The Carpenters are one of my guilty musical pleasures. Their songs are low key, heartfelt and great to listen to. I saw a documentary about them a few months ago. Karen Carpenter was discussing how they had gone form old buses to Lear jets and the inspiration for the song On Top Of the World was on a Lear Jet flight to a concert.
My other new favorite is Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. I never realized Teddy Pendergrass was their lead singer. You want to hear what SOUL music is, listen to their recording of Don’t Leave Me This Way.
I'm familiar with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. My favorite of theirs is "The Love I Lost".
Thanks for the Blue Notes heads up.
I’m a punker, but I’ve always loved the Carpenters. My first album was a Carpenters album, with the 2 of them posing on tidal pools in California, it looks like.
I am teaching my 4 year old to sing “Close To You” in a non-ironic manner, which is difficult.