Greetings Friends!

I trust you have all enjoyed a super summer and are now braced for the Festive Season! We have received many inquiries relating to the article in People magazine about Tom and Karen's separation, so to set the record straight I now confirm the statement, and as a mark of respect for Karen there will be no further comments on this subject.

Our duo have decided to re-release Christmas Portrait and possibly Merry Christmas Darling this Christmas, but apart from that there is nothing new to report on the Carpenters music scene at this time so we'll have another question and answer session which appears to be very popular.

Q. What career would Richard and Karen have chosen if they hadn't entered the field of music?

A. They had decided on music early on and hadn't thought of any alternatives.

Q. Was the introductory verse of Another Song from the Close To You LP inspired from a recital of the Messiah?

A. Yes, the Recitativo Accompagnato from Section #14 of Messiah.

Q. Which cover of the first Carpenters LP do Richard and Karen prefer Offering or Ticket To Ride?

A. Ticket To Ride by far.

Q. In the Yesterday Once More (Reprise) there seems to be an "unmusical sound" during the fourth repeat segment "When I Was Young", can Richard explain this?

A. The track was the original recording using bass, piano and drums with Joe Osborn playing his fretted Fender Jazz bass. Joe had just purchased a fretless bass and wanted to incorporate it in one of the tunes. It was subsequently overdubbed, using different "fills" on the Yesterday Once More (Reprise) and everyone was happy with the result. The "unmusical sound" you hear resulted when, during the mastering process they "phased" the Reprise to achieve a more reflective sound. The fretless bass surged in volume as a result of the phasing, and none of the engineers could give an explanation. The deadline for delivery of the master tape had approached, and the group had to leave on a concert tour so the decision was made to let it go. Nevertheless it has bothered Richard ever since the album was released.

Q. What was Richard's favorite book while in Elementary School? and Karen's?

A. Richard's favorite was Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. Karen loved Heidi.

Q. Why are the names of various music and publishing companies always listed on all recordings?

A. To ensure the appropriate companies are credited for the royalties entitled to them.

Q. Everyone knows K & R admired the Beatles, but what is their favorite Beatle single?

A. It's impossible to name one, but many of their favorites include From Me To You, Please, Please Me, Yesterday, She Loves You, Strawberry Fields Forever.

Q. Is it true that when the late John Wayne judged the 1969 All American College Show in which the Carpenters performed, he was so taken taken with Karen's voice he wanted her to be his leading lady in his movie True Grit?

A. He was taken with her personality and felt she had the right looks for the part, however, the film studio wanted a "name" actress.

Q. Have the Carpenters hobbies changed since newsletter #1?

A. They remain much the same, except Richard is more into video and bowling. He still loves playing and collecting records, specially old 78's, and of course his car collection. Karen still loves needlepoint, cooking, bowling etc.

Q. Does Richard belong to any car clubs?

A. He has belonged to several; at the present time the Edsel Club.

Q. Does Richard own a Stutz, Clene't, Rolls Royce or Lamborghini?

A. No.

Q. Will any of the songs Karen recorded on her solo album ever be included on a future Carpenters album?

A. No.

Q. Are K & R aware of the "Foster-Parent" commercial that features Bless The Beasts And The Children in the background?

A. Yes.

Q. Apart from the chocolate and soft drink commercial the Carpenters have done in Japan, have they done commercials in any other foreign country?

A. No.

Q. If one was to write the lyrics for a song they wanted the Carpenters (or any other artist) to look over, what legal procedure should they follow prior to sending the material in?

A. After copies of the original lyrics are made, the original should be sealed in an envelope addressed to yourself (by registered mail) and leave same sealed when it is returned to you. After the registered envelope reaches you with the date stamped on it, you can then mail copies to your chosen artists you wish to evaluate your material. Otherwise you could have your material copyrighted.

Q. Who were the composers honored in the Music, Music Music Carpenters Special featuring the following songs: Without A Song, When I Fall In Love, Ain't Misbehavin' and You're Just In Love?

A. Without A Song - Vincent Youmans. When I Fall In Love - Victor Young. Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller. You're Just In Love - Irving Berlin.

Q. What are Richard and Karen's views on the current music trend in America?

A. They are not overly enthused, but currently enjoy such recordings as Eye In The Sky by Alan Parsons Project. Ten Out Of Ten by 10cc and Donald Fagen's Nightfly.

Thank you for your participation in helping to keep alive the interest in the past and present music of the Carpenters.

Everyone in the Carpenters "circle" wish you and your familes a very Happy Christmas, Good Health, Good Fortune and Prosperity in 1983. All the Best. Rosina.

Last changed: Wed Sep 7 16:14:33 EDT 2005