I was actually at this concert at Walter Reed Army Hospital. My husband was being treated for cancer that we now know was probably caused by agent orange when he served in South East Asia. This show brought be Ed Sullivan was a real treat during a difficult time . I loved The Carpenters ever after.
She was a bad ass muso for sure .. can't believe they pulled her more and more away from the kit as their fame grew. NOTHING is cooler than watching Karen shred those drums and sing like an angel. There haven't been many quality drummer/singers, male or female, and Karen was the BEST.
What an amazing talent Karen Carpenter was! Not only a superb singer, but to play the drums with feel and always looking so relaxed and playing everything needed to make the music sound so good. I`m a professional drummer with my own Big Band and Jazz Quartet and I know Karen loved playing those Ludwig drums and she was an excellent drummer. Plus Richard doing those amazing arrangements is why this Burt Bacharach Medley is a winner. To do this all live outdoors and sounding so tight and with so much feel for the music is why bands like this you hardly ever hear today.
This is amazing. To play drums in a medley such as this with so many tempo changes requires a lot of skill and dynamic finesse . She could have been a show drummer on Broadway or the West End in London. She has an old school drumming style that is low in volume but doesn't lose intensity or feel. Then, singing whilst doing all of that almost requires two brains because you are playing two different roles. She makes it look easy. The whole band including the backing vocalists are incredible.
She studied with Hal Blaine, of the the greatest session drummers of all time, especially for pop music. You're spot-on about her playing being very tasty.
@@jonathanrodgers4893without her drums, she wasn’t fulfilling her God given talent. By having to give that up, she was probably lost. Its very sad she needed to move forward. I understand that she would not have been the success she was if she kept at the drums.
@@derekmyers3258 I appreciate your words. Unless you are being sarcastic bc you never know with youtube comments! When you are expressing a gift that was given to you, you have joy. I used to feel that way when aI ran long distance and when I painted something as a child. Or played my guitar and sang. In a way her voice, also a blessing , was in competition with her drumming. So the talent that would make her a star won out. With touring, they wanted her in the front, and I also understand she was an introvert. Singing AND playing the drums is what she probably most wanted to do. I sing in the same key she does so it was always easier for me to sing with her than any other singer.
Jeez, were they good? Karen's voice, Richard's arrangements and a superb backing band. Sorely missed, especially in today's pop music scene. I consider myself lucky to have lived through the Carpenter's careers.
Yeah. I'm 51, and as a teenager in the 80s I was always led to believe their music was boring easy listening. I am also a rock guitarist and pianist. I only recently discovered that Karen had a pitch perfect awesome voice and was a bad ass drummer. She was awesome .. one of the best singers ever, and clearly the best drummer/singer period. I read that Jon Bonham was pissed she beat him in a drummer poll. I don't know why .. she was seriously good on a kit. Maybe it was because he was a pioneer drummer whereas she wasn't - but still, she sang like an angel at the same time!
@zx7-rr486 That was so nice. I still listen to the Carpenters. Yes, her voice was so mic friendly and beautifully haunting! Richard wrote a song called, "I kept on loving you," which is easy, and one of my favorites. I started listening to them because I was a young, female drummer, and yep, she nailed those drums. She does great on "Wipeout." 🙋♀️🎶🎊💥
Yes, I was a gigging musician during the 1960's, while a teenager in Spain and Washington DC. I took the Carpenters for granted back then. But now, in my 70's I have a renewed appreciation for them. Have you seen the duet: Karen + Ella Fitzgerald?
My god that voice is velvet. Chocolate for the ears. No autotune. Today's "talent" is nothing in comparison. Just incredible god-given talent. What a LOSS! I will love Karen and Richard until the day I die!
I’m looking for their monitoring system. Hearing yourself singing is the most challenging part of live performance. We never had wedge monitors or a decent PA in childhood bands, and it was horrible! Hard to sing in key and harmonize without good monitors and sound levels; especially if it’s loud rock music. The Carpenters had a lot of money behind them, so I’m sure they had the best gear and engineers. Karen stated they toured with about 25 people.
The people who forced Karen from behind the drum kit broke her-she was phenominal singing and playing drums- The band Night Ranger has a singing drummer Kelly Keagy.....he turns his kit sideways so the audience sees what he is doing- Had they did that with Karen her love of drumming and singing would have been kept intact-she was a drummer before her voice was discovered- She had playing complicated grooves and singing mastered-as this outside live performance shows-shame on those who split her talents-they got her voice out front.....and broke her spirit..... She is with God now.....He already had Karen's new drum kit ready to play including her vocal mic permanently mounted there-
Her singing alone, of course, legendary. Her drumming alone, she slays it. BOTH TOGETHER?! Do you know how difficult that is? This is a live, unadulterated performance. My goodness, we have lost so much with her death. Richard is a genius arranger and SO underrated and not respected enough for his work.
I’m a rock guy through and through but there is just no denying the unbelievable talent that this lovely woman had! She had the voice of an angel with a richness and soul like nobody before or since! The fact that she started out as a drummer and didn’t even imagine herself singing is pretty mind blowing.
