Carpenters - SINGLES 1969-1981 [SACD]

[bmoura]

I give this a 9 out of 10. I was really happy to see that Bless The Beasts And The Children was included in this set of Greastest Hits.
Yep i said to my wife during the 1st track that there were a couple of things there that i had never heard before ( new piano part ) ect. Her response " That's Nice Dear " lol , my wife just doesn't get this surround sound stuff lol.
I was comparing this disc to the Quad 70's mix , both are different in their own ways , but i was happy with the new mix . Bought this online at Amazon.com since i had not seen it up here in Canada yet ( typical ) took 14 days to get here , but it was worth the wait. Highly recommended.

It's Going to Take Some Time also has some newly recorded material (at the start of the song). But overall the SACD is still a winner.

[Ed Bishop]

One aspect of this disc I'll give Richard much credit for was really using all channels to create an enjoyable listening experience, which pretty much negated my initial dislike over what some of us consider needlessly re-recording certain parts. But unlike Frank Zappa(the most obvious example)he has created a consistent soundfield, which Zappa often did not(listen to the difference between tracks on FREAK OUT!, which were so cohesive on mono and stereo vinyl; the remixes, by contrast, stand out way too much and sound at times unnatural). Had Zappa lived to do 5.1, of course, he could have had a great time and probably done very well. And while I still bristle at the new parts, there's no denying he worked overtime to make it sound as authentic and natural as possible, which is probably no easy trick, I imagine.

In other words, I'm very glad it's out, and do hope he will break down and do the same for some individual Carps albums.

ED

[bugdaddy]

For those still on the fence about getting this one, yourmusic now has it available.

[raggal62]

My universal player (Dennon 2200) won't read the multi channel layer on this disc, .... only the cd layer. Anyone else experience this? I have no problems with other 5.1 SACD titles.

[daved64]

My universal player (Dennon 2200) won't read the multi channel layer on this disc, .... only the cd layer. Anyone else experience this? I have no problems with other 5.1 SACD titles.

you might have a cd. There is a thread on stevehoffman.tv about this. They put a cd in the sacd package.

post #16
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...ers+wrong+disc

[bmoura]

My universal player (Dennon 2200) won't read the multi channel layer on this disc, .... only the cd layer. Anyone else experience this? I have no problems with other 5.1 SACD titles.

No, the CD and SACD layers of the Carpenters SACD are working fine here.

And as others have said - it's a must have disc in Surround Sound !

[Ed Bishop]

Try accessing the 5.1 through your menu first....if that doesn't work, however, yes, it may be you got stuck with a redbook disc that claims SACD. A bizarre situation, to be sure, but entirely possible.

ED

[Rudy]

(I also posted this at the A&M Corner)

My feelings are mixed. I gave it an 8 for overall presentation.

Great surround mix here--the rears are put to good use. Best example for me is "This Masquerade": the combo is up front, but all the sweetening and backing vocals come out of the rears. And KC's vocals front and center. It's evident Richard took a lot of time to make this into a quality release, and I'm thankful for that. He could have had just any old mix thrown out onto the marketplace--his attention to detail is what made them successful originally, and he hasn't forgotten that when compiling a new project such as this one.

For someone who grew up with the albums, though, the remixed and/or rerecorded parts do not cut it for me. Other than the LP of Singles: 1969-1973 (which I only recently bought), I've always owned the original LPs, and the "Remastered Classics" CDs which are straight transfers of the original albums. To hear new parts added, mixes changed, or whatever, it just doesn't quite click with me.

Also, I find that some of the rerecorded parts sound very "80s" or "90s" in terms of sound quality, where the vocals and other basic tracks are pretty much 70s-era analog sounding (that slight "gauze" over the sound from the original sessions). I can very slightly hear the difference between when the tracks were recorded.

Just minor issues--the surround is still a real treat to listen to!

[Rudy]

My universal player (Dennon 2200) won't read the multi channel layer on this disc, .... only the cd layer. Anyone else experience this? I have no problems with other 5.1 SACD titles.

I got two of these from yourmusic.com, and they were mis-manufactured, only having a CD layer and no SACD layer. I have since gotten a "real" A&M version of it, and it has been fine.

[Guy Robinson]

I am only voting on the mix and sound quality, not the music. I would give this disc a 9 based on that. The sound is excellent and the use of the center channel is very natural. The surround mix is also well done.

[steelydave]

C'mon Guy, tell us how much you love the music!

[Guy Robinson]

C'mon Guy, tell us how much you love the music!

You are going to get me in trouble with Cai again.

