(editor’s note – no ex post facto proof for George Gobel)
Carpenters Keep Hits But Change Image
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, August 12, 1976
The “new” sound of the Carpenters was heard in Saratoga Performing Arts Center Tuesday evening.
Karen and Richard Carpenter presented their new show before a crowd of more than 5,700, who greeted their new image with a standing ovation.
The Carpenters, who have sold more than 30 million records and have 17 gold records for million sellers, can’t really change the content of their performance too much, because the reason people turn out to see them is their music.
However, they have changed the manner in which their 90-minute show is staged, putting together the most polished, professional presentation they have ever produced.
“We can’t get away from our hit songs,” Richard said during an interview in the Green Room of the amphitheatre following the evening’s performance.
“But we are changing our image somewhat.”
Karen, 26, and Richard, 29, are natives of New Haven, Conn., and are now in their seventh year as a musical duo. It is by far their most mature season, and the skillful staging and production of their concert show provides an insight into the brother-sister act.
They have evolved from a girl singing and playing the drums while her brother sings along and plays piano, into a smooth, expertly orchestrated and choreographed musical act.
They still perform most of their 17 familiar hit songs, but have added the “Warsaw Concerto” to demonstrate the piano talents of Richard and also let Karen show her skill as a drummer with an extended performance of “Strike Up the Band.”
“What we want to do,” Richard explained, “is keep putting music like that into our act, along with the hits.”
The Carpenters have also added a sketch from the Broadway show “Grease,” which features Richard riding both a bicycle and a motorcycle across the stage.
The duo will continue on tour during the summer, then tape an hour special for ABC television during September. The show, which will have many guest stars, including John Denver, will be shown on Dec. 2.
They will go on a tour of Europe during November and begin working on a new album in January.
“We don’t like to tour and record at the same time,” Richard pointed out. “It gets you out of the groove somehow.”
Karen said last year she got sick, taking them off tour for more than a month, forcing them to record and tour at the same time. “We did get a good rest while I was sick, ” Karen said, “and we sure needed that.”
They work up their act for a debut in Tahoe, then work on it to bring it on the road.
Another innovation this season is a rendition of their hit “Close to You,” by Richard and their band, in the best Spike Jones tradition.
They travel with two tractor-trailers filled with lights, musical instruments, the motorcycle, and all the other necessary equipment to stage their show.
Although they have worked hard at changing their image, they still have not changed the good image of two entertainers having a good time on stage.
“It is still a lot of fun,” Karen said, “especially getting to make five costume changes during the show.”
The concert was their fifth appearance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and they have never failed to sell out the amphitheatre and draw a lawn crowd. They rank with Liberace and Arthur Fiedler as the entertainers who can attract a large crowd each summer at the Saratoga Festival.
The Post-Star, August 10, 1976
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