| | Carpenters CD Carpenters Discography of CDs
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The Carpenters: Richard Carpenter (vocals, arranger, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums).
Additional personnel includes: Bob Messenger (reeds, bass); Douglas Strawn, Jim Horn (reeds); Joe Osborn (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Doug Strawn (reeds, keyboards, wind); Jim Horn, Bob Messenger (reeds, wind); Hal Blaine (drums).
Photographer: Guy Webster.
Arranger: Richard Carpenter .
This is where the duo began running a little short of material for albums, having raided many of the song catalogs with which the Carpenters were most familiar on their two previous LPs -- although it didn't seem it to anyone at the time except Richard Carpenter, since there were three hit singles present that ensured the album's popularity: "For All We Know," the huge-selling "Superstar" (done on the first take because it was a little uncertain how comfortable Karen Carpenter would be with the sexually suggestive lyrics to the Leon Russell song), and "Rainy Days and Mondays." The unusual jacket design, like an invitation with a decorative picture of the duo (similar to a graduation photo), seemed to go over well with older listeners while not repelling teens, which is lost in the transformation to CD packaging. In retrospect, Carpenters is a very MOR album -- "Superstar" aside, its influences are more pop than rock, and any of the duo's original interest in jazz is long gone as well. The Bacharach/David medley, in particular, was distinctly more appealing to the over-30 set than to teenage listeners, and "Saturday" made them few new friends. ~ Bruce Eder
The Carpenters' radio-friendly soft rock virtually defined the genre in the early 1970s, and this album--their third full-length--was the group's ace card. Following on the heels of the wildly successful CLOSE TO YOU, CARPENTERS features more breezy melodies marked by rich arrangements and beautiful lead vocals, courtesy of siblings Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter, respectively.
The record is most notable for two of the duo's strongest and best-loved singles. "Rainy Days and Mondays," written by soft-pop gods Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, is a bittersweet pop masterpiece fleshed out by Richard's string orchestrations and smoothly produced backing vocals, while Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett's "Superstar," from its melancholic verse to its dramatic chorus, is equally hard to resist. (Both songs showcase Karen's sultry alto.) The rest of the album includes Richard's bubble-gum pop originals, another Williams-Nichols tune ("Let Me Be the One"), and a medley of Burt Bacharach-Hal David tunes. Even more commercially streamlined than its predecessors, CARPENTERS is a classic of early-'70s pop.Rolling Stone (6/24/71, p.43) - "...Ultimately the Carpenters have more going for them than against. There is no question that they have contributed mightily to the inherently limited genre of MOR music..." Carpenters Music | List Price | $13.95 (You save $1.36) | | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, Pop CDs, Nostalgia, Contemporary Blues, Vocal, Contemporary Pop Vocals | | Label | A & M | | Orig Year | 1971 | | All Time Sales Rank |  10213  | | CD Universe Part number | 1094729 | | Catalog number | 393502 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Dec 08, 1998 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Mono/Stereo | Stereo | | Producer | Jack Daugherty | | Engineer | Ray Gerhardt; Dick Bogert | | Personnel | Richard Carpenter - vocals, arranger, keyboards
Karen Carpenter - vocals, drums
Also: Jim Horn, Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn, Bob Messenger, Douglas Strawn | | Additional Info | Remastered |
Purchase Carpenters CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Carpenters Close To You CD (1970) Remastered
Carpenters
 $7.65  
The Carpenters: Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Richard Carpenter (keyboards, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Jim Horn, Bob Messenger, Doug Strawn (woodwinds); Joe Osborn, Danny Woodhams (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).
Digitally remastered by Richard Carpenter.
Personnel: Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Doug Strawn (woodwinds, keyboards, wind); Jim Horn, Bob Messenger (woodwinds, wind); Hal Blaine (drums).
Arranger: Richard Carpenter .
