Carpenters

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra pairs the classic recordings of the famous brother-and-sister duo with all-new symphonic orchestrations composed, produced, and conducted by the songs' original arranger-conductor-producer: Richard Carpenter.  Following a newly-composed Overture, the set premieres a host of lushly reimagined Carpenters favorites from some of the world's greatest songwriters including Paul Williams and Roger Nichols ("We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays"), Leon Russell ("This Masquerade," "Superstar"), John Lennon and Paul McCartney ("Ticket to Ride"), and Burt Bacharach ("(They Long to Be) Close to You" with Hal David, "Baby It's You" with Mack David and Luther Dixon) not to mention Richard's own compositions such as "Yesterday Once More" and "Goodbye to Love" with John Bettis, "Merry Christmas Darling" with Frank Pooler, and "I Need to Be in Love" with Bettis and Albert Hammond.  In addition to their voices, Richard's keyboards, and Karen's drums, select elements from the original recordings have been incorporated.  Available in a variety of formats including 1CD; 2LP 180-gram black vinyl; and 2LP white vinyl.  The latter will be an exclusive to the Carpenters' webstore, which also offers bundles including lithographs personally signed by Richard Carpenter.  Target has one bonus track, and Japan will have another.