Singles 1974-1978 Album Thoughts .....

[Peteruk]

Following on from original Singles 1969-1973 compilation ....A&M in UK, later in Canada and several European States issued a follow up :

Singles 1974-1978 ....with shiny Gold cover .....

Aside from the revised / re-recorded 1977 version of Can't Smile Without You ....there were few other changes / surprises ....

Due to Richard's declining health in 1978 ....and focus on so many other Carpenters Studio / TV / Live projects ....there was no time to re-record / include alternate versions of later singles as with Singles 1969-1973.....

Presumably this is why Richard & Karen were reluctant to issue this set and why no USA / Japan / Worldwide releases were authorised .....surprisingly release went ahead ....

While a huge sales success ....shame Carpenters were unable to re-work several of these tracks as with original Singles set ....any other thoughts on this follow up album .....

Peter

[Rob813]

Well Peter I think you hit the nail on the head. Richard was at an abominally low level of health at this point. He had been calling the shots for so long that Karen was in no position to take the reins from him. They really had no choice but to pass on any opportunity to re-record the 74-78 singles.

I personally think they went to fast and hard for too long. If they had paced themselves better, many of these health problems would never have surfaced. But, of course hindsight is 20/20. I probably would not have done any better if I was in their position.

[Rick Henry]

?*
The release of "Singles 1974-1978" came as a total surpirse to me. I was at a record store browsing through a bin of records on sale (it must have been early 1979). I came across the record at first I almost passed it up, but then I noticed the famous Carpenters logo and I stopped and without even looking to see what was on it I decided to buy. Of course I already had everything that was on the record but I was still ecstatic to own it. I'm still the same way today. I continue to buy every compilation and I'm always excited when one is released.
#$

[Moe]

I, too, just happend upon the album unexpectedly while in a record store and snatched it up. It would have been nice if they had added an instrumental opening like the original Singles and/or reworked some of the songs. Obviously, they didn't have a lot of time or energy at the time. What a shame....

I think a version of the The Singles 74-78 could have been released here in the States if they added a new song to help stir up interest. "Where do I go from here" or "You're the One" could have been hits and released as a single to help promote the new collection.