She has the most beautiful, smooth low range of any female singer I know. I love her range and the fact that she never seems to strain on highs or lows. She is my all time favorite female singer.
Her voice is so smooth and comfortable and lovely. It's just timeless. Around the holidays check out their Christmas music. It's beautiful. She was gone way too soon. I am so glad people can still hear her. Technology is wonderful in that way.
Karen was a very talented drummer. She was the drummer for her brother Richard's band before they asked to be lead singer. Richard is a talented songwriter/singer/musician. Their harmonies are beautiful. There is a video of Karen doing a drumming solo performance which is brilliant. Well worth watching.
Kaysee here ... this is one of my favourite Carpenters songs. Can I possibly suggest two others for you to react to in the future ... "Yesterday Once More" and "Superstar". I grew up listing to the Carpenters and Karen's voice was one of a kind. We lost her way to soon 😔
You two are always so much fun!! Susie you look Spectacular!! You guys are great together.. Carpenters were pretty awesome. I was in a Special Choir that was supposed to sing with them when I was in Middle School back in the early 80s, but Karen had gotten sick and they cancelled the performance last minute... talk about a heart broken kid.. Wish I could have met her as I probably would have that day..
When they toured in England, Paul McCartney invited them to meet him in his studio. He told Karen she was his favorite female singer. Later that day during a press conference, an interviewer asked her about a review where the reviewer claimed Karen had “big hips”. Tragic story.
I confess. I assumed that Wolf HunterZ were just fans of heavy metal and hard rock. Thanks for commenting on the legendary Carpenters whose extraordinary talents and performances stand the test of time across all musical genres.
Just for fun... at Christmas... try the album, A Christmas Portrait from beginning to end. It's a total holiday package, undoubtedly arranged by Richard, which melds some of her/their Yuletide numbers with other favorites, either choral, orchestra, or piano. My favorite!
I like a sad song when I’m sad because I feel like someone else gets it too. Makes me feel better , does that make sense? Great reaction, the Carpenters were amazing❤❤
I am a massive prog rock fan but I have always listerned to the carpenters karen what a beautiful silky voice you had every time I listen to the carpenters which is a lot i get very nostalgic tearful karen you are a genius legend you are so sadly missed
I like a lot of female vocalists, but Karen had no peers then or now. She was masterful at singing the songs and squeezing every bit of emotion out of them. Her brother Richard arranged all the records, which elevated the procuctione even more. Props ro Rich.
She is known as One Take Karen meaning she did not need rehearsal she got it first try. I read that one time she had lyrics written on a napkin and just read and sang it just once. Love them
She started out as a drummer. Her brother, Richard, had to push her into singing at first. She always thought of herself as a drummer who sang. Try "Help, Mr. Guder" if you want more drums by Karen...
This is not a sad song. Try listening beyond the first verse. Its a song about how she knows smeone loves and comforts her when she is feeling down. Its about comfort not sadness.
Not sure if you guys look at any other reactors, but "Wings of Pegasus" did three or four of Karen's tunes and he puts them on a pitch analyzer and breaks down the vocals on a technical level - if you're ever curious about Karen Carpenter's natural pitch, you might check out his reaction library and watch the pitch returns as she moves through the songs.... amazing....
Googled: Throughout the 1970s, Karen and Richard were nominated numerous times for Grammy Awards. They won three Grammy Awards, and had two songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The two Carpenters' songs: “Close to You” and “We've Only Just Begun”. The Carpenters won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus for "(They Long To Be) Close To You".
The Carpenters were a class act in the late 60's and 70's, Karen's voice is like liquid gold and Richard is a genius managing their group. My childhood wouldn't have been the same, lots of great memories. Believe it or not, Karen was very shy and didn't want to be upfront singing, she wanted to just play the drums. Glad they talked her out of that one, it would have been a big loss for all of us.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Prince, Elton John, Luther Vandross, MJ among others were huge fans of The Carpenters and Karens voice and drumming. Paul McCartney said she had the best female voice in the world…great tone, melodic, distinctive. ❤❤
Im 69 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, We've Only Just Begun, A Place To Hideaway, Goodbye To Love, 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
Karen was an award-winning jazz drummer as a teenager...before she started singing. Voted Best Drummer in the World, I believe, by Playboy Magazine in the 1970s. You simply must react to "This Masquerade!" Karen's gorgeous voice and fabulous jazz piano and flute solos by Richard Carpenter and Bob Messenger will amaze you!!
Thanks for the reaction. Karen not only had a great voice. She could convey the emotion of the song better than anyone. Talent layered upon talent. Yet, she never could find enduring happiness in her life. Is sad.
