A Song For You is a strong album from Karen and Richard Carpenter that showcases yet again their singularly beautiful artistry. Karen and Richard performed so very well together that is was practically heavenly; and I am not trying to be effusive-it's just the simple truth. When Karen sang it was as if she was singing to you and only you; and Richard's musical arrangements and backup vocals always enhanced the beauty of their ballads. The artwork is very nicely done and the quality of this sound on this CD is excellent.

The album begins with the title track, "A Song For You." "A Song For You" has a gorgeous melody that fits perfectly with the vocals Karen sings. Karen's voice is not only beautiful; it also conveys a certain innocence and even a touch of vulnerability that made so many people love her singing. Great! "Top Of The World" is a very joyful song that celebrates life, love and everything god. Karen sings this with all her heart and soul; and the sound of Karen and Richard singing together is absolutely wonderful. I rarely enjoy any music that quite so well done. "Top Of The World" is certainly a major highlight of this album; and it was a huge hit for Karen and Richard Carpenter as well.

"Hurting Each Other" is a touching, moving song about a couple who can't seem to stop hurting each other's feelings; their love is in jeopardy and they apparently just don't know how to stop the cycle of abuse. "Hurting Each Other" was another major hit for Karen and Richard and this was very well deserved; the arrangement is lush without being overdone or silly. In addition, there's also "It's Going To Take Some Time;" now Karen sings of a couple who needs time to heal their wounds or decide if they are going to stay together. Karen and Richard sing this with panache and I'm very impressed. "It's Going To Take Some Time" was a huge hit--again!--for Karen and Richard; and just one listen tells you why.

"Goodbye To Love" has a very pretty melody that belies the seriousness of the lyrics; a couple is breaking up and Karen sings this sad song with lots of feeling. Karen really delves into this ballad to flesh it out and give it a true appeal to the listener; and it all holds its own very well. "Flat Baroque" has a great musical arrangement that does indeed have baroque qualities; and there's also the timeless ballad "I Won't Last A Day Without You." Karen sings this flawlessly; and I like the special effect of it sounding as if there were TWO Karen Carpenters singing some of the lyrics! This effect works wonders for this ballad.

"Road Ode" is a number I actually didn't remember from all those years ago; but when I hear it I really do enjoy it. The melody is classic Carpenters--lush without being excessive; and the vocals lack nothing--it's all THAT good. The album also ends nicely with Karen and Richard Carpenter performing a stunning, haunting reprise of "A Song For You." Wowzer!

Karen and Richard Carpenter turned out one of their very best albums with A Song For You. Kudos to the reviewer who so insightfully points out that the first five songs on this album reflect the moods of a cycle of a love affair beginning, lasting and then ending. I highly recommend this as a must-have for Carpenters fans; and anyone who enjoys contemporary pop vocals will love this album, too.

"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.

The 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.

This 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.

The 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

How anyone can deny the sweetness and warmth (well, okay, sheer greatness) in Karen Carpenter's voice is a mystery to me. She was a beautiful talent, and her throat could reach phrases and emotions that most singers wish they had the ability to get. This album doesn't stand up as high concept, but it isn't supposed to be that way. Sometimes the seventies coyness and cuteness shows through, but that is more than forgivable. If you want spirit-lifting melodies and charming songs sung by the best female vocalist, then pick this up. If you own a greatest hits album, note that the lead guitars on both "Top of the World" and "Goodbye to Love" are altered and less flamboyant here.

This 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.

Karen'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.
"A Song For You" is truly a classic among classics.

Released in 1972, this is the album that made the Carpenters a household name. Concieved by Richard as a concept album, "Song For You" was hit-packed. It features the original album version of "Top Of The World," "Hurting Each Other," "It's Going To Take Some Time This Time," and the final single culled from this album "I Won't Last A Day Without You" released with some remixing in 1974. A personal favorite and a haunting one with the lyric "When my life is over, remember when we were together, we were alone and I was singing this song for you" is the title song written by Leon Russell "A Song For You." At the end of the album, the song is reprised for a minute, giving one the feeling of the album being one complete song. Again, this album was remastered by Richard himself and the improvements are indeed noticeable. The original mixes are used so don't expect some single versions or remixed versions, all the remasters go back to the basics and then sonically enhanced. You'll hear things you've never heard before and the things you remember hearing are so much better. Richard not only made the background vocal overdubbing the Carpenter sound, he employed a lot of woodwinds and with all of the remasters, the voices of those woodwinds are rounder, the vocals of Richard and Karen warmer. The timeless sound of the Carpenters are now immortal