Customer Rating: 
Summary: Code
Comment: There is no understanding girlhood in the early 70's without at least a cursory familiarity of (the) Carpenters. They ruled. And, for me, that was queer. Socialized as a boy, Carpenters were off-limits; I was supposed to get down with Grand Funk Railroad, or something. My Carpenters greatest hits LP was yet one more secret.
In a parallel universe, there was this "mystery group," supposedly the secret synthesizer reunion of the Beatles. Sucker. Really, just Klaatu, lightweight pot pop following the Dark Side of the Oz, or something. Boys did listen to that, including my stoner pals. Long version (LP) and short version (45).
Now meanwhile back in femland, there was the Carpenters' long and short version, too. These two conflicting demographics could not exist within the same timespace. Nope. The illogical association incinerated both careers in a flash. But, me, a secret girl performing, poorly, boyhood, I understood the unity of opposites contained within.
"Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft," the Carpenters version, remains one of the proto-postmodernist jukebox achievements of the era. For that reason alone, this CD is essential. Plus, as any normatively gendered person will assure you, "Rainy Days And Mondays" is a capital S standard.
I remember and still adore you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gentle voice..evokes so many feelings...
Comment: I love them...karen has a great voice..so sweet...so gentle...so touching...
light up some candles...switch off the lights...and play the cd's
if you are in a hug, then it's better..or even if you are alone these cd's will keep you the best company.
the lyrics are perfect..and this compilation is the best (As a best of)
even if you dont own any of their previous albums, this compilation is all you need! :)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very pleased
Comment: Everything is OK the product arrived promtley and is being saved for a christmas present. Thank you
Customer Rating:
Summary: All the Carpenters Best and a treat or two!
Comment: I am biased towards this CD! This is my era of music and the Carpenters were among my favorites. If you have similar leanings you should not miss this CD.
"Carpenters Gold" includes their greatest hits (the 12 songs on the album "The Singles 1969 - 1973"), the best of their later releases ("Let Me Be the One," "Bless the Beasts and the Children," etc.), a few of their off beat forays ("Sweet, Sweet Smile," "Calling All Occupants of Interplanetary Craft") AND a special treat or two.
Everyone knows about the Carpenters' hits. To this day they are staples on easy listening and 70's music stations. I remember many of the later albums ("Horizons," "Passage," "A Kind of Hush") and am thrilled so many of the best from those releases are included on these two discs. Add a couple of stabs at country music like "Jambalaya" and "Sweet, Sweet Smile" and this album has everything a Carpenters fan could want.
The best thing this album does is give more than it has to give. Beyond all of the above, it includes a couple of previously unreleased songs (at least in the U.S.). One of those is a joyful, beautiful, charming rendition of "The Rainbow Connection." Another is a "work lead" vocal Karen recorded in 1978. Richad completed production of it in 1999, "Leave Yesterday Behind."
The real gold nugget of this CD set is a Barry Manilow hit, "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again." According to the jacket notes "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" was recorded in 1975 for the 'Horizon' album. Dicarded at the time because that album had enough other ballads, Karen's lead vocal was lost until the early 90's. Her "work lead" of this song was orchestrated and mixed, being released in 1994. I had not heard it until I got this CD. Karen's recording is vocally PERFECT. But the recording wasn't perfect. Karen left a ghost of herself after the first chorus. There, in the quiet before the second verse starts you can hear her turn the page, a ruffle of paper. It gives me chills every time I listen to it. The notes also say these are the original words to the song. Barry had some changed for his interpretation.
I'd like to add a plug for JACKET NOTES. These are under appreciated inclusions in CD packaging you just don't get when downloading a song or a CD from the a music store. The one included with this CD is excellent. Richard has written a touching tribute to his sister. His memories become insight to fans.
As I write this iTunes version 7.5 is available for download. The last several iTunes versions allow a higher quality download IF you go to "Preferences>Advanced>Import," you can select a 256 kbps quality in AAC encoding or 196 kbps for MP3 encoding. These are quite a bit larger files than 96 kbps, taking longer to import and more space to store, but it also follows that they will provide better sound. I assume other music software has similar options available. I recommend the higher quality.
Karen Carpenter had a unique voice. It had great depth, resonance and color. But it is her soul that drove that voice to greatness, to the place it occupies in my heart. This CD set captures all of that charm, power and magic. It's well worth the investment. Even if you have never been a fan, you will find the soothing vocals by Karen will move you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Carpenters CD
Comment: The Carpenters CD came OK and I have already heard many of the hits of 30 years ago. Thanks.
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