Beautiful. Elton John once said that Karen, Eva Cassidy and Judith Durham (Australia's "The Seekers") were the female vocalists with the purest voices he'd ever heard.
"Judith Durham, like Karen Carpenter and Eva Cassidy, possesses the purest voice in popular music. When she recorded one of my songs I was so flattered and love her version. She made the song her own - a very enviable talent.’ Nothing about the best he'd ever heard.
I invite you to take a trip down the rabbit hole of Carpenters catalog. You will find amazing cuts like SUPERSTAR, FOR ALL WE KNOW, HURTING EACH OTHER; just to name a few. Then, check out Tori Holub. She mostly covers Carpenters music and has been gifted with a voice that is so similar to Karen's, it's crazy great. The bear goes on!
I think, in this case (though I'm not an expert), it was a harmonica, not a blues harp. Both are the same instrument but it is all about the key. I used to play harmonica a little. They are sold in 12 different keys to match whatever key the song is in. Blowing through the first 4 holes gives you a major chord in whatever key the harmonica is. However, a "blues harp" player would use a different key than the rest of the band which is, I think, a perfect fourth above what the rest of the band is playing. So, if the song is in the key of "G", for example, a blues harp player would pull out his "C" harmonica. This allows him to hit the "blue notes", not just the major scale. It changes which holes the player blows and draws through. There is more emphasis on the draw rather than the blow because you can bend notes on the draw but not the blow. I hope that makes sense.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for playing my request. Karen perhaps arguably had the best voice of all time.
I would 100% put Karen at the number 1 spot for a female vocalist of all time! I've been saying it for years!
Great pick, thank you. She is on my Rushmore for sure.
She would get my vote.
@@Ted-FitzGerald I tend to agree.
Yes, she did. I melt when I listen to her.
one of the greatest singers ever to wak tis Earth! RIP Karen
That voice❤
That angelic voice! It simple gets no better than that.
Voice of the Century
She was an incredible drummer too.
some big magazine rated drummers one year and placed Karen higher than John Bonahm...Bonzo was drunk an PISSED
She was good. Not incredible.
@@daveheesen9174 Proving that those contests are more popularity than talent. Never read anywhere wher John as pissed. Not his style.
She has the most beautiful, smooth low range of any female singer I know. I love her range and the fact that she never seems to strain on highs or lows. She is my all time favorite female singer.
i absolutely loved her! truly missed!
Now you need to do The Carpenters' signature song "We've Only Just Begun". "Superstar" is another must listen!
Ooooooh yes to both of these!!!! Please!!!!
PLEASE Play more Carpenters....THEY are incredible,and should NOT be overlooked!! And,Ty for reacting to this one! UP Vote!
This is exquisite! As is all the Carpenters songs
Absolutely love Karen Carpenter.
Back when talent was everything.
She has the most amazing tone.
Her voice is so smooth and comfortable and lovely. It's just timeless. Around the holidays check out their Christmas music. It's beautiful. She was gone way too soon. I am so glad people can still hear her. Technology is wonderful in that way.
Smiling through the tears,
As a teenager Karen’s voice was the first one I fell in love with. Her tone is like liquid gold.
solitaire by the carpenters is exceptional... love for you to react to it..... thank you..
Her voice is like velvet, so incredibly smooth ❤
#1 on my top 10 fave female singers.
Karen said that "the money is in the basement", so she knew ppl enjoyed her lower register 💚🎶🎵
Any time it rains on Monday I say it's a "Karen Carpenter" day. Some people get it. Nice review.
the tone of the voice is just fire
Karen was a very talented drummer. She was the drummer for her brother Richard's band before they asked to be lead singer. Richard is a talented songwriter/singer/musician. Their harmonies are beautiful. There is a video of Karen doing a drumming solo performance which is brilliant. Well worth watching.
Kaysee here ... this is one of my favourite Carpenters songs. Can I possibly suggest two others for you to react to in the future ... "Yesterday Once More" and "Superstar". I grew up listing to the Carpenters and Karen's voice was one of a kind. We lost her way to soon 😔
Paul Williams and Roger Nichols wrote it. Hal Blaine played drums on the studio hit. Richard sang backup and played keyboards.
In case you ever wondered what a Contralto sounds like, now you know.
You two are always so much fun!! Susie you look Spectacular!! You guys are great together.. Carpenters were pretty awesome. I was in a Special Choir that was supposed to sing with them when I was in Middle School back in the early 80s, but Karen had gotten sick and they cancelled the performance last minute... talk about a heart broken kid.. Wish I could have met her as I probably would have that day..
