only she believed it herself and her junkie brother lived, there is no justice.

[@symonrocks9847]

@@pen64 I don't understand why you have described her as small and thin and rounded, you can't describe a petite person as chubby unless they are inflatable, a petite lady is of slight frame and not tall, a chubby person is rounded and another polite way of saying they are fat. Twiggy was a model, skin and bone devoid of tits but that was her natural state, she was not alone, the number of fat, chubby, obese people was far less because there were very few junk food outlets and food chemically saturated was in its Infancy.

[@anniegoodrich262]

Karen's ability to record in one take shows how natural her perfect pitch really is. It's like listening to honey.

[@dclarryk]

YUP

[@sharonharrah-hale9183]

Good analogy.

[@monolithsound]

...listening to honey. That's wonderful.

[@soilmanted]

I love Karen's voice. Honey makes me nauseous. It is way too sweet and cloying.

[@soilmanted]

@@Mordante69 Yes. OK. Her voice has this wonderful viscosity, I might agree. But honey has both viscosity _and_ flavor. 30 weight motor oil has about the same viscosity as honey and has a similarly awful flavor. But Karen's voice maintains its viscosity at a wide range of timbres, so I'd say the best analogy is her voice is like 10W30 grade motor oil. Only problem is that more people are familiar with honey than are familiar with 10W30 motor oil so they would understand a honey analogy, and not a motor oil analogy. That said, I personally find honey to be repellant. I love nectar. I've had honeysuckle nectar directly from the honeysuckle flower. I don't know what it is that bees do to it once they get ahold of some nectar, but for me it makes the nectar nauseating, and I'm not the only one. Karen was as far away from nauseating as imaginable. Her voice had the viscosity of 10W30 motor oi. Her voice poured forth from her soul like 10W30 motor oil.

[@StevenDCook-rl5dg]

I love how you just love Karen Carpenter. She deserves to be loved and remembered.

[@BluesImprov]

I could only listen for 2 minutes. . .My eyes well up and I begin to feel so sad about Karen every time I try to listen to her again these days. I'm old enough to remember her entire career vividly. So beautiful, so talented, and so very much missed!

[@bishopaz]

I know, me too.

[@nicolalaboyrie4606]

So tragic to be taken by an eating disorder. Heartbreaking.

[@topturretgunner]

Indeed! Quite true. I cannot hear her absolutely captivating performance of this song with a touch of melancholy. Such a wonderfully talented vocalist. A voice buttery smooth yet warm, rich and soothing.

[@brintest]

Such a gorgeous, powerful voice and beautiful woman, and at the same time she looked unwell. We may not have noticed it back then. RIP, Ms. Carpenter.

[@jaquestraw1]

same ...

[@ChadHargis]

One of the greatest voices in history. So pure. She never screams or stretches to hit a note. Never forces a note. No crazy vocal runs or acrobatics.

[@spaldofiscal]

Yep. She let her tone do all the work. Beautiful! 😍

[@jaysonwallker1648]

That's what made her one of the greats.

[@grahamharrity9937]

I WAS LUCKY TO SEE THE CARPENTERS AT THE STAR CIRCLE THEATER NR FRISCO, 1973 "WHAT A VOICE" & GREAT BACKING, & JUST LIKE THEIR RECORDS. SHE COULD ALSO PLAY THE DRUMS REAL GOOD , ALSO LUCKY SECOND TIME ON TRIP TO CANADA,. GREAT LOSS,. STILL HAVE THEIR SHOW TICKETS

[@peculiarpictures4539]

reminds me of my childhood what a lovely time to remember

[@reginabeasley872]

She had angelic voice 😊

[@Fireguy1962]

I love how Karen enunciate every word and doesn’t cut them off. The clarity of her voice and words make her probably the most articulate singer ever.

[@gene2049]

Absolutely. So clear. You could hear every word.

[@wmason1961]

Great musical arrangements allow for that. Richard should get some credit for that.

[@bootsneak]

Clarity and perfection without losing any warmth.

[@ricknelson4721]

So clear. So beautiful.

[@lindaberg1695]

@@gene2049 And yet you don't hear her gasping for breath like far too many singer do. She knew how to breathe and fill her lungs in order to hold those notes and change to another key without that horrible gasping air intake far too commonly heard. Perfection!

[@GMendel72]

I also think Richard Carpenter’s arrangements, especially the layering of harmonies, adds so much to the Carpenter sound.

[@najafa3520]

And he wrote and rearranged the songs they did . He deserved more credit.

[@eugenemotes9921]

Absolute Genius

[@jackiesmith2801]

Leon Russell wrote Superstar.