Hurriedly put together in the wake of the success of the title song, and containing the follow-up hit "We've Only Just Begun," Close to You is a surprisingly strong album, and not just for those hits. Richard Carpenter's originals "Maybe It's You" and "Crescent Noon" are superb showcases for Karen Carpenter's developing talent, the latter a superbly atmospheric, hauntingly beautiful art song of the kind that Judy Collins was doing well at the time, and gorgeously arranged. There's also a Swingle Singers-style number, "Mr. Guder," showing off their paired vocal talents and more of Richard's arranging talents. Karen's singing on "Reason to Believe" isn't so much somber as it is passionate, as she emphasizes the melancholy component in the song more than most versions. Their version of "Help" lacks the inventiveness of "Ticket to Ride," although it has some pleasing vocal flourishes. The finale, "Another Song," tries hard for a serious rock sound, especially in Karen's animated drumming, but it's her voice that stands out. Released amid the political turmoil of 1970, in the wake of the Cambodian incursion, Kent State, and the conservative backlash against the antiwar forces, there was no way that the rock press or the most politically active listeners were going to appreciate this record, but the fact that it had two huge hit singles and earned a gold record award raised their ire against the Carpenters, a problem that would dog the duo for most of its career. But the public b
| | Carpenters Song For You CD (1972) Remastered
Carpenters
$6.85
The Carpenters: Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Richard Carpenter (keyboards, background vocals).
Additional personnel includes: Louie Shelton, Tony Peluso (guitar); Red Rhodes (steel guitar); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute); Tim Weisberg (bass flute); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn); Norm Herzberg (bassoon); Joe Osborn (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).
Digitally remastered by Richard Carpenter.
The Carpenters: Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards).
Additional personnel: Tony Peluso, Louie Shelton (guitar); Red Rhodes (steel guitar); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute); Tim Weisberg (bass flute); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn); Norm Hertzberg (bassoon); Joe Osborn (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).
Personnel: Tony Peluso (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Red Rhodes (guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar); Louie Shelton (guitar); Bob Messenger (flute, alto flute, tenor saxophone, wind); Tim Weisberg (flute, bass flute); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn, wind); Norm Herzberg (bassoon, wind); Hal Blaine (drums).
Audio Remixer: Roger Young.
Liner Note Author: Richard Carpenter .
Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; A&N Studios.
Photographer: Jim McCrary.
Arranger: Richard Carpenter .
The duo's best album, and the place to start beyond the hits compilations. Up to the release of A Song for You, the Carpenters' success had seemed an awesome if somewhat fluky phenomenon, built on prodigious talent, some beautifully crafted pop sensibilities, and a very fortunate choice of singles -- their albums Close to You and Carpenters, though they were top-sellers, both seemed just a bit thrown together. Then came A Song for You, a seemingly unified concept album written and recorded during a frantic period of concert activity, and brimming with lovely musical ideas even more lovingly executed, laced with good humor, an
| | Carpenters Now And Then CD (1973) Remastered
Carpenters
$7.19  
The Carpenters: Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums).
Additional personnel: Tony Peluso (spoken vocals, guitar); Gary Sims (guitar); Buddy Emmons, Jay Dee Maness (steel guitar); Bob Messenger (flute, tenor saxophone); Earl Dumler (oboe, bass oboe, English horn); Tom Scott (recorder); Doug Strawn (baritone saxophone); Joe Osborn (bass).
Digitally remastered by Richard Carpenter.
Personnel: Tony Peluso (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Buddy Emmons (guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar); Jay Dee Maness (guitar, steel guitar); Gary Sims (guitar); Bob Messenger (flute, tenor saxophone, wind); Tom Scott (recorder, wind); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn, wind); Doug Strawn (baritone saxophone, keyboards, wind); Hal Blaine, Ron Gordon (drums).
Photographer: Jim McCrary.
Arranger: Richard Carpenter .