The GOAT!!! John Lennon told her she had the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. She thought he was kidding. Gone WAAY too soon. RIP Karen.
It was Paul McCartney who described Karen as "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive."
When they toured in England, Paul McCartney invited them to meet him in his studio. He told Karen she was his favorite female singer. Later that day during a press conference, an interviewer asked her about a review where the reviewer claimed Karen had “big hips”. Tragic story.
She's been gone for 42 years and she's still the best and most talented female "pop" vocalist and drummer in the world.
GOSH - Karen's vocals are JUST UNMATCHED! Richard's compositions and arrangements, as well!! So SAD that she's no longer with us. RIP, KAREN!
FABULOUS
One of the best voices ever, and she was a good drummer too. RIP
One of the few singers with perfect pitch now that youn heard her sing now watch her drum solo's
One of the purest & melancholic voices from the 1970s. Loved their songs especially Karen’s heartfelt singing. ❤
They also sang their own backup vocals.
She was a great drummer
Karen Carpenter has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard
I confess. I assumed that Wolf HunterZ were just fans of heavy metal and hard rock. Thanks for commenting on the legendary Carpenters whose extraordinary talents and performances stand the test of time across all musical genres.
One of the modest natural voices ever. Check out there other songs. Beautiful !!!! X
Often overlooked because of her vocals is the amazing arrangement work on these songs by her brother Richard. He was awesome doing these arrangements.
I am not comprehending what i am comprehending 😅❤
I agree with you Karen's low vocals were amazing!!
Just for fun... at Christmas... try the album, A Christmas Portrait from beginning to end. It's a total holiday package, undoubtedly arranged by Richard, which melds some of her/their Yuletide numbers with other favorites, either choral, orchestra, or piano. My favorite!
Rich has said that it should have been Karens solo album, 'it was all her magic'.
It is the only Christmas Album that I own, I purchased it in the 80's.
Best Christmas album ever!! No contest.
I like a sad song when I’m sad because I feel like someone else gets it too. Makes me feel better , does that make sense? Great reaction, the Carpenters were amazing❤❤
Cant believe you two hvnt done so much if this #1 female singer!!😢😢
I am a massive prog rock fan but I have always listerned to the carpenters karen what a beautiful silky voice you had every time I listen to the carpenters which is a lot i get very nostalgic tearful karen you are a genius legend you are so sadly missed
one of the best songs ever
Thank you 🙏🏻 for your reaction to this Carpenters song.🎉
Karen had THE most beautiful voice ❤❤❤
IMO Karen is the greatest female vocalist ever !! EVER !! Her voice was flawless and effortless !! Rest easy Karen we will never forget you 🙏🙏🙏
Superstar is another great song. Karen's voice has the perfect emotional longing and sadness on that one.
I like a lot of female vocalists, but Karen had no peers then or now. She was masterful at singing the songs and squeezing every bit of emotion out of them. Her brother Richard arranged all the records, which elevated the procuctione even more. Props ro Rich.
Sublime, exquisite,Need I say more .
She is known as One Take Karen meaning she did not need rehearsal she got it first try. I read that one time she had lyrics written on a napkin and just read and sang it just once. Love them
Guys, she does a great Drum solo.
She started out as a drummer. Her brother, Richard, had to push her into singing at first. She always thought of herself as a drummer who sang. Try "Help, Mr. Guder" if you want more drums by Karen...
Karen is just so smooth when she sits there and plays the drums and sings she has the most beautiful voice it should hear some of her other songs
This song is one of my favourites from them, alongside This Masquerade and I Need To Be In Love.
Paul Williams wrote this, and We've only Just Begin for the Carpenters and several others.
They say Karen's voice was pitch perfect!
Legendary. Nobody did melancholy like Karen.
Her brother is the gentleman on the piano back vocals. Beginning
Amazing video love it Enjoy your day off Love you both Stay safe
There are good singers, great singers and then there is Karen Carpenter. So good.
This is not a sad song. Try listening beyond the first verse. Its a song about how she knows smeone loves and comforts her when she is feeling down. Its about comfort not sadness.
Would love you to react to 'This Masquerade'
A must listen to is Superstar
Her brother on the piano and singing.
Good
Sweet memories ❤️
Enjoying your reactions guys. You gotta check out the studio version of “Close to You”. Keep up the good work.
Big hit. Reached #2.