She was exceptionally talented at such a young age, only 20 here. I love the raw power of her voice in the early days. RIP Miss Karen and thank you for the music.
Thank, Karen! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 She'll be forever in our heart, every time we hear The Carpenters! Great band! Excelent performances!! Thankfull! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Karen displays a very powerful voice at times during this performance, and quite high. Something that really was never captured on the recordings. I never knew she could sing with such power. Her voice was simply flawless.
Yes. In their earlier days, Karen sang naturally with what they call an "edge". That means she wasn't soft & fluffy all the time, as they'd transformed her to be in mid 70's. I loved it when she sang like an Angel, along with, "don't mess with me" vibes! 😎
Holy crap!!! I am watching and amazed that I believe this is performed live since so much was lip synched at that time for TV. No in-ear monitors. No close micing of the drums. No auto-tune. Listen to those harmonies. Performed outside! Listen to the balance between instruments and vocals. Name me any performer or group today who could sound this good under these conditions. And Karen is playing real drum beats and her vocals don't suffer AT ALL! This is truly an amazing performance.
2:28 -- Looks like it was his index finger, and he was conducting/emphasizing the false stop. I think he was too professional and too aware of his surroundings to get caught on camera flipping someone off. Now then, if you look very carefully at 3:26, you'll see that he briefly moons an elderly couple.
DrummerDan Back in those days, they didn't use ear monitors. What you heard is what you got, and when I see groups like Bon Jovi performing to 50,000++, I wonder how they stayed in tune before they started using ear monitors, but there are plenty of videos on here of them as well as many other singers before ear monitors were invented. When the fans are screaming, it has to be impossible to know you're singing in tune, but since I can't sing, I don't know what it's like. When I watched this again, several days or more later than my ORIGINAL reply, I realize that there are at least 2 other male voices singing as well as playing guitar behind Richard and Karen so they could be creating the harmony that we hear from just Rich and Karen on their albums.
@JOHNONZ2 I respect your opinion but I have to disagree a little bit. I guess that's because he was before my time. I had just graduated high school a couple of months before he died, but I truly loved a few of his songs, Kentucky Rain, Suspicious Minds, and my very favorite was In the Ghetto. That's why I can't really agree with you. I've listened to those songs enough times that he is like Karen, they each have voices that can't be duplicated.
Lip syncing was more common in modern times unless you include things like bandstand, musicians back then performed like this so were well versed in playing live, the level of skill required years ago was higher than today. Many live bands today rely on smoke and mirrors, dozens of dancers, tv screens, light shows, fireworks etc etc, to pad out the performance, groups end up on stage almost lost amongst what look more like a theatre production than a rock performance. They didn't need to entertain people with theatrical tricks and a cast of 100s back in those day's, they went on and performed
I saw the Carpenters perform in person in 1969. Close to You was the first song I ever sang to my toddler son. They were great and Karen was, of course, taken too soon from us. My heart hurts today because Burt Bacharach is the composer who chronicled my life from my 20's to today. His genius cannot be duplicated. RIP Burt and thank you for 60+ years of musical magic.
I sang and played piano with my toddler girl from 1971 to all of 'The Bacharach and David Song Book' while she sat on my lap and a bit later was able to sit next to me at the piano. Fond memories and yes my little girl is now a hot keyboardist and she knows it although she went on to become a dentist. No kidding. From musicality to dentistry. Where did I go wrong? Dean Seattle
Great to hear about everyone's talent n great memories.. I played some piano n the flute.. following along on flute. We went out as kids in high school mid 70s ..playing to nursing homes and VA. Noone dared to sing .. but we had a great jazz band doing Bacharach Carpenter, Scott McKenzie and all the talented song writers !
Never have seen this before. Oh my gosh! Fantastic video! Just shows what an awesome talent she was. I cannot think of one female performer of the past 30 years who had such talent. The smoothest voice. The unbelievable drumming. And to do it so effortlessly. Amazing. No one comes close. No one.
I'm 72, and am gearing up to move to an island in Asia. I checked it out last summer for 7 weeks. It's much as you describe: Lovely people, no guns, no crime, kids greet me with smiles as I walk along the beach. Bye bye USA. Sorry, I can't say the island's name, as I enjoy being the only resident foreigner there.
Karen"s voice was untouchable while drumming. Her meter was simply perfect. She was the only vocalist I have ever heard who's voice was even better when drumming. There will never come another.
@@the3mfs359 Haaa! Me too! I just say to myself " ok now just listen to Karen and watch what you've seen her play a million times & you can play what Karen is playing on the drums".
Besides of being very sweet of Karen Carpenter 💐💐and Richard Carpenter to perform for these Vietnam Vets, but this is a beautiful way to remember Burt Bacharach who passed away on February 8th 2023🖤🖤🌹🌹!! Most likely, Burt Bacharach was greeted by Karen Carpenter in Heaven🙏🙏👼👼!!! And Karen Carpenter 💐💐 shows her beautiful talents in singing 🎤💐💐and drumming 🥁💐💐💛💛💛💛💛!!!
