Carpenters

What a fantastic instrument that voice was.
I still have most of the original albums in great shape.
 Sonically, not bad.

Music on Vinyl released a pretty good sounding double record package called "The Collection" last year.  It includes all the hits plus some deep album tracks and obviously songs that the Singles 69-73 doesn't have.

  I have all the Carpenters albums/CD;s and have been in love with her voice since I heard her on the radio singing, "Close to You." in 1970. BTW, did you all realize that this song was recorded by both Dionne Warwick and the actor Richard Chamberlain in the early 1960's. 

Yep, have had a copy of that record forever. It's actually a very good sounding record. enjoy~

Whart, that´s exactly what I meant ! I think I´ll get the US original first. Discogs is a great source. Thanks and cheers

Another +vote for Karen's velvet voice.  Happy Listening!

@harold-not-the-barrel : not sure where you are located but this old compilation--The Singles-1969-73 has long sounded good and is readily available: https://www.discogs.com/Carpenters-The-Singles-1969-1973/master/85600

@roxy54  A BIG +1.  The Carpenters Christmas album contains a great mixture of Karen's vocals with Richard's harmonizing and well arranged instrumentals.  It is the one Christmas CD the whole family enjoys!

What are the BEST sounding original vinyl albums ? Any original UK releases to be taken seriously ? Thanks

This thread reminded me of Todd Hayne’s film school project. For those unfamiliar with it, Hayne’s filmed "The Karen Carpenter Story" using Barbie dolls. Sounds dumb, but after watching moving humanoid figures with dialog for a few minutes, you forget they're made of plastic. [insert joke about plastic surgery and Hollywood if you must]
The Herb Alpert character was best, with dark hair and long side burns.

He never cleared the music and as I recall, got sued, so as far as I know, the film never got legitimate distribution but was this underground cult thing. I saw it many years ago.

More importantly, did it spur you to contribute to PBS?

"Rainy days and Mondays always gets me down."

A true gem.

If you like her, as I do, then the Carpenters double Christmas CD set will be a favorite. I've loved it for years and never tire of it!

I’m listening to the Royal Philharmonic mixes right now in 24/192 and they are amazing. Karen has never sounded better. I love the orchestral arrangements. It was really a nice surprise to find this today.

rpeluso, I'm sure you can still get the original mixes.  I would trust Richard Carpenter to remix the tracks in a way that is faithful to the original intent while taking advantage of modern technology.

Karen's wildly premature demise is one of the great musical tragedies of the last ½ century.  Yes she could play the kit and her voice was pure velvet!  Go back and listen to the beautiful music she was a central figure to.  Incredible shame that her time was cut so short.😔

Karen was a good drummer too, mentored by Hal Blaine himself.