Hindsight and missed opportunities

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

Listening to vinyl tonight. I was struck by missed opportunities. Karen Carpenter and her brother ruled the airwaves from 1969 to 1973. I wasn’t a fan of their music but she had a voice. She seemed like she was locked into a narrow category of music that she couldn’t escape. It’s a shame that she couldn’t cross genres or explore her options. Many artists at the time crossed boundaries. I see her as playing with the Grateful Dead, the Band, and a fourth member of the Trio: Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Rondstat. Hell, she would have rounded out the Traveling Wilburys very nicely. What do you think?

[shootingstar]

I liked Karen's voice alot..but am the wrong person to give any intelligent opinion in terms of music genres in 20-21st century in terms of possibilities. 

[ChrisL]

I think she had the vocal range to sing damn near any genre.  A bit before my time but The Carpenters were played often in the house by my older sisters.

Yeah she passed way too soon.

[groupw]

I liked her. A great talent squandered. 

[Dottleshead ★]

7 hours ago, Old No. 7 said:

Listening to vinyl tonight. I was struck by missed opportunities. Karen Carpenter and her brother ruled the airwaves from 1969 to 1973. I wasn’t a fan of their music but she had a voice. She seemed like she was locked into a narrow category of music that she couldn’t escape. It’s a shame that she couldn’t cross genres or explore her options. Many artists at the time crossed boundaries. I see her as playing with the Grateful Dead, the Band, and a fourth member of the Trio: Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Rondstat. Hell, she would have rounded out the Traveling Wilburys very nicely. What do you think?

She would have been a drummer.  That was her first love.

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

2 hours ago, Dottles said:

She would have been a drummer.  That was her first love.

She was a great drummer too. The Dead could’ve kicked Mickey Hart out and paired Karen with Bill Kreutzman.

[Kirby]

Her voice had a really unique and beautiful timbre.  I still listen to their Christmas songs.    But accomplishment in most things take not only the talent but also a certain mental attitude.   It's still incredibly hard for people to get the mental support they need, and it was even harder 50 years ago.  I definitely agree, a talent lost too soon.

[Square Wheels]

It's been said that if Karen Carpenter and Mama Cass had shared a sandwich, they might both be alive today.

[MickinMD ★]

19 hours ago, Old No. 7 said:

Listening to vinyl tonight. I was struck by missed opportunities. Karen Carpenter and her brother ruled the airwaves from 1969 to 1973. I wasn’t a fan of their music but she had a voice. She seemed like she was locked into a narrow category of music that she couldn’t escape. It’s a shame that she couldn’t cross genres or explore her options. Many artists at the time crossed boundaries. I see her as playing with the Grateful Dead, the Band, and a fourth member of the Trio: Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Rondstat. Hell, she would have rounded out the Traveling Wilburys very nicely. What do you think?

Richard and Karen came from a very religiously-conservative family and it was Richard who was the musician in the family who found the right songs for his sister.  "We've Only Just Begun," was discovered by Richard when he heard it being used in a commercial.

Karen had a fantastic voice - I was a fan of the Carpenters - and she could have sung any genre, but I think it would have been a reach for fans to like it if it was really hard rock.