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Today sees Carpenters: Gold released as a CD and DVD set for UK fans. I have already bought mine (Although I have both aleady, I want it to do well in the charts! ) So if you are a UK fan and haven't bought the album . . .What are you waiting for? Go and get it . . NOW!!!!

Simon:headphones

TopOfTheWorld23, on Feb 21 2005, 06:32 PM, said:

I was thinking of getting the Carpenters essential colloection 1967-1997?
Is that something you have and is it worth having in your opinion?

You know what's bad?? I think I only have the 2 disc set "Love Songs". I had the cassette tape of "Close To You" from 1990 (who knows where it is now... but methinks I need to buy more Carpenters albums. Which would be good, other then their individual, original albums?

I recently bought the Essential Collection and its a great selection of songs on 4 Discs, everything from Early Demos To Karen's last recorded song. Each song has liner notes by Richard and who played what instruments and what year it was recorded, it also has some great pictures in the booklet. Definitely worth the investment.

The Essential Collection is good but I recommend From The Top it has alot of unreleased tracks that The Essential Collection does not the sound quality is rather poor but I like it for the unreleased and alternate takes on alot of songs that is absent in The Essential Collection.

ttunez, on Feb 22 2005, 02:23 AM, said:

I think it's a great compilation of the C's work. Although a few tracks missing (Beechwood 4-5789, Your Baby Doesnt Love You Anymore etc) it is a must for all fans!

Simon

rmjoots, on Feb 22 2005, 02:37 AM, said:

The Singles 1969-1981 was the first album that I had. I think there's a lot of variety just on that compilation alone. Also the Singles 1974-1978 is a really fun compilation... it has Jambalaya, Happy, Sweet Sweet Smile.... really great.

As far as "From the Top" goes, I recommend waiting to get that one until you become familiar with a lot of the other stuff... this is just based on my own experience because I only got my hands on the set last week. After you're familiar with the albums and compilations, "From the Top" is a treasure because of all the outtakes and the 'mistakes', lol. When I listened to it I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.



Linda

linda76, on Feb 22 2005, 12:20 PM, said:

I've been pretty crap at adding to my CD collection actually. Most of my CD's are home made compilations.
I DO have the GOLD CD and DVD and the Close to You DVD (excellent) and the Tan album on CD.

With regards to vinyl, my first Carpenters album was Live at the Palladium (which I played endlessly). Then I got the Brown album (singles 69-73) and then the gold album singles 74 - 78 (was that just a UK release?).

The main reason that I don't buy more these days, is because I have most of the tracks anyway. Richard releases the same tracks to make money every so often, but nothing new is forthcoming.

One thing I will be buying is the SACD recordings (of course I'll need to fork out for a player first).

Where else was the "Singles 1974 -1978" released and why wasn't it releaased in the US?

Leanne, if you own any original Carpenters album it should be "Horizon" from 1975, which is undoubtedly and unanimously agreed to be their best.

I didn't even realize that the singles 74-78 wasn't an American release. I found my copy in a used music warehouse for five bucks or something way underpriced. I was happy.


Linda

The main reason that I don't buy more these days, is because I have most of the tracks anyway. Richard releases the same tracks to make money every so often, but nothing new is forthcoming.
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Is there actually anything unreleased, or anything worth releasing in the eyes of Richard? I got the idea Richard was pretty comprehensive in what has been released. I don't think he puts stuff out just for the money, as he has a formidable legacy to maintain, and when he passes to the great beyond, there will be no one as dedicated to carry on the task. So far he has done it justice.

I thought he remixes and remasters stuff for a newer audience and the newer formats. Do you really think he needs the money?
Maybe he needs to sell x amount to justify the monetary output. He's alluded to that about the music, music ,music thing, I think.
Imagine what we'd get if Ramone or some record company charlatan was in charge of the catalogue. (or is that catalog?)