Lovelines (1989)

“Lovelines” is a compilation of previously unreleased songs released after Karen Carpenters passing. This was the third such album coming after 1983’s “Voice of the Heart” and 1984’s “an Old Fashioned Christmas.” With the release of “Lovelines,” Richard Carpenter had announced this would be the last Carpenters album of newly released material. The album consists of songs from Carpenters’ television specials “Space Encounters” and “Music, Music, Music” as well as outtakes from the studio albums “Passage” and “Made In America.” There are also a few songs recorded during the “Christmas Portrait” recording sessions of 1978 intended for release on a scrapped album which would have been released in 1979. Most interesting was the inclusion of four songs from Karen’s (at that point in time) unreleased solo album. This was the first time fans heard any of Karen’s solo songs. The title of the album “Lovelines” is taken from one of Karen’s solo tunes.

Overall “Lovelines” is a somewhat uneven collection, not their most consistent work, though still an engaging record for diehard fans with several true gems that sparkle to this day.

“Where Do I Go From Here?” was recorded in 1978 and would have been released on the famed 1979 Carpenters album that was never completed. The song includes an awe-inspiring guitar solo by Tony Peluso and the silky smooth emotive lead vocals of Karen Carpenter. “Where Do I Go From Here?” was first recorded in 1977 by England Dan and John Ford Coley for their album “Dowdy Ferry Road.” Barry Manilow included it on his 1978 album “Even Now.” Written by Parker McGee who also wrote “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” and “Nights Are Forever” both hits for England Dan and John Ford Coley.

“The Uninvited Guest” was recorded for the “Made In America” album but did not make the cut due to lack of space. This pop/country ballad was used as the b-side of the CD and cassette single release of “If I Had You.” Mary MacGregor’s 1976, #1 hit “Torn Between Two Lovers” is mentioned in the lyric. This is the only time a song title is mentioned in a Carpenters song.

“You’re The One” is one of the biggest fan favorite from the album. This beautiful Steve Ferguson ballad was also recorded (minus the bridge bridge) by Jennifer Warnes for her 1976 album “Jennifer Warnes,” which also included the mega-hit “Right Time of the Night”. Carpenters’ version was recorded in 1977 during the “Passage” sessions. It was a “flip of a coin” that decided whether “You’re The One” or “I Just Fall In Love Again” made that album.

The four Karen Carpenter solo song that made it onto “Lovelines” are; “Lovelines,” “If We Try,” “If I Had You” and “Remember When Lovin’ Took All Night.” you can read more about these songs on the Karen Carpenter (solo album) discography page.

“Lovelines” was the last Carpenters album to be released on vinyl.

Album Information

Release Date: October 31, 1989
Catalog Number: SP-3931
Chart Positions: #73 UK
Certifications: 3x Platinum (US)
Singles: “Honolulu City Lights” (released in 1986), “If I Had You,” “You’re The One” (released as a promo single)
B-Sides: “The Uninvited Guest” (b-side of “If I Had You”)

Click Here to purchase “Lovelines”

Album Credits

1	Lovelines Arranged By – Rod TempertonBacking Vocals – Karen CarpenterBass – Louis JohnsonDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar – David Williams (4), Eric Jons-RasmussenKeyboards – Greg PhillinganesOrchestrated By – Bob JamesPercussion – Ralph McDonaldWritten-By – Rod Temperton	4:28
2	Where Do I Go From Here Arranged By – Richard CarpenterBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttGuitar – Tony PelusoKeyboards – Richard CarpenterOboe – Earle Dumler*Orchestrated By – Peter Knight (5)Written-By – Parker McGee	4:24
3	The Uninvited Guest Arranged By – Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – The O.K. ChoraleBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttGuitar – Tim May, Tony PelusoOboe – Earle DumlerOrchestrated By – Richard CarpenterPedal Steel Guitar – Jay Dee ManessWritten-By – Buddy Kaye, Jeffrey Tweel	4:24
4	If We Try Arranged By – Rod TempertonBacking Vocals – Karen CarpenterBass – Louis JohnsonDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar – David Williams (4), Eric Johns-RasmussenKeyboards – Greg PhillinganesOrchestrated By – Rob MounseyPercussion – Ralph McDonaldWritten-By – Rod Temperton	3:42
5	When I Fall In Love Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)Bass – Joe OsbornDrums – Cubby O’BrienHarp – Gayle LevantKeyboards – Pete JollyOrchestrated By – Peter Knight (5)Written-By – Edward Heyman, Victor Young	3:08
6	Kiss Me The WayYou Did Last Night Arranged By – Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – Karen Carpenter, Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – Siedah GarrettBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttGuitar – Tim MayHarp – Gayle LevantKeyboards – Richard CarpenterLead Guitar – Tony PelusoOboe – Earle DumlerOrchestrated By – Richard CarpenterPercussion – Paulinho Da CostaWritten-By – Linda L. Lawley, Margaret Dorn	4:03
7	Remember When Lovin’ Took All Night Arranged By – Bob JamesArranged By [Vocals] – Rod TempertonBass – Doug StegmeyerDrums – Liberty DeVittoGuitar – David Brown (6), Russell JavorsKeyboards – Bob James, Rob MounseyOrchestrated By – Bob JamesPercussion – Airto MoreiraWritten-By – John Farrar, Molly-Ann Leiken*	3:47
8	You’re The One Acoustic Guitar – Tim MayArranged By – Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – Karen Carpenter, Richard CarpenterBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttKeyboards – Richard CarpenterOrchestrated By – Richard CarpenterWritten-By – Steve Ferguson*	4:13
9	Honolulu City Lights Acoustic Guitar – Tim MayArranged By – Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – The O.K. ChoraleBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttEnglish Horn – Earle DumlerHarp – Gayle LevantKeyboards – Richard CarpenterOrchestrated By – Richard CarpenterPedal Steel Guitar – Jay Dee ManessWritten-By – K. Beamer	3:19
10	Slow Dance Arranged By – Richard CarpenterBacking Vocals – Karen Carpenter, Richard CarpenterBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Ron TuttFlute – John Phillips (4)Guitar – Tim May, Tony PelusoKeyboards – Richard CarpenterOrchestrated By – Richard CarpenterWritten-By – M. Margo*	3:35
11	If I Had You Arranged By [Rhythm] – Bob JamesArranged By [Vocals] – Rod TempertonBass – Joe OsbornDrums – Liberty DeVittoGuitar – David Brown (6), Russell JavorsKeyboards – Bob James, Rob MounseyOrchestrated By – Jerry HeyPercussion – Ralph McDonald*Tenor Saxophone – Michael BreckerWritten-By – Gary Harju, Larry Herbstritt, Steve Dorff	3:57
12	Little Girl Blue Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)Bass – Joe OsbornDrums – Cubby O’BrienHarp – Gayle LevantKeyboards – Richard CarpenterOrchestrated By – Peter Knight (5)Written-By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers	3:24

Producer – Phil Ramone (tracks: 1, 4, 7, 11), Richard Carpenter (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12)

Art Direction – Chuck Beeson
Design – Peter Grant (3)
Lacquer Cut By – BilBo (3) (tracks: B1 to B6), DB* (tracks: A1 to A6)
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Photography By [Back Cover] – Ed Caraeff
Photography By [Front Cover] – Norman Seeff
Producer – Phil Ramone (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B4), Richard Carpenter (tracks: A2, A3, A5, A6, B2, B3, B5, B6)
Sleeve Notes – Richard Carpenter