It was with the release of Now and Then that the Carpenters lost any pretense of being even dorky-cool -- gone were the covers of Leon Russell and Carole King songs, the inventiveness that marked the best of their Beatles covers ("Ticket to Ride"). The album jacket -- and album covers had long been a vexation to the Carpenters -- was a giveaway, depicting them in a car in front of a suburban home. The problem also lay in the relentlessly cheerful childrens' chorus on "Sing," which seemed to come out of every public music outlet that spring and summer; the silly version of "Jambalaya" on side one; and the oldies medley on the second side, which at least predated Happy Days' going on the air but still botched its job, mixing Karen Carpenter's haunting rendition of "Johnny Angel" and her spirited version of "One Fine Day" (anticipating her white-bread but effective version of "Beechwood 4-5789") with filler like "Fun Fun Fun" and "Deadman's Curve," all interspersed with Tony Peluso doing his best (i.e., worst) imitation of an obnoxious disc jockey. Whatever the reas
| | Carpenters Horizon CD (1975) Remastered
Carpenters
$7.45
The Carpenters: Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums).
Additional personnel: Tony Peluso, Bob Bain (guitar); Thad Maxwell, Red Rhodes (steel guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn); Tom Morgan (harmonica); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone); Doug Strawn (baritone saxophone); Pete Jolly (keyboards); Frank Flynn (vibraphone); Joe Osborn, Joe Mondragon (bass); Jim Gordon, Alvin Stoller (drums); Jackie Ward, Mitch Gordon, John Bahler, Gene Merlino (background vocals).
Digitally remastered by Richard Carpenter.
Personnel: Richard Carpenter (vocals, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Tony Peluso, Bob Bain (guitar); Thad Maxwell, Red Rhodes (slide guitar, steel guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone); Doug Strawn (baritone saxophone); Pete Jolly (keyboards); Frank Flynn (vibraphone); Jim Gordon , Alvin Stoller (drums); Gene Merlino, Mitch Gordon, Jackie Ward, John Bahler (background vocals).
Photographer: Ed Caraeff.
Arrangers: Richard Carpenter ; Billy May.
The Carpenters were one of the more ubiquitous and successful acts of the early and mid-'70s. This 1975 effort seems to be willing to explore sad emotions -- with the more blithe songs appearing almost as an afterthought -- which is actually a nice fit for Karen Carpenter's pitch-perfect and sorrowful voice, and emphasizes the duo's subtext. The beautifully arranged "Aurora" sets the album's ambience. "Eventide," a continuation of the melody and theme, shows up later in the album. The covers, "Desperado" and "Please Mr. Postman," have the duo adding nothing new to the tracks. A more convincing take on the standard "I Can Dream, Can't I?" was co-arranged and orchestrated by the legendary Billy May. The track has Carpenter's empathy and tone ringing clear. Another cover, "Solitaire" written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody, is melodramatic but a great match for Car
| | Carpenters Christmas Collection CDs (1998)
Carpenters
$15.69 
Originally released as 2 separate albums, CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT and AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS.
The Carpenters: Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter.
Producers: Richard Carpenter, Jack Daugherty, Karen Carpenter.
Adapters: Peter Knight; Richard Carpenter .
Personnel: Richard Carpenter (vocals, piano, keyboards); Karen Carpenter (vocals); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone); Pete Jolly (keyboards); Pete Morgan (upright bass); Cubby O'Brien, Ron Tutt, Barry Morgan (drums).
Audio Mixers: Richard Carpenter ; Roger Young.
Liner Note Author: Paul Grein.
Photographer: Harry Langdon.
Arrangers: Peter Knight; Richard Carpenter ; Billy May.
