This version of "Superstar" was originally recorded in 1971 for their 3rd studio album [Carpenters] Karen Carpenter - vocals, drums, Richard Carpenter - arranger, piano, harpsichord, Wurlitzer electric piano, Hammond organ, vocals, orchestration, Hal Blaine - drums, Jim Horn - reeds. Earl Dumler - oboe on "For All We Know", Bob Messenger - bass, reeds, Tommy Morgan - harmonica. This version was recorded in 2018 at Abby Road Studios from the original master with original musicians and vocals but with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra added. Again Richard did the producing, arranging and directed the Philharmonic. He recorded 18 of Carpenters hits that way and released "Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" in Dec. of 2018. It contained "Yesterday Once More" "Hurting Each Other" "Touch Me When We're Dancing" For All We Know" "I Need to Be in Love" "I Believe You "I Just Fall in Love Again" "Merry Christmas, Darling" "Baby It's You" "(They Long to Be) Close to You" "Superstar" "Rainy Days and Mondays" "This Masquerade" "Ticket to Ride" "Goodbye to Love" "Top of the World" "We've Only Just Begun".
Hi Empress, Glad you’re back with Karen and Carpenters. Merry Christmas, Darling was the song you were quoting. I’m seeing this on Christmas night as you just dropped it. You listed this a a Live, it is not. It is a mime/lip-sync to the album track. It was shot during the same time they shot the Rainy Days and Mondays promo video also. At the Desert Inn Casino Hotel (gone now) in Las Vegas. This was the recording that birthed the legend of “One Take Karen.” Karen was singing a practice take. The booth came back, we got it Karen. She was ready to go again, they had perfection on the first take. Karen was amazing, I was 14 when Close To You was topping the charts and I was hooked. It took 40 years since her passing for my ears to perk up. Nowadays every one is pitch corrected/autotuned AI what ever. I listen to 70’s on 7 and selective UA-cam videos of oldies. A year ago October UA-cam said I should watch this video, you know the recommended list. It was a Carpenters song. They had my attention. Someone else who thinks they sound like Karen. Ruh Roh, my head exploded and I’ve been asking reactors to watch , especially if you are familiar with Karen. Empress, I’m 68 years old and an OG Carpenters fan. You need to watch the video below. It’s Tori Holub (Ha-Luhb) 21 and her collaborator James Wilkas (my age range). The song is one you’ve reacted to. Close To You. They’ve done three songs together and there’s the song that started it all that Tori made first. I always make sure when I ask, that the reactor is familiar with Carpenters. She has other songs that I can use if they aren’t but this is all of it. If you take my suggestion, you will want more and there is more. To give you a point of reference that I’m not kidding. Last April she was invited to sing (with 7 other acts) at the Carpenters 55th Anniversary, in Downey, California. She was the youngest performer at 20. One of the senior singers said she stole the show. These people all pay tribute to Karen each in their own ways and from different parts of the world. Tori and James are American. On the last of the 4 day celebration Richard was the surprise guest. After his interview Tori was whisked with other dignitaries to a side room with Richard. Richard knew of her before. So they met in person, here. Do I have your attention? I hope so. You are in for a treat. This song has passed 200K in about a month, We’ve Only Just Begun has over 600K views since March 2nd, Karen’s birthday. This is moving at a faster clip. Please enjoy. Joe Close To You (Cover) ua-cam.com/video/ytncWacUKJE/v-deo.htmlsi=LirsJ-ezAij9BZ0z .
There is a video where Madonna and part of the crew sing the chorus of this song during a break in the filming of Evita. Just when you are starting the Evita era, you react to this song. I love it. Oh, and I love Karen too ❤
Music back then was different in that songs were often arranged to allow space in the song to breathe without singing. There’s lots of empty space in this song with just music that establishes that moodiness and pregnant pauses.
Sweet! "Superstar" was written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell in 1969. The song is about groupies and their relationships with rock stars. It was originally titled "Groupie (Superstar)" when it was first recorded by Delaney & Bonnie. Eric Clapton and Dave Mason played guitar on the original recording. The Carpenters took the song to the top of the US charts in 1971. They toned down the groupie angle to the point where the lyrics could be taken to be about a young girl pining for a teenage idol she's never met and never will meet.