Colorizing the rhythm of her singing voice independent of her drumming which is metronome exact. What a talented woman. This is not even mentioning the perfectly tight band. I am blown away.
I see a lot of Buddy Rich in her drumming techniques, and I think she played in his more calming style. I did notice that in one of her friend's high school year book, who was also a drummer in the high school band, that she mentioned Buddy Rich. So she, as a drummer, was aware of Buddy Rich, who was always on the Tonight Show.
One thing that I've always been amazed about the Carpenters is that their singing always sounded great no matter where, how, what environment or whatever you can come up with. I've watched about 25 different UA-cam Carpenter videos where they've performed all over the world, live and on a production stage, and they sound consistently great. You just don't see that with any musical group, especially those from the late '60s through the early '80s. I miss Karen!
Playing the drums so perfectly and singing just as well, isn't an every day accomplishment. Karen Carpenter was an exceptionally talented woman. One we will not likely see again in our lifetime.
Karen is so amazing playing those complicated rhythms and singing at the same time! And Richard’s amazing piano playing and arranging skills blow me away! It’s so incredibly sad that Karen died so young!
To add to your comment, Richard also had a great voice and knew how to use it, too. Karen was just out of this world, so many people don't actually get to see or hear his contribution to all this.
Just Yesterday, the Anniversary of her death. RIP Karen. How one human brain could drum & sing the complicated arrangement they performed, amazes me. Thank you, Carpenters. Thanks for posting this video.
People need to see how unbelievably talented the Carpenters were, just look at them! Karen played the drums and sang at the same time like it's nothing. It's all very natural to her. And they're playing to perfection.
Wow! How can anyone sound this good singing while playing the drums? And, she sounds better than the recording. An incredible talent. A beautiful instrument.
I also have seen a lot of Carpenters but I've never seen this one.. sweet angel Karen was so young and as always did such a wonderful professional job. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Every time I see her perform my heart aches that she's gone.
My heart will always hurt over the death of Karen Carpenter, We’re blessed to have a wonderful catalog of Carpenters music that will live on for generations to come, RIP Lead Sister!!
There are a ton of great singers belting out songs today, starting with Adele and Beyonce. What makes Karen special is that deep blue background every phrase comes out of. She's not an anthem singer, she's a singer of loneliness and sadness ("Goodbye to Love," "Road Ode"!) and we get to hear amazing music spring from that.
Wow! That voice was unbelievable at such a young age. She was radiant when she played the drums and it's a shame they made her come out from behind them. I think she felt vulnerable and stripped naked w/o them, but it's great to see her amazing talent in this clip. She was in rare form and the smile never left her face.
It wasn't a park. It was on the grounds of Walter Reed Army Hospital. I spent several months there in the spring of '71 in a ward along with 20 or 30 other wounded G.I's. Look at the faces of the men... can you see the pain and stress in those faces?
The audience was mesmerized. One of the best live-performance groups ever. Listen to the arrangement: No autotune, aural exciters, compression, chorusers, etc. Just live talent! Good enough to release!
John X yep, people used to see them as dorky, but I like to think a lot of people who love carpenters can see past the knitwear and haircuts. Now it’s the reverse , look great sound like crap and you’re made into a ( fake) star.
@@karenkramer3760 the audience is returning GIs from Vietnam war - they are struggling sadly and one can see the broken looks on their sad faces - this was such an awful time - Love the carpenters performance
So incredible!!! She was truly amazing. I wasn’t even born in a time she existed but have always been such a huge fan. There will never be anyone like her.
Not only was Karen a superb vocalist but also an excellent drummer. Kicked those skins butts! Great medley too. Losing her at such a young age still breaks our hearts.
I loved the hairstyle of Richard. As always... Karen is unmatched when it comes to her voice, some can sing and can even hit high notes, but Karen's voice is inimitable and majestic. Purely magic as if you were in a fairytale land. Karen looks so vibrant, healthy and so happy in this footage.
Absolutely BRILLIANT. This is Karen and Richard singing LIVE and SO faithful to their recordings. Carpenters do live VERY well so never understood all the lip sync they did throughout their career but guessing it was out of their control and down to management, money and time.
More talent on that stage for 6 minutes than in the last 10 Grammy shows combined.
A classic understatement. How good is this!!!
You are so correct about that...✌🏽😎🎶❤️🌹🎹🌺✨🌸🕊️✨✨We miss you, beautiful lady. Heaven is sweeter now. I bet your singing. 🎤🕊️🕊️
SORRY Dude the last 25 Grammys combined 🤩
That's for damn sure
You’re not kidding👍
I was actually at this concert at Walter Reed Army Hospital. My husband was being treated for cancer that we now know was probably caused by agent orange when he served in South East Asia. This show brought be Ed Sullivan was a real treat during a difficult time . I loved The Carpenters ever after.
