Buy this CD now!

The CD is superb. In it, one will notice the distinct change in Karen from her girlish voice and style in their earlier albums to a mature and professional singer and artist. The CD surely will bring back the good, nostalgic memories of some thirty years ago. Most important of all, it is now a rarity. If you love good voice, song and music, own a copy now and not regret later.

Great Collection Of Early Singles

For a while, this album (the group's only album to go to number one) was the best Carpenters hits set around. Then "Singles: 1969 - 1981) and "Gold" came along and made this set completely obsolete. While it may useless now, it's still good if you don't want to pay too much money to get their hits.



"Singles: 1969 - 73" pretty much sticks to its title, containing all Karen and Richard's (better known as The Carpenters) biggest hits from their first four years on A & M are here. Everybody will recognize these songs, including "(They Long To Be) Close To You", "Hurting Each Other", "We've Only Just Begun" and "Yesterday Once More". The only chart single I can think is missing is "Bless The Beasts And The Children" (number 67), which was released as a double A - side with "Superstar".



If you're a beginner's Carpentersfan, this may be a good starting point. But even if you are, you're cheating yourself out of later big hits "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "Solitaire", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)" and "Touch Me When We're Dancing)". For this stuff, I suggest you pick up "Gold: 35th Anniversary".

In short, good collection with timeless songs but better cds with other great songs.

Perfection

As I mentioned in the other review of the updated CD version of this album Singles 1969-1981, this is the album to get. The remastering job is as close to perfection (albeit there are flaws and problems with excessive reverbs during choruses), with the preserved full range of Karen's vocals. Instruments are clear and not overpowering. Haven't heard the new SACD version of 1969-1981; but the inclusion of remixed versions makes me wary.



This CD is out of print, but I was able to find one for a more than reasonable price. Less songs (than the new version), more quality (night and day difference vs. the "phoned-in" sound of the new version), works for me!