[@Butter615s]

No auto tune. No electronica. No mechanical band. Just pure music and a singer that knew what she was doing.

[@firesignsc1981]

No backup dancers, smoke machines, mirrors or pyrotechnics! I miss real singers!

[@tresero2862]

@@firesignsc1981No throwing microphones :)

[@flyneagle8873]

​@@tresero2862& no smashing of a guitar. Just simply a beautiful voice.

[@belindashaw1615]

What a voice she had... She was such a sad loss. The struggles of life... Heartbreaking still listening to her beautiful voice

[@pedrox6959]

Didn’t need to perform in her underwear either.

[@BELCAN57]

Karen's voice was the diamond. Richard's arrangements were the setting.

[@bobareebop]

Yes yes! Perfect.

[@kgreene1958]

That's fair. However, Richard's post-Karen work exposed a significant force they exerted on each other that was critical to both.

[@Nooziterp1]

She recorded a solo album that wasn't even released. Karen's singing and Richard's arrangements made the whole. On her own she was the half.

[@thomasbrown3325]

This chart is especially nice. The bass line cannot be beat. It's like a second melody.

[@davidgraham2673]

Atticus Magnus, That statement sounds too good for it not to gave been used before, but I will give you credit for using it perfectly here. If it's never been used before, I suggest you copyright it before I do. Kudos.

[@hydrorix1]

A once in a lifetime voice. I'm a 67 year old guy, born 6 years after Karen. I had to keep my absolute admiration of the Carpenters secret as I was much more of a rock and roll guy. Her premature death was a shock and I still miss her. At least we can still listen to her now.

[@laurabeissel498]

Funny - I just read a book on the Carpenters and that is exactly what a lot of musicians and people in general did.

[@nickmariotti4241]

I think there are an awful lot of "closet" Karen fans among the world of hard rock musicians and most every other genre. No true musician can deny her obvious talent, even if it wasn't "cool" in some circles to acknowledge it. I can't imagine anyone who truly loves music not loving the incredible and amazing instrument that was her voice. One of the most beautiful sounds that we will ever hear.

[@willarth9186]

I challenge you to listen to Tori Holub on KZbin doing a cover of We've Only Just Begun. Karen 2.0...

[@thebiggianthead8364]

It's okay, Alice Cooper said every hard rocker had a Carpenters record in their stack of albums.

[@guypainter]

Her pitch accuracy is superhuman... and I'm not exaggerating, I mean seriously, how is that even possible? (And no, I am *not* implying any post-production trickery because it didn't exist back then, she was just naturally perfect.)

[@natlisan]

The greatest irony is that Karen never considered herself a "Singer", She called herself a drummer who could sing!!! One of the best Female vocalist in history!!! CRAZY RIGHT!!!!!!!!!! Hard to think she's been gone 40 years now, yet we still speak about that velvet voice!!! THERE'S NO ONE ELSE LIKE HER!!!!!!❤

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Drummers considered her a very good drummer.

[@cookbookworm]

A friend of mine posted the video of Karen playing the drums in '68 saying she had NO idea she started out as their drummer.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

You are absolutely right. In fact, it is my considered belief that Karen Carpenter could sing so well (and so beautifully) precisely because she was a drummer. That gave her the sense of timing needed to hit her notes so well. For instance, being thoroughly familiar with the beat and the tempo (as a result of being a drummer) allowed her to know how to control her breathing, as in how long to hold her breath and just when to pause. Granted, rests are indicated in the sheet music; however, those markings don’t necessarily reflect the spaces between phrases. With her background as a drummer, Karen Carpenter knew exactly where the unmarked pauses fit. That is clear in her vocal phraseology.

[@waynewilliams8554]

@natlisan You know your history, and her talent!!

[@spaceflight1019]

​@@thomash.schwed3662 Hey, it worked out well for Phil Collins too

[@TheLizardKing1967]

Karen is one of the BEST Female Singers of ALL TIME.

[@arroncooper6077]

No THE best

[@JUANITOREVELDE]

ONE OF THE BEST.. .can you read?​@@arroncooper6077

[@tommurphree5630]

Are you sure she wasn't the best ?

[@wilfredopeterson5726]

May be the best.

[@amybethhurst]

Why female? She is better than 99% of males too.

[@stanpiper8158]

In 50 years I have not found a voice that pleases me as much as Karen's. She made me enjoy songs that I didn't particularly care for. Pitch, breath control, range and silky smooth all seemed so natural and effortless for her.

[@money4retirement]

Eva Cassidy comes close for me.

