Product Description:
Personnel includes: Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Tim May, Tony Peluso (guitar); Jay Dee Maness, Buddy Emmons (pedal steel guitar); Bob Messenger (flute, tenor saxophone); Earle Dumler (oboe); Earle Dumler (English horn); Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Chuck Findley (trumpet); David Duke (French horn); Tom Scott (tenor saxophone); Doug Strawn (baritone saxophone); Richard Carpenter (keyboards, background vocals); Joe Osborn (bass); Hal Blaine, Larrie Londin, Ron Tutt, Jim Gordon (drums); Gary Coleman (timpani); Julia Tillmar, Carlena Williams, Maxine Willard, Jimmy Joyce Children's Choir, Carolyn Dennis (background vocals).
Producers include: Jack Daugherty, Richard Carpenter.
Compilation producer: Richard Carpenter.
Engineers include: Ray Gerhardt, Roger Young.
Includes liner notes by Paul Grein.
Digitally remastered by Bernie Grundman (Bernie Grundman Mastering).
Ever since their version of Bacharach-David song,"Close To You" hit the charts in 1970, the Carpenters have long seemed the epitome of anti-rock. Actually, Richard Carpenter revered the Beatles and Beach Boys just as much as Burt Bacharach. So there was more of a continuum with the '60s pop/rock tradition than appearances might suggest. Karen Carpenter is simply a singer of the first rank, comparable to pop divas like Patsy Cline and the Brazilian Elis Regina. On this classic (now remastered) singles collection, spanning hits from the early "Ticket To Ride" up until "Goodbye To Love," Karen's warm, sure voice, filled with an uncanny (and sad) grace, transforms smooth pop melodies and lyrics into something deep and abiding.
