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Book ReviewsYesterday Once More: Memories of the Carpenters and Their Music |
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Book: Yesterday Once More: Memories of the Carpenters and Their Music
Written by: Randy Schmidt |
Publisher: Tiny Ripple Books
Average Customer Rating: 4.79 / 5
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The BEST of the Carpenters!
Rating:
5 / 5
This is one of the finest books I have ever read on the Carpenters. I saved a stack of clippings myself over the years, but none cover the depth of what this book does. It is a "must" for all fans of Karen and Richard, and will surely serve to introduce future generations to the history and magic of the Carpenters music. It's also a great keepsake for fans because it includes rare articles, interviews, and writings about the duo from the 1970s to present. In addition to 16 full-page photos (some I'd never even seen before), "Yesterday Once More" assembles so many great pieces of writing on the Carpenters. The book begins with a fascinating overview of the Carpenters lives and careers by Paul Grein, who has always been known as a Carpenters supporter - and one of the few they had among the press world. There are several album reviews but one of the most impressive aspects has to be the placement of concert reviews (most are from Variety) throughout the book. It is quite interesting to follow the transformation from "opening act" in Vegas through to the record-breaking Palladium appearances. There is even a 1997 review of a concert performed by Richard Carpenter in Long Beach, California. There are other pieces you might consider to be "landmark" Carpenters articles: "On The Road With The Carpenters" by Digby Diehl, "The Choral Sound Of The Carpenters" by Frank Pooler (I have been trying to track down a copy of this one for years) and "Soft Rock & 14 Gold Records" from Saturday Evening Post. The highlight of these would have to be Ray Coleman's 1975 "Middle America Personified?" piece from Melody Maker - it's a mammoth work, interviewing Karen and Richard on separate occasions and offering much information not available in other dialogues. The last two sections of the book deal with Karen's death, Richard's activities since that time, and the resurgence in Carpenters popularity in the 1990s. I am especially fond of Daniel Levitin's "Pop Charts" article, which covers Richard's practices as an arranger, and the review of Karen's solo record (recorded in 1979 and released in 1996). "Yesterday Once More" definitely succeeds at showing the Carpenters from many views. Get this one!
Yesterday Once More Brings It All Back Again--And More !
Rating:
5 / 5
Randy Schmidt has captured a side of The Carpenters story that has been relatively overlooked, until now. By compiling many great reviews, articles and periodical stories, Randy shares a facinating side of the lives, careers and concerts and music of Karen & Richard Carpenter. There are some really terrific Q&A with The Carpenters as well. I feel like I have suddenly discovered a treasure chest of Carpenters history--there are many album and concert reviews, as well as interviews and magazine articles that I have never seen before. Its like someone just handed me hundreds of magazines with features and articles, press releases and reviews of The Carpenters music. The book is filled with beautiful photos of Karen & Richard Carpenter that really capture their entire career. "Yesterday Once More" is much, much more than just the title of a song or a book: To a friend or a fan of Karen & Richard this is one phrase that captures the way we feel about them and thier music. "When we were young and listened to the radio"---WE WERE LISTENING TO The Carpenters!
Interesting History
Rating:
5 / 5
Unlike "The Carpenters, The Untold Story" written by Ray Coleman, this book tells the story of the Carpenters chronologically using reprints of articles, critical analysis of their albums, and interviews that appeared in various magazines and fan club newsletters. While the first book is well written in novel form, this book keeps it real, complete with source documentations. There is no poetic license here, it's their complete history as it happened, a fantastic read.
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