Not sure if you guys look at any other reactors, but "Wings of Pegasus" did three or four of Karen's tunes and he puts them on a pitch analyzer and breaks down the vocals on a technical level - if you're ever curious about Karen Carpenter's natural pitch, you might check out his reaction library and watch the pitch returns as she moves through the songs.... amazing....
Googled: Throughout the 1970s, Karen and Richard were nominated numerous times for Grammy Awards. They won three Grammy Awards, and had two songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The two Carpenters' songs: “Close to You” and “We've Only Just Begun”. The Carpenters won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus for "(They Long To Be) Close To You".
The Carpenters were a class act in the late 60's and 70's, Karen's voice is like liquid gold and Richard is a genius managing their group. My childhood wouldn't have been the same, lots of great memories. Believe it or not, Karen was very shy and didn't want to be upfront singing, she wanted to just play the drums. Glad they talked her out of that one, it would have been a big loss for all of us.
Karen & Richard actually did the background vocals too. Karen thought of herself as a drummer who sang. Her voice was unwordly...may she RIP 🙏 🕊🌹
7 octave range.
From nearly bass baritone, to nearly soprano tenor.
Most unique and pure female voice of all time.
need to react to her drum solos !
Do more of her!!
Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Prince, Elton John, Luther Vandross, MJ among others were huge fans of The Carpenters and Karens voice and drumming. Paul McCartney said she had the best female voice in the world…great tone, melodic, distinctive. ❤❤
Karen Carpenter was like BUTTAH!
Im 69 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, We've Only Just Begun, A Place To Hideaway, Goodbye To Love, 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
Karen was an award-winning jazz drummer as a teenager...before she started singing. Voted Best Drummer in the World, I believe, by Playboy Magazine in the 1970s. You simply must react to "This Masquerade!" Karen's gorgeous voice and fabulous jazz piano and flute solos by Richard Carpenter and Bob Messenger will amaze you!!
It was said that Karen had perfect pitch. A very rare talent and sure shows it in every song she sings.
Thanks for the reaction. Karen not only had a great voice. She could convey the emotion of the song better than anyone. Talent layered upon talent. Yet, she never could find enduring happiness in her life. Is sad.
The person on the keyboard is her brother who i think wrote most of the songs. Very talented family in all.
Richard wrote a few songs but many more were written by Paul Williams….Leon Russel wrote ….superstar….a song for you …and masquerade
@@eggy1962Actually he wrote or co-wrote 22 of their songs.
@ no argument on songs but major hits i think williams/ nicholls name appears a lot
@ My source shows John Bettis/Richard Carpenter.
@ just looked on wiki it’s 50 song credits of which 7 were big hits imo
You're hearing the studio version in this video. All the backing vocals are her and her brother Richard multitracked.
❤
Beautiful. Elton John once said that Karen, Eva Cassidy and Judith Durham (Australia's "The Seekers") were the female vocalists with the purest voices he'd ever heard.
"Judith Durham, like Karen Carpenter and Eva Cassidy, possesses the purest voice in popular music. When she recorded one of my songs I was so flattered and love her version. She made the song her own - a very enviable talent.’
Nothing about the best he'd ever heard.
@@Coowallsky Sorry I've obviously taken a liberty by interpreting the purest voices to mean the best
This song was written by Paul Williams and and his writing partner about his sister
Close to you
Hope you check out their song "Close to You" someday. Great hit!
Playing the drums while singing is very difficult.
React to The Carpenters "Superstar" -- it's the best.
Check out her drum solo.
Studio version of A Song for You
You should watch Karen playing drums oh the carpenters TV speical
She was so good. What a tragedy.
I invite you to take a trip down the rabbit hole of Carpenters catalog. You will find amazing cuts like SUPERSTAR, FOR ALL WE KNOW, HURTING EACH OTHER; just to name a few.
Then, check out Tori Holub. She mostly covers Carpenters music and has been gifted with a voice that is so similar to Karen's, it's crazy great.
The bear goes on!
I think, in this case (though I'm not an expert), it was a harmonica, not a blues harp. Both are the same instrument but it is all about the key. I used to play harmonica a little. They are sold in 12 different keys to match whatever key the song is in. Blowing through the first 4 holes gives you a major chord in whatever key the harmonica is. However, a "blues harp" player would use a different key than the rest of the band which is, I think, a perfect fourth above what the rest of the band is playing. So, if the song is in the key of "G", for example, a blues harp player would pull out his "C" harmonica. This allows him to hit the "blue notes", not just the major scale. It changes which holes the player blows and draws through. There is more emphasis on the draw rather than the blow because you can bend notes on the draw but not the blow. I hope that makes sense.