Seriously singing over complex drum arrangements....as a drummer I'm blown away
And she only got better
She was a bad ass muso for sure .. can't believe they pulled her more and more away from the kit as their fame grew. NOTHING is cooler than watching Karen shred those drums and sing like an angel. There haven't been many quality drummer/singers, male or female, and Karen was the BEST.
Best female vocalist still counting in 2023.
Pure talent, nothing to match up to press 2024.
Gaz UK
No one beats her. Not Celine, not ANYONE!
Still counting the Best Female Singer and Drummer Ever in 2024❤
It’s 2024, and Karen is still the best ever.
@@unclewilbur8976 Yes, Burt Bacharach said never be another voice quite like Karen
RIP, Burt Bacharach. No one could sing and deliver your songs as beautifully as the Carpenters.
A fantastic combination of talent. RIP Burt and Karen.
I love The Carpenters and this medley, but I have heard of a Dionne Warwick who wasn’t too shabby for Burt. 😉
@@bodyawarecoach Dionne and Burt were a fabulous team.
Only Just 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Yes I could hahaha 😆
A musical genius paired with the most beautiful voice that ever was, doubt that will ever happen again.
She looked so healthy here. It amazes me how she could control her voice so well while playing the drums like that.
This clip is from 69 or 70 so yeah she's not anorexic yet.
I just love her so much and always will. My heart continues to be so sad now that she's gone
This is called GENIUS.
@@franklangstroth6074 I hope a voice like her again
Playing the drums was her true passion. She only sang because her brother convinced her too. She was more confortable just playing the drums.
The purest voice on the the planet both THEN and NOW. As for Bacharach WOW!
Ever seen a man of 63 cry? !!
What an amazing talent Karen Carpenter was! Not only a superb singer, but to play the drums with feel and always looking so relaxed and playing everything needed to make the music sound so good. I`m a professional drummer with my own Big Band and Jazz Quartet and I know Karen loved playing those Ludwig drums and she was an excellent drummer. Plus Richard doing those amazing arrangements is why this Burt Bacharach Medley is a winner. To do this all live outdoors and sounding so tight and with so much feel for the music is why bands like this you hardly ever hear today.
This is amazing. To play drums in a medley such as this with so many tempo changes requires a lot of skill and dynamic finesse . She could have been a show drummer on Broadway or the West End in London. She has an old school drumming style that is low in volume but doesn't lose intensity or feel. Then, singing whilst doing all of that almost requires two brains because you are playing two different roles. She makes it look easy.
The whole band including the backing vocalists are incredible.
She studied with Hal Blaine, of the the greatest session drummers of all time, especially for pop music. You're spot-on about her playing being very tasty.
@@jonathanrodgers4893without her drums, she wasn’t fulfilling her God given talent. By having to give that up, she was probably lost. Its very sad she needed to move forward. I understand that she would not have been the success she was if she kept at the drums.
@@debbiemartin2026 That's such a touching analysis of a beautiful and tragic life. Thank you.
@@derekmyers3258 I appreciate your words. Unless you are being sarcastic bc you never know with youtube comments!
When you are expressing a gift that was given to you, you have joy.
I used to feel that way when aI ran long distance and when I painted something as a child. Or played my guitar and sang.
In a way her voice, also a blessing , was in competition with her drumming.
So the talent that would make her a star won out.
With touring, they wanted her in the front, and I also understand she was an introvert.
Singing AND playing the drums is what she probably most wanted to do.
I sing in the same key she does so it was always easier for me to sing with her than any other singer.
From what I've learned she never wanted to sing. Correct?
That is borderline genius musicianmanship. What a great medley, and none were reading notation, ....it was all committed to memory. Stellar!
Jeez, were they good? Karen's voice, Richard's arrangements and a superb backing band. Sorely missed, especially in today's pop music scene. I consider myself lucky to have lived through the Carpenter's careers.
Still grieving for her after all these years... she truly was the voice of the heart.
Awww, my heart 💖 thanks you for posting this!
yes she deffo died at least 3 decades too early
x
Karen Carpenter had a flawless voice. Along with her brother it’s nothing short of amazing.
Remember when it wasn't cool to be a Carpenters fan? I never cared and still love their music. RIP 🙏 Karen. Gone way, way too soon.. ❤
Yeah. I'm 51, and as a teenager in the 80s I was always led to believe their music was boring easy listening. I am also a rock guitarist and pianist. I only recently discovered that Karen had a pitch perfect awesome voice and was a bad ass drummer. She was awesome .. one of the best singers ever, and clearly the best drummer/singer period. I read that Jon Bonham was pissed she beat him in a drummer poll. I don't know why .. she was seriously good on a kit. Maybe it was because he was a pioneer drummer whereas she wasn't - but still, she sang like an angel at the same time!
@zx7-rr486 That was so nice. I still listen to the Carpenters. Yes, her voice was so mic friendly and beautifully haunting! Richard wrote a song called, "I kept on loving you," which is easy, and one of my favorites.