[@lorimav]

And for me growing up in those years the only female that I could actually sing aling with comfortably by are 12.

[@catlady3147]

Anne Murray.

[@davidgraham2673]

@@catlady3147 , Anne Murray certainly has a rich voice as well. When you can't have Karen, Anne is a great substitute.

[@lisasolo7114]

And an amazingly talented drummer as well.

[@aj5258-t6e]

Every time I hear her sing it takes me back to my college days and the first true love I had. Sandy, I miss you

[@reedhaley15]

All these years later I can't listen to Karen without getting teary eyed.

[@michaelmappin4425]

Me too, Reed, me too. 😔

[@djdissi]

"We've only just begun"... I can't 😭

[@dudeotis]

I just did !

[@benjamindemornay1444]

The distance between this purity and the awful music today is incredible...paradise and hell...

[@gabrieleghut1344]

2:10 min in the video and I'm teary-eyed also.

[@jeanfelipe1505]

Her voice was unbelievable. Simply one of the greatest and most intense vocalists to ever walk the Earth!

[@bradsouthers7476]

One of the great things about music from this era is what it doesn't have. No autotune, no over-produced over-engineered effects, just talented performers and masterfully crafted songs. I'm sure that the same kind of talent could exist today, but I'm also fairly confident that it would be stifled by the industry trying to make it "better" with the gadgets and gizmos of today's technologies. What Karen and others of her time had was the opportunity to be good. That's probably very rare today.

[@jefffawcett]

But she was still overproduced. I don’t think her brother did any favors. I get so tired of reading all the praise he gets for being this wonderful arranger and producer, when so many of their songs have so much excess bullshit. Why does she need 20 backing vocalists and so much orchestration?

[@patcurrie9888]

@@jefffawcett Calm down, Richard was a genius, picking songs to highlight her voice and he arranged the songs for a bigger effect. It's was rare when they preformed with an orchestra. The only trick they used was her voice dubbed as backing vocals in certain songs. Many of the songs the guys in the band did backing vocals.

[@raybrown3667]

@@jefffawcett The backing vocalists here were Karen and Richard. The audio is from the studio recording on which they sang all the vocals.

[@sprezzatura8755]

With all the technological crutches available today I wonder if it has the effect of stifling an artist's development? In other words why develop those muscles if you don't need to?

[@rickECU]

@@jefffawcett There was a period of time that I thought the exact same thing and thought perhaps Richard stifled Karen. But I have to say that when Karen did her solo album and I heard what Phil Ramone did with her, it removed the uniqueness of her voice. It made me realize what Richard had done was actually choose the songs that were best suited for her voice. I do get that some people just did not care for his rich orchestrations and Arrangements but overall I don't think anybody knew Karen's Voice better than Richard and he absolutely did showcase her voice in a way that nobody else could have.

[@chris7brook]

Karen Carpenter will never happen again, Humans can't make music this beautiful these days.

[@mattsanchez4893]

Not only was her voice amazing, it's also just so moving. You can't listen to her and not be affected on a very deep and emotional level.

[@soilmanted]

_Profondeur._

[@gesundheit602]

Her voice is like a mother’s warm and comforting hug. 🙂

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Yes, it’s like a mother’s milk spurting from her cheese bladders.

[@plum_loco]

A time when we could understand the lyrics because of such clear singing! Nobody comes close to Karen Carpenter. She has such a gorgeous unique voice. I have never heard the same voice or similar ever. She was truly gifted in voice and singing!

[@brettmeares9716]

Agree...✌

[@Paulapint3]

God gifted talent.

[@louiserussell8267]

They do exist. It's about singing from the centre of one's Soul and with the breath. The rest just follows.

[@jonrosen7980]

@@louiserussell8267 Agreed. Linda Ronstadt is up there too. And Streisand in her prime.

[@gwenbardon6025]

Natalie Merchant is another uniquely beautiful voice. Karen to me is number one!

[@bariumenema6865]

"It's a master class in beautiful, effortless singing." Amen

[@rsjury]

Along with Karen's immense talent is the fact that her brother was able to produce music that was perfect for her voice. Together they were unstoppable!!

[@davisholman8149]

What makes me happy is that my professional disc jockey son told me that we baby boomers had the best music ever recently. He is right.🤷🏽‍♂

[@jimbuxton2187]

Richard said he tried to exploit her lower range. He said when she studied voice she always sang in head voice but he said her low range was richer.

[@Zaul-e4z]

Or he could just copy the Rita Coolidge version?

[@daveharms5153]

Yes....Richard is a genius producer...and he was the perfect arranger for Karen's incredible vocal talent.

