[.ca] Carpenters (ISBN 6304861702)

From Amazon.com:
When Karen Carpenter died on February 4, 1983 at the age of 32, more than one generation mourned. Karen and her brother, Richard, had achieved monumental success as purveyors of soft-rock soulfulness, aided by their wholesome, wistful looks. After all, these were the hard-rocking, disco-throbbing '70s, yet with classics like "Close to You," "Rainy Days and Mondays," and "We've Only Just Begun," the pair blurred the lines of musical class. But no one knew--or at least talked about--Karen's debilitating bouts of bulimia and ongoing battle against the ravaging effects of anorexia. Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters is more a gracious memento than a documentary and presents a rather biased view, heavily influenced by Richard's opinion and commentary. Beginning with the duo's early major success, winning a Battle of the Bands at the Hollywood Bowl, it's a quick trip through the salad years including the first record deal with Herb Alpert's A & M Records. Alpert calls his initial listen to the Carpenters' demo tape "love at first hear." That appears to be true for everyone who came into contact with them, as band members, songwriters Burt Bacharach and Paul Williams, and singer Petula Clark readily testify. The hits and the TV specials are reviewed, too, but something feels missing from this glimpse, which barely scratches the surface. It's obvious to anyone watching the film that Karen, who really wanted to be known as a drummer who sang, not the other way around, was in immense pain and terribly conflicted. Yet by the final credits, we know little more about her than we did before. She remains an enigma and this peek at her life--and Richard's--feels too protective of her memory to tell the whole truth. --Paula Nechak

Excellent excerpts of The Carpenters Music and TVs.:
I have listened to the Carpenters since I was probably 14 or 15, now I am 26 - that is a long time. I was not even exposed to their music directly, but rather got drawn to it through a movie called The Karen Carpenter Story (but strange I can't find that movie anywhere!) Anyway, what I am trying to say is that having been a big fan of the duo for over ten years says something about the quality of their music. I have just seen this DVD and this has fulfilled my dream of seeing them performing live from their earliest days. Sure these are not complete music videos, but the story, interviews, footages (the White House concert, etc.) presented are a thrill to watch. Any of us can listen the Karen's music anytime on CDs, but seeing her live when she was alive and well is priceless. And oh, that hauntingly, angelically beautiful voice !!! The thing I like most about the DVD is how it makes you love the Carpenters even more after watching it. Own it and you will fall in love with the Carpenters all over again.

"Carpenters, Live in Concert" DVD-Japan ONLY Release:
I have reviewed "Close to You-Remembering the Carpenters" DVD earlier; so I am writing to all those people who asked for a "Carpenters, Live in Concert" DVD. According to the Grant Guerrero website; there is a "Carpenters, Live at Budokan,(1974)" Concert DVD. It was released Only in Japan in 2002. It has the same content as the VHS tape of the same, which many Carpenter fans already own. I am sure the sound and video has been upgraded to the DVD level. The only way a USA person can see this DVD is if they have an all-region DVD player, or a DVD player that can play Japan-region DVDs. I wonder if A & M/Universal has any real regard for the USA Carpenter fan.

Where is the Karen Carpenter Story:
I also have been looking to get the movie "The Karen Carpenter Story" but seems that i can't find it anywhere. With all the dvd's about one would think they would release that. Especially for those wanting to help someone with an eating disorder. I have searched and searched if anyone can tell me where to find it i would be forever grateful :) Thank you,

More than 1 Version of this DVD exists.:
This is an excellent documentary on the Carpenters, and it gives a great deal of information on them from the the time they were born, in New Haven, Conn., up until Karen Carpenter's death in Downey, Calif., on Feb. 4, 1983. It is mostly, however, Richard Carpenter, and close friends, discussing the Carpenters, with a lot of brief cuts of songs included. Almost no song is played from start to finish. It says almost nothing on Karen Carpenter's stuggles with anorexia nervosa, and for that the viewer will want look at documentarties from "A & E", "E", and "VH-1" on the Carpenters. The VHS tape offered a lot of extra that the PBS airing, in Dec. 1997, did not. The DVD offers a great deal of extras that the VHS tape did not. Yet for people who buy the all-region DVD from overseas, be aware, that it does not include the extras the U.S. DVD does. The overseas DVD only includes the Photo Gallery. It does NOT include the Discography, the Previously unreleased TV and Radio Jingles, nor the Carpenters at the White House. This may not mean anything to people in the U.S., but, people overseas might wonder what ever happened to all the extras promised? I do recommend this DVD, and I hope if there's another Carpenters DVD release--it will be the "Carpenters Live in Concert". I also hope it will be sold in the U.S., and not just Japan, such as the outstanding "As Time Goes By" CD was.

Excellent Overview of a Legendary Performer:
Richard knew how to use his sister's voice well. He knew her range, limit, and potential. Karen lived up to Richard's expectations and in return, the world was given a great star. Say what you will about the Carpenters entire body of work but no matter the opinion, the Carpenters legacy will live on forever. Karen's voice will forever be unmatched as it is stilled by her sudden and tragic death. The dvd offers a glimpse of their body of work via clips, interviews, and snippits of video and promo film of their songs. Commercials featuring the Carpenters are here, as is a radio promo jingle. All recorded with catcy hooks and Karen's surreal warm voice. Memories of Karen are shared by Phil Ramone, Dorothy Hamill, Petula Clark, Paul Williams, John Bettis, and a host of others. There are snippits of the various Carpenters music specials and one that stands out is the Ella Fitzgerald/Karen medley recorded for "Music, Music, Music." Looking at the smile across Karen's face, she was thrilled to be performing with Ella, whose voice by the time of this special, became husky and was more an instrument of emtional interpretation. The rare Japanese commercials and the Morton potato chip company are here and are all catchy. With the dvd, there is an extended interview with Richard and a snippit of Karen singing "Merry Christmas Darling" from their Christmas special. Richard has gone on with his life and career, producing posthumus albums featuring work leads, outtakes, and unreleased live versions of their hits, and solo albums. Karen's solo album, produced in 1979 by Phil Ramone, was shelved until 1996. As of this writing, there is rumored another version of Karen's album is in the works featuring all the tracks recorded in New York.