Hello Everybody~

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I wanted to include this information in the previous post, but honestly, was afraid I would lose the video that took almost two full hours to upload; therefore, here we are, fumbling ole' Martini posting on top of the video I'm excited about. I wanted to repost the information from the "I'll Leave You The Music" reviews of the fabulous LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM, so you will have the background of how it became a jazz influenced pop tune....so read on, then enjoy the video in the very next post.

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Salute to you, Palm! (for simply being YOU)!
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I'm including in this post my feelings regarding this version of LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM that I wrote for the "I'll Leave You The Music" album review in a much earlier post.
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Palma and I have discussed this version of Love Me on various occasions. Seems Fred Guarino, ( album co-producer, founder and owner of Tiki Recording Studio, Glen Cove, Long Island, New York), came up with a version of this song that would be so “contra distinct” from the version as it was written, originally ~ a power pop ballad ~ and as it was recorded by Karen and Richard Carpenter on their 1975 hit album, HORIZON. So, the idea of the “programmed drums” and the snappy, jazz-influenced shuffle beat was created, and like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes, a new song was born ~ at least, a new version of this sensational number became reality.
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Why the change? Palma often can sound so much like Karen Carpenter when singing a ballad, though in a key a 3rd or so higher than Karen's normal key, (and I can only imagine how close she sounded to Karen when singing this song as a slow, power-ballad as I have not yet heard Palma’s version in ballad form). So, thinking outside the box, Fred came up with this version. Even with this dramatic change, Palma still sounds eerily like Karen, in places.
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This is a busy little number, yet it’s not too busy or fussy. There's just a great deal going on in this song. Palma has told me several times how she writes, keeping in mind the idea that "less is more." And I have found that she is so, so right about that. So, everything that one hears here creates a backdrop of sheer brilliance. The captivating sax work of ARKADY Kofman is so fun and he blows his axe (his instrument) with ease and confidence.
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I really enjoy the treatment of this song. I had been curious to hear this “upbeat” version of LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM – I wasn’t sure but that it might sound a bit cheesy – or silly. (Okay, come on……. I was, after all, used to hearing this lovely song as a power ballad sung by one of the best singers of her time, Karen Carpenter – who sounded achingly beautiful on it in it’s ballad form. In the version recorded by Karen and Richard, we hear Karen have to tell the man she loves something very difficult ~ “If what you want isn’t natural for me, I won’t pretend to keep you, what I am I have to be. The picture of perfection is only in your mind – for all YOUR expectations, love can never be designed.”) This lyric is sad and the woman singing the song seems overwhelmed with bittersweet emotion. So…..I’m thinking “……how can Palma ever pull this off and make it “ring true” in a convincing manner as a “pop” tune”, with that lyric?..."
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Ladies and Gentlemen, she does it exceptionally well, of course! Palma makes this sound sort of “sarcastic” and very sassy! It’s such a fun listen. And WOW!….all those parts!!!!!! All of the back-up parts add to the drama and overall tone necessary for this tune to really seem complete. It comes across as a jazzy, sophisticatedly styled up-tempo pop number with a punch! I really love the tight vocals and the chord structure used for them – the overall feel of the song is wonderful. I'm especially fond of the build up to, and execution of the vocal chord in the verse "....make another START!!! " Awesome!
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Bravo to saxist ARKADY Kofman for his hot sax work. Kudos to Fred Guarino for his innovative idea; it works, Fred – it works well - and Palma – you pulled it off brilliantly!
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Okay, then - that was my post and info about LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM....now, read on, and watch the video, posted below!!!
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Love me for what I am....for simply being me!
~Martini