The Karen Carpenter Solo Album
Tracks
1. Lovelines (5:06) (Rod Temperton) Rodsongs, adm by ALMO music (ASCAP Arranged by Rod Temperton, Orchestrated by Bob James Keyboard solo: Greg Phillinganes 2. All Because Of You (3:31) (Russell Javors) WB Music Corp./Javors Music Company (ASCAP) Arranged By Bob James 3. If I Had You (3:54) (Stephen Dorff, Gary Harju, Larry Herbstritt) Careers-BMG Music (BMI/BMG) Arranged by Bob James Orchestrated by Jerry Hey Saxophone solo by Michael Brecker 4. Making Love In The Afternoon (3:57) (Peter Cetera) BMG Songs (ASCAP) Arranged by Peter Cetera Vocal Duo performed by Karen Carpenter and Peter Cetera Saxophone solo Timmy Cappello 5. If We Try (3:47) (Rod Temperton) RodSongs adm. By Almo Music (ASCAP) Arranged by Rod Temperton, Orchestrated by Rob Mounsey 6. Remember When Lovin' Took All Night (3:50) (John Farrar, Molly Ann Leiken) John Farrar Music (BMI) Chappell & Co. Arranged and orchestrated by Bob James Keyboard solo by Bob James 7. Still In Love With You (3:15) Russell Javors) WB Music Corp. / Javors Music (ASCAP) Arranged by Le'Band Guitar solo by David Brown 8. My Body Keeps Changing My Mind (3:46) (Leslie Pearl) Careers BMG Music (BMI) Arranged by Rod Temperton, Orchestrated by Jerry Hey 9. Make Believe It's Your First Time (3:12) (Bob Morrison, Johnny Wilson) Music City Music, Inc. (ASCAP) Arranged and orchestrated by Bob James 10. Guess I Just Lost My Head (3:36) (Rob Mounsey) Flying Monkey Music (ASCAP) Arranged and orchestrated by Rob Mounsey 11. Still Crazy After All These Years (4:17) (Paul Simon) Paul Simon Music (BMI) Arranged by Rob Mounsey, orchestrated by Rob Mounsey 12. Last One Singin' The Blues (3:24) (Peter McCann) EMI Blackwood Music (BMI) Produced by Phil Ramone Vocal Acrobatics by Rod Tempterton Engineered by Jim Boyer, Glenn Berger, James Guthrie, Ray Gerhardt Engineering Associates: Bradshaw Leigh, Chaz Clifton, Dave Iveland, Ralph Osborne, Randy Pipes, David Crowther Recorded at A&R Recording studios, NY. A&R Recording studios, Laand Kendun Recorders, Burbank, CA Remixed by Phil Ramone and Jim Boyer in M>E>S>M> Mastered at A&M Mastering Studios by Dave Collins Art Direction Chuck Beeson design: Rebecca Chamlee and Chuck Beeson Photo Colorist Amy Nagasawa Photography Claude Mougin Conceptual Stylist Paul Postnik Fashion Coordinator Phyllis Postnik Hair Design Joe Tubens CHD Make Up Henriquez Liner contents
Karen
dedicates this album to Richard saying, "Dedicated to my brother Richard
with all my heart" - Karen Carpenter
Then
a note from Ramone to Richard "Thank you for letting me borrow your sister
to make this album" - Phil Ramone
For personal reasons, which have been chronicled in other sources, I needed and
decided to take a leave of absence from my career in 1979. Karen, who was not
interested in remaining idle during my hiatus, elected to record a solo album.
To produced the album, Herb Alpert suggersted Phil Ramone, a highly talented
and successful producer who had enjoyed both critical and commercial success
with such artists as Paul Simon, Billy Joel,et al. Phil signed on and on April
30,1979, Karen left LA for New York, with the first session commencing on May
2. Due to the scheduling conflicts, the album was not delivered until early
1980. Upon completion of the playback, reaction of A&M executives and
others, including me, was, to say the least, ambiguous. The result was that on
May 5 1989, Karen decided to shelve the album. As time passes and events
unfold, one's perspective on certain matters can change, as has mine regarding
this album. Karen was with us precious little time. She was a great artist.
This album represents a certain period and change of approach in her career. As
such, it deserves to be heard.
-Richard Carpenter
To
completely understand the love and adventure of Karen's solo project, people
should know that we made a conscious decision to experiment with music and
styles that were not in the Carpenters' albums. We wanted their fans , as well
as a new audience, to hear one of the greatest voice in a different
surrounding. We knew some things were trendy and that the intimate songs would
express her love of all music.
It was inconceivable to those of us involved with the project that a rumor
might spread regarding the end of the Carpenters. That truly was beyond realm
of possibility: Karen loved Richard and the music they made together. I've
always related to Ricahrd's arrangements and composing with deep admiration and
we remain friends. The love of Billy Joel's band- Rod Temperton and the other
players, who had the best time working with her - gave Karen Carpenter's work
in New York a sparkle that can be heard on this album. Karen and the rest of us
who worked on this project understood the decision to wait on the release. As
years passed, both Richard and I wondered when it might be released.
Together we stand proud as this was a piece of work that meant so much to
Karen, it was truly a labor of love. I have not remixed or done anything to the
tapes. These mixes, the material and style are the way Karen approved them. The
bonus track is unmixed and was one of several that might have been finished.
I miss her terribly - but I know she's watching with a smile.
- Phil Ramone