Karen Carpenter Performs Vocals-Only Version Of “Close To You”
by: Nina Ross
March 25, 2023
source: YouTube/NetMusic ‘Vocals Only’ Videos
Karen Carpenter began her career in the music industry in the late 1960s when she and her brother Richard Carpenter formed the duo, The Carpenters. The duo gained popularity with their unique sound that blended Karen’s distinctive contralto voice with Richard’s arrangements and keyboard playing.
Karen Carpenter’s vocal style was characterized by her clear, pure tone, her precise enunciation, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Her contralto range gave her voice a warm, rich quality that set her apart from other female singers of her time. One of the most distinctive features of Karen Carpenter’s voice was her impeccable phrasing. She had an innate sense of timing and an ability to accentuate just the right words in a song to convey its meaning and emotion.
“Close to You” is a classic song by the Carpenters, released in 1970, and is widely considered one of their signature hits. Karen Carpenter’s hauntingly beautiful vocals have always been one of the highlights of the song, and her unique voice is what helped make the Carpenters one of the most successful and beloved pop acts of the 1970s.
In recent years, a vocal-only version of “Close to You” featuring Karen Carpenter’s isolated vocals has surfaced online, providing an even more intimate and stripped-down listening experience. This version allows listeners to hear Karen’s incredible vocal control and range, as well as the sheer emotion and expressiveness in her voice.
In addition to her singing, Karen was also a talented drummer, and often played drums on the Carpenters’ recordings. Her skills as a drummer allowed her to develop a unique sense of rhythm and timing that was evident in her vocal performances as well.
Overall, Karen Carpenter’s vocal style was a major factor in the success of the Carpenters, and continues to be admired and celebrated by fans around the world for its beauty, emotional depth, and technical precision.
