Carpenters Album: “The Ultimate Collection”

As a die-hard Carpenters fan, I am always happy when another release of their hits comes out, if only to keep their music accessible for new fans. I was particularly pleased with this collection for that group of listeners because of the purity of the content. Ever since A&M and/or Richard Carpenter had been churning out anthologies and hits of collections since Karen's untimely death in 1983, there was always some tinkering done with the original tunes (mostly in re-mixing and re-recorded or newly recorded instrumentals added to the tunes). Soon these "doctored" versions became the only ones you would hear on the radio and on subsequent issues of new hits packages over the years. I believe the only reason this new collection could be made is due to the remastering of all the original Caprenters albums which came out a few years back. The first two discs of this collection plays out (for the most part) as a history of their single releases in chonological order, although these are all the ALBUM versions of those songs. This is not a true all-encompassing "Singles" collection, as there are some actual single releases missing (Merry Christmas Darling, Honolulu City Lights - both of which I assume were not included because a remastered version does not exist for these as yet) and some that are included that to the best of my knowledge were not actual single releases (This Masquerade, Desperado). It is really wonderful, however, to hear the bulk of their early hits in their pristine, original form as I remember them from the old LPs they came from, and more importantly, without the somewhat irritating flourishes Richard added to some of these hits post 1983 (which particularly made We've Only Just Begun and Superstar become heavyhanded and unlistenable IMHO). Why he chose to tinker with the lovely arrangements he orginally committed to vinyl back in 1970-71 is still a mystery to me. I am glad that recent converts to the Carpenters sound can now hear these two tunes in the versions that earned Richard well deserved Grammy nominations as arranger in 1970 and 1971. As I know what a perfectionist Richard is, I was puzzled with why Yesterday Once More was not better edited to omit the motorcycle intro (which on the album led to their oldies medley - on this collection it doesn't make any sense to have left it in). The reason I call this collection as hardly being the ultimate for true Carpenters fans is that if it is really an Ultimate Collection, it should either be a true singles collection, with the original version of Merry Christmas Darling and Karen's Magic Lamp releases, OR it should be an ultimate collection in the sense that it contain more historical recordings such as their RCA sessions, alternate takes of their hits, and the always sought after unreleased material such as the work from their TV shows that have not been released, or appearances on Carol Burnett or the Tonight Show. Now THAT would be an Ultimate Collection!

ReReview:

Well after listening to it more - the remixes are satisfying. Though frustrating at first after extended listening I like it as an alternative to the others. The music is so basically great it allows a 2nd access to it through some changes that give a much "bigger & better" feeling to the production.

As you shop the Carpenters you have the original radio hits and then remixes. Yes it is confusing:

Check first! One of these "Carpenters, The Ultimate Collection" is NOT the one commented on by five & four star reviewers but a new substituted group of disks. Remixes have been substituted for the best originals. Check for the substitutes below and you have found the fake version of "The Ultimate Collection" then buy the real version with the originals not remixes.

Examples:

2. (They Long To Be) Close To You (1991 Remix)

4. For All We Know (From "Lovers & Other Strangers")

12. I Won't Last A Day Without You (1991 Remix)

22. I Need To Be In Love (1991 Remix)

35. Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again (1995 "Interpretations" Version)

I leave this review as a 1 rating only to show how much this different form grows on you becoming a 5 rating over time.

I am a huge Carpenters fan and I will never stop being one. This is collection has some of the most amazing songs in it. But again, in this complication, they are missing a few hits. Will the record company ever get it correct? It's not truly the Ultimate without all of the hits. The songs they are missing are "A Song For You","Goofus","I Just Fall In Love Again","(Want You) Back In My Life Again","Beechwood 45-789","Make Believe It's Your First Time","Honululu City Lights",and "If I Had You". If these songs were to be included on this Ultimate Collection, then it would be just perfect. Hopefully on the Carpenters 40th anniversary, they will release album with all of these songs on it. I would still recommend this album to you, it does include the major hits "We've Only Just Begun","For All We Know","Superstar","I Need To Be In Love", and many many more. Make sure you pick up a copy!

Thoroughly enjoyable. I play it frequently and it never ceases to please. Karen Carpenter had a voice to remember forever.

Why do people have to mess with perfection? These remixes of the original Carpenters selections sound like a bad attempt to recreate the past. Karen's awesome voice isn't going to change, but the twiddling and tinny, often childish remixes completely ruin the original sound. Barf.