Carpenters in one true collection

The album consists of two CDs and 28 songs. The first CD is more diverse and to me there are all sorts of songs in it. The second CD consists of more tranquilizing or rather sad songs. I think the producer wanted to make a distinction between the first and second CD. I think the CDs cover almost every great song Carpenters performed. I would say this is the most compact yet complete collection of songs you find about Carpenters.



Also the jewel box is a folding one. From outside it looks like any other CD box and seems to be holding only one CD. But inside there is a folding plate with two CDs on its both sides. This saves space and helps you put it in you CD rack with all other CDs.



In one word if you want to listen to Carpenters in one album, maybe this is one of the best CDs.

Without them there would be no Pretenders...

CARPENTERS, THE "Yesterday Once More" 2xCD

We're coming up on what would have been Karen Carpenter's 54th birthday (March 2nd) and we just passed the 21st anniversary of her death (February 4th) it seems like as good a time as any for me to declare my love for the music of the Carpenters. Who says landmarks have to come in fives and tens?



This double disc starts off with my three favorite songs by the Carpenters. I think they best sum up what I loved about the band. "Yesterday Once More", "Superstar" and "Rainy Days And Mondays" are perfect songs in my mind. The songs are sad and pretty at the same time. Karen Carpenter has one of the most beautiful and inimitable voices of all time. Her deep low voice conveyed so much emotion on these songs in particular, that it wasn't too far a stretch to think her personal life was in complete disarray and the music truly was a vehicle for her to reach out.



The lyrics are near perfect. On "Yesterday Once More", Karen announces her relating to the audience as she puts herself in the same position. "When they get to the part where he's breaking her heart it can really make me cry." She GETS it. On "Superstar" it's an even heavier tale of unrequited love from the perspective of, perhaps, a groupie. There is real love and innocence in this possibly unhealthy relationship. "Don't you remember you told me you love me baby... Loneliness is such a sad affair..." This may be one of the five greatest songs of all time. Their methodology is perfected as well as a sense of self-awareness on "Rainy Days And Mondays". "What I've got they used to call the blues... Hanging around. Nothing to do but frown."



The music on these songs is perfect. They are wonderfully arranged and are almost tediously constructed to maximize the emotive strengths of both the vocal delivery and the content of the lyrics. "Superstar" even has a beautiful 7 bar Brian Wilson-esque middle 8 between the first chorus and the second verse. It's quite stunning and understated at the same time.



This collection has its duff moments. I'm not big on some of their corny stuff. But the good stuff is as good as any good cry you've ever had. I mark this music with the best of the '70s across the boards. I'll just end by listing the amazing songs that you should know and love "Goodbye To Love", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "This Masquerade", "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song", "We've Only Just Begun", "Close To You".



"Loneliness is such a sad affair

And I can hardly wait to be with you again

What to say to make you come again

Come back to me and play your sad guitar."

Sing!

When you play this 2CD collection, make sure you "Sing" with Karen. Certainly, this is very enjoyable song collection that even the casual fan would want. "Solitaire" is mysteriously not here, but other than that, no complaints. Since the Carpenters have had "who knows how many hit collections of various titles" in their catalog, this is your best choice to buy especially if you decide not to buy their box set. This collection will save you from buying "The Singles:1969-1973". Listen and "Sing"!