In 1998, A&M released the original Carpenters' albums for the first time on CD. Along with the reissues, the label released Christmas Collection, a double-disc that combines Christmas Portrait and An Old Fashioned Christmas on one set. Neither album offers any surprises -- they sound exactly like you'd imagine a Carpenters Christmas album would sound like. Since the two albums are virtually interchangeable, relying on Richard's famously light, inoffensive arrangements and Karen's sweet, soaring vocals, they make for a terrific pairing. It is true that only hardcore fans will need this set, but they should be more than pleased by this definitive collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Reissued concurrently with the delayed issue of Karen Carpenter's solo album, this import CD contains both Carpenters Christmas records, 1978's CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT and 1984's AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS. Both albums are remastered and appear in their entirety on CD for the first time.
Purists should note that the 1984 release was completed after Karen's 1982 death and is comprised of outtakes from the 1978 recording sessions and instrumental performances (including selections from The Nutcracker Suite) performed by Richard Carpenter. Highlights of the set include traditional hymns and carols, Christmas pop standards and other seasonal tunes
| | Carpenters As Time Goes By CD (2004)
Carpenters
$12.59
11 Of 15 Trax Are Prev.Unrel. In U.S. W/Ella F,Perry Como
The Carpenters: Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter.
Additional personnel: Ella Fitzgerald, Perry Como, John Davidson.
As Time Goes By is a collection of songs taken from demos, live shows, and television performances recorded by the Carpenters between 1967 and 1980. In his liner notes, Richard Carpenter says this is a record for hardcore Carpenters fans only and he is right. The songs from the various TV specials the duo recorded are cute, mostly versions of standards like "I Got Rhythm," versions of the hits of the day, and Richard Carpenter instrumentals. Apart from the pretty take on the Wildweeds' country-rock-influenced "And When He Smiles," a song that should have been a hit for them if they had officially released it, the best of the lot is the duet on a medley of standards by Karen Carpenter and Ella Fitzgerald from 1980. While Ella is near the end of the road vocally, it is interesting to have two of the most precise singers ever trading verses back and forth. The "Carpenters/Como Medley" is also fun but much cheesier. The disc also includes a couple of songs that were previously unreleased ("Leave Yesterday Behind," a sweetly sung ballad recorded for a TV movie of the same name, and "The Rainbow Connection," which features a typically charming vocal from Karen as well as their versions of "California Dreamin'" and "Nowhere Man" from the original demos that got the band its record deal). The only problem with the outtakes and rarities here are that Carpenter felt the need to go in and fix, sweeten, or totally refurnish the songs. Perhaps he just has too much free time, perhaps he is an obsessive tinkerer. Whatever the excuse, the archival value of the songs has been tampered with and that makes the songs less valuable somehow. If indeed this set is designed with Carpenters diehards in mind, wouldn't they have liked to hear the original version of "Nowhere Man," the one-track mono version? Rich
| | Johnnie Ray Cry CD (1994) (Import) Germany
Carpenters
$24.39
Liner notes include an interview with Johnnie Ray.
Like most of those popular singers who peaked in the period just before rock & roll emerged as a dominant force in music, Johnnie Ray has been neglected -- his own record label, Columbia, has issued a few hits compilations in varying degrees of completeness, which seems to be mostly what the U.S. market will support. But Germany's Bear Family Records has stepped out in front with a string of releases of Ray's catalog that started with this single CD and culminated with a similarly named box set. This 30-song collection has surprisingly little overlap with Columbia's 16 Most Requested Songs, so those already owning the latter will not have to concern themselves too deeply with that issue. Not all of the hits are here, by any means, but many of Ray's most interesting single sides are present, along with two previously unissued tracks. The sound is amazing, given the limited fidelity of many Columbia releases dating from across the same period, and anyone with doubts about Ray's versatility will get a first-hand look at his R&B and jazz influences, albeit not necessarily in their most commercially successful forms, and also the raw power of his voice -- additionally, numbers such as "Yes, Tonight Josephine" show how Ray did, indeed, keep himself competitive in the rock & roll era; it might not have the beat, but Ray's singing had the kind of edge that characterized some of the better pop-style efforts in that direction of the period. Also included are duets that he cut with Frankie Laine and Doris Day. The collection is well-annotated by Peter Grendysa, who gives a superb account of Ray's overall career. The only complaint one might have over the material is the producers' failure to follow even a minimal chronological order -- the songs jump all over the map across nine years of recording, which makes it a great showcase for Ray's range and depth, if not the evolution of his career and sound. ~ Bruce Eder
30 tracks from song stylist, including duets with Frankie Laine and Doris Day w. 24-page booklet
| | Andy Williams Personal Christmas Collection CD (1994)
Carpenters
$6.09
Personnel includes: Andy Williams (vocals); Johnny Mandel, Robert Mersey, George Wyle, Marty Paich (conductor).
