Vinyl remasters a reminder of the Carpenters’ influence
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Fans of the Carpenters have a dozen reasons to be on top of the world.
Nearly 30 years after the last LP album of new Carpenters material was released, remastered vinyl versions of 12 of the duo’s albums are now available, offering fans clearer versions of tracks such as the pop classics “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Top of the World.”
A&M/UMe is selling the albums individually and in a box set, “Carpenters — The Vinyl Collection.”
“I know there’s been interest in it — certainly for the audiophiles — ever since the CD (format) came out because a number of people, of course, believe that CDs aren’t as warm(-sounding),” Richard Carpenter told the Associated Press at his home last week.
The new Carpenters releases are made to accommodate fans with pricey sound systems. Each record is pressed on extra-hefty 180g vinyl, which is less prone to warping and offers potential benefits such as less noise.
But vinyl is no longer just for audiophiles.
Records are expected to generate about $1 billion in sales for the first time since the 1980s, representing about 6 percent of all global music revenues, according to a January report by Deloitte.
Carpenter, 71, who has collected records since childhood, said he was delighted by vinyl’s resurgence.
The duo has been a top-selling recording act ever since its 1970 breakthrough single “Close to You.”
Since sister Karen’s death in 1983 from complications of anorexia nervosa, Richard Carpenter has spent most of his life as caretaker of the duo’s legacy — preserving the integrity of the Carpenters brand and recordings, and assuring that the estate is compensated. (In January, he filed a $2 million lawsuit against A&M/UMe for nonpayment of royalties — a case that was settled in May.)
After Karen’s death, Carpenter produced four albums of unreleased Carpenters recordings as well as numerous compilations. He recorded two solo albums, oversaw the release of his sister’s long-unreleased solo album and produced albums for others. He performs occasional concerts and is active in humanitarian efforts.
Carpenter didn’t directly oversee the remastering process but approved every LP.
He said he rarely listens to Carpenters recordings for pleasure.
“I’ve heard our stuff plenty,” he said, chuckling.
“Friends will look at the records in my jukebox and ask, ‘Where are yours?’”
He said he does occasionally pull out a personal Carpenters favorite. Among his is the smash hit “For All We Know” (1971).