@michaelasay8587 your right who's better all of them i said karen is my top five in no particular order barbara streisand, olivia- newton- john, marilyn mccoo, ella fitzgerald !
A little back story. This is one of many covers of this song, originally called The Groupie. One of the covers was by Bette Midler on her first Grammy nominated album. Bette performed it on The Tonight Show and Richard Carpenter saw Bette's performance and loved the song so much he knew he wanted to record it with Karen. Bette leans into the drama of the lyrics much more than The Carpenters. I recommend a listen. Luther Vandross also covered it later.
I think this is not a live performance of the classic (sounds like the studio track) Interesting to note that this is a cover of a song by blue grass duo Delaney and Bonnie called "Groupie" and it was originally about a groupie who follows a rock star around and sleeps with him. They sanitized it for The Carpenters and changed the lyrics to maintain their wholesome anti-hippie image. The changed lyrics are from "sleep with you again" to "see you again..." I saw in a documentary that Karen was not happy about that. You should listen to the original song (very different in tone!) Happy Holidays Empress!
Tens across the board all day long 🙌 Rest easy karen ♥
💯
Like Olivia, she was singing right to you and no one sounds like them. What a great voice and lady!
Karen never failing to give us her beautiful vocals. Her lower register still gives me life. Merry Christmas everyone. ❤
Merry Christmas 🎁
This is not the live version, it's the studio version. Great song.
Love when you react to the Carpenters, Empress!
😊
@@EmpressReactsplease do more Karen!!!
I fell in love with a few ladies to this tune back in high school 🏫 orchestration is AWSUM ❤🎉
💯💯💯
Oh Empress, thanks for this. Please do more of her. Youve done very little over the years. And please become a singer!!!😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Their best song!
🔥
This version of "Superstar" was originally recorded in 1971 for their 3rd studio album [Carpenters] Karen Carpenter - vocals, drums, Richard Carpenter - arranger, piano, harpsichord, Wurlitzer electric piano, Hammond organ, vocals, orchestration, Hal Blaine - drums, Jim Horn - reeds. Earl Dumler - oboe on "For All We Know", Bob Messenger - bass, reeds, Tommy Morgan - harmonica. This version was recorded in 2018 at Abby Road Studios from the original master with original musicians and vocals but with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra added. Again Richard did the producing, arranging and directed the Philharmonic. He recorded 18 of Carpenters hits that way and released "Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" in Dec. of 2018. It contained "Yesterday Once More" "Hurting Each Other" "Touch Me When We're Dancing" For All We Know" "I Need to Be in Love" "I Believe You "I Just Fall in Love Again" "Merry Christmas, Darling" "Baby It's You" "(They Long to Be) Close to You" "Superstar" "Rainy Days and Mondays" "This Masquerade" "Ticket to Ride" "Goodbye to Love" "Top of the World" "We've Only Just Begun".
10, definitely
CLASSIC Carpenters track!!! ( Also covered by Luther Vandross). Karen’s voice just so easy, full and sentimental.
💯💯
Hi Empress,
Glad you’re back with Karen and Carpenters. Merry Christmas, Darling was the song you were quoting. I’m seeing this on Christmas night as you just dropped it. You listed this a a Live, it is not. It is a mime/lip-sync to the album track. It was shot during the same time they shot the Rainy Days and Mondays promo video also. At the Desert Inn Casino Hotel (gone now) in Las Vegas. This was the recording that birthed the legend of “One Take Karen.” Karen was singing a practice take. The booth came back, we got it Karen. She was ready to go again, they had perfection on the first take.
Karen was amazing, I was 14 when Close To You was topping the charts and I was hooked. It took 40 years since her passing for my ears to perk up. Nowadays every one is pitch corrected/autotuned AI what ever. I listen to 70’s on 7 and selective UA-cam videos of oldies. A year ago October UA-cam said I should watch this video, you know the recommended list. It was a Carpenters song. They had my attention. Someone else who thinks they sound like Karen. Ruh Roh, my head exploded and I’ve been asking reactors to watch , especially if you are familiar with Karen. Empress, I’m 68 years old and an OG Carpenters fan. You need to watch the video below. It’s Tori Holub (Ha-Luhb) 21 and her collaborator James Wilkas (my age range). The song is one you’ve reacted to. Close To You. They’ve done three songs together and there’s the song that started it all that Tori made first. I always make sure when I ask, that the reactor is familiar with Carpenters. She has other songs that I can use if they aren’t but this is all of it. If you take my suggestion, you will want more and there is more.