[@finalflowerchild]

They were on the top of the world. (in their own Lear jet).

[@simonpennybernard-smith9744]

Somebody once said that Karen had the ability to make you feel like she was singing to YOU personally. So true.

[@amypendragon5129]

They were considered way too wholesome for their time and most record labels wouldn't have touched them. I am so glad they forged their own musical path because they have endured. Thank you for sharing your insights into her voice.

[@pauljohnson2280]

If you're going for 'perfect' then it has to be 'perfect'. Perfect tone, phrasing, arrangement, dynamics, intonation. Everything is perfect. And yet there is a freedom in the way she performs it. Beyond talent.

[@Topmember]

Anything’s possible when you have the full set of pencils, in many varying shades, in your colouring box. and know how to use them and look after them. It’s not only talent but also a lot of practising. It’s 50 years since The Carpenters, and particularly Karen’s voice would stop me in my tracks when a depressed teenager.

[@danellabarnes-penman1118]

The resonance of her lower range is like chocolate, salt, and honey all at the same time. And yet it’s so pure and rich. I’ve often wondered how much we’ve missed musically and lyrically because of her death.

[@dayceem]

And note by note, she knew how to tap into those resonances until, as Bethany points out, she slides into that upper range and sounds almost like a second singer, which emphasizes the chorus even more.

[@MeTreesndirt]

Sorry but she hated singing. To live she would have had to stop.

[@nickmariotti4241]

@@MeTreesndirt I know she thought of herself as a drummer, but to say she "hated" singing is a bit over the top. No one could do something to that degree of perfection and hate it.

[@marcocella590]

Frank Sinatra famously said that Karen Carpenter is the only singer he would pay to see.. What a complement! Thank you for Recognizing Karen's incredible voice.

[@Rosannasfriend]

He probably meant of her generation. It’s well known that Ella Fitzgerald was his favorite female singer of all time.

[@susanpearce2668]

DIDN'T care for Sinatra, but he was spot on!

[@kristend344]

There's a story she was leaving a restaurant as John Lennon was entering. He told her she had a nice voice. She thought he was just being polite.

[@robertveith6383]

* compliment

[@Richard_Fouts]

WOW, that is quite a quote.

[@jefff8106]

Her intonation was flawless. Never had to guess the words she was singing. It was a knife in the heart of the world when she left us.

[@lynnehuff9659]

So true, beautifully stated.

[@parrotperson1973]

I think you mean enunciation. Clear enunciation means the audience can understand the words. Intonation refers to how well the singer stays on pitch. She of course has excellent intonation as well, but that doesn't seem to be what you were referring to.

[@teresacatherine3811]

I agree. The world was heartbroken.

[@johnsoutdooradventures3293]

Yes😢

[@michaelmcarthur8364]

I am so very pleased that the younger generation is discovering one of the perfect female voices. There is no equal. Karen set the standard.

[@feg3akatrey144]

My mother used to sing “Close to You” to me when I was a young child in the early-mid 1970s - “…just like me, they long to be, close to you…”. Some 50 years later, my mother is 80 and profoundly disabled by Parkinson’s, with little voice remaining, but whenever I hear Karen Carpenter, if I close my eyes, I can see and hear my young, vibrant and amazing mom beaming with joy whilst singing that song to me. My eyes may well with tears, but they are happy tears as I recall who we both used to be all those years ago.

[@debrameagherChariote]

Awesome memories

[@michaelanderson2881]

That's the power of music. Think about not being able to remember lyrics--until you start singing them. Totally different part of the brain at work.

[@Britgirl58]

what a wonderful story! Although it brought huge tears to my eyes, I am so grateful you shared.

[@mariaalthorp2561]

That is such a precious memory! Thank you for sharing, and all the best to you and your mom. 🌹

[@davisholman8149]

Thank you….I used to sing it in youth group functions as a teenager. So many memories. What a precious memory of your sweet mother.

[@justafreethinker]

Greatest female voice of all time. Period. End of Sentence. RIP "Angel" We miss you!

[@thedys70]

Well I've still got Babs a notch above her for range, but I like Karen's voice more; i've got Olivia NJ, Diana Ross, Dolly and Linda next in the queue

[@thomasstrout1738]

@@thedys70 Hearing Karen Carpenter sing is hearing what God can create, like watching Secretariat race. Patsy Cline is very close.

[@mediamannaman]

@@thedys70 Wow! I'm right there with you on Streisand and Ronstadt. I love the other three you named, but just not quite as much (for example, look at how Whitney Houston elevated Dolly's song, "I Will Always Love You"), but that's the cool thing about art, its beauty is in the eye (or ear, in this case) of the beholder and it's OK that we have different opinions.

