Superstar by The Carpenters

 

Listening to the saxophone and other wind instruments at last night's Woman to Woman concert reminded me of how I love the oboe in the Carpenter's version of Superstar. It takes the introduction solo at the beginning of the recording and it is played by Earle Dumier (photo below). Now the oboe is not my favourite instrument, but here it works perfectly in the haunting melody. Later it is complemented by the brass section on Richard Carpenter's re-recording with an orchestra. His arrangement of the composition by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell is outstanding. My favourite Carpenter's track.