Carpenters

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Los Angeles, United States (1969 – 1983)

With their light, airy melodies and meticulously crafted, clean arrangements, the Carpenters stood in direct contrast with the excessive, gaudy pop/rock of the ’70s; yet they became one of the most popular artists of the decade, scoring 12 Top Ten hits, including three number one singles.

Karen Carpenter’s calm, often somber voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. The duo’s sound drew more from pre-rock pop than rock & roll, but that didn’t prevent the Carpenters from appealing to a variety of audiences, particularly Top 40, easy listening, and adult contemporary. While their popularity declined during the latter half of the ’70s, they remained one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts the decade produced.

The Carpenters formed in the late ’60s in Downey, CA, after their family moved from their native New Haven, CT. Richard had played piano with a cocktail jazz trio in a handful of local Connecticut nightclubs. Once the family had moved to California, he began to study piano while he supported Karen in a trio that featured Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). With Jacobs and Richard forming her backup band, Karen was signed to the local Californian record label Magic Lamp, who released two unsuccessful singles by the singer. The trio won a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966, which led to a record contract with RCA. Signing under the name The Richard Carpenter Trio, the group cut four songs that were never released. Jacobs left the band at the beginning of 1968.
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  • vishal8492

    "Now And Then" album is the best \m/ I cant decide there isn't song of her I could hate but her solo Album stands out for me.

    Tuesday afternoon
  • elisaekafina

    hey Mr. Postman~

    last week
  • adaalbertojr

    <3

    last week
  • goia-

    <3

    14 days ago
  • FreezingKiss

    I really really love them. <3

    15 days ago
  • fmc200

    Loneliness is such a sad affair.

    17 days ago
  • andyisdead

    ultimate guilty pleasure that's weird !!! [2]

    20 days ago
  • marcelocic

    A Song for You ♥

    last month
  • marcelocic

    Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

    last month
  • orang_gila

    "Now And Then" album is the best \m/

    last month
  • ModernJP_

    <3

    last month
  • vishal8492

    ultimate guilty pleasure that's weird !!!

    last month
  • Wiracocha

    "Ton87 wrote: ultimate guilty pleasure" Exactly!

    last month
  • Ton87

    ultimate guilty pleasure

    last month
  • bazzarelli

    When I listen to these songs... I get nostalgic for a time that I never lived in... [9002] . And it's been almost 30 years without Karen. The world is sure heavier without her voice.

    December 2011
  • jmnixon95

    When I listen to these songs... I get nostalgic for a time that I never lived in... [9001]

    December 2011
  • bacokbet

    perfecto!

    December 2011
  • jessy_mtp

    me faz chorar a lot [3]

    December 2011
  • thd84

    Nostalgia to the time of our parents? Reminds me of this: http://xkcd.com/988/

    December 2011
  • sarahbianeck

    me faz chorar a lot [2]

    December 2011
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