[@robertmorris5055]

Eva Cassidy❤

[@thedys70]

@@mediamannaman Totally bro; Whitney probably makes my top ten, but she threw it all away towards the end, and lost the respect of many, myself included.

[@pointyguitarz]

"One take Karen." She was a gift, and her brother Richard is a musical genius. Nothing comes close. Superstar indeed!

[@xyzct]

Indeed. Richard's compositions are spectacular.

[@ilovesuisse1]

You are so right. 😀

[@AScrapOfKindness]

Every single time I hear her sing, I well up with intense emotion and end up crying. So beautiful.

[@eugenemotes9921]

Every time as well

[@JoeysCatKittenRescue]

Her vibrato is perfect. Perfect pitch, too. Smooth as silk.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Perfect intonation too. Never off key.

[@olbermannhater]

​@@yvonneplant9434 She also had a perfect vibrato. It was so unforced and smooth.

[@danielgouge4639]

I wonder if she ever sang with John Denver? They both had perfect pitch. Some people learn perfect pitch and some are born with it. My sister was born with it. She could play the piano by ear in the proper key for the song and never had lessons. My sister that is. Relative pitch is also good to know.

[@ed.z.]

I remember the day she passed. I was driving to college and I had to pull over. I had a little difficulty believing the news coming from the radio. I was surprised how sad I felt from the loss of someone I never personally met. But, she touched us so deeply with her voice and spirit. It’s remarkable. RIP.

[@robinpigeon2070]

I had to pull over with the news of Robin Williams passing😢

[@scottstrain8388]

As did I. Her loss was so unexpected and so crushing. At least we were able to listen to her and still can. I do miss the variety show performances, which are hard to find. I remember one in which she was singing (I don't remember the song, sadly) and was bouncing from instrument to instrument while singing so wonderfully. I was blown away-!

[@pamelastrickland7967]

She had the voice of an angel. Even as a teenager, we all knew it. Such a tragic loss, so young.

[@kymj5771]

And there's not been anyone who even comes close to her beautiful voice

[@charlesoneill2577]

No auto tune needed. One of the most perfect voices. 41 years later and her loss is still felt.

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

Her loss is still painful. I remember exactly where I was when news of her death was reported on the radio.

[@lorijean1487]

She's one of my favorite singers. Most of their songs make me cry. She has such a beautiful, not forced vibrato. Her breath control is amazing as well.

[@AMalijen12]

I cried many tears in the beautiful, heartbreaking sound of Karen Carpenter, no other miss ❤

[@bobblowhard8823]

I have never heard a female's voice as perfect as Karen's. When she sings, she always brings tears to my eyes. And now that she's in Heaven, the angels have a lead singer. She certainly left her mark here on Earth. May she rest in peace.

[@charlesritter6640]

Same here. Many great voices in the world but I've still never heard anyone sing better than her.

[@franzscharfenberger5144]

👍🏆

[@kellywilliamson2187]

Heaven? Really? Great concept but no evidence, sadly.

[@dalehood1846]

You cannot see the wind, yet, you know it's there. Take care and all the best.

[@bobblowhard8823]

@@kellywilliamson2187 I agree, but with someone who left their mark like Karen did, it's nice to fantasize.

[@garylagstrom3864]

I’m a drummer and I tell you Karen was right in there with all the great jazz and rock drummers of her day! I loved that she played traditional grip with the left stick on the snare and the hand speed she demonstrated around the kit! Of course most know her for her outstanding alto vocals but don’t be fooled because Karen was also a marvelous drummer! I learned a lot by watching her performances! Hats off to Karen Carpenter: drummer and singer 🎤🥁extraordinaire!

[@SweeetSue]

Agreed ! 💞👍🎶

[@kimmieess6171]

She actually had to be convinced to come out from behind the kit and take lead vocals. She said she considered herself to be a drummer who happened to sing. So humble.

[@manonthemoog]

I've seen videos of her drumming, and she is really quite good. I was curious if she is on any of their records and it turns out, according to him, most of the time it was Hal Blaine, sometimes playing along with her, sometimes solo. Blaine also said that initially their parents had a big influence on them and insisted that Richard was the star and Karen was chiefly the drummer in his band, not the lead vocalist. She reluctantly got up from the kit to become one of the best singers in a generation.