I started listening to them because I was a young, female drummer, and yep, she nailed those drums. She does great on "Wipeout." 🙋♀️🎶🎊💥
Yes, I was a gigging musician during the 1960's, while a teenager in Spain and Washington DC. I took the Carpenters for granted back then. But now, in my 70's I have a renewed appreciation for them. Have you seen the duet: Karen + Ella Fitzgerald?
My god that voice is velvet. Chocolate for the ears. No autotune. Today's "talent" is nothing in comparison. Just incredible god-given talent. What a LOSS! I will love Karen and Richard until the day I die!
Absolutely!
Me too
Just her talent. Nothing to do with a non-existent being.
ua-cam.com/video/_mQCjHL3fiQ/v-deo.htmlsi=hDpJL_nG43QiOHgK
The vocals, all in tune, live, perfect! Never happens now!
LOL Lip Sync research it.
That's not true
I’m looking for their monitoring system. Hearing yourself singing is the most challenging part of live performance. We never had wedge monitors or a decent PA in childhood bands, and it was horrible! Hard to sing in key and harmonize without good monitors and sound levels; especially if it’s loud rock music. The Carpenters had a lot of money behind them, so I’m sure they had the best gear and engineers. Karen stated they toured with about 25 people.
@@glicmathan1771 Probably not at this small time outdoor gig, and so early on.
You need to research your brain Shelley. She was one of the sweetest most talented singers of the century. How can you dare say lip sync?
The whole package! Brilliant voice, brilliant drumming, brilliant musicianship. What an amazing talent.
The world sure is a poorer place without Karen Carpenter!
Arcadio saberon oh please don't make me cry. T - T
Arcadio saberon It sure is!!
The people who forced Karen from behind the drum kit broke her-she was phenominal singing and playing drums-
The band Night Ranger has a singing drummer Kelly Keagy.....he turns his kit sideways so the audience sees what he is doing-
Had they did that with Karen her love of drumming and singing would have been kept intact-she was a drummer before her voice was discovered-
She had playing complicated grooves and singing mastered-as this outside live performance shows-shame on those who split her talents-they got her voice out front.....and broke her spirit.....
She is with God now.....He already had Karen's new drum kit ready to play including her vocal mic permanently mounted there-
a shout out to richard as well. the composer and song writer for the carpenters.
@@damienroberts934 Rich-ER!
There is something in Karen Carpenters voice that takes me to a tender part of my soul,
People need to know how difficult it is to drum that well and sing at the same time
specially with that voice quality
yes. but the drumming is not very complex
@@sharpisharp complex ? Are you musician or arm chair?
@@lisadavenport476 i didn't talk about the quality
Thank you. Unfortunately it and hasn't been recognized. Not like males. It just is what it is.
She was a treasure..my God...killing the drums AND gorgeous singing ...and live..no lip syncing. Good grief..they were awesome.
Her singing alone, of course, legendary. Her drumming alone, she slays it. BOTH TOGETHER?! Do you know how difficult that is? This is a live, unadulterated performance. My goodness, we have lost so much with her death. Richard is a genius arranger and SO underrated and not respected enough for his work.
I’m a rock guy through and through but there is just no denying the unbelievable talent that this lovely woman had! She had the voice of an angel with a richness and soul like nobody before or since! The fact that she started out as a drummer and didn’t even imagine herself singing is pretty mind blowing.
She was exceptionally talented at such a young age, only 20 here. I love the raw power of her voice in the early days. RIP Miss Karen and thank you for the music.
Thank, Karen!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
She'll be forever in our heart, every time we hear The Carpenters!
Great band! Excelent performances!!
Thankfull!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Karen displays a very powerful voice at times during this performance, and quite high. Something that really was never captured on the recordings. I never knew she could sing with such power. Her voice was simply flawless.
@David GOAT, word!
Yes. In their earlier days, Karen sang naturally with what they call an "edge". That means she wasn't soft & fluffy all the time, as they'd transformed her to be in mid 70's.
I loved it when she sang like an Angel, along with, "don't mess with me" vibes! 😎
Holy crap!!! I am watching and amazed that I believe this is performed live since so much was lip synched at that time for TV. No in-ear monitors. No close micing of the drums. No auto-tune. Listen to those harmonies. Performed outside! Listen to the balance between instruments and vocals. Name me any performer or group today who could sound this good under these conditions. And Karen is playing real drum beats and her vocals don't suffer AT ALL! This is truly an amazing performance.
DrummerDanVA Thanks I wish they had done more live performances!
2:28 -- Looks like it was his index finger, and he was conducting/emphasizing the false stop. I think he was too professional and too aware of his surroundings to get caught on camera flipping someone off. Now then, if you look very carefully at 3:26, you'll see that he briefly moons an elderly couple.
