Read some comments on YT that likened David Cassidy's voice to Karen Carpenter's. Here's "A Song for You" which both The Carpenters and David Cassidy recorded. Leon Russell wrote this song and it's one of the loveliest and most timeless songs EVER. Karen Carpenter's voice is a heavenly match for it and I'll forever hear it in her voice. I found a video of Mr. Russell singing his composition and I wonder if DC took cues from him for his version on his 2003 "A Touch of Blue" CD.
So, embedded here for your listening pleasure (or displeasure) are three versions of "A Song for You": DC's, The Carpenters' and Leon Russell's. I've linked to three other versions as well: Helen Reddy's rendition - a new discovery for me - because it's simple and her tone lovely. Simply Red's because it's the second cover I found that they have in common with DC (see "Go Now" for the first). Again, Simply Red put their personal stamp on the song but I'm not moved by singer Hucknall here.
The third version is from Michael Bublé, crooner du jour. What is special about Bublé? He looks good, sings some of the most beautiful songs of the last century and backs himself with a top notch band. But please, I beg you MB fans, enough with the "greatest singer" accolades. He garbles and lisps. Not begrudging him his success - after all he's making these beautiful songs mainstream again (what pop music radio station today would have played "Sway" before his version came out?) - I just want young people to realize he's not the crème de la crème of singers. I'll be honest, I have not listened to his performance here past the 1:40 mark. If you manage, tell me if it gets better.
Bottom line for me: the song belongs to Karen Carpenter. She delivered a slice of music heaven. And yes, I've heard Donny Hathaway, American Idol's Elliott Yamin (seriously distracting poor breath control there), Ray Charles and Whitney Houston sing it. No, I haven't heard Christina Aguilera, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin or anyone else sing it. Hardly see the point of it.
Helen Reddy
Simply Red
Michael Bublé
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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6 comments:
You're right DD,this song really belongs to Karen Carpenter.Even if I'm not a huge fan of The Carpenters,I must say that Karen has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.How can you not fall in love with her voice? But I also admit that I like the way David does it.But if I had to chose between Karen and David,Karen is definitively the one I prefer best. ;-)
Hell, that took a long time, I listened to them all.
Leon Russell - never heard of him but good composer, don't like his version so much though, bit scratchy for me.
Michael Buble - nice voice but has a Sir Hiss quality in his voice, glad you noticed the lispy hissy thing too DD
Simply Red - nice, love his voice, have lots of their music, cant stand Mick Hucknall though!
Helen Reddy sounds wonderful, always liked her voice.
Karen Carpernter - she owns this song, well all her vocals were faultless weren't they? To me she's like a female David in that her voice is soothing caressing, beautiful and deep. She sang Goodbye to Love, the most beautiful song.
David's version is very good, why can't he sing this in concert??!!!
O r does he!
I wonder what David and Karen would have sounded like in a duet?
If you can find it, the best version for me is by Ronnie Dyson.
Wow. Simon, did you mean Ron Tyson of the Temptations? I love his version, and also Christina Aguilera's! I love Karen's version too though. Her voice does seem like the female version of David's, British Fan!! I can hear Sheryl Crow doing this song too. In fact, in this song, Karen's voice reminds me of Sheryl's a bit. Not that I put Sheryl Crow in the same league as Karen. To me there just seem to be some similarities in their voices. The deepness, somewhat soothing.
Thanks DD! This is a beautiful song.
I hear you all about Karen's voice. And yes, David and Karen as a duet, BF. I can't even imagine that. My senses would be on overload!! It could very well have gone down in history as one of the most achingly beautiful performances ever.
Singme, there is a singer called Ronnie Dyson. Couldn't find his version of "A Song for You" on YT but did find other songs of his. Can't say his voice pleased me, Simon. Can't tell if it's female or male - people commented that they liked his "androgynous" voice. Not my cup of tea. You prefer his version of "A Song for You" to Dusty's? I see on your website that you're a huge fan of hers. Unfortunately, my computer froze before I was able to check out your site. Giving the ole electronic beast a rest before I venture out in the internets again :)
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