[@nickmariotti4241]

@@manonthemoog Yes, and sadly it seems her mother had a lot to do with the "it's all about Richard" thing. As a parent of three kids myself, I find it very hard to understand loving one more than the others, but I recognize that sometimes this is indeed the case. We can't really know how much of a part all of that played in Karen's struggle with her self image, but it seems reasonable to conclude that it had at least some part in it. Both Karen and Richard were immensely talented in different ways. They complemented each other superbly and people with actual ears, like the great Wrecking Crew bassist Joe Osborn, who discovered them, and Herb Alpert, who signed them, knew that the two of them, as a team, were capable of creating something that had never been heard before. It's tragic that we lost her so young, but we are truly fortunate to have the gifts that they both gave us.

[@manonthemoog]

@nickmariotti4241 I believe they were typical showbiz parents and didn't necessarily love Richard more than Karen. Richard was 1000% more outgoing than Karen, who felt above all else that she was a drummer. Keep in mind this is the mid 60s. If my kids were entering the music industry, which horse should I back: A shy female drummer (which was so rare then it was almost a freak show) and reluctant singer? Or a personable, ken doll lookalike singer/songwriter/keyboardist?

[@DavidBristow-u1g]

Karen was vocal perfection. One of a kind. So sad how we lost her.

[@dagmar.6954]

I grew up with the Carpenters' music. Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "We've Only Just Begun", "For All We Know", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.

[@artistbrindle]

Me too. She was unique and brilliant, there’s never been another like her.

[@tuxcats8518]

Great version of Baby It's You.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

“Merry Christmas, Darling” is another great song from them. You can hear both the anguish of being apart and the hope of one day being together again in Karen’s voice and through the lyrics.

[@daddydad9018]

@@thomash.schwed3662 Thank you Thomas

[@thomash.schwed3662]

@@daddydad9018 You’re welcome.

[@angelabryan2123]

I loved Karen Carpenter when I was a little girl. I used to go Trick or Treating at her parents house in Downey, CA and saw her several times. I even started playing drums like her. I will never stop loving her music ❤ She was such a gift.

[@stewartlietz4236]

It was such a sad loss for all of us. I'm sure for you even more so.

[@RoissyAngel]

Thanks for sharing. Lovely story.

[@raymondtasker2845]

@@stewartlietz4236 o

[@MsSunnyDenise]

My dad went to school with them

[@maddymud]

Also from Downey is the lead singer of Metallica

[@pcallas66]

The crazy thing is that Karen didn't even want to sing in the early days. She was actually an incredible drummer and that's what she really wanted to do. The funny thing is that some people with gifts like this don't even necessarily realize what they have. I remember listening to a lot of her records growing up and I was so sad the day she died. She was such a talent that just burned out before her time. On March 2, she would have been 73. So hard to believe. May she rest in peace.

[@imcnagpc2]

Barbra Streisand didn't want to be a singer originally, she wanted to be an actress. Did both, like Karen.

[@topbuilder3790]

@@imcnagpc2 If only she would have kept singing instead of talking.

[@2listening1]

🙏🕯👍😻💛

[@MeTreesndirt]

She continued to hate it. She was shy. They needed to let her quit show biz.

[@Dansrgurl]

Karen's voice is unmatched to this day. Critics claimed Karen was lip syncing because her vocals were identical to the studio recordings. There have been studies done to show she was just that perfect - but there were slight differences. Carpenters were a gift and will be one that keeps on giving for generations to come. Still such a profound loss to the world - but so grateful we have her voice immortalized for current and future generations.

[@rockymountainmorning]

Karen just pulls at my heart strings. I watched her live in concert in about 1975-76. What I wouldn't do to live again those magical moments. I hope my comment adds a drop of love to Karen. I so enjoyed the wonderful comments others posted.

[@jusfine]

I also saw her in 1975, never forget how I felt hearing her live!

[@christianmairodrigues2086]

I love her too and no doubt the sensitive miss her a lot!❤😊

[@bostonvair]

Something about listening to Karen Carpenter sing this song always moves me to tears. Not only moved by her beautiful voice, but the tragedy of her all-too-short life.

[@andiemorgan961]

Karen Carpenter is one of those classic examples of a naturally gifted singer. I bet she didn't even have to think about "breathing", it just came instinctively. That mellow sound and perfect diction! Beautiful 💖

[@2Hearts3]

Clear... Beautiful... 🌟 No high tech sound equipment needed. She had it, the 'it' girl of singing 🏆

[@Trenaway]

Karen Carpenter is a once in a millennial talent with her voice, she is the greatest alto I have ever heard.

[@charlenehastings4840]

Karen Carpenter is one of the most beautiful singers. I grew up listening to her and I was so sad when she died. Even to this day, I love to hear your voice 50 years later still beautiful.🥺

[@trevorjennings720]

Hello Charlene, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

We are of the same age. Remember her on Ed Sullivan?

