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.

"Yesterday Once More" was released in 1985 and was a massive effort. It first appeared as a television offer only, then six months later was repackaged and sold retail. This anthology covers the years 1969 to 1983, sans Christmas songs. Not only are the original singles present, some excellent album cuts are featured as well. To further showcase this album as a must-have set, Richard remixed every song, the piano and synthesizer overdubs on "Yesterday Once More" and "Weve Only Just Begun" give the two songs a finished sound and an updated appeal. One song that was not on the original release and placed here on the remaster is "I Just Fall In Love Again" which should have been a hit in it's own right. I loved this set when it was released the first time, the remasters make this set perfect. Did Richard remix this project again? Yes. He uses the original vocal lead from the 1973 version of "Goodbye To Love" instead of the alternate take, the one where Karen vibratos on the word "alone." There are other changes, but telling would take the adventure out of finding them yourselves.

I have been a fan of The Carpenters since I was a kid. I had a couple of cassettes of theirs that I must have worn out from playing back then. Unfortunately I don't have this remastered version but the original 2cd set, but I am planning on getting this one soon, as I love all the songs, and to have them newly remixed and remastered with an added song, will be well worth the money. So many of these songs, when I hear them, stir up a particular memory for me. Music has a certain knack of doing that, and it's wonderful. Highly recommended!

I am sorry but these remastered albums by Richard Carpenter are worse. It is like he got tired with what he and Karen created. I am really disappointed in the "tan album" but have since learned he did across the board remastering with most of their songs no doubt for $$. Karen's voice is softened and looses subtle emotional tones on every single song. Its like Richard looked at the subtle grain of her voice as grain on a digital pic so he decided to air brush it and make it more silky. It's sounds processed compared to my originals of which I own the records and initial CDs. I know and love Karen's unique voice so like to listen too her sing as well as sing along with the songs. String instruments: They are also retouched and sound brighter. You may like that and I responded positively for a few seconds. But listening more no! All the songs just moved to a bright Muzak direction and actually, though slight I will agree, de-emphasized Karen's voice - made it less center stage. Don't fix (or re-interpret) what was not broken. The sounds of the "raw" earlier version is what you should track down and buy.

[Two CDs, with a combined running time of 98:04] This album is a collection of 27(!) of The Carpenter's greatest tunes. The very first song is, fittingly, Yesterday Once More. Others include, Rainy Days And Mondays, I Won't Last A Day Without You, Please Mr. Postman, and many others. Happily, another included song is one I never get to hear on the radio (and haven't heard since a certain cassette tape of mine died when I was in college :-( ), Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft!

This album was originally sold in 1985, but has been remastered in 1/12/99. I'm not sure what's going on, but the copy I have has 27 tracks, as opposed to the 28 listed by Amazon.com (There's a Kind of Hush is not on my copy), and the order is a little different. Regardless, if you like The Carpenters, then you will like this album, it has many of their best songs, and the price is very good!