One more track with Richard and the Royal Philharmonic ... Pick only one!

[JohnFB]

A Song for You or Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - can't decide...

Road Ode would be great if another repeat of the chorus could be pieced or engineered into it near the end, and a longer flute solo added to the middle section...

One More Time is so perfect as is that there is nothing the RPO could do or add that would enhance it...

 

[David A]

The purists can keep going back to the well. There's no prize. I say give me new versions until the cows come home.

No "prize", just a preference and appreciation for the duo's intended original sound.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I took no prize to mean, either one works. Some should stick to the originals as that’s what they like. Others find the original and anything new to be just as rewarding. You don’t get a prize for either one BOTH are excellent choices.

 

[CarpentersToYou]

No "prize", just a preference and appreciation for the duo's intended original sound.

That doesn't even need to be said. It's obvious, no? I would argue that most fans who enjoy remixes also adore the original versions.

 

[David A]

I took no prize to mean, either one works. Some should stick to the originals as that’s what they like. Others find the original and anything new to be just as rewarding. You don’t get a prize for either one BOTH are excellent choices.

Absolutely. I PREFER the originals, that does not mean I eschew anything else. There are some remixes/alterations and a few songs I like on the RPO album. In particular, whenever Richard has brought Karen's voice "up in the mix" I tend to enjoy them.

 

[newvillefan]

There are some remixes/alterations and a few songs I like on the RPO

Me too. I really liked the remix of 'One Love', with the re-recorded bassline and clearer kick drum, but I absolutely loved the remix of 'Road Ode'. That was just great, and breathed new life into the track - and we finally got a version with a cold ending instead of the segue into the reprise of 'A Song For You'.

 

[JohnFB]

Absolutely. I PREFER the originals, that does not mean I eschew anything else. There are some remixes/alterations and a few songs I like on the RPO album. In particular, whenever Richard has brought Karen's voice "up in the mix" I tend to enjoy them.

Yes, absolutely - one of the smartest moves he's ever made - bringing Karen's voice up in the mix - this has been said a number of times by various members ever since it's release - all of which begs the question: if bringing her up in the mix makes her vocals clearer and cleaner and more prominent and thus more appealing, then wouldn’t eliminating the double-tracking of her lead vocals on all songs where this technique was used result in the same sonic effect, and be just as desirable and satisfying? The similarities are starkly obvious.

 

[newvillefan]

We talked about bonus tracks earlier in this thread. 'Baby It's You' almost feels like a bonus track to me because it was such an unusual and unexpected addition to the tracklist. Of all the deep album cuts he could have chosen, I wonder why this one?

 

[motownboy]

I don't want to repeat any already mentioned, so I thought of "Make Believe It's Your First Time." Perhaps Karen's solo LP version over the Carpenters' version.

 

[Vinylalbumcovers]

I don't want to repeat any already mentioned, so I thought of "Make Believe It's Your First Time." Perhaps Karen's solo LP version over the Carpenters' version.

No one should ever touch the Karen version IMHO. It doesn’t need anything else. It’s perfect as it is. Less is more. Phil knew that. Richard didn’t.

Ed

 

[JohnFB]

No one should ever touch the Karen version IMHO. It doesn’t need anything else. It’s perfect as it is. Less is more. Phil knew that. Richard didn’t.

Ed

We can enjoy both, in their own way in their own time...

Adding a little extra orchestral & choral accompaniment and a bridge to a Karen recording wasn't the worst way they ever "touched" one - they did far worse much more often - where are the complaints?

Where was Karen when it was time to show some resolve, put her foot down, act like the temperamental Diva she was and put a full stop to the whole technological mess?

 

[newvillefan]

Where was Karen when it was time to show some resolve, put her foot down, act like the temperamental Diva she was and put a full stop to the whole technological mess?

Karen entrusted the design and construction of the Carpenters sound completely to Richard - and was a willing partner (and participant) in it. The sound he built helped set them apart from anything else out there at the time and helped them sell millions of records.

 

[JohnFB]

Karen entrusted the design and construction of the Carpenters sound completely to Richard - and was a willing partner (and participant) in it. The sound he built helped set them apart from anything else out there at the time and helped them sell millions of records.

Well, if she trusted his judgment in everything musical that he created, designed and arranged - especially since it resulted in so much success and wealth - then why would any of us ever question any "touches" he chose to add to any of their songs, including MBITFT - if we're questioning his choices then we're impuning her by implication.

 

[newvillefan]

Well, if she trusted his judgment in everything musical that he created, designed and arranged - especially since it resulted in so much success and wealth - then why would any of us ever question any "touches" he chose to add to any of their songs, including MBITFT - if we're questioning his choices then we're impuning her by implication.

So in saying that, you're also saying that none of us should ever question his decision to double track her lead vocals either then

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I have nothing to add but just for the record it’s MBIYFT not MBITFT

 

[Harry]

^^That's what you get for using those first-letter abbreviations. My old English teacher is probably turning over in his grave.

 

[newvillefan]

I have nothing to add but just for the record it’s MBIYFT not MBITFT

Not unless he was relying on this erroneously misprinted sleeve.

 

[JohnFB]

So in saying that, you're also saying that none of us should ever question his decision to double track her lead vocals either then

No, in spite of your flimsy attempt to twist it around I didn't say that at all - I simply said that the logical conclusion of what YOU were saying leads to the conclusion that we shouldn't question or criticize Richard...(because Karen agreed with all his choices, and they resulted in much success.) It's not that hard to follow...

 

[JohnFB]

I have nothing to add but just for the record it’s MBIYFT not MBITFT

Thanks for the correction - the Y & T are so close on the keyboard and my finger is so fat...

 

[JohnFB]

^^That's what you get for using those first-letter abbreviations. My old English teacher is probably turning over in his grave.

Your old English teacher would end up babbling incoherently if he/she tried to communicate via the complex shorthand of modern texting.

 

[Harry]

CLosed