(1) "Offering" / "Ticket to Ride"

The Carpenters' first album released in 1969. Originally with the title "Offering" but later re-released under the new title "Ticket To Ride". Their first 45 also titled "Ticket To Ride" was the only single release from this album.
This is not a CD I play very often. Richard & Karen was still experimenting with recording techniques and sound during this period. Karen's vocal sounds rather young and, to my ear, has a harder edge than later releases. It is interesting to know that Richard also takes a large share of lead vocal duties. Some of the material included here now seems somewhat dated. My personal favourite track on this album is "Turn Away".

(2) "Close To You"

The Carpenters' second release, circa 1970. This album shows a marked improvement over is predecessor. Karen has attained her recognised voice, which is somewhat softer than the "Ticket To Ride" recordings.
This is one of my favourite Carpenters' studio albums. It includes a wide variety of tracks, plus the two single releases "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun". There seems to be a much greater use of the hallmark backing vocals here. My personal favourite track on this album is "Love Is Surrender".

 

(3) "Carpenters"

Their 3rd outing released in 1971. By this time, Richard and Karen were riding on the crest of a wave, and it shows. This is my favourite of all their albums. Most of the songs are in the same vain, and Richard sings lead on only one track.
3 singles were released namely "For All We Know", "Superstar" and "Rainy Days And Mondays".

Also known as the tan album due to its lack of a proper title. These recordings saw Richard and Karen secure their position in the U.S. with the three above singles, all reaching the top 5. Included here is a charming Henry Mancini track called "Sometimes" which has Karen singing to Richard's piano without any backing. My personal favourite of this set is "(A Place To) Hideaway". In fact, this is my favourite Carpenters' recording of them all.

 

(4) "A Song For You"

Album No. 4. This is probably recognised by most fans as the best, and indeed, has some of their finest work including the singles "Hurting Each Other", "It's Gonna Take Sometime". And a year later "Top Of The World" and "I Won't Last A Day Without You".
Richard and Karen showed their humorous side with inclusion of the all too short, "intermission". This is their a cappella singing at its best. My personal favourite is Richard's "Crystal Lullaby".

 

 

(5) "Now And Then"

Their 5th and my 1st, yes, this is the first Carpenters' album I ever purchased. I can still remember my father giving me the money to buy it, seems a long time ago now. This album is somewhat unique as the whole of Side 2 is the famous "Yesterday Once More" Oldies Medley, which is quite brilliant, and still manages to impress me after all these years. Two singles were released from these cuts, namely "Sing" and "Yesterday Once More". My personal favourite from this album is "This Masquerade" which probably rates No. 2 or 3 in my personal 'Carpenters Chart'.

 

(6) "Horizon"

There was a 2 year gap between the release of this album and its predecessor. During that time, A&M had released the massive selling "Singles '69-'73" which had totalled 17 weeks at No. 1 in the UK album charts. So "Horizon" was awaited with anticipation. When it was finally released in the summer of '75, I remember reading some of the music press reviews which were all united in their praise of Karen's voice. But some did remark on the short running time.
Three singles were released - "Please Mr. Postman" "Only Yesterday" and "Solitaire". My personal favourite from here is "Solitaire".

 

(7) "A Kind Of Hush"

Album number 7 is another "typical" Carpenters album with several beautiful cuts, But this was the first time Richard used backing singers on some songs rather than the traditional overdubbed vocals and in my opinion the quality of previous releases was somewhat missing.
The title track plus "I need to be in love" were put out as singles plus "Goofus" in the U.S.A. I believe, Sadly the chart positions were not as impressive as in the past.

My choice of best track here is the sublime "Boat to Sail".

(8) "Passage"

Hmm.... Passage, album number 8. This has been described by some as the most unusual of all their releases & in some ways I suppose this is true. Four tracks, B'wana She No Home, Man Smart Woman Smarter, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, and Calling Occupants certainly aren't run of the mill Carpenters recordings. According to the liner notes, Karen said "We really had fun with this album" I wonder if she meant it.
Three single releases here, "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song", the country influenced "Sweet sweet smile" and "Calling Occupants" all but the first made the U.K. charts. In fact "Occupants" made the top ten. My favourite track of this selection is "Two sides". Streets ahead of the rest.

 

(9) "Made In America"

So to Made in America, Number 9 and the last studio "Carpenters" album before Karen's death. To my ear this collection of songs has a lighter feel than all of the others, Richard penned two tracks, "Those Good Old Dreams" & "Because We Are In Love", The latter being played at Karen's wedding.
Several singles were released, "I Believe You", "Touch Me When We're Dancing","(want you) Back In My Life Again", "Those Good Old Dreams" & "Beechwood 4-5789".

My favourite from Album 9 is "I Believe You".

 

(10) "Voice Of The Heart"

And next to album number 10, titled "Voice Of The Heart". This was released after Karen's death, and is therefore a collection of previously unreleased material. I must admit to having a bit of a problem with this one, I love the songs and the stunning cover shot of Karen, so I can only think that I associate "Voice Of The Heart" too closely with Karen's death, and it makes me feel sad. Both "Make Believe It's Your First Time" and "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore" were released as singles. And to my own favourite, that has to be "At The End Of A Song", just beautiful.