To give you a point of reference that I’m not kidding. Last April she was invited to sing (with 7 other acts) at the Carpenters 55th Anniversary, in Downey, California. She was the youngest performer at 20. One of the senior singers said she stole the show. These people all pay tribute to Karen each in their own ways and from different parts of the world. Tori and James are American. On the last of the 4 day celebration Richard was the surprise guest. After his interview Tori was whisked with other dignitaries to a side room with Richard. Richard knew of her before. So they met in person, here. Do I have your attention? I hope so. You are in for a treat. This song has passed 200K in about a month, We’ve Only Just Begun has over 600K views since March 2nd, Karen’s birthday. This is moving at a faster clip. Please enjoy.
Joe
Close To You (Cover)
ua-cam.com/video/ytncWacUKJE/v-deo.htmlsi=LirsJ-ezAij9BZ0z
.
She has done very little of Karen like most reactors. I don't get it😢😢
Thanks for the long comment!! Most Reactors do very little of the no. 1 female singer of all time!!!😢😢😢
There is a video where Madonna and part of the crew sing the chorus of this song during a break in the filming of Evita. Just when you are starting the Evita era, you react to this song. I love it. Oh, and I love Karen too ❤
Oh wow! Love when unplanned stuff like that happens
Music back then was different in that songs were often arranged to allow space in the song to breathe without singing. There’s lots of empty space in this song with just music that establishes that moodiness and pregnant pauses.
Omg ! Good callout 💯
🔥👍🏻✌🏻🔥 Happy Holidays to you and your family, Empress! 🎄🎄
Thank you! Happy holidays as well
Man...Karen's voice is heartbreaking....An icon. Also...you should hear the definitive cover of "Superstar" by Luther Vandross. GREATNESS.
Noted!
Sweet! "Superstar" was written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell in 1969. The song is about groupies and their relationships with rock stars. It was originally titled "Groupie (Superstar)" when it was first recorded by Delaney & Bonnie. Eric Clapton and Dave Mason played guitar on the original recording. The Carpenters took the song to the top of the US charts in 1971. They toned down the groupie angle to the point where the lyrics could be taken to be about a young girl pining for a teenage idol she's never met and never will meet.
Oh wow!
karen one of my top five female vocalist in pop !
🔥
Who's better??? No one!!!!
@michaelasay8587 your right who's better all of them i said karen is my top five in no particular order barbara streisand, olivia- newton- john, marilyn mccoo, ella fitzgerald !
A little back story. This is one of many covers of this song, originally called The Groupie. One of the covers was by Bette Midler on her first Grammy nominated album. Bette performed it on The Tonight Show and Richard Carpenter saw Bette's performance and loved the song so much he knew he wanted to record it with Karen. Bette leans into the drama of the lyrics much more than The Carpenters. I recommend a listen. Luther Vandross also covered it later.
Oh wow!!! Wouldn’t have guess this song was covered so much
Yes, but no where near Karen's performance; haunting and emotive/longing for..
Beautiful song & artist. By the way, you need to serenade your fans with your pretty voice! ⭐️
Wow! 😊
Both Karen and Empress sing beautifully on this one. ❤🔥
Wow thanks
fire
I dont think you can say baby in a song any more than Karen did in this song.Lol Happy Holidays Empress to you and yours.
😂right! Happy holidays
I think this is not a live performance of the classic (sounds like the studio track) Interesting to note that this is a cover of a song by blue grass duo Delaney and Bonnie called "Groupie" and it was originally about a groupie who follows a rock star around and sleeps with him. They sanitized it for The Carpenters and changed the lyrics to maintain their wholesome anti-hippie image. The changed lyrics are from "sleep with you again" to "see you again..." I saw in a documentary that Karen was not happy about that. You should listen to the original song (very different in tone!) Happy Holidays Empress!
yes this is studio...the live version is the one done for the BBC...not that its much different Karen was that good
Empress, you know you could be another Karen!!