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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 21, 2004 22:38:14 GMT -5
 If someone (who has never bought a Carpenters CD) asks you which three Carpenters discs would be best to start with. What would you suggest and why? I will come back with my suggestions - as my dinner is boiling over and I must tend to it. Be back later... 
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Post by John in Phoenix on Dec 22, 2004 0:45:38 GMT -5
Good topic Rick !
I would suggest "From the top" for it's purity and lack of obvious remakes from after Karen's demise, The beige album "Carpenter's" for the terrific selection of tracks, and also "Horizon" because although Richard feels that they were rushed and tired while making the album, it has some wonderful cuts on it.
It's so hard to choose only three albums, isn't it?!
- John in Phoenix
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Post by karen69roland on Dec 22, 2004 1:20:33 GMT -5
***********  *********** ****************************************  Hey Rick... What do you mean exactly by *3 CDs*?
Only originals?
Compilations included?
Box set? No, not box set...?? [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300]  [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow] |
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Post by Moe on Dec 22, 2004 3:34:44 GMT -5
 If someone didn't know the Carpenters, I would suggest: 1) "Gold"- it has all the hits and some great album cuts. A great introduction to their sound. 2) "Horizon"- My favorite of all their albums. I love Karen's lower register and the song quality is a notch above on this one. 3) If it was fall, I would suggest "Christmas Portrait" for the best of all holiday albums. If it wasn't the fall, I think I would recommend "Lovelines." With some of Karen's solo work and standards like "When I fall in Love," this one has the best variety of sounds and styles. Good topic Rick....
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Post by beaner on Dec 22, 2004 6:26:27 GMT -5
1) Christmas Portrait for sure
2) Now and Then
3) A Song For You
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 22, 2004 10:10:13 GMT -5
@@ In answer to your question Roland - you can include compilations, box sets, and originals. Remember though you're talking about a person new to the Carpenters - so most likely they won't spend $50.00 or more for a box set. I would suggest: "Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition" - this is the most comprehensive Carpenters collection. It has the hits, a few great album tracks, and a few previously unreleased gems. "Horizon" - This is easily the Carpenters finest work. Every song is excellent. Karen's voice is at it's very best. "Now & Then" - The oldies medley alone is worth the price of this disc.  |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Dec 22, 2004 13:57:23 GMT -5
^^ Great topic Rick. I think I'd have to say 1) Gold - great representation of style here 2) Horizon - it's one of my very favorites/I can dream, can't I is Karen at her absolute best in my opinion. 3) Now and Then because it's just a great side all the way round. And I agree, John, it's most difficult to pick just three. I think these capture the essence, though. ~Best, Tim (AKA YesterdayOnceMore) |
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Post by karen69roland on Dec 22, 2004 15:08:51 GMT -5
*********** *********** **************************************** This is a topic where I have to talk about the *Gold* CD, again..., I'm simply frustrated that they removed *Because We Are In Love(The Wedding Song) of it..., and I would not say to buy *Gold* and *Made In America*.
I could say to buy *Yesterday Once More* - *Love Songs* plus an original...
..., but, sincerly, the 2 logical advices that I would give are..., *Let me burn you a couple of *Custom Compilations* CDs..., or save your money to buy *The Essential Collection* [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow] |
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Post by karen69roland on Dec 22, 2004 21:40:30 GMT -5
*********** *********** **************************************** From my own experience, and since I've only been here since June, I'll recommend what I have as a starting point: "Gold". This is a well-rounded assembly of all of the radio hits which most people are familiar, plus some that your local stations may not have played after 1975. "Karen Carpenter" (this gives one an inkling of what should have been), and "Christmas Portrait", if only to count our blessings that they had the foresight to record a Christmas album...although late in the game. Roland, it's strange that you should mention the "Wedding Song". With it's melodic sweeps, it's almost a Disneyesque composition. But Karen expresses fear, a deep-seated fear, knowing in her heart that it was all wrong, trying desperately to reassure herself that she was "in love", trying once again to please her family. I can't listen to it without becoming emotionally overloaded... 
Man... How could I forget my all-time/any artist/any style favorite album..., Christmas Portrait. [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow] |
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Post by Rob813 on Dec 22, 2004 22:18:03 GMT -5
Let's see. I really think the Gold Collection showcases all the hits and some excellent album cuts from throughout their carrer.
As has been stated, Horizon is just perfect and an album to fall in love with Karen and Richard.
I really like the album Carpenters for it's purity. I think it represents the classic Carpenters syle to perfection.
For Christmas, of course Christmas Portrait will introduce newbies to the very best Christmas music ever recorded!
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Post by Rick Henry on Dec 22, 2004 22:48:40 GMT -5
For Christmas, of course Christmas Portrait will introduce newbies to the very best Christmas music ever recorded! You are so right Rob, the Carpenters have certainly made the very best Christmas music ever. *^ |
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Post by cam83 on Dec 23, 2004 18:23:09 GMT -5
Hi All,
I think I would choose
CLOSE TO YOU-CARPENTERS...I think this album is just great and features different styles. Some jazzy feel, some pyscadaelia stuff, choral stuff, pure pop, etc.
VOICE OF THE HEART-as it features some of Karen's best singing. Songs you wish she had recorded more of.
PASSAGE-This is unusual, because I would NEVER really recommend this to anyone as it is NOT my fave album of theirs but it features for their style...a change...a chance to experiment with other styles. And they had fun with this album.
Cameron
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carprave
NEW TO THE FAMILY
Thorns among the roses add to what is real
Posts: 32
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Post by carprave on Dec 24, 2004 9:54:43 GMT -5
 For the newbie I would suggest Gold: 35th anniversary for the same reasons as everybody else. It's a great introduction to the Carpenters and features songs from the entire span of their career. I would also suggest Karen's solo because this shows a complete different side of her and it's the best album that was never released in 1980. And for certain Horizon which is the Carpenters most sublime album.
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Post by Will on Dec 25, 2004 0:56:27 GMT -5
 Great topic Rick. I think I'd have to say 1) Gold - great representation of style here 2) Horizon - it's one of my very favorites/I can dream, can't I is Karen at her absolute best in my opinion. 3) Now and Then because it's just a great side all the way round. And I agree, John, it's most difficult to pick just three. I think these capture the essence, though. ~Best, Tim (AKA YesterdayOnceMore) I have to agree with you Tim -- Karen is at her best singing 'I Can Dream Can't I' -- especially those very low notes with incredible vibrato! I've never heard anyone sing with that amount of control at that pitch at that very slow tempo. I get chills just thinking about it. So, I'm going to say Horizon for certain. And the other two CDs? For now, I'm going to make those choices based on the recipient's musical tastes. The C's have produced such a variety of sounds that I think my choices will need to be based on the musical likes and dislikes of my newbie. |
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