Carpenters Album: “Passage”

"Passage" initially was not a commercial success, but has gone on to become a CLASSIC of sorts being known as The Carpenters' most diverse and experimental album.

The album opens with a triumph of robust jazz inflections on Michael Franks' "B'wana She No Home". The song was recorded live in the studio, so you get the full effect of the musical jam between Pete Jolly's keyboard and Tom Scott's flute. Tony Peluso adds some ripping guitar riffs throughout the song. Karen's vocal is bold and seductive. This is a style which should have been further investigated by The Carpenters.

The album is full of one highlight after another. There is not one loser on this set. "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is no exception. Peter Knight (who orchestrated The Moody Blues' "Days Of The Future Passed" album) orchestrated and arranged "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Karen's reading of the song is flawless, it's as if it was written especially for her to sing. She soars on every note reaching each to perfection. She tells the story as if she lived it herself with a convincing emotional urgency. The Carpenters have recorded the definitive version of this song, they were even televised during the recording which was shown on news stations across the U.S. in 1977.

The album's most exciting moment is "Sweet, Sweet Smile", which was written by Juice Newton (Queen Of Hearts). The song moves along with an infectious upbeat bounce and once again Tony Peluso shines with his guitar chords. It reached #6 on the Country Music Charts in 1978.

"I Just Fall In Love Again" and "Two sides" are the album's ballads. Both are outstanding and should have been released as singles. "Two Sides" is the favorite track on the album according to a voting poll. ...

The album closes with a very unlikely song for The Carpenters to record. It's a space song written by Canadian prog-rock group Klaatu. Klaatu recorded the song using synthesizers, while The Carpenters used all real instruments to create the other worldly effect. Again Peter Knight did the outstanding orchestration and arrangement. "Calling Occupants" was so well recorded that The Carpenters recieved a Grammy nomination for it in the U.S. and it reached the top ten in the U.K. The song opens with guitarist Tony Peluso portraying a confused DJ who is taking a song request from an alien. The song is an amazing work of art all the way through. Leon Russell (author of the songs "Superstar", "A Song For You" and "This Masquerade") provides futuristic keyboard parts and Tony Peluso's fuzz guitar solo just sends you out of this world. But above all is Karen's pristine crystal clear stellar vocal, she's right at home with this offbeat song. Others like Olivia Newton-John or Barbra Striesand would have never been able to pull it off effectively - but Karen Carpenter has a youthful versatility in her voice which is very evident on the album "Passage".

"Passage" may not have reached the top of the charts, but it is a musical triumph and has grown to be recognized a The Carpenters' most daring effort.

With record sales slipping from their last two albums, the Carpenters tried to go into a new musical direction. This is apparent with the first song, "Bwana she no home" and with the classic "Man Smart, Woman Smater." Fortunately, these songs are not the highlights on this interesting album. The standouts are "Calling Occuptants of Interplanetary Craft," taken right from the Star Wars craze, and from Evita, "Don't Cry for me Argentia." This version of Argentina is the best I have heard. Madonna's version isn't even in the same leauge. While Madonna sounds like she is straining for the notes, Karen hits them effortlessly and with power and feeling that Miss M can only dream about. To add more musical styles, look at the Juice Newton penned "Sweet, Sweet, Smile." In 1978, this song took the Carpenters into the top 10 on the country charts. "I Just Fall in Love Again" adds more power to this wonderful album.

This CD is a lot of fun! Don't miss it.

Every group tries one of these Albums.This was the Carpenters experiment.I think they did a fantastic job,even though it wasn't a big hit. "Calling Occupants" did win a grammy,and "All you get from love in a love song," made the top 40.If you ever see the video for this song,Karen looked great. She was in great shape,and the sexiest I've ever seen her.That's one of my favorites from the CD,along with,"B'Wana She No Home." Karen sounded so different on this record.Madonna couldn't come close to Karen's,"Don't cry for me Argentina." If only Karen was a Actress,she would have been fantastic in the play and film. This album came out on CD last year,and its a must buy for anyone who loves the Carpenters.

Yes, this album isn't quite as stellar as the tan album or "A Song For You" or "Horizon", but it's not bad at all. It's worth the price for "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" and "I Just Fall in Love Again". And the much-maligned "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" is weird, yes, but also a great song musically.

For me, the highlight of the album is the Evita song. Wow, as others have said, Karen outsings Madonna so much that it doesn't even sound like the same song in the movie. (But don't we all know that Madonna really doesn't sing? Are we surprised? NO)

I lived in Argentina for a couple of years and it's interesting that the Argentine import of this album did NOT have the Evita song, probably because so many Argentines love Evita Peron that they thought it was subversive to sing about her.

Yes, the song selection is a bit strange, but the Carpenters albums always had a variety of selection from country-sound, to rock ballads, to acapella singing, etc. This is an UNDERAPPRECIATED album and I'm really excited to receive my copy, which I just ordered. I haven't heard the remastered album since I have the cassette, but I'm looking forward to it!