![]() Karen did not have a hand in selecting the material. She was just 32 years old, a month shy of her 33rd birthday. The additional weight of 30 pounds added back suddenly on a body that had been underweight for so many years further strained her weakened heart, and she died of heart failure on the morning of February 4, 1983. Although she felt that she was cured, Richard says she just didn't look well and he told her so. She returned home for Thanksgiving that year. During a two-month stay in a hospital, she was fed intravenously and gained 30 pounds. Karen returned to New York and stayed there until November 1982. Richard says she had lost even more weight since the last time he had seen her the year before. ![]() At the time of this recording, Karen was heavily anorexic. She and Richard returned to the studio and recorded several songs. %0D %0D In April 1982, she took a two-week vacation from her treatment and returned home to California. She sought treatment with noted psychotherapist Steven Levenkron who was noted for his research into anorexia nervosa and self injury. Shortly after Christmas, Karen moved to New York to begin treatment for her anorexia. Karen and her husband Tom Burris formally separated that same month. In November of that year, she and Richard returned home to California. In June 1981, Karen and Richard released "Made In America" and made a world tour to promote the album with appearances in Brazil and Germany. I've been so many places in my life and time%0D I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme%0D I've acted out my love in stages%0D With ten thousand people watching%0D But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you%0D %0D I know your image of me is what I hope to be%0D I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see%0D There's no one more important to me%0D Darlin' can't you please see through me%0D Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you%0D %0D You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing%0D You came out in front and I was hiding%0D But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together%0D Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding%0D %0D I love you in a place where there's no space or time%0D I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine%0D And when my life is over%0D Remember when we were together%0D We were alone and I was singing this song for you%0D %0D You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing%0D You came out in front and I was hiding%0D But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together%0D Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding%0D %0D I love you in a place where there's no space or time%0D I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine%0D And when my life is over%0D Remember when we were together%0D We were alone and I was singing this song for you%0D We were alone and I was singing this song for you %0D by Anonymous Her personal problems provided a curiously apt fit for the form, but no one knew about those problems until later. But Karen Carpenter sounded like a very, very gifted mimic of feelings who had a beautiful voice. So could Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, and even Johnny Mathis. ![]() The performer has to convey the right kind of intelligence, wisdom and turmoil under the coolness of the surface for it to convey depth. Perfect for what it was, but 60s-70s pop is about being, in the end, a cool artifice, whatever may be the theme or point of view expressed. Controlled, buffed, and ultimately unsatisfying, for me. Nothing different, nothing living about it. I heard them in concert once, and every song sounded exactly like the recorded versions. She was like processed cheese - meltingly good but it doesn't deliver the sharp smack of a real Stilton. Hauntingly beautiful to the point of being able to bring a person to tears? Well, apparently for some, but for me her and her brother's gifts were more about the processed pop smoothness of their production values, and that's not the sort of thing that feels authentic or spontaneous enough to elicit strong emotions. Interesting pop talent in the vein of Warwick? Yes.
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