Carpenters "Singles 1969-1973" - best sounding version on cd

Hi Guys,

I have the Carpenters' cd:

The Singles 1969 - 1973 - Made in Japan A & M CD-3601 (Audio Master Plus Series).
There are no dates on anything.

What version is this?

Thanks,

Tom Kennedy

 

Post a sample.

 

Just got the Lp of it

In decent shape for 2 bucks, appears to be an early pressing. The A&M Lp sounds great. I compared it to the remixed BMG version of the cd 1973- 1981. I like the original mixes better. I agree with the guy who thinks the BMG is tube warm, the bass is just pumped up and a little flabby. There is a canadian version of the 1973 singles disc too, anyone have this one? I just ordered one.

 

So the Japanese CD arrived today, and it sounds great. Doesn't sound compressed to me. BUT -- a bizarre error! It has "Close To You" on track 1, as well as on track 12. "We've Only Just Begun" is MIA.

Has anyone else seen the Japan CD with this error?

 

Play it again, Sam.

The opening of the disc starts out with a little "Close To You Intro" (not labeled or credited), and it segues into "We've Only Just Begun." Listen a little longer!

Harry

 

Richard Carpenter.......1-0.......RZangpo2

 

Oh. *blushes* I heard the intro, and figured something was wrong! It's been a long time since I've heard this record, guys. My folks had it on 8-track tape... used to play it in the car.

 

The "intro" and the segues are simply fanstatic on this album. I can't listen to "Rainy Days And Mondays" without the segue to "Goodbye To Love" anymore.

 

Digging up this old thread...

I'm no Carpenters expert. Could someone list the obvious differences between the original mix of "Yesterday Once More" and the remix?

 

Piano intro is re-recorded and stereo. Karen's vocal is awash in reverb. There may be other differences but these are very obvious.

 

Listen here. The part is the original single mix while the second part is the remix.

 

That bugged the hell out of me the first time I heard it!

Not only does Richard rerecord the piano - he plays the wrong bloody notes....

"...it made me smile..."

I think not!

 

Hmm, you're not alone - it bugged me hearing it on Carpenters Gold Greatest Hits whose tracklisting appealed.

I can see I'll be for the Japanese CD's of 1969-73 and 74-78 after Christmas.

Regards,

 

The original early-1973 mix, or the original late-1973 mix?

 

Far be it from me to tell Richard Carpenter what he should have or shouldn't have done, but I think it was a poor decision to change that chord since for obvious reasons the vocal can't be redone. I like the new chord, but Karen was hearing a different chord and while the notes don't exactly clash, she would have (any singer worth their salt would have) sung it differently with this chord. The emotion is different - the new chord gives the line a more sad, bittersweet feel instead of the "gee, didn't we have fun back then" feeling of the original. Just my opinion.

 

Is UICY-3249 the same as 82839 3601 2 ?

I have CD 3601
75021 36012 barcode
Made in Canada
is this version any good?

 

Yes, UICY-3249 is a straight reissue of 82839 3601 2, otherwise known as the Remastered Classics version. But of course there's now an updated version of this, available as an SHM-CD, platinum SHM-CD and SHM-SACD.

 

And it's even better

 

Is the SHM CD remixed ?

 

No. It's all the same mixes as the original SINGLES 69-73 LP.

Harry

 

sounds good is this the one? http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-76034

 

That's it!

 

There's also the Platinum SHM-CD and the SHM-SACD.

Harry

 

It's the same mix but a slightly different mastering each time. Bernie Grundman warmified the sound a bit for the Remastered Classics/UICY-3249 and also corrected the speed issues. He warmified it a bit more for the SHMs and also softened the edges of the vocals, to good effect.