The Singles 1969-1973

Karen Carpenter had probably the best Pop voice of all time! And Richard Carpenter needless to say was a great arranger and composer!

First of all I would like to comment that Mary Mixx is correct. I know this because I am sitting here listening to the vinyl right now. The first cut on this digital version is identical to what is on the original vinyl album Such a sweet album. I remember seeing the Carpenters live with my girlfriend and later, wife, in concert and they were one of those groups that sounds just as good or better live. That very old vinyl recording still sounds pretty good through my good old JBL Studio Monitor speakers The presence of Karen Carpenter's voice is amazing on the vinyl, and that clarity is preserved in this digital version. She sounds like she is coming from exactly one place right in the middle of my living room. Some of the old recording does show through though, when things get loud and the compression just hurts. But if you want to remember what a beautiful, clear, full range voice this lady had, you won't be disappointed. And, again, so sweet.

I bought the vinyl version of this album back in 1975, when I was 16 years old. I still have it, along with a booklet that came with it tucked inside. It was my very first record! I also have the CD and now the digital download. To those who say the first song is incorrect is not true. It IS “We’ve Only Just Begun,” but it opens with a prelude of sorts. It starts with the first two lines of “Close to You,” then mixes into the opening strains of “Superstar,” then after a brief pause, it goes right into the entire track of “We’ve Only Just Begun.” So I promise, it is on there. If you just listen to the preview on iTunes, you are fooled into thinking it’s an extended version of CTY. It’s that way on any vinyl version you buy, any CD and this digital version. Just the way Richard intended it to be way back in 1974, when they first released the album. 🙂

ATTN Apple Music, please fix this. The preview IS the correct song, but after downloading, the first song is “Close To You” and labeled “We’ve only just begun”. Please fix this. In fact, “We’ve Only Just Begun” isn’t on this download at all. This album is AMAZING, but this download is incorrect.

The first song is not “We’ve only just begun” instead they put an extended version of the last track, “ Close to you”.

The Carpenters songs brings back many wonderful memories....

Miss her voice SO Much! Not another voice like her's! I cried when heard that she died as she really touched my heart as she did other's! This Album is perfect! I want the original song without the remix!

I absolutely love them and Karen’s voice was incredible!