[@Nan-59]

Hearing Karen sing makes me miss the days of old. There’s something extra and so special in her voice.❤❤❤

[@remmymafia3889]

it's professionally described as a 'level three octave contralto'

[@shteebo]

Karen Carpenter made her gorgeous sound without straining at all, naturally weaving a lyric story as if she were just talking. She'll come on and without thinking, I'll stop what I'm doing and just listen and relax. Phenomenal talent.

[@wesleytrent7000]

Karen's voice is like the richest, smoothest vanilla ice cream as it is at the melting point. As you take it in, you are filled with it's wonderful, beautiful essence. You are not chilled, but warmed throughout. Hearing her with eyes closed is to be carried away to a kind of paradise not possible here.

[@floralee7358]

Karen’s voice, no one can replace, no one…. Her voice helped me get through the dark helpless teenage time and early twenties😢 always have teary eyes while listening

[@kevindavis6259]

Check out "Leonid and friends" cover of Superstar.Pretty close

[@tracey6768]

Same for me😢

[@terrikennedy3088]

🤚 Me too. Isnt interesting how heartbreak songs comfort the suffering?

[@annabanana377]

Karen's voice is so warm and soothing; it embraces you like your favourite cozy blanket. She was truly one of a kind, naturally gifted.

[@kissfantastic]

Yes !! ...exactly 💯

[@JosephWisniewski]

Yes, as others have said. Her voice, her personality, her ability and desire to connect MOVES me, esp. this song. Pretty much brings me to tears whenever I hear it. Great job with this review! :-)

[@JourneyAlee]

Karen passed away the year I graduated hs. At that time, there was massive backlash against anything "easy listening" or "disco". The Carpenters were never part of all that, due largely to Karen's voice. Like butter. She is a category unto herself. 😢❤❤

[@kevindumas1743]

I dated her once…yeah I wish…just like all of us guys back then…

[@michaelsova7349]

Not sure there will ever be another voice like Karen. The voice is just sultry and perfect!

[@SueDamron]

She didn’t need gimmicks. Her voice was more than enough for those of us from her time! I think it would still be true today! One of a kind!! Beautiful!

[@marinazagrai1623]

Sarah…I was not even 10 and on a different continent, when she was singing. Hearing her sing and knowing she died the way she did, breaks me. What a talent and such insecurities.

[@jonesjames6254]

Ma'am you are so right, I grew in the 90s, and kc is brilliant

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

@@marinazagrai1623 Yes, that was her downfall. She was so fragile when it came to the realities of love and life. She could handle it and being called chubby that set her in motion for anorexia.Words matter.

[@debdo1960]

@@JohnSmith-uy7sv As a survivor of Anorexia/Bulimia, it ran much deeper than being called chubby. That is the main story released, I'm guessing for privacy reasons and the fact that not much was known about the true cause back then. Richard sat on the board of the treatment program I went through and I know some of the back story which was almost identical to my case and others in treatment. However, it doesn't dismiss being called chubby...perhaps it may have been the straw that broke the camels back.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

@@debdo1960 as a younger man in my early 20's I got onto the atkins diet and it got me into starving myself. I was also anorexic for about 4 years. but having to work I would have to take in small bite of carbs to give me energy each day. There were many times I was so weak I could not get up off of the couch. Lucky for me I shocked my body so bad that 40 years laters I did not take after my parents being a diabetic and was low blood sugar off and of the rest of my life even now. I had an A1c test done last year and it was "0". I used to love to starve myself. Yes, I know she had bad relationship and she could not handle real love. She lived basically in a fantasy world of what life really was and what it took. She couldn't handle it.

[@glenrosarian2352]

Karen Carpenter has a voice of gold. Absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring. She has the most beautiful voice of any female vocalist. The vocal coach mentions that in a different musical climate her voice might not have been discovered. That would have been a tragedy. Thank God she sang when she did. Longum olim et o tam distancia longe, cadui amore tibi ante spectaculum secundo: long ago and oh so far away, I fell in love with you before the second show.

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

I'm not a vocal coach but I know one thing and that is when I hear Karen I know a perfect voice when I hear one!

[@deliaguzman1138]

Incredible to hear it all broken down and yet Karen just opened her mouth and sang with such emotion. So much longing, joy, sorrow… just amazing.

[@karenblaine7266]

@@deliaguzman1138And she didn’t even want to sing. She was the drummer. She was content being the drummer. But I think it was Richard that convinced her to step out front.

