SOFT ROCK AT THEIR FINEST...THE CARPENTERS

I have always loved The Carpenters. A popular brother and sister team, they've sold millions of records in the early seventies. If ever an angel should sing, she'll probably sounds like Karen Carpenter. No exaggeration. It's a sad day for everyone when she left us for heaven on the 4th of February 1983. She may be gone but she will definitely not be forgotten.

THE CARPENTERS. YESTERDAY ONCE MORE : Named after one of their most beloved songs, this was the first Carpenters' CD that I've bought. The songs for the casual fans are all here. ' Yesterday Once More', Top Of The World', 'Superstar', ' Rainy Days And Mondays' and my personal favourite 'I Won't Last A Day Without You'. Everlasting favourites that will gives much pleasure to most of her casual fans. But then I was never a casual fan and the following CDs are essential. DOP : 17th April 1994.

NOW AND THEN : This was the album that turned me on full time to The Carpenters. I first heard this from my neighbours who was playing it a few times a day for months. A lesser artist would have driven me insane with me pulling my hairs out in agony but we are talking about an angel here. Side One starts with 'Sing' followed by 'This Masquarade', an instrumental 'Heather' followed and then a lively version of 'Jambalaya'. The whole of Side two was a medley of oldies that begins with their most beloved hit 'Yesterday Once More'. Formatted like a radio programme with DJs talking in between songs, it was nothing that anybody have ever heard before. The Carpenters were at the top of the game here. DOP : 3th November 2002.

HORIZON : A more sober album but nevertheless still a great album. Their take on The Eagles' 'Desperado' for my money was the best version I've ever heard. From The Eagles, it sound just like any ordinary song but The Carpenters took the song to unimagined height. Just listen to the bass line. The hits 'Only Yesterday' and 'Please Mr' Postman' are from this album. The other album tracks that are good are 'Happy' and '( I'm Caught Between ) Goodbye and I Love You', a beautiful song sung in the inimitable Carpenters' style. I don't like their version of 'Solitaire' though. That song belongs to Andy Williams. I bought this album when I was in Form 5 and playing this album transformed me back to that time. A classmate who was with me bought it as well. He bought it because he can well afford it and I bought it because I loved it. DOP : Unknown.

A KIND OF HUSH : This album continued the trio of great albums by The Carpenters. The hits here are 'There's A Kind Of Hush' and 'I Need To Be In Love'. The album gems are 'Sandy', 'Goofus', 'Boat To Sail' and the beautiful and touching 'I Have You'. It wouldn't be too far off the mark to say that I've bought this CD just for this song. There's also their version of 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' and 'Can't Smile Without You' but Barry Manilow's version is much better though. DOP : 3th October 2002.

REFLECTIONS : After "A Kind Of Hush" came "Passage" which I have bought on record but not on CD 'cos that album was too weird and experimental for me. For the few songs that I've missed from that album, I got compensation from this CD. All the songs from “Passage" that I like are here. The 50ish 'Beechwood-45789' , 'I Just Fall In Love With You ' and 'Sweet, Sweet Smile'. For bonuses there's also 'Reasons To Believe', 'Baby, It's You' and my all time favourite 'A Song For You'. All are from their earlier albums. DOP : 5th July 1997.

CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT : This was one of the earliest Christmases album that I've bought. The CD version mingled it with another Christmas album which made this a kind of a two in one CD . Curiously they've left out 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow' Let It Snow' which was one of my favourite on their album. Their own composition 'Merry Christmas, Darling'  is worth the price of the whole CD alone. Playing this CD does gives you that Christmas feel, even on a normal day. Anyway, it's also a nice addition to my Carpenters Collection. DOP : 28th November 2011.

AS TIME GOES BY : This was one of those CD that I've always wanted to buy but hesitated 'cos I don't really know what to expect. This CD was issued post humorously so the quality could be questionable and I don't wanna spend good money on it. I finally got it on discount. It's a passable but not a great CD. I like their medley of 'Superstar / Rainy Days And Mondays' but their take on one of my favourite Beatles' 'Nowhere Man' was boring to say the least. But then again for RM 9.90, that's tolerable. If I've bought it for the full price, I would be pulling at my hair in agony RIP Karen Carpenter. DOP : 28th August 2011.