News flash - January 2008

It seems as though a new CD (on the Storming label) is to be released here on the 11th February called "Transmissions". Details are still sketchy but looking at other releases on the same label & with the same title it's possible that this may be made up of live recordings some being "enhanced". I take this to mean complete with filmed footage.

This all sounds very very interesting & I look forward to its release but in view of recent disappointments I'm trying not to get too exited!!!

News flash - Winter 2007

Sadly the "Karen Carpenter Story" DVD was not released as promised.

It seems that the distributor "DD Entertainment" went in to receivership just a couple of months prior to the release date & all forthcoming releases were shelved. There is still an outside chance that this title may be released but I wouldn't hold your breath.........

News flash - July 2007

	Following the disappointing news relating to the withdrawal of the Japanese "Live At The BBC" DVD in the Spring, here's something more positive & exciting:- It seems that "The Karen Carpenter Story" starring Cynthia Gibb & Michell Anderson" is to be released here in the U.K. on 8th October 2007. Apparently this is the first time this title will be officially on DVD anywhere in the World. To see the cover closely - click here (pdf 908Kb)
Also there is going to be another documentary available shortly in an intriguing combination DVD/book format, which is titled "Behind The Music" The release date for this is set to be on the 27th August 2007.  Lets hope this pattern of releases continues. You never know we may still see the "Live At The BBC" concerts on DVD one day.

News flash - November 2006

Universal Music are releasing a 2 CD version of Ultimate Collection in the UK. This release has been available in Europe sinec the Spring, but as a triple CD set. This new release will also be available in download form which will include several bonus tracks. Please click here for further details.

News flash - November 2006

Unfortunately the Japanese Singles box set has been delayed yet again. The latest release day is given as December 13th. Let's see what happens.

News flash - September 2006

The long awaited (and long delayed) Japanese CD single box set is finally due for release on 1st November 2006. Obviously this will be an expensive product, but as usual with Japanese releases the quality is bound to be high. I understand that 33 discs are to be included in the set, the titles are as shown below. I would recommend you start saving now, or add this to your Christmas list!

News flash - February 2006

There is to be a Carpenters' Convention in California next year (2007). Full details are not yet available, but you can register your interest for "Carpenters Encounter 2007" at the following address - www.carpentersencounter.org.

News flash - January 2006

Marks & Spencer (UK food & clothes retailer) are marketing a unique greatest hits compilation titled "The Collection". It seems this is currently available at £9.95 and represents excellent value, comes with nice cover and cardboard sleeve - go to our rarities page for more information.

A major release is planned in Japan on Karen's birthday (2nd March 2006) - this will be another box set but this time will include all the Japanese singles which I believe will run into some 30 discs (you may need to correct me on this).

Unfortunately this is quite an expensive item, but if the quality is up to that of most other Japanese releases, then it will be something all fans will want to have in their collection. Hopefully there may be some kind of bonus material included, but that is yet to be confirmed.

More later...

News flash - December 2005

"22 Hits Of The Carpenters" has been re-released in Japan to mark the 10th anniversary of its original release date. This time however, the set has two discs; the second features all the hits in karaoke form. The karaoke set also includes "Sing".

News flash - October 2005

Universal IMS have issued a new boxed set in the United States. This came as a great surprise to most of us in the UK, as it was not promoted here at all. In fact, first time I came across it was when I was searching Ebay on 6th October, where I saw a copy for sale.

Basically this set comprises 3 complete albums; these being "Close To You", "The Carpenters" and "A Song For You". It might be just a re-issue, but it does seem to represent good value for money.

News flash - September 2005

The radio version of the Karen Carpenter Story will be repeated on BBC Radio 2 at 8:30pm (GMT) on Tuesday, 13th September 2005.

News flash - April 2005

Two "new" compilation albums (both called Gold Greatest Hits The Special Edition) were released here in the U.K. during February. The first version was a straight forward "Greatest Hits" CD, the second was the same but also included a DVD. Basically these are re-issues of the original "Gold" album but with different packaging & new catalogue numbers (987 064-7 & 987 064-6 respectively).

Rather surprisingly the CD version made the U.K. album chart reaching number 4 at it's peak. This was probably due to a heavy T.V. & radio advertising campaign launched to co-inside with Mothering Sunday. It was great to see Richard & Karen back in the top 5 here in the U.K. even if
it was only for one week!!!!

News flash - August 2004

An official Carpenters' website has been launched. The address is;
http://www.richardandkarencarpenter.com. The site is still under development and is being updated by one of Richard's personal assistants. It's well worth visit especially the "Fans Ask" section.

Richard is currently working on a new "Remastering" project. I don't fully understand the technicalities, but it seems this set should offer excellent soundly production when completed.

The Carpenters' edition of "This Is Your Life" is due to be released on DVD in the States. It will be marketed as part of the set, and will therefore mean that customers may have to purchase several DVDs just to obtain the one Carpenters' item.

We understand that Richard will be performing at the Richard & Carpenter Performing Arts Center to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Hopefully this may lead to further live performances by Richard. Fingers crossed, some in the UK.

News Flash - May 2004

Universal Music are releasing 100 number, special versions of the "Gold" greatest hits collection CD. These are individually numbered & signed by Richard Carpenter. They are only available via Ebay and are being released in small quantities over the coming weeks. These items will surely be very popular with fans Worldwide so be prepared to see some very high bids, especially for those with significant numbers such as 50, 100, and of course '1'.

News Flash - April 2004

The Karen Carpenter Story is to be shown again in the U.K. on Channel 5 this month. This will bring the total number of showings of this 1988 film to 4 or 5. The transmission date & time is Tuesday 27th April at 3.35pm. 

News Flash - January 2004

Belated New Year's Greetings!

BBC Radio 2 will be broadcasting "The Karen Carpenter Story" - this will be in a form of 2 episodes; the first to be aired on Tuesday, 26th January at 8:30pm (GMT) and the second and final episode the following week, Tuesday, 3rd February at the same time. This programme has been heavily trailed on Radio 2 in recent weeks.

Also the Daily Express published a 2-page spread on the 23rd January, titled "Truth About The Tortured Life of Karen Carpenter". We will endeaver to include this newspaper article in our website as soon as possible.

Finally, several sources have reported that the Carpenter crypt has been moved to a new location. Further details to follow.

News Flash - December 2003

Happy Christmas from all of us at the Carpenters Connection!

The Japanese boxed set has been slightly delayed & should now be released on Christmas Eve. Also another Japanese item has become available called "Gold Deluxe Sound & Vision" (Catalogue Number UICY 7230) this is a compilation CD & DVD & was released on the 3rd December.

News Flash - November 2003

3 new releases are scheduled for the final part of 2003. The first is British, and is to be released on 3rd November. It's another compilation titled "Gold". But this time, there will be 2 CDs and a bonus DVD. The catalogue number is: 9813047.

The other two are Japanese; one is another limited package called "The 35th Anniversary Collectors Edition Box Set". It's virtually the same as the one released a few years back but this time the 2 Christmas albums will be included, making the total of 13 discs, all packaged in replica cardboard LP sleeves. I understand the release date is 17th December, and the catalogue number is: UICY-9345/57.

The 2nd Japanese release has been described as a "Mini Album" and it's titled "Top Of The World". The catalogue number of this item is: UICY-5010, and it shall be released on 21st November.

Top Of The World

2003 Box Set