As Time Goes By [IMPORT]

Carpenters

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 6, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal Import
• ASIN: B00005J46L
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #517,666 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Import edition of 2001 compilation is a 15 track collection of rare material most of which has never seen the light of day on record! All tracks have been digitally remastered. Includes one hidden bonus track, 'And When He Smiles'. Other highlights include, 'Without A Song' (From TV Special 'Music Music Music in 1980)', 'Dancing In The Street (From TV special program 'Space Encounters', 'Leave Yesterday Behind' (Outtake track recorded in 1978 and remixed by Richard Carpenter in 1999), 'California Dreaming' (Outtake track recorded in 1978 & remixed by Richard Carpenter in 1999) & many more. A Universal/2001 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice addition to the back catalog, June 12, 2002

By	JAMES W FENOS (COLUMBUS, OHIO United States) - See all my reviews

This album is long awaited by ardent fans, unfortunately it can't be made available in the states due to copyright laws, thanks to Borders/Amazon, however, this cd is available as an import.

Unlike the other postumus albums produced by Richard, this one is sequenced chronologically, which leads me to believe Richard is moving on with the next phase of his career. The arrangements of the unfinished songs show the great work that went in the construction of this album, however the arrangements suggest the orchestral work was done in one day. There is an unusual samenesss in the arrangements complete with harmonica, the inclusion of that instrument reminds me of Richard's 1997 solo instrumental album.

There are repeats of songs, those repeats however are here in medley form recorded for television appearances, where the bulk of the material presented is from. "Without A Song" is not in it's original version, it's not the short one released on "Interpretations," it's a version recorded for the Carpenters private collection, Karen and Richard doing all the parts.

The most interesting and stunningly beautiful songs are the re-built Nowhere Man, Leave Yesterday Behind, California Dreamin', and The Rainbow Connection. Nowhere Man is incredible. Richard took a mono lead vocal, ran it through a 48 track recorder, and built a new arrangement around it so carefully not one word is lost from the lead. Karen's reading on this and the only surviving stereo take from Magic Lamp studio "California Dreamin' is for lack of a better term, breathtaking.

The two outtakes here recorded as work leads "Leave Yesterday behind" and "Rainbow Connection" could have been hits, "Leave Yesterday Behind is reminisent of "For All We Know" and "Rainbow Connection" has such a tender reading.

On all of the unfinished studio recordings exist the arrangements that have the aforementioned sameness. I believe the songs were arranged this way to give this collection a cohesiveness, to better segue the television produced soundtracks and instrumentals (there are a few here, Richard wouldn't be Richard without one.)

After all these years of not having such a glorious voice grace us with new songs, this collection reminds us of what we lost and how wonderful Richard is willing to share these unheard masterpieces.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At last!, August 29, 2001

By	"muscleboymovies" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

After years of fans' requests, Richard Carpenter went back to the vaults to offer top-quality, often spruced-up versions of 15 never-before-officially released Carpenters rareties, a number of which were available in low-fi bootleg versions.... Richard has done all-possible to make this a cohesive presentation, a near-impossible feat, given the sources date from 1967-80, from early demos to finished and polished prerecorded pieces for their TV specials. