Carpenters: A Song For You CD Track Listing

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Carpenters A Song For You (1972)
Originally Released June 1972\nCD Edition Released \nMoFi Gold CD Edition Released November 9, 1989\nRemastered CD Edition Released \n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: The duo's best album, and the place to start beyond the hits compilations. Up to the release of A Song for You, the Carpenters' success had seemed an awesome if somewhat fluky phenomenon, built on prodigious talent, some beautifully crafted pop sensibilities, and a very fortunate choice of singles -- their albums Close to You and Carpenters, though they were top-sellers, both seemed just a bit thrown together. Then came A Song for You, a seemingly unified concept album written and recorded during a frantic period of concert activity, and brimming with lovely musical ideas even more lovingly executed, laced with good humor, and enough hits of its own to have established any artist's career on its own. And even in between the hits, the album was built on material that could have made a whole career for anyone. The duo's version of a then-new Carole King song, "It's Going to Take Some Time," not only became a hit single but helped them in the "cool" department, Carole King being about the hottest musical personality there was at that particular time. One song, "Top of the World," which Richard Carpenter had only visualized as album track, became an unexpected hit single and one of the most popular songs of the decade. And where the Close to You LP had included some beautiful album tracks ("Crescent Noon," " "Maybe It's You"), A Song for You was dripping with masterpieces, including "Crystal Lullaby" and "Road Ode"; Richard Carpenter's "Piano Picker," a confessional piece sung by the composer, also marked the high point of his solo vocal contributions to the duo's music. Even the two cuts that reach back into the past -- the soft jazz instrumental "Flat Baroque," a 1966-vintage Richard Carpenter composition that he resurrected for this release, and "Bless the Beasts and the Children," the B-side of "Superstar" from more than a year earlier (written for a Stanley Kramer movie) -- slot in perfectly among the new songs. The high point of their recording career, A Song for You marked the last time that their music (and the only occasion that one of their albums) would be accepted in the rock world on its own terms, without the duo's squeaky-clean image and sound, and middle-class dorkiness becoming a drag on their sales and image. A Song for You has been released several times on CD, the best of which by far is the 1999 A&M remastering with new notes and full lyrics. -- Bruce Eder\n\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nReleased at the height of the Carpenters' popularity in the early '70s, A Song for You spawned five hit singles. Its title track by Leon Russell somewhat surprisingly wasn't one of them given that it's probably Russell's best-known song and later became a country hit for Willie Nelson. Two of the album's most successful songs, the No. 1 smash "Top of the World" and the Top 10 hit "Goodbye to Love," were cowritten by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis; most of the record's other material came from outside sources, including "I Won't Last a Day Without You" (Paul Williams/Roger Nichols), "Hurting Each Other" (Peter Udell/Gary Geld) and "It's Going to Take Some Time" (Carole King/Toni Stern). --Peter Blackstock \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nIn their prime., February 15, 2007\nReviewer: Mark Wilsonwood (Grapevine, TX)\nThere's more than one good song on this album, but if there were only one -- "Top of the World" -- this album would be worth the price. That's because this is a version of the song that's almost never heard anymore; the one you typically hear is a slightly different arrangement that was "countrified", I think in an attempt to get crossover exposure to the country and western demographic. The version on this CD -- which doesn't have that "countrification" -- is much better.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Full Bloom of the Carpenters, January 25, 2007\nReviewer: Maestroh "A.A., A.A.S.,B.M.E.,Th.M." (Ph.D. Textual Criticism)\nSo what do you do when you've won three Grammies, had two million-selling albums, five top five singles (with a #1) and a fast-growing reputation as the top duo of your generation? You go into the studio and record the best record you've ever made. \n\n"A Song for You" is, bar none, the best ever Carpenter 'first release' recording. Five songs on this recording charted, all of them going to #12 or higher including three top fives and a number one smash, "Top of the World." The recording was so good, in fact, that upon its original release in 1972, Richard Carpenter was not sure what single to release and chose "It's Going To Take Some Time This Time" to accompany the album. While that song did go to #12, Richard Carpenter later expressed regret over the fact that if he had been smart enough to release "Top of the World" instead, this album would have sold another million copies solely on the basis of that one song. \n\nThe recording was so good that songs from this album charted every year from 1971 to 1974. And even a couple of songs not selected for single release were powerful songs that later became Carpenters standards. \n\nThe album opens with "A Song for You," the Leon Russell composition that is the perfect vocal vehicle for Karen to emphasize melancholy happiness. It then launches into "Top of the World," composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis. This particular version is NOT the one that went to number one in September 1973. This is actually a 'softer' performance with Karen gliding over notes and a more relaxed feel. Personally, I like this version better. The song was released as a single after Lynn Anderson took a country version to the top of the country charts (#2) and after a delay of nearly a year and a half. \n\n"Piano Picker," by then unknown composer Randy Edelman (he did the music to the 1988 movie "Twins" and other feature films) gives Richard a chance to sing a song that sounds autobiographical. Richard's vocal range is rather limited but his piano skills sell the song well. "I Won't Last A Day Without You" is the third (and final) chart song for the Carpenters written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams (who also wrote "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "We've Only Just Begun"). It peaked at #11 in the spring of 1974, the last song from this album to chart. \n\nAnother Richard Carpenter piece, "Flat Baroque," follows, only this does not feature his voice but instead his magnificent piano skills. "Goodbye To Love," a song based on an unwritten tune in the Bing Crosy movie "Mississippi," closes out side one with a fantastic rock guitar riff by Tony Peluso. The song went to #7 in 1972 while this album was at its peak. "Intermission," a humorous thirty second bit, is the final recording on side one. Obviously a joke, this was never released as a single. \n\nSide two opens with the song that preceded this album as a smash #2 hit, "Hurting Each Other." It was originally recorded by Ruby and the Romantics in 1967 but failed to chart. Richard found it listening to some old records and decided to record it. "Crystal Lullaby" is a sweet song with a magnificent choral arrangement using the Carpenters' famous 'overdub' approach. "It's Going To Take Some Time This Time," written by the famous Carole King, follows. Simple yet sublime, it goes to #12 concurrent with the album's release. \n\n"Bless The Beasts and the Children" is a song from the movie of the same name. It was later released as a B side and went to #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. Never a serious chart threat, the song became another Carpenters standard, especially later when Richard included it on "Yesterday Once More." "Road Ode" was the weak finisher, a musician's lament on what the road does and how lonely it can be. A harp fade into an echo of the closing lines of "A Song for You" - the song that opened the album - closes it out perfectly. \n\nThe CD is absolutely magnificent. From the cover artwork - a major improvement over their first three releases - to the content to the vocal and instrumental abilities, this is the perfect Carpenters CD. \n\nAll Carpenters CDs are compared to this one. It is Richard Carpenter's favorite work, and if you don't want just a 'greatest hits' collection but want to hear the craftsmen at work, this is a highly recommended CD. Note the number of five star reviews it has. \n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\n"A Song For You" is Vintage Quality Carpenters, July 24, 2005\nReviewer: James Koenig "Konedog4" (Fergus Falls, MN United States)\n\n"A Song For You" is the third consecutive smash-hit album (it went to #4 on Billboard) produced by the Carpenters, the others being "Close To You", and "Carpenters". Unbelievably, no less than 6 hit singles were released from this album! - "Top of the World, (#1 for two weeks) " "Hurting Each Other"(went to #2)" "It's Going to Take Some Time,"(#12) "Goodbye to Love,"(#7) "I Won't Last a Day Without You,"(#11) and, "Bless the Beasts and Children." With this many hits singles, it is an album that definitely pleases. \n\nThe album is "bookended" with the touching "A Song for You" (in its complete form at the beginning and in a very haunting rendition at the end that will send tingles up your spine). Interestingly, the order of tracks 1 - 5 repesents a cycle of the stages of a love relationship from initial deep love to an eventual breakup. Karen Carpenter's vocals are extraordinary, and exhibit a depth of feeling that indicate she has experienced the deep emotions in each of these songs. \n\nThis album has no dull moments, with every track a unique gem of its own. "Bless the Beasts and