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Part Two starting with the letter K

They pioneered melodic, melancholic pop and sold over 100 million records. Featuring an exclusive interview with Richard Carpenter, Graham Norton tells their remarkable story

They are, quite simply, one of the most successful recording artists in music history. They pioneered melodic, melancholic pop and their influence as songwriters, performers, and composers spans multiple generations and genres. They won three Grammy Awards and have sold over 100 million records.
In a two-part series for Radio 2, Graham Norton revisits the music and legacy of Richard and Karen Carpenter.

Avoiding a dogged chronological approach, Carpenters From A to Z features an exclusive interview with Richard in which he discusses creating their β€œsound”, their problematic relationship with the media and how he approached the 2018 project with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. If you think you know the Carpenters’ story, think again.

Featuring many of their most successful singles, album tracks and fan favourites, in Carpenters From A to Z Richard looks back on their career and lives by addressing key topics alphabetically: A for A&M Records, P for the Palladium in London and W for We've Only Just Begun.

This second programme starts with the letter K for Karen.

β€œI enjoyed the interview very much”, says Richard. β€œWhen I listen to the two of us and how we complemented each other, it’s astounding and really rare: this was a sister being born to a brother, who was put on this earth to showcase the sister. Next year will mark our 50th year with A&M Records… I’m still engaging in interviews after all this time - it really says a lot about Karen and the work that we have done. I want everybody to have a listen to this and maybe reawaken their ears to the music.”

Presented by Graham Norton.
Written and produced by Malcolm Prince.

57 minutes

Last on

Sat 27 Apr 2019 03:00

Music Played

  • Carpenters & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    I Believe You

    • Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Love Me For What I Am

    • Horizon.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    Touch Me When We're Dancing

    • Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Hits Medley

    • Now & Then.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Only Yesterday

    • The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
    • A&M.
  • Carpenters

    Piano Picker

    • Live At The Palladium.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)

    • Live At The Palladium.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Rainy Days and Mondays

    • The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
    • A&M.
  • Bette Midler

    Superstar

    • The Divine Miss M.
    • Atlantic.
  • Carpenters & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    Superstar

    • Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Top Of The World

    • The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
    • A&M.
  • Carpenters

    The Uninvited Guest

    • Lovelines.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters

    Make Believe It's Your First Time

    • (Single).
    • A&M/Emi.
  • Carpenters

    We've Only Just Begun

    • The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More.
    • A&M.
  • Carpenters & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    Yesterday Once More

    • Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • A&M Records.
  • Carpenters & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    Hurting Each Other

    • Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • A&M Records.

Broadcast

  • Sat 27 Apr 2019 03:00