Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is the strongest Carpenters collection available. All of the hits, including, FINALLY, the single version of "Solitaire" on a domestic collection! The album cuts are well chosen, with such old favorites as "Let Me Be The One" and "A Song For You" holding their own against the singles. There's also a few previously unreleased efforts, most notably "The Rainbow Connection." At 40 tracks, it easily surpasses their previous double-disker (released at different times under the names CLASSICS and YESTERDAY ONCE MORE) which only contained 27 songs. My only regret is that Richard continues to tinker with the hits, altering classics that were more than fine in the first place. The biggest offenders are "Maybe It's You" which sounds radically different from the gorgeous, stark version found on their CLOSE TO YOU album and "Hurting Each Other," whose additional, lusher background vocals slightly deaden its highly dramatic impact. Fortunately, Richard cannot alter the Carpenters' biggest asset, which is Karen's one of a kind voice. It continues to haunt and tingle the spine 35 years later. Listed below is the lineup with the changes Richard has made to the recordings. You can still get the original versions on their respective albums. DISC 1: 1. Superstar (additional recording in 1985, remixed in 1991) 2. Rainy Days And Mondays (1985 remix) 3. Top Of The World (1991 remix) 4. Maybe It's You (additional recording and remixed in 1990) 5. Let Me Be The One (original) 6. Reason To Believe (1987 remix) 7. Jambalaya (On The Bayou) (1991 Remix) 8. Leave Yesterday Behind (previously unreleased) 9. Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore (original) 10. Bless The Beasts And Children (1991 remix) 11. It's Going To Take Some Time (additonal recording and remix in 1989) 12. Rainbow Connection, The previously unreleased) 13. Only Yesterday (original) 14. Sweet, Sweet Smile (original) 15. There's A Kind Of Hush (1985 with some synth parts removed) 16. California Dreamin' (previously unreleased) 17. Solitaire (original single mix) 18. We've Only Just Begun (1985 remix) 19. This Masquerade (1990 remix) 20. Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (1989 remix) DISC 2: 1. Yesterday Once More (1985 remix) 2. Please Mr. Postman (1991 remix) 3. Hurting Each Other (1991 remix) 4. I Need To Be In Love (1990 remix) 5. Merry Christmas, Darling (1978 version) 6. Close To You (They Long To Be) (original single version) 7. All You Get From Love Is A Love Song (original) 8. Sing (1994 remix) 9. Make Believe It's Your First Time (original) 10. Ticket To Ride (1973 re-record first released on The Singles 1969-1973 lp) 11. Goodbye To Love (additional recording and remix 1985) 12. I Just Fall In Love Again (original) 13. I Believe You (original) 14. Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again (original) 15. For All We Know (additional recording and remix 1990) 16. Touch Me When We're Dancing (original) 17. I Won't Last A Day Without You (1991 remix) 18. Mr. Guder (1990 remix) 19. Song For You, A (additional recording and remix in 1987) 20. Karen's Theme (original)