DrummerDan Back in those days, they didn't use ear monitors. What you heard is what you got, and when I see groups like Bon Jovi performing to 50,000++, I wonder how they stayed in tune before they started using ear monitors, but there are plenty of videos on here of them as well as many other singers before ear monitors were invented. When the fans are screaming, it has to be impossible to know you're singing in tune, but since I can't sing, I don't know what it's like. When I watched this again, several days or more later than my ORIGINAL reply, I realize that there are at least 2 other male voices singing as well as playing guitar behind Richard and Karen so they could be creating the harmony that we hear from just Rich and Karen on their albums.
@JOHNONZ2 I respect your opinion but I have to disagree a little bit. I guess that's because he was before my time. I had just graduated high school a couple of months before he died, but I truly loved a few of his songs, Kentucky Rain, Suspicious Minds, and my very favorite was In the Ghetto. That's why I can't really agree with you. I've listened to those songs enough times that he is like Karen, they each have voices that can't be duplicated.
Lip syncing was more common in modern times unless you include things like bandstand, musicians back then performed like this so were well versed in playing live, the level of skill required years ago was higher than today.
Many live bands today rely on smoke and mirrors, dozens of dancers, tv screens, light shows, fireworks etc etc, to pad out the performance, groups end up on stage almost lost amongst what look more like a theatre production than a rock performance.
They didn't need to entertain people with theatrical tricks and a cast of 100s back in those day's, they went on and performed
I saw the Carpenters perform in person in 1969. Close to You was the first song I ever sang to my toddler son. They were great and Karen was, of course, taken too soon from us. My heart hurts today because Burt Bacharach is the composer who chronicled my life from my 20's to today. His genius cannot be duplicated.
RIP Burt and thank you for 60+ years of musical magic.
I sang and played piano with my toddler girl from 1971 to all of 'The Bacharach and David Song Book' while she sat on my lap and a bit later was able to sit next to me at the piano. Fond memories and yes my little girl is now a hot keyboardist and she knows it although she went on to become a dentist. No kidding. From musicality to dentistry. Where did I go wrong?
Dean
Seattle
😊
Lucky you.
Great to hear about everyone's talent n great memories.. I played some piano n the flute.. following along on flute. We went out as kids in high school mid 70s ..playing to nursing homes and VA. Noone dared to sing .. but we had a great jazz band doing Bacharach Carpenter, Scott McKenzie and all the talented song writers !
By far, the best video of Karen singing and drumming. Unbelievable talent.
You kinda take for granted just how good Karen was then you see this performance and are blown away again.
@@seedsofhopeonline she was the BEST! SO musical, sincere... pitch perfected... heart felt... PLAYING an instrument... and singing...
You should see her drumming with the jazz trio before this!!!
Never have seen this before. Oh my gosh! Fantastic video! Just shows what an awesome talent she was. I cannot think of one female performer of the past 30 years who had such talent. The smoothest voice. The unbelievable drumming. And to do it so effortlessly. Amazing. No one comes close. No one.
@Susan KellyYeah, I would stare in awe, too! lol This was live and woweee! Beats anything today.....for sure!
Live, outside, with none of today's fancy technology, just raw sublime talent.
Karen was an angel put on this earth. Such a beautiful human being and talent!!
totally
❤
Takes me back to my childhood really miss these days when everything was so much simpler and people were nice to each other
I'm 72, and am gearing up to move to an island in Asia. I checked it out last summer for 7 weeks. It's much as you describe: Lovely people, no guns, no crime, kids greet me with smiles as I walk along the beach. Bye bye USA. Sorry, I can't say the island's name, as I enjoy being the only resident foreigner there.
Karen makes all these classic songs uniquely her own. What a talent. There'll never be another Karen Carpenter.
and what a real sad "A Star is Born" story...
Priceless video
Robert Rutger Too bad she commited suicide!
Shirley Walkowicz too bad youre either misinformed, a tasteless jerkoff, or both.
Shirley Walkowicz anorexia is suicide?
Karen"s voice was untouchable while drumming. Her meter was simply perfect.
She was the only vocalist I have ever heard who's voice was even better when drumming.
There will never come another.
after 45 years, i still know every word and note of this medley.
i can no linger find my house keys, but this i remember.....
same here! I still have the LP!
I knew it too for decades. I found I was slipping a bit tho from not hearing for 25 years.
Haaaa! Yeah every word embedded in my brain but now in my 60's I have to think did I just do that or was that yesterday!
LMAO!!! 58 and know what your saying. I've heard and watched this video so much, I feel I could play the drums. Ha! Ha!
@@the3mfs359 Haaa! Me too! I just say to myself " ok now just listen to Karen and watch what you've seen her play a million times & you can play what Karen is playing on the drums".
Besides of being very sweet of Karen Carpenter 💐💐and Richard Carpenter to perform for these Vietnam Vets, but this is a beautiful way to remember Burt Bacharach who passed away on February 8th 2023🖤🖤🌹🌹!! Most likely, Burt Bacharach was greeted by Karen Carpenter in Heaven🙏🙏👼👼!!! And Karen Carpenter 💐💐 shows her beautiful talents in singing 🎤💐💐and drumming 🥁💐💐💛💛💛💛💛!!!
