Karen Carpenter

About

Karen Carpenter is a solo Karen Carpenter CD released by A&M Records in 1996. All of the songs on the album were from the New York sessions recorded with producer Phil Ramone in 1979 and 1980. During this time, her brother Richard was being treated for an addiction to Quaaludes and Karen wanted to remain productive and record songs until Richard was able to return to the recording studio. Some of the songs included on this album were featured on The Carpenters' 1989 compilation Lovelines and later release. In the liner note, Karen dedicated her solo project to Richard. Karen wrote, "Dedicated to my brother Richard with all my heart." The liner notes also include comments from both Richard Carpenter and producer Phil Ramone, with Richard explaining the reason to shelve the album and his decision made later to release it as Karen approved it. After completing the album, Karen played it to A&M executives in New York with much approval. However, upon playing it to A&M executives in Los Angeles including Herb Alpert and Jerry Mo, with Phil Ramone and her brother Richard also in attendance, the response to the album was relatively negative. Ramone recalls that Karen broke down in tear. She was said to be so devastated that she opted (with A&M's urging) not to release the album. The E! True Hollywood Story - Karen Carpenter" claims that the album was not sold in 1980, because Herb Alpert called it unreleaseable. However, Quincy Jones argued with Derek Green, an A&M Records vice-president, for the album's release, but, Alpert, Green and Jerry Moss said the album had to be cancelled. The album itself cost $400,000 of Karen's own money to make. The cost was offset against Carpenter's further album royalties; something that Karen was not happy about. One other note of interest about her solo album was that Karen called Ramone on February, 3, 1983 and in the course of the conversation with him the solo album was brought up. Karen said in that conversation, according to Ramone, "I hope you don't mind if I curse. I still love our fucking record! .

via Last.fm

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