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Sometimes either you make it yourself, or learn to make misery bearable."Those old melodies still sound so good to me as they melt the years away." (Yesterday Once More)I suppose that the musician died too young, that she somehow was emotionally hardened, being able to peal out scenarios like "Good bye to Love" , or a cover of the Beatles, "Gotta Ticket To Ride", or "All You Get From Love is a Love Song." But the Carpenters also gave us so many fun songs, tender love ballads and just plain beautiful melodies. Not all the window dressing in the world can alter the reality, that no one else is responsible for your happiness. And for all of the happiness of that song, I remember singing it sometimes through a huge lump in my throat.
}:-) If I got a glazed look in my eyes when Karen sings, well, her voice may be an old love song gone for much too long. Or maybe drop-in on someone's big sister working at the doughnut shop or the taco stand, perhaps sharing ice-cream or a cold soda.This album is simply titled "singles" and you could trace the climb of most of these songs all over the top `40' charts when they were released. Like an old love song, gone for much too long, you hear it once again and it carries you away.I wouldn't want to have to tell anyone, "This is your parent's music." But I realize there's a substantial probability it really may be.
`By the time I was in High School I remember Karen Carpenter teaming up with Sesame Street and the Big Bird for the cut, "Sing". Sometimes her voice is still singing with my mind, an old lyric from the song (I Need To Be In Love):"I know I ask perfection of a quiet and perfect world, and fool enough to think that's what I'll find." Or at the very least, a love song from an old soul.
(Those Good Old Dreams) With Karen's melancholy libretto carrying us Long ago & far away as she falls in love during a concert, (Super Star) I can't help remembering childhood friends when they were still friends.Summer bicycle ventures into the nearby village to divest ourselves of recycling bottles and raid the candy counter of the local dime store.
Second, while the supplements to the original 1969-1973 disc are nice, too much is still missing. He is a skilled remixer but these are simply not the singles as we heard them on the radio. I don't actually own this. Third, Richard's remixes mean these aren't the original versions. Fourth, Karen's facial expression on the cover is truly eerie and I can't have it in my home. This is the case for three reasons. First, I have already taken the plunge on four other Carpenters hits collections, none of which is completely satisfying.
This album shortens a car drive when plugged in to the CD player - very nice, but makes me sad to realize that we have lost such a talent.John
Even still, Karen's voice needed a very light touch with these effects. If you're wanting something as a casual listen or to remind yourself of days gone by, this CD will probably work fine. Richard Carpenter is the king of re-releases. While I don't mind hearing remixes, they should not be pawned off as original tracks. It does make her voice less enjoyable on closer inspection.If you really enjoyed the crystal clarity of Karen's voice, it's better to get the original tracks (which are not on this compilation). What I take issue with is the handling of Karen's vocal tracks. While these effects were available in the 70s, they were more cumbersome to use (and it just wasn't the style at the time).
That doesn't necessarily make the song less enjoyable for a casual listen. Every song on this CD is so thick with effects on her vocals that, unfortunately, the crystal clarity of her voice drastically suffers.
I don't take issue with this practice. Her voice shined through crystal clear on every track she recorded when thick effects were not used.This compilation is the perfect example of why Karen's vocal work needed little, if any, effects.
Unfortunately, this compilation didn't get by unscathed. Her voice was so subtle and controlled that thick effects were unnecessary.
Just understand that these are not the original tracks you would have heard on the radio way back when. and this CD clearly attempts to pawn these tracks as the original album mixes when they aren't.That said, remixing to update the sound quality is fine, to a point.
The original albums recordings refrained from using heavy reverb, echo and other thick effects on Karen's vocals.
These songs pay tribute to her timeless talent. Karen Carpenter was one of the most gifted stylist that has ever lived. It's the Carpenters - Karen and Richard - need I say more.Top selling group of the decade (70's). Great songs, great arrangments and what a voice.
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