Special, beloved sound rings through in Christmas concert

Singer-writer Lisa Rock’s favorite Carpenters songs are “Superstar” and “A Song for You.”

That is, unless you’re talking Christmas.

If that’s the case, she said it has to be a medley Richard Carpenter arranged of “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells” and “White Christmas.”

And, of course, this time of year that’s the case and it’s all about Carpenters Christmas music. Rock and her six-piece band will be at the Grand Opera House Dec. 20 with their Carpenters tribute show, “A Carpenters Christmas,” featuring the best from Karen and Richard Carpenter’s Christmas albums, television specials, guest appearances and concerts.

“I really love everything they did,” Rock said in a phone interview, “but those are some of my favorites. That medley Richard compiled is so beautiful and goes the spectrum for me as a singer and for my band — my wonderful band. We love it, audiences love it, and it fits right into the Carpenters’ signature sound and hits like ‘Merry Christmas Darling’ and ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.’ ”

Rock said Carpenters tunes from the 1960s into the 1970s penned by songwriting greats such as Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, are undeniably enduring.

“People still love them and love their music,” Rock said. “With so many great songs — 22 top 10 hits — they still help weave the fabric of our lives and even people who might not be their biggest fans liked them and enjoy our shows. But believe me, they had and still have some of the biggest fans ever. There was something so honest about Karen’s voice without the reverb or all of today’s recording tricks. And the songs were simple. Simple but with the greatest hooks and melodies and stories.”

Rock stressed she’s not a Karen Carpenter impersonator but said she was blessed with a “Karen Carpenter voice” that came without effort. She said it was her band that had to work the hardest getting instrumentation and all the notes just as originally arranged.

“It’s a tribute and a loving one,” Rock said. “And it’s a statement about the ongoing greatness of enjoying live music and a real show, a show where there’s an artist/audience relationship that gives the night its shape. We love that.”

Reports from “A Carpenters Christmas” repeatedly speak of standing ovations. As a Christmas show, Rock said it has an added benefit.

“You know, it’s a break from the hustle and bustle we get into,” she said. “Come on, take a break! We’ve been playing to sold-out crowds and people come in tense but then the music starts, the memories whirl, the fun begins and everybody relaxes and has a good time. It helps the Christmas spirit bloom.”

Rock said the performance will be their Georgia debut.

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Special, beloved sound rings through in Christmas concert."