Compilation producer: Didier C. Deutsch.
Includes liner notes by Didier C. Deutsch.
Containing a handful of tracks, Andy Williams's Personal Christmas Collection may be short on material, but not on quality. All of the songs included on the album are first-rate, making this a good holiday purchase for any fan of Williams. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Christmas records have been packaged with special melodies that have come to represent the wonder of the season for generations. In this PERSONAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, Andy Williams performs 15 annual gems with an utterly devout conviction, giving "The Christmas Song" spirituality amidst the pure harmonies. His version of "My Favorite Things" from THE SOUND OF MUSIC concisely expresses the joyousness of long winter nights and the anticipation of splendid gifts.
Williams outdoes himself on "Winter Wonderland," releasing felicitous passion as he lets out a temperate scat to finish the song. Few popular crooners can give such a natural and reverent rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful." The CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is a testament to Andy Williams' tonal fidelity as well as his near-sacred sincerity.
| | Incantation Meeting CD (1987)
Carpenters
$10.39
;Pan Pipe Band
Incantation: Claudia Figueroa (vocals, guitar, cuatro, charango); Maricio Venegas (guitar, charango, cuatro, snare drum, percussion, vocals, zampona); Forbes Henderson (charango, guitar, tiple, snare drum); Tony Hinnigan (zampona, quena, cello, guitar, charango, percussion, keyboards, vocals); Sergio Avila (quena, zampona, percussion, vocals); Mike Taylor (quena, zampona, flute, alto, bass & contrabass flutes, percussion).
Additional personnel: Julian "Eddi" P. de la Vega (charango, guitar, guitarron); Helen Tunstall (harp); Danny Thompson (bass); Nigel Thomas, John O'Hara (percussion); Andy Stennet (programming).
Recorded between August 1986 and July 1987.
| | Denise Smith Way It Is CD (2005)
Carpenters
$15.15
If you like mary j blige , the sultry sound of Toni Braxton and the peformance energy of Tina turner, then you'll love this new r&b pop diva , she is a delightful mixture of all 3but brings a sound and style all her own. Denise is a singer/songwriter, a NewJersey native who began her career with a musical group called Mocca, after a year of changing members, she finally emerged as a solo artist and there is no stopping her, she has performed in various places from New Jersey to Alaska , Denise has been very active in the music business ,for 8 years , early in her career she had the pleasure of working with David "pic" Conley of the well known group Surface, she has worked with many independent local producers to mention a few, Shaye D,Dj SOUL,Dwayne B, as well as well known overseas producerYaris , and also up and coming rap artist Big Doc,Shaye DHazy B, and Riz who appear on the cd. Denise is currently working on new material in ATl,GA with producers Wahid of dammahum ent. also Shaye D , Ron Rocks, EMJ of around the world productions,and new rap artist Triflenz and looks forward to more collaborations ,Denise has also teamed up with a live band , this girl as really on the move , so look out and look for her to tell you "The Way It Is"
| | William Chor Ferris Ferris: Snowcarols, Gentle Mary, Etc / French CD (2007)
$13.25 | | Stargazer's Assistant Shivers And Voids CD (2008)
$15.89 |
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