Karen Carpenter was a fantastic musician and composer. In addition to her gifted senses of pitch, rhythm and dynamics, she was an passionate perfectionist musically, and in other ways as well.
She was also romantic and sensitive, and the mixture of these characteristics led to an outcome which was - in terms of her personal life - a tragedy on many levels.
Her songs of the early 1970s are among the most vivid musical memories I have of those years - along with the songs of Jimmy Webb. Years that were remarkable for the incredible breadth and richness of the music that was available for nothing on any kid’s transistor radio.
don’t forget. Girlfriend was a drummer too. She knew what the pocket was and sang in it. That comes from her drumming.