Except for matters of literature and not even really then, I hardly ever force myself out of my comfort zone. I do not learn much about music -- if I like something, I buy it, a decidedly unscientific method of building a music collection. My tastes in everything else is much the same. As for food, I like things people don't think I would (oysters, pate, escargot) and hate morsels most people at least enjoy some of the time (almost every vegetable). Art is very much the same -- don't know much, like things that catch my eye. So when I have been told that I have good taste that's fairly eclectic, I'm flattered. When I let my guard down and admit to a deep love of the Carpenters, the presenter of said compliment often looks aghast, as if wishing he or she could take it back.
Despite the many protests, I contend the Carpenters define cool even after all these years. Okay, I confess in the interest of full disclosure that yes, I love the seamy underbelly of the duo, the pill-popping, maybe he's gay, maybe not Richard, the anorexic Karen, the claustrophobic family dram that underlied it all. I've even seen a very grainy version of the Todd Haynes movie Superstar where their tale is acted out with Barbie Dolls -- the copy I saw was interspersed with the fall-out from someone trying to record an episode of Webster over this precious footage. But even without all that, I love their music. The sad haunting lyric stylings of Karen scare me and soothe me. Her voice, so big and pure and perfect, housed in such a tiny body with a failing heart seems to be a most apt symbol for all I think is lovely and true. We've only just begun, sings Karen, and somehow it's both chilling and hopeful all in the same moment. There's a long life ahead or maybe not, but it's going to feel long at times and maybe a little something beautiful can help.
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"I'd say goodbye to love/There are no tomorrows for this heart of mine." Karen Carpenter
Cocktail Hour
Beer Suggestion: Shinerbock (the best beer in all of Texas)
Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Sunday!
6 comments:
Yes, yes! I love the Carpenters, too! And, I know little about music, except what I like because someone else played it, and I love pate and oysters (though not escargot). Thanks for speaking up for us Carpenter-loving types :).
Lovely to see you this weekend!
Honey, you are so adorable with Baby Grouchie it almost breaks my heart. And poor Karen, the music lives forever.
kiss kiss
Bon
Don't know about Shinerbock but MGD with a shot of peppermint schnapps on the side is king.
Dear Michelle,
Another lovely post and view of you in red (you always do look most alluring in a red dress, inside). I'll sample a Shinerbock in my spare moments. To you and your smile, Bravo!
The Carpenters, at one point--I'm sure of it--were bigger than the Beatles. Do they still play this music at weddings?
That Superstar movie is amazing. Good old T. Record has it on DVD and loaned it to me about a year ago. The whole "maybe he's gay, maybe not Richard" scene made me laugh my ass off.
My Grandma loved The Carpenters Christmas record, and it can often be heard in the background of all my families’ old Christmas home videos.
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