Children", is a movie theme that is one of my favorites. "Flat Baroque" and "Piano Picker" are two tracks that show off Richard Carpenters' varied talents as both a composer and performer. Finally, the album wraps with "I Won't Last a Day Without You," "Crystal Lullaby" and "Road Ode." All three are individually pleasing. \n\nThe album is another well-deserved GOLD album for the Capenters. While many of these songs are included in the Carpenter greatest hits albums, this album deserves a place on your music shelf library for it is a complete package. You will treasure this album as I do. -- Jim Konedog Koenig \n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGreat album. Better on vinyl though., February 15, 2004\nReviewer: Robert Bauer (Astoria, N.Y. USA)\n\nWhen I first heard this l.p. in the 1970's, I thought and still think it is their best record. The title track will send shivers up your spine and the rest of the album contains some of their biggest hits like Goodbye To Love, Top Of The World, Bless The Beasts And The Children, and Hurting Each Other. It also contains sone other great non hit tracks like Road Ode, and Piano Picker. Unfortunately when I play this on my cd player the recording, even though it has been newly remastered, sounds rough and harsh along the edges and highs. I hope a Dvd audio version will be released in the near future, and I will be the first one to buy a copy. For now I cannot give it a rave review because of the sound quality. I was quite dissapointed about it. However if your fortunate enough to come accross a original vinyl version (and your fortunate enough to still have a record player) you will love the warmth of the original recording. It plays smooth and clean. In short, great lp, all original packaging with lyrics, but rough sound.\n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe BEST Carpenters CD & FIRST Power Ballad!, April 11, 2003\nReviewer: Bennett Turk (Albany, NY USA)\nA "Song For You", (1972), is the Best Carpenters album released and it has the First ever power ballad; "Goodby to Love". This CD is considered the apex of the Carpenters carrer, after it was issued there was endless touring along with countless promotions as well as very long hours in the recording studio which was basically burning the candle at both ends in addition to Richard's quallude problems, and Karen's eating disorder, all of which led to a decline in the quality, if not quantity of future musical releases. "A Song for You" is an underrated album, because, the albums biggest hits, ("Top of the World" and "Hurting Each Other"), were either released too early, or too late to help sell the album. Had the big songs from the CD been released nearer the albums release date, it probably would have sold a lot more copies, and been nominated for a "Best Album" Grammy award, which it might have won. This cd has been reissued many times, including a gold-plated CD, but, according to the Grant Gurrero website, they all sound the same. In other words, an almost perfect sound, no matter which one you listen to. The album has one hit after another, quality in quantity. There's the Acadamy Award nominated song; "Bless the Beasts and Children" from the film of the same name. There's a song that could be played to children at bedtime; "Crystal Lullaby". There's the all-knowing "Road Ode" about the endless touring. "A Song for You" bookends the CD, opening and closing it, in a very intelligent style. There are some new DVD-audio musical discs being released, that have a lot of great music, and almost no picture. They are supposed to sound better than a standard musical CD, or musical DVD-video. So far, there have not been any Carpenters DVD-audio releases. I hope there will be some in the future, and "A Song For You" would be my choise for among the first ones issued, along with the "Close to You" CD. I also hope that any Carpenters DVD-audios that are released are sold in the USA, and not just in Japan the way the outstanding "As Time Goes By" CD was only sold in Japan!\n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA 70's CLASSIC OF CLASSICS, January 1, 2002\nReviewer: cdmusicline "cdmusicline" (Fullerton, CA United States)\nThis super album contains six chart hits from "Bless The Beasts And Children" to the #1 "Top Of The World". This was the third consecutive chart topping platinum album for the Carpenters. The album opens with the title track the Leon Russell penned "A Song For You". This moving song digs deep and touches the soul. Karen sings with a powerful yearning that tugs at about every emotion, and Bob Messenger's thrilling sax solo is a complete delight. "Goodbye To Love" is equally impressive with it's extended fuzz guitar solo enthusiastically performed by Tony Peluso. Richard Carpenter's shimmering production and dreamy arrangement on "Road Ode", take this song about life on the road into new emotional territory and catches the listener by the heart strings. Another standout is the quirky jazz flavored instrumental "Flat Baroque". The song features Norm Herzberg adding spice on the bassoon, Richard's precise and sprite keyboards and, Karen's flavor full work on the drums.