Colorizing the rhythm of her singing voice independent of her drumming which is metronome exact. What a talented woman. This is not even mentioning the perfectly tight band. I am blown away.
Is it any surprise that one of the world’s GREATEST drummers, Buddy Rich, was quite IMPRESSED with Karen Carpenter’s drumming?
Yes actually, it is. It would be pretty much a surprise for that guy to be impressed with anyone.
And John Lennon loved her voice...
I see a lot of Buddy Rich in her drumming techniques, and I think she played in his more calming style. I did notice that in one of her friend's high school year book, who was also a drummer in the high school band, that she mentioned Buddy Rich. So she, as a drummer, was aware of Buddy Rich, who was always on the Tonight Show.
Those harmonies...oh my god! This is real music!
Perfect voice and perfect rhythm. Karen is having a wonderful time. Totally in her element and on top of the world!
One thing that I've always been amazed about the Carpenters is that their singing always sounded great no matter where, how, what environment or whatever you can come up with. I've watched about 25 different UA-cam Carpenter videos where they've performed all over the world, live and on a production stage, and they sound consistently great. You just don't see that with any musical group, especially those from the late '60s through the early '80s. I miss Karen!
The musicality of The Carpenters never ceases to amaze me.
Playing the drums so perfectly and singing just as well, isn't an every day accomplishment. Karen Carpenter was an exceptionally talented woman. One we will not likely see again in our lifetime.
Karen is so amazing playing those complicated rhythms and singing at the same time! And Richard’s amazing piano playing and arranging skills blow me away! It’s so incredibly sad that Karen died so young!
To add to your comment, Richard also had a great voice and knew how to use it, too. Karen was just out of this world, so many people don't actually get to see or hear his contribution to all this.
@@nirmalsuki Karen and Richard were the best right????
@@nirmalsuki oh I soooo agree…Richard has an incredible voice. And it is unspeakable sad that Karen died so young.
Karen Carpenter...quite possibly the best-singing drummer of all time!
@ShakingTwo, is possible!
I've never seen this performance before, this is awesome. Pure talent.
God! This is live! She sounds amazing as usual. She was the best by far. We
I love to see Karen playing drums
Karen Carpenter is an incredible talent that we have not seen the like of since her passing.
There were very few musicians supporting our troops back then so this was something special to see.
I mean, I love Bacharach and I love The Carpenters, so this is just sublime. All musicians here are superb.
Impeccable live performance. The Carpenters were pure talent, both in-studio and live.
Just Yesterday, the Anniversary of her death. RIP Karen.
How one human brain could drum & sing the complicated arrangement they performed, amazes me. Thank you, Carpenters.
Thanks for posting this video.
She could play other 2 or 3 instruments, write music and even act! A rare talent gone too soon.
@@renarga6886 What? She didn't play other instruments and she didn't write music.
True
@@TheLarryBrown she could play the piano and the guitar, too. And she was an amazing actress. Check out their TV specials.
Very creative, very unique, even when they sang their own songs, they'd change the composition or melody....The Carpenters were NEVER boring!
Boy, they are in the middle of the park and the sound it's just superb. What a great voice, what a perfect harmony.
I’m trying to type something enough to describe just how magical that was and words fail me. That’s all.
People need to see how unbelievably talented the Carpenters were, just look at them! Karen played the drums and sang at the same time like it's nothing. It's all very natural to her. And they're playing to perfection.
Yes, they need to see it. And they did. In 1970. Where have you been?
Live, playing drums...and her vocals are still flawless!! Karen is the G.O.A.T!!
I’ve watched a lot of the Carpenters but have never seen this one. Thanks for posting. Really neat to see.
It sure is!
Just when you think you've seen every performance, this gem is discovered, as ever a real joy to watch and listen to, thanks!
Alison rainbowz Oh there's much more footage and performances that haven't been seen in years waiting to be discovered.
Henry Jackson tell dick to release them!!!
Takes me
The Carpenters for ever. Her voice and harmonies with Richard were so good. Thanks a lot.
That she would now be seventy if she still lived. It’s been an empty 37 years without her in our lives.
This is even better then their NOTE PERFECT studio recordings... and it's LIVE!
She had such great talent. Super hard to plat drums and sing simultaneously, and to do it so effortlessly.
Fantastic voice, great drummer. The best female vocalist ever.
Karen Carpenter and Burt B --Talent beyond measure and will never be equaled.
Wow! How can anyone sound this good singing while playing the drums? And, she sounds better than the recording. An incredible talent. A beautiful instrument.
Karen Carpenter’s voice still stops me in my tracks. No one will ever come anywhere near her. Heavens Angels are taking singing lessons from Karen.
Most underrated drummer ever!
YOU TUBE DESERVES SOME KIND OF WORLD AWARD.THEY BRING JOY TO EVERYBODY WHEN STUFF LIKE THIS SURFACES.
spectrumlocalb191 You’re so right. UA-cam is best thing internet has provided mankind when it comes to remembrance and joy.
