Disco de Carpenters: “Yesterday Once More [1998]”

I never really paid much attention to The Carpenters as I was growing up in the 1970's. They were always on the radio with one song or another, but I never really listened since I was a disco fan, along with other people my age.

However, as I have grown, I find myself looking for more mellow music-- a break from the grunge and rap that is so prevalent on the radio stations today. I ran across this CD as I was shopping on Amazon. I listened to some of the sound clips and realized that this was just the kind of music I was looking for. I immediately ordered the CD, and it's been in my player ever since. The rich vocal tones and the soft accompanyment are suitable companions for many of my activities. The songs take me back to a simpler time in my life and help to relieve the stress of everyday living. When I listen to this collection, it truly is "Yesterday Once More" and I can highly recommend this CD to anyone. It is a testament to the fact that good music and true talent is timeless.

Richard Carpenter has through the years quietly tinkered with virtually every Carpenters hit for reissue. What he's done is subtle and not always immediately discernable. He hasn't changed anything drastically but has refashioned elements to update both musical components and sound quality. It's all happened so slowly that it's only when you put on the original LP version of "Close to You" that you realize what you hear now is very different from what you heard then, so much more completely realized and musically polished. This guy is a genius. He has taken the Carpenters library and continually polished it up so that virtually every release is not only a wonderful hits collection but an intriguing new listening experience. I'm told that Karen for the first "Singles" collection redid many vocals--I know about "Ticket to Ride" and "Top of the World" but it's also said she did "Goodbye to Love" and a few others. Does anyone know exactly what? I've tried and tried to discover differences in the many issues of "Goodbye to Love" and can't spot them. If anyone can post a list of redone vocals, that would be great. As for Richard, what he's done in redoing these recordings is singular in popular music history, and done with the most exquisite taste and sound judgment. After Karen's tragic departure, this guy after all could have folded up and given up. He didn't. He went on, still creating, and along the way turning out his own outstanding albums. I think for him the best is still ahead--he's got the goods as a vocalist and entertainer in his own right. People are noticing that.

A great collection of The Carpenters songs. Was made two years after Karen Carpenter passed away. Karen Carpenter sang and did some of the drums and Richard Carpenter played the keyboards. The brother and sister sounded great on this recording. The albums from which the songs are from is: Close To You, Carpenters [signature album], Song For You, Now And Then, Horizon, Passage, Made In America, Voice Of the Heart [sorry if I'm missing one] I would recomend buying this!!!!! Alex Hutchins

The remastering effort decidedly paid off and it sounds awesome in my living room. The songs are familiar and it appears as it were taped recently. Some songs I was not aware of (I fall in love with you) simply surpassed the barrier of time. Content and quality of sound gets my business all the time. Karen and Richard, thanks for the memories!!

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.