\nKaren's voice is at an emotional power point on this album. With her broad range and capitivating lower register Karen's angelic voice reaches further into the soul than your normal singer. All this is wrapped in Richard Carpenter's always spectacular and concise musical arrangements. The remastered version of this CD also comes with newly added liner notes written by Richard Carpenter.\n"A Song For You" is truly a classic among classics.\n\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: Hal Blaine, Tim Weisberg \nProducer: Jack Daugherty \n\nAlbum Notes\nThe Carpenters: Karen Carpenter (vocals, drums); Richard Carpenter (keyboards, background vocals).\n\nAdditional personnel includes: Louie Shelton, Tony Peluso (guitar); Red Rhodes (steel guitar); Bob Messenger (tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute); Tim Weisberg (bass flute); Earl Dumler (oboe, English horn); Norm Herzberg (bassoon); Joe Osborn (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).\n\nDigitally remastered by Richard Carpenter.\n\nA SONG FOR YOU, Karen and Richard Carpenter's fourth album, is an unusual record. Alongside the usual million-selling hits, here including "Top of the World," "Hurting Each Other," "Goodbye To Love," and the film theme "Bless The Beasts And Children," A SONG FOR YOU contains a number of brief instrumentals designed to showcase Richard Carpenter's keyboard and arranging skills. Elsewhere, sibling Karen sings as beautifully as ever, and her dusky, clear alto is at its most expressive. The CD was remastered by Richard Carpenter in 1998 as part of a general overhaul of the Carpenters' A&M catalogue. A limited-edition Japanese release features 32-bit digital remastering and an LP-style slipcase.\n\n\nROLLING STONE REVIEW\nWhile the Carpenters' music is not particularly compelling, its lack of pretension lends it a bland integrity that is uncommon for middle-of-the-road pop music. The basis of this integrity is Karen's singing, which grows more assured with each album. She is especially strong in her lower register, and she shows the potential of developing into an interesting stylist. The musical value of Richard's contribution to the Carpenter phenomenon, however, is another matter. The best that can be said for most of his arrangements is that they provide adequate support for Karen's voice and have a recognizable stamp. What they lack is a sense of dramatic structure or interpretive style.\n\nThe formula that Richard applies to his own songs, he applies to everyone else's as well. This is a shame, since many of the Carpenters' records begin strikingly but then fail to gather momentum. The most obvious way in which this happens is that, time and again, the clarity of Karen's vocal line is interrupted or joined by multi-tracked "choral filler," which tends to drain a song of its personality. It is the same fault that weakened countless pop records in the Forties and Fifties.\n\nFive songs are authored or co-authored by Richard. They vary in emotional range from cotton candy to ice milk, the best of them being the current hit single, "Goodbye to Love." Richard sings solo on two cuts--"Piano Picker" and "Crystal Lullaby." His voice is pleasant enough, but he seems to be afflicted with a very noticeable lisp. One cut, "Flat Baroque," features Richard on the piano playing in a style that can only be described as Peter Neromanque.\n\nThe title cut, Leon Russell's "A Song For You" is far and away the album's finest moment. It is a great song that is rapidly achieving the classic status it deserves, and Karen communicates its poignancy with effortless serenity. The Carpenters have done well by Leon in the past, their version of "Superstar" standing as perhaps their finest record to date. Unfortunately, the album doesn't contain any other very strong material. "Hurting Each Other," which preceded "Goodbye to Love" as a hit single, does not approach the level of the Carpenters' first hits. Karen's interpretation of Carole King and Toni Stern's "It's Going to Take Some Time" shows only that the song requires Carole's personal touch in order to work "Bless the Beasts and Children," title song of the movie, has lavish production values going for it, and nothing else. Mention should be made of Bob Messenger's pleasant flute and tenor sax breaks on "Road Ode" and "A Song For You," respectively.\n\nIf the Carpenters are to grow with their audience, they will need more of this sort of instrumentation. But above all, they will need to be more discriminating in their selection of material. Karen is capable of giving us considerably more than tiny sugar valentines. (RS 119 - Oct 12, 1972) -- STEPHEN HOLDEN
This misc cd contains 13 tracks and runs 37min 14sec.
Freedb: b008b80d
Buy: from Amazon.com

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