Carpenters: The Musical Legacy

"Carpenters: The Musical Legacy" is a comprehensive and loving tribute to the iconic musical duo, Karen and Richard Carpenter. Written by Mike Cidoni, Chris May with Richard Carpenter, this book offers a deep dive into their remarkable career and enduring impact on the music industry. Schmidt meticulously explores the Carpenters' journey from their humble beginnings to international stardom, offering valuable insights into their music, personal lives, and the challenges they faced. The book is enriched with rare photographs and detailed discographies, making it a treasure trove for fans. However, it's important to note that this book primarily focuses on their music and legacy, so those seeking an in-depth look into their personal lives might find it somewhat limited. Nevertheless, for music enthusiasts and Carpenters fans, "Carpenters: The Musical Legacy" is an engaging and informative read that celebrates the timeless melodies of this beloved duo.

Reading this new book on the Carpenters. It’s so different than the others I’ve read that tend to focus on Karen and her struggles. This volume focuses on the music and the stories behind the songs. Richard supplies so many unseen photos and memorabilia making it such a loving and personal tribute to his sister. Really enjoying it. ❤️

Lifelong Carpenters fan here. I agreed with Richard in that previous books were about Karen's psychology rather than the music. This oversized hardbound piece does just what I wanted - Examines their musical path with an introductory chapter on how they got where and when. Richard was able to go into his archive and pull out original year long itineraries, as well as short anecdotal memories, and Lennox & May were able to find chart info and reviews for insight on how their music was being received. If I were able to ask Richard anything, it would be about how he produced certain songs and he dives into some of that here. That tan Carpenters lp was the first one I ever sat through all the way, and at a very young age, the lesson I learned was how important production could be. I consider Richard to be one of the top/key producers of the 70s, along with Ron Dante, Jeff Lynne, George Martin, Quincy Jones and Brian Wilson. My ear was firmly planted in pop and those were the names that counted for quality. Later, Ted Templeman, Glyn Johns, Alan Parsons, Eddie Offard... but Richard Carpenter was the first one to make me tilt my head and say, Hey! ((PS - Jack Daugherty was listed as producer on the first lps, but Richard was key to their sound.)) Really, really well done.

Marvelous detailed recount of CarpenterS recordings, tours and studio wizardry.

This book is sensational. A beautiful coffee table book, filled with details, stories, facts, figures, and an extraordinary array of never before seen photos! If you liked the Carpenters, you will LOVE this book!

Interesting read. Catalogue of their successes. Most of the narrative I have read from other sources. Had hoped to hear more stories.

Well written and an exceptional tribute and memoriam to the legendary Karen Carpenter. Loaded with pictures and factoids, this is an absolute must for any Carpenters fan. Her brother Richard has written an amazing work.

This book is great for statistics, musical charts and where their singles, albums and such were on the charts, much of their concert schedules and etc. There are some great new images Mr. Carpenter provided from some of their concerts, Karen's notes on their concert dates and such. It's packed full of the paperwork, billboard charts and etc., but about them as people, you'd probably like some of the others on them better. This book barely touches on anything about them as people. It's a beautiful book though, one of those living room furniture, coffee table type reference books. Any Carpenters fan will want one. Enjoy!

En bibel för Carpenters-fans !

I have just discovered the Carpenters music, even though I have been aware of them for decades. After seeing a Youtube video of Karen playing drums, I was intrigued and had to learn more. After learning more about their music, and as a musician myself, I was blown away by their talent and technical proficiency as performers (and Richard's composing/arranging). I had no idea they were, essentially, virtuosos, and at such a young age. Karen's voice is incredible, and her drumming very impressive... when done together, compelling. Many think Karen didn't play drums on the records, but that is not true. She played on 40 songs recorded on the albums, including Please Mr Postman and Yesterday Once More, and beautiful nuanced drum performances they are too! So, I thought I would buy this book to learn more about the making of their music, and boy am I glad I did. It is an encyclopedia of every single, album, TV appearance and concert. It is chock full of superb high quality photographs.. and many seem to have been acquired directly from Richard just for this book. It was fantastic of Richard to allow access for the authors to his personal collection of material. It has allowed a truly magnificent book to be created. The book is mostly about the music, but there is quite a bit on what the critics and music press said about them in the day. I find it really sad that they were viciously attacked by certain quarters.. just for making music, and music that is objectively brilliantly performed, written and arranged. Of course, the politics of the 1970s (far more turbulent than today .. oh yes) made them an easy target to be attacked. They were the square music of the establishment, of "the man", in the eyes of angst ridden, cynical young critics - even though all they ever set out to do was make music that moved them and moved others. Richard's 60s influences shine through his arranging style.. and that's why he went for the sound they made.. it's from love of the music, not to piss of the rockers and music critics! I have often thought non musicians (so most critics then) just wear music like a badge of identity, they're militant listeners. It's about the ideology around the music, not the music itself..the chords, notes, instruments and harmonies. Musicians, on the other hand, are always interested in other musicians and how they make their music whatever the genre, and recognise talent even if the style is not their particular preference. All of this is ancient history and future young fans of the Carpenters are not going to be deterred from listening because the duo played for Nixon at the Whitehouse, or because the cool 70s music press hated them. All we have today is the awesome musical legacy. But it DOES piss me off how badly they were treated, and it makes me wonder if poor Karen's condition could have been avoided without the press making snide comments about her weight and looks - which in itself is utterly ridiculous as Karen was a gorgeous young woman. The camera loved her, and the audience loved her. On the matter of her Anorexia, there is very little on that in this book, thankfully. There are no photos of her looking terrible either. Buy this book.. you will NOT be disappointed! One small criticism.. it would have been nice if a list of performers on each recorded song could have been provided.. but that is info that can be fairly easily found on Wikipedia.

The choice of photographs especially for the full pages is very poor ...We see photos everybody knows....Very few not to say not one alternative shot from the many album cover shoots...Such a missed opportunity...Also i find the design very uninventive.... A total let down for me...The book by Randy L. Schmidt "Carpenters, an illustrated discography" ,though much thiner than this big volume offers much more visual treasures and great unknown photos than this visually terribly disapointing volume...I was really hoping for unknown alternative shots from their album shoots....No, alas, they publish on full pages all through the book, the LP covers we know so well already...I do no see the interest for that...I am sad...I'll keep the book though. Maybe the in depth reading will hep forget my enormous visual disapointment!

Great book researched with Richard Carpenter's blessing and input. This book is about the music, their schedules and time lines. Some reference to their personal life but mostly about the music. Great book for Carpenter fans.