Totally agree. I can’t believe I found this.... bravo you tube!
The bést of their time.They are truly unforgeattable!
The harmonies, esp "Walk on By"... sublime
I feel so privileged to have gotten to see them in concert live. What a special treat that was.
I also have seen a lot of Carpenters but I've never seen this one.. sweet angel Karen was so young and as always did such a wonderful professional job. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Every time I see her perform my heart aches that she's gone.
What a gem! The Carpenters were tremendous and Karen was absolutely anointed! I miss her so...
That voice is angelic. So natural & mic friendly! ❤Karen Carpenter
Harmonic beauty. Absolutely stunning. No screaming like today's singer's.
Karen was a great drummer and singer as well, Richard was the musical genius, together
They made it exceptional ,
The Carpenters !!
My heart will always hurt over the death of Karen Carpenter, We’re blessed to have a wonderful catalog of Carpenters music that will live on for generations to come, RIP Lead Sister!!
Singing with a voice from heaven , while playing the drums, pure talent. Aloha
RIP Karen you were an absolute legend!
NOTHING today even comes close to Karen Carpenter/Carpenters. Talent, vocals, sound......often imitated.......NEVER duplicated. Simply fantastic.
Pitch perfect! Simply amazing. No one even close to her talent exists today.
There are a ton of great singers belting out songs today, starting with Adele and Beyonce. What makes Karen special is that deep blue background every phrase comes out of. She's not an anthem singer, she's a singer of loneliness and sadness ("Goodbye to Love," "Road Ode"!) and we get to hear amazing music spring from that.
However those singers you mentioned, didn't play drums at all, no less perfectly while singing.
Wow! That voice was unbelievable at such a young age. She was radiant when she played the drums and it's a shame they made her come out from behind them. I think she felt vulnerable and stripped naked w/o them, but it's great to see her amazing talent in this clip. She was in rare form and the smile never left her face.
Karen Carpenter, the voice of an angel who left this earth much too soon. I'm sure she is up in heaven singing.
Imagine being there and witnessing this level of brilliance just floating across that park. That voice still almost defies belief.
It wasn't a park. It was on the grounds of Walter Reed Army Hospital. I spent several months there in the spring of '71 in a ward along with 20 or 30 other wounded G.I's. Look at the faces of the men... can you see the pain and stress in those faces?
@@r.j.rausch4365 yes. terrible.
You would be the only live one.
Correction...did not know it was a veterans hospital. Much respect.
This is a gem, just what those Vietnam vets needed.
I really like these earlier recordings when she played drums and sang.
This brilliant musical talent has never been surpassed. This was a time when great exponents appeared with expertise and sensitivity.
The audience was mesmerized. One of the best live-performance groups ever. Listen to the arrangement: No autotune, aural exciters, compression, chorusers, etc. Just live talent! Good enough to release!
They were SO amazing!
John X yep, people used to see them as dorky, but I like to think a lot of people who love carpenters can see past the knitwear and haircuts. Now it’s the reverse , look great sound like crap and you’re made into a ( fake) star.
@@Eleventhearlofmars you nailed it..!
You are so right
@@karenkramer3760 the audience is returning GIs from Vietnam war - they are struggling sadly and one can see the broken looks on their sad faces - this was such an awful time - Love the carpenters performance
So incredible!!! She was truly amazing. I wasn’t even born in a time she existed but have always been such a huge fan. There will never be anyone like her.
Not only was Karen a superb vocalist but also an excellent drummer. Kicked those skins butts! Great medley too. Losing her at such a young age still breaks our hearts.
How many other vocalists could do something this well live and without any electronic manipulation? What a glorious voice gone much, much too soon!
I loved the hairstyle of Richard. As always... Karen is unmatched when it comes to her voice, some can sing and can even hit high notes, but Karen's voice is inimitable and majestic. Purely magic as if you were in a fairytale land. Karen looks so vibrant, healthy and so happy in this footage.
Richard should have kept his hair longer...it would have given them more of a "cool" factor.
"Prince Valiant Helmut"
She looks great and seems like she's enjoying performing.
@@juanmonge8
Juan, Richard DOES look like Prince Valiant (and also like one of the guys in “The Loving Spoonful”)!
Holy crap, have I seen anyone as talented as Karen Carperter, new fan here guys...
Absolutely BRILLIANT. This is Karen and Richard singing LIVE and SO faithful to their recordings. Carpenters do live VERY well so never understood all the lip sync they did throughout their career but guessing it was out of their control and down to management, money and time.
One of the greatest, perfect voices ever. And is there anything more compelling than a great female drummer? And that she does both at the same time?
What a voice, my God! An angel signining and druming!
Holy moly, what a performance! Karen is sorely missed but thank god that so much was preserved! We get to revisit her anytime!
Pure talent, karen's amazing voice soothes the soul.God's angel now.
I’m astounded by her perfect voice every time I hear it. What a tragedy losing her so young. So, so sad.