By the point the Carpenters made their fourth studio album A Music For You, their place within the firmament of pop music was so assured that they have been capable of strategy it as a broad-based idea file. The earlier two years had introduced large popularity of Richard and Karen’s work, and an virtually unbroken chart presence.
Now got here the chance to check and broaden their unrivalled expertise on their subsequent subsequent undertaking. The duo had two main hits in 1970 and no fewer than 5 extra in 1971. This was alongside the multi-million-selling success of the Shut To You and Carpenters albums that adopted their Ticket To Trip debut. Few chart acts might declare such domination of each the singles and albums markets.
In 1971, the Carpenters additionally turned one among a number of up to date champions of the work of Leon Russell. The grasp songwriter and session veteran was now rising as a major recording artist in his personal proper. Their model of his “Superstar,” written with Bonnie Bramlett, was a No.2 American hit late within the yr. It was the third Carpenters single to complete in runner-up spot, after “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Now one other Russell ballad would bookend the brand new launch and showcase their fastidious respect for the artwork of songwriting.
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“A Song For You” might by no means have been an enormous hit single for Russell himself, or for any of the numerous artists who coated it. However Richard and Karen’s assured model topped and tailed this new LP, launched on June 22, 1972. Previews of the brand new work began to emerge late the yr earlier than, as they continued their fruitful affiliation with producer Jack Daugherty.
“Bless The Beasts and Children” was a Perry Botkin and Barry DeVorzon composition and the title music from a film; launched because the B-side of “Superstar,” it reached No.67 within the US in its personal proper. Then got here the stunning “Hurting Each Other,” a ballad written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell. It was a high-quality instance of the siblings’ skill to identify a success amongst classic materials. First recorded by Jimmy Clanton in 1965, it now turned one more No.2 hit for the Carpenters.
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Additionally they had the ear to decide on Carole King’s “It’s Going To Take Some Time.” The nice author had simply launched on her Music album on Ode, distributed on the time by A&M. That, in fact, was the place Richard and Karen had their dwelling. The music went to No.12, and by the point A Music For You was launched, the Carpenters have been driving excessive with one other single from the set. It was the excellent “Goodbye To Love,” which turned one among their best-loved songs. The ballad was admired for the duo’s excellent harmonies, Karen’s faultless lead vocals, and Tony Peluso’s spectacular fuzz guitar solo.
Because the duo’s world stature grew, the album turned a triple platinum sensation within the US alone. “Top Of The World” turned one other flagship single from it in 1973. Remarkably, the LP yielded its final 45, “I Won’t Last A Day Without You,”on April 13, 1974. That was absolutely 21 months after A Music For You was launched.
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Its different treats included Randy Edelman’s “Piano Picker,” with Richard taking the lead vocal, and “Crystal Lullaby,” which he wrote with John Bettis, his collaborator on each “Goodbye To Love” and “Top Of The World.”
A Music For You reached No.4 on the Billboard album chart and had big success from Australia to Japan. The Carpenters have been now, actually, on prime of the world.
Purchase or stream A Music For You.
