The Karen Carpenter Solo Album



Tracks


1.  Lovelines (5:06)

(Rod Temperton) Rodsongs, adm by ALMO music (ASCAP

Arranged by Rod Temperton, Orchestrated by Bob James

Keyboard solo: Greg Phillinganes



2.  All Because Of You (3:31)

(Russell Javors) WB Music Corp./Javors Music Company (ASCAP)

Arranged By Bob James



3.  If I Had You (3:54)

(Stephen Dorff, Gary Harju, Larry Herbstritt)  Careers-BMG Music (BMI/BMG)

Arranged by Bob James  Orchestrated by Jerry Hey

Saxophone solo by Michael Brecker



4.  Making Love In The Afternoon (3:57)

(Peter Cetera) BMG Songs (ASCAP)

Arranged by Peter Cetera

Vocal Duo performed by Karen Carpenter and Peter Cetera

Saxophone solo Timmy Cappello



5.  If We Try (3:47)

(Rod Temperton) RodSongs adm. By Almo Music (ASCAP)

Arranged by Rod Temperton, Orchestrated by Rob Mounsey



6. Remember When Lovin' Took All Night (3:50)

(John Farrar, Molly Ann Leiken) John Farrar Music (BMI) Chappell  & Co.

Arranged and orchestrated by Bob James

Keyboard solo by Bob James



7.  Still In Love With You (3:15)

Russell Javors) WB Music Corp. / Javors Music (ASCAP)

Arranged by Le'Band

Guitar solo by David Brown



8.  My Body Keeps Changing My Mind (3:46)

(Leslie Pearl)  Careers BMG Music (BMI)

Arranged by Rod Temperton,  Orchestrated by Jerry Hey



9.  Make Believe It's Your First Time (3:12)

(Bob Morrison, Johnny Wilson)  Music City Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

Arranged and orchestrated by Bob James



10.  Guess I Just Lost My Head (3:36)

(Rob Mounsey) Flying Monkey Music (ASCAP)

Arranged and orchestrated by Rob Mounsey



11.  Still Crazy After All These Years (4:17)

(Paul Simon) Paul Simon Music (BMI)

Arranged by Rob Mounsey, orchestrated by Rob Mounsey



12.  Last One Singin' The Blues (3:24)

(Peter McCann) EMI Blackwood Music (BMI)



Produced by Phil Ramone

Vocal Acrobatics by Rod Tempterton

Engineered by Jim Boyer, Glenn Berger, James Guthrie, Ray Gerhardt

Engineering Associates: Bradshaw Leigh, Chaz Clifton, Dave Iveland, Ralph

Osborne, Randy Pipes, David Crowther

Recorded at A&R Recording studios, NY. A&R Recording studios, Laand Kendun

Recorders, Burbank, CA

Remixed by Phil Ramone and Jim Boyer in M>E>S>M>

Mastered at A&M Mastering Studios by Dave Collins

Art Direction Chuck Beeson

design: Rebecca Chamlee and  Chuck Beeson

Photo Colorist Amy Nagasawa

Photography Claude Mougin

Conceptual Stylist Paul Postnik

Fashion Coordinator Phyllis Postnik

Hair Design Joe Tubens CHD

Make Up Henriquez




Liner contents

Karen dedicates this album to Richard saying, "Dedicated to my brother Richard with all my heart" - Karen Carpenter

Then a note from Ramone to Richard "Thank you for letting me borrow your sister to make this album" - Phil Ramone



For personal reasons, which have been chronicled in other sources, I needed and decided to take a leave of absence from my career in 1979. Karen, who was not interested in remaining idle during my hiatus, elected to record a solo album. To produced the album, Herb Alpert suggersted Phil Ramone, a highly talented and successful producer who had enjoyed both critical and commercial success with such artists as Paul Simon, Billy Joel,et al. Phil signed on and on April 30,1979, Karen left LA for New York, with the first session commencing on May 2. Due to the scheduling conflicts, the album was not delivered until early 1980. Upon completion of the playback, reaction of A&M executives and others, including me, was, to say the least, ambiguous. The result was that on May 5 1989, Karen decided to shelve the album. As time passes and events unfold, one's perspective on certain matters can change, as has mine regarding this album. Karen was with us precious little time. She was a great artist. This album represents a certain period and change of approach in her career. As such, it deserves to be heard.
-Richard Carpenter

To completely understand the love and adventure of Karen's solo project, people should know that we made a conscious decision to experiment with music and styles that were not in the Carpenters' albums. We wanted their fans , as well as a new audience, to hear one of the greatest voice in a different surrounding. We knew some things were trendy and that the intimate songs would express her love of all music.
It was inconceivable to those of us involved with the project that a rumor might spread regarding the end of the Carpenters. That truly was beyond realm of possibility: Karen loved Richard and the music they made together. I've always related to Ricahrd's arrangements and composing with deep admiration and we remain friends. The love of Billy Joel's band- Rod Temperton and the other players, who had the best time working with her - gave Karen Carpenter's work in New York a sparkle that can be heard on this album. Karen and the rest of us who worked on this project understood the decision to wait on the release. As years passed, both Richard and I wondered when it might be released.
Together we stand proud as this was a piece of work that meant so much to Karen, it was truly a labor of love. I have not remixed or done anything to the tapes. These mixes, the material and style are the way Karen approved them. The bonus track is unmixed and was one of several that might have been finished.
I miss her terribly - but I know she's watching with a smile.
- Phil Ramone