Unfortunately for the hardcore Carpenters fans, this latest compilation doesn't provide any new material by the duo. Instead, it rounds up what Richard probably considers the best of those songs written by him and recorded by the Carpenters between 1969 and 1981.

It's hard to see how this latest release satisfies any demand that hasn't already been filled. Anyone with a passing interest in the duo will probably only recognise about a quarter of the content (out of 18 tracks there are 5 genuine hit singles) - is this Richard trying to open up lukewarm or non-fans to some of their lesser known material? Who knows.

Where the diehards are concerned, there's nothing here we haven't already heard on many other compilations, save a gorgeous remix of 'One Love' only previously available on a Japanese release. The rest is the familiar batch of remixed album tracks seen on volumes such as 'Yesterday Once More' (1985), 'Classics Vol.2' (1991) and the recent 'Essential Collection' box-set.

One thing of note to the fans is that one particular track 'At The End of The Song', sees its debut here on a compilation for the first time since its original release on the posthumous 'Voice Of The Heart' album in 1983.

In more recent years, it's been rammed home, both in Carpenters-related books and television documentaries, that Richard was the undervalued, uncredited genius behind the duo, who wrote much of the material, and produced and arranged most of it.

It seems Richard is simply trying to further underscore this thinking by releasing a compilation that's purely all his own work. Not forgetting of course, that he only wrote the music to these selections. His songwriting partner John Bettis wrote all those memorable lyrics. But does he get a mention in the album's title? No.

In summary, a trip down memory lane for the fans, I'll reserve judgement on how everyone will take to it.

"Carpenters Perform Carpenter" is the most recent release (released on July 29, 2003) of what seems to be an endless catalog of Carpenters compilations. This one is unique in that all the songs were composed by Richard Carpenter. These are the songs that were specifically written for Karen to sing.

With this release once again we are able to witness the serene power of a beautifully written song.

The packaging is done professionally with a few nice pictures of Karen and Richard, and new liner notes written by Bill DeMain. Bill DeMain is best known for his recently released book; "Behind The Muse: Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and Inspiration".

This compilation contains several lesser known Carpenters album tracks. Some of the outstanding cuts are; "Maybe It's You" from 1970 which could have been a great follow-up single to "We've Only Just Begun" and "Crystal Lullaby" (1972) a dreamy song which seems to have a vibrant new life on this collection.

What a marvelous Carpenters compilation! This is the best since the Reader's Digest Compilation!

The sound is superb and I couldn't ask for a better compilation. (Sorry, I lied... I really want to see new songs, new mixes, alternate versions and such!)

I love the selection! It shows how great Richard Carpenter (and John Bettis) are!

A hilight for me is the mix of "Sandy" - it made me love the song even more! Also "Crystal Lullaby" - a song I never cared for is more beautiful than ever!

I hope to see lots of releases in the future!

ps check out the "Interpretaions" DVD and for all Carpenters news go to:

http://CarpentersToYou.tripod.com

or seach on YAHOO! "Carpenters To You".

Great i like this Album is special next too As Time Goes Bye (Is Great) this perform of the carpenters is absolute in the collection...PolarWorks Demar recomiend this CD album is great for one FAN of Richard & Karen (I love)Guatemala C.A.

For those who are primarily familiar with the Carpenters through their various hits collections, this CD will at least offer some relatively unfamiliar tunes. Still, the idea of focusing only on songs Richard Carpenter wrote or co-wrote results in a "something's missing" feeling to this CD, and it also points out that most of the Carpenters' very best songs were written by others (Bacharach, Paul Williams, etc.). Certainly "Goodbye to Love" and "Yesterday Once More," two of Richard's songs on this collection, are memorable, but many of the other tunes are relatively slight. This new collection is nice to listen to, but it also has a sleepy quality to it that will have me using it only as background music.

Two other things: (1) The bold statement in the liner notes that "every ten seconds are so, somewhere in the world, these songs are being played, sung, hummed, whistled, or listened to" may have been true 20 years ago, but it's somewhat rididulous to say that in 2003. Also (2) Seeing Richard's face 5 times bigger than Karen's on the cover just rubbed me the wrong way. I understand that the CD concept involves songs by Richard, but these songs would never have had nearly the impact they did without Karen's marvelous voice singing them.