Carpenters Horizon CD

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 Carpenter's voice. The originals, including "(I'm Caught Between) Goodbye and I Love You," are competent but not magical. Although some might be put off by the sorrow-or-bust ethos of this, Horizon gains its strength from strong production values and, of course, Karen Carpenter's singular gifts as an interpreter. ~ Jason Elias
The Carpenters were one of the more ubiquitous and successful acts of the early and mid-'70s. Songs like "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" make the shortlist of pop classics of the '70s. Unfortunately, their 1973 retrospective, 1969-1973, might have wrapped up their commercial careers too soon. This 1975 effort seems to be willing to explore sad emotions with the blithe songs appearing almost as an afterthought. Although it would sound the death knell for many efforts, with Karen Carpenter's pitch-perfect and sorrowful voice, it's actually a nice fit, and an emphasis on 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, despite the depressing horn and backing vocal arrangement, 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 Carpenter's voice. The originals, including "(I'm Caught Between) Goodbye and I Love You," are competent but not magical, and that fact diminishes the effort. Although some might be put off by the sorrow-or-bust ethos of this, Horizon gains its strength from strong production values and, of course, Karen Carpenter's singular gifts as an interpreter. ~ Jason Elias
This 1975 album is one of Karen and Richard Carpenter's best. A languorous cover of The Eagles' "Desperado" and