[@bluedeuce100]

Amen to that brother!

[@davidisted8884]

She is a trillion times better than almost all the singers of the modern era who scream. Unmatched

[@daniellemos7751]

There isn't a sweeter, more velvety voice than Karen Carpenter's voice. I always end up in tears because the lyrics touch my spirit and my heart.

[@laurenfelsberg6406]

There is no one on this earth like Karen’s voice,, nor will there ever be. What a Gift she left us ❤️

[@marymorris8442]

Plus she is so beautiful!

[@stevecallis7965]

She’s the greatest vocalist of all time! By far!

[@moskii-kb8un]

One of the most emotive natural great vocalists..and an excellent drummer to boot..

[@longboardmed]

One of the purist voices ever. She was magical. Thank you for reacting to a lost treasure.

[@iankirk9097]

Superstar was also Richard's favourite. I could never tire of listening to her, I usually have to wipe my eyes after listening to her sing the ballads. Together the Carpenters made ageless music!

[@Nightowl427272]

1 in a million voice, coupled with her brother’s amazing compositional/studio chops ensures Karen’s angelic sound will live on as a treasure of humanity for all time.

[@metathoughts732]

Thanks for mentioning those great arrangements and mixes!

[@susansmith4268]

Amen

[@krisgreenwood5173]

Patsy Cline is that other female voice that unfortunately was stopped too soon

[@raelraven3]

Absolutely beautiful voice. My favorite female singer of all time.

[@neoplan6116]

She has a major part of the soundtrack of my life! I was 15 when she died and I was honestly crying when I heard it here in the German radio news that day. One of my most precious memories is the fact that I saw her/them live in the audience of a television show where they had an appearance with 3 songs and Karen was wearing a long pink robe. I am still thankful to my parents for this, they brought us (my sister and me) to this show because we were little crazy Abba fans and it was a beautiful stroke of fate that the Carpenters were in the same show... I need to end, I become sentimental. ....

[@kevinklasman]

I was the drummer in a club band with a female lead singer in the Karen Carpenter era, and was privileged to perform many Carpenters songs. To this day I always stop and sing a long when I hear one of her songs. Brings chills and tears. Superstar was one of my favorites, and I'll be hearing it in my mind, and singing it softly to myself for the next few days. Such a beautiful voice, and woman. A terrible tragedy that she died so young.

[@DMills-un1tl]

Karen had the most natural, warm, and unique voice that it’s like listening to an angel sing. Nothing forced. A rare talent to be sure.

[@LarryMages]

I absolutely LOVE how enthusiastic you are for Karen Carpenter.

[@kennethlavalle1608]

Karen Carpenter was a petite woman with one of the most powerful yet soothing voices I've ever heard. I was ten years old when I heard her sing this song and even then I knew she was a phenomenal singer 🎤

[@ingridmarrero8470]

Karen Carpenter is My Favorite Female Vocalist 😍 from the United States 🇺🇸 Her Voice is a Gift from God, such a Beautiful Instrument 100% God Given. Rest In Peace 🙏 Beautiful Karen Carpenter ❤

[@Wilkins_Micawber]

I was in my 20s when I first heard the Carpenters. Karen’s voice still gives me goose bumps 50 years later.

[@thomasboldt3485]

Karen had such a haunting vocal style with this great ballad. French horns! A true alto and beautiful delivery 🎶🦋😉

[@jimbickel4001]

I was at Oklahoma State U in 71. The Carpenters were there. Her voice was and is one of those moments like fine crystal. You know its clarity when you hear it.

[@frankmarano7530]

From the first time I heard Karen sing in 1970, I consider her the most beautiful, rich voice of all female vocalists of all time. What a perfect voice talent. Number one! I cried the day she died…

[@andysimonson861]

Me too man, what a tragic loss

[@colingreengrass6751]

Along with Linda Ronstadt, the two of them had probably the greatest voices in the 70's and 80's. We don't realize until its too late how great they were and how lucky we were they sang for us. I was devasted when she passed, and in those days, pre internet, most of us did not find out until many years later her struggle with eating disorders. So sad

[@TheMary0831]

Linda Ronstandt's voice just blows me away.

[@christians6734]

Not to forget Agnetha Faeltskog

[@randygreen927]

Or Ann Wilson

[@TheMary0831]

@@randygreen927 OMG right?!?!?!?

[@John-re2qw]

Also Emmylou Harris.

[@alleyratAnderson]

I remember Karen Carpenter, I was 12 or so, there was something about her, you couldn't take your eyes off of her, such beauty. It was tragic to have lost her so soon.