 

(11) "Lovelines"

Next, we come to release number 11, Lovelines. This again is a collection of "old" material but none the worse for that. I really love this album and in my opinion it is superior to "Voice Of The Heart". In fact this album seems to be particularly popular with younger fans. Probably the most notable thing here is the inclusion of four tracks from Karen's aborted solo project. To my knowledge no singles were released either in the U.S.A. or U.K.
My favourite track (difficult to choose with so many good ones) is Number 10 "Slow Dance". Don't you just love those closing harmonies?

 

(13) "As Time Goes By"

As Time Goes By was finally released in the year 2000. Unfortunately though only in Japan. For some reason, best known to the music industry, it was decided that this album would not be released in either the USA or United Kingdom until several years later.

Although this is the most welcome addition to our catalogue of Carpenters' releases, I do feel that this selection lacks a certain co-ordination, and gives the feel of a set of outtakes. However who amongst us would not be overjoyed at owning this album.

My favourite here has to be the hidden "And When He Smiles".

 

(14) "The Essential Collection"

This release came as a bit of a surprise to me and several other fans. The usual long wait between rumour and actual release didn't occur on this occasion. This is probably due to the fact that this boxed set of 4 CDs is basically a re-issue of "From The Top".
The only difference of any note between this and "From The Top" is the inclusion of the Japanese 'Hi-Crown' chocolate commercial. Therefore I would have to list this track as being my personal favourite.

(1) "Christmas Portrait"

"Christmas Portrait" was first released in 1978, sandwiched between "Passage" & "Made In America" but is sufficiently different to warrant a separate section along with "An Old Fashioned Christmas". I can remember only hearing about the release of this one several days after the event, the marketing by "A&M UK" must have been appalling! "Christmas Portrait" will never be a favourite of mine, but that doesn't stop it getting played every Christmas.
"Christmas Song" was released as a single in '77 & of course Richard's "Merry Christmas Darling" had already been put out in 1970.

My favourite track from here has to be "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Karen sounds in wonderful voice.

(2) "An Old Fashioned Christmas"

The second Christmas album, "An Old Fashioned Christmas" was released the year after Karen's death and is therefore mostly made up of recordings originally made for the "Christmas Portrait" album, But surprisingly I much prefer it, I can't think why such great performances like "Little Alter Boy" & "Home For The Holidays" were ever left off "Christmas Portrait" Karen's singing is probably the best of her career on some of these cuts.
The only single release I have details of is a U.S. promotional one pairing "Little Alter Boy" with "Do You Hear What I Hear".

My favourite track from this album has to be "Do You Hear What I Hear". Wow those low notes!

Since their release it seems as if these two albums have been bound together, We have seen them combined to produce "The Special Edition" and later released as a dual package titled "Christmas Collection".

(1) "Karen Carpenter"

So now to our Duo's solo releases; It's ladies first so we will start with "Karen Carpenter" Karen's unimaginatively titled album, The stories surrounding this are legendary, such as the silences from Richard, Herb & Company when they heard it for the first time. Obviously we will never know the full story or Karen's true feelings about it, but we can review it for ourselves. Personally I find it an album of contrasts, some tracks I really really enjoy, others I'm not so keen on. I do like the heavy use of multi-layered backing vocals, Phil Ramone really knew his stuff there.

There is one story I would like to relate, This CD was released around the time that I and several other Carpenter fans were touring Downey and Los Angeles. We all got along very well, with a great feeling of camaraderie. However this was all abandoned when we got to the record shops - it was every man & woman for his or herself in the attempt to find a copy of "Karen Carpenter" which proved very difficult. People were seen to be running about snatching CD's and shouting. Things nearly got very nasty. Personally I was unlucky and never found myself a copy out there, even though I did enquire in several stores. One assistant, recognising my English accent asked me if I knew Boy George! What can you say to that.

Now to single releases, Japan had "Make Believe It's Your First Time" But there were none in the U.K. or the U.S.
My favourite track is "If We Try".

(2) "Time"

And now we turn to Richards' first solo album, Time, released in 1987. Richard sings lead on several tracks, plus the intricate layered backing harmonies featured on many of the cuts. Three guest vocalists are featured, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield & Scott Grimes. Herb Alpert was also featured on the poignant "When Time Was All We Had"
As far as singles are concerned, I understand "Who Do You Love" was put out but in Japan only.

My favourite, Well that has to be "Who Do You Love"

 

(3) "Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor"

Next up is Richards modestly titled "Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor". I played this instrumental album quite often around the time of it's release, I found it quite refreshing & relaxing to listen to all those Carpenter tunes as instrumentals. Some of Richards new arrangements are very ear catching, especially "Sandy" & "Top Of The World"
To the best of my ability I have not been able to track down any single releases from "P.A.C.C." not even in Japan.

Track number 10 "Flat Baroque" is my favourite, It's so bright & breezy.