I actually sat through the entire disc in order to evaluate it. I did notice some cartoon bluebirds on top of my center speaker about halfway through it though.

[Cai Campbell]

You are going to get me in trouble with Cai again.

Well, if you're going to rip on the disc, this IS the place (unlike a totally unrelated thread...)

[Chris Gerhard]

I give it a 7 having owned most of the music on vinyl or open reel but no quad or surround versions, I was hoping the surround mixes might add new life to the music for me. The music is a 5 and the surround mix a 9 for me right now. I might listen again in 10 years and see if nostalgia for the 70's means the music is once again something I want to hear. For now, the music is way down on my list of what I want to hear even though this SACD is a good effort. Give some better music such treatment and I will be happy.

Chris

[Demolition Man]

I got two of these from yourmusic.com, and they were mis-manufactured, only having a CD layer and no SACD layer. I have since gotten a "real" A&M version of it, and it has been fine.

Has anyone figured out how to tell which one is the real SACD and which one is not? I'd hate to order one online only to get the wrong one. Thanks.

[Chris Gerhard]

Has anyone figured out how to tell which one is the real SACD and which one is not? I'd hate to order one online only to get the wrong one. Thanks.

I recently ordered from yourmusic.com and got the SACD, there is only one option for this SACD listed on yourmusic.com. Nothing you can do but order it there and I am sure all other online sources are the same and none of them list the SACD as option one, real SACD, and option two SACD case with redbook CD. It was apparently just a goof and ordering from an online retailer that will accept a return if one of the mixed up lot are still available and you get unlucky is the best you can do.

Chris

[radiodaddy]

Very enjoyable. The surround mix is lush and enveloping, and the sonics are warm and 'analog' sounding. Docked it two points because Richard rerecorded the piano and other elements on some tracks (though it's not overbearing or offensive), and for "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." Coulda done without that one.

[Bidkat]

"Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." Coulda done without that one.

Heard that!

Or, actually, haven't.

So turned off by the title I've never been able to turn it on.

[elmer]

Heard that!

Or, actually, haven't.

So turned off by the title I've never been able to turn it on.

Actually one of the oddest choices for a cover ever - originally performed by Beatles clone band, the equally oddly named Klaatu

[filper]

This has to be one of the most engrossing discs I own.

A true testament to Karen's unique voice.

Probably one of the most requested around here.

A 10 for sure. Which ninny gave it a 1 ?

[Dixie4]

One of my favourite MC. SACD's. 10 /10. Karen's voice is wonderful !...but she sounds great on any format !

[mch007]

Nice collection, great mix

[Quad Linda]

A 9. I'm not crazy about adding new overdubs, etc., to a classic album. Even if Karen were to magically return, I still feel that it doesn't have it's place. Alternate takes or radically different mixes from the original could be great, or awful, depending on how they sound. A great case for not fiddling with things is a title released when CD's were brand, spanking new. The Superior Sound of Elton John went out of print quickly, and deservedly so. Gus Dudgeon remixed it. What was he thinking? On the other hand, I love the Elton SACD's.

I agree with Bob Romano and his kitty: put the Christmas song at the end. Carpenters do Christmas music well, but I don't want to hear it in July. Maybe August?!

Cai was right on the money with his center channel comments. My speakers on my main system are 4 Mission towers. The matched center isn't as matched as I'd like. It truly is the achilles' heel of an otherwise spectacular system. Perhaps one day, I'll pull it out and do a phantom center.

It's curious that some posts here seem to think this is the Singles album from 1973. I have that on SQ & CD, and this isn't it. The mixes are new, and there are many tracks not included on that brown cover album. RC railed against the old Quad mixes in interviews, especially his lack of involvement.

This is a fantastic SACD and I recommend it highly, even for casual Carpenters fans. I've always liked Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft. The polite, well enunciated vocals of KC seem mismatched to the material. Yet, I applaud them for going out of their comfort zone and presenting something a bit wayout. The connections to the DJ segment of Now and Then make this a very cool listen. YOU NEED THIS SACD.

[Ed Bishop]

For Richard this was likely a labor-of-love kind of thing. As for his tinkering with the past, he's been doing that since the remix of the Xmas album in the late '70s, so when it was announced he was not just remixing for this SACD but doing other--ahem--things, that wasn't a surprise, either, just a concern. He's not the first artist to rethink his work in terms of sound (think Frank Zappa), but the results can vary, but overall, whatever unique flavor the Carpenters pleasant pop had was not, IMO, compromised on this disc.

ED

[LizardKing]

9 for me.... It would be a 10, but one off for being "syrupy soft rock".