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.