Such A Wonderful Way To Get Into The Carpenters

The most successfl duo of all time , the brother and sister duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter had a huge rise to success only to have a major fall and a tragic ending. However, despite the untimeley death of Karen 22 years ago, their music still lives on thanks this cd, which celebrates their 35th anniversary.



This two disc cd has been compiled and remastered by Richard. The songs aren't in chronological order but for a band as great as the Carpenters, it shouldn't matter.



Disc 1 contains a few of the hits we all know love ("Superstar", "Rainy Day And Mondays", "Top Of The World", "Only Yesterday", "We've Only Just Begun") but is for the most part stocked with a wealth of rarities and album tracks. It's great to see songs like "Sweet, Sweet Smile", "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day)", "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore" and "Maybe It's You", to name a few, finally added to a Carpenters collection. Also, there are some unreleased tracks. I absolutely love "Leave Yesterday Behind" even if it is basically a rewrite of "For All We Know" (another favorite). "The Rainbow Connection" beats Kermit's version by a long shot (though that shouldn't be too hard to do), and while the 1967 cover of "California Dreamin'" isn't as good as the Mamas And The Papas or Beach Boys versions, Karen's vocal is amazing on this song.



I have to devote a special paragraph to two songs that I love but hadn't heard for the longest time. They are "It's Going To Take Some Time" and "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)". I loved these songs when I first heard them, but I hadn't been able to find them for almost 30 years. Now that I have them, I can sleep a little easier at night.



Disc 2 has the lion's share of hit singles. This is where you'll find "Yesterday Once More", "Please Mr. Postman", "Hurting Each Other", "(They Long To Be) Cloe To You", "Sing", "Goodbye To Love", "For All We Know","Touch Me When We're Dancing" and "I Won't Last A Day Without You" are all featured. But that doesn't mean there isn't some great rare material featured. "Mr. Guder" is a great anti - love song that is a perosnal favorite. Their original version of "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" lacks the in your face intensity of Barry Manilow's top ten hit version, but this simplistic version of the song is just as good (I wish they included their original version of Manilow's "Can't Smile Without You"). "Make Believe It's Your First Time" is a beautiful song from Kren's unreleased solo album. Karen's favorite song, "I Need To Be In Love", still has the warmth and emotion it had when it was first released in 1976. There are so many other great songs on here, too many to mention.



The bottom line is, you must get this collection. Trust me, It is one purchase you won't regret.

Gone from us way to soon.We Only Just Begun!!!!!

I cant Believe that it has BEEN 22 years today.Great movie about her on the true stories channel.Great movie RIP K.C.

Highly recommend

I would highly recommend this cd. It is well worth the money. I have read all of these comments from other buyers about original versions and how some songs were remixed and even bashing Richard for it...well, I'm only 24 and not sure of what was changed b/c I obviously didn't hear them on the radio because I wasn't probably wasn't even born then, but what I hear when I listen to this cd is talent, talent and more talent. Karen's voice is absolutely beautiful and Richard's arrangements are awesome. I commend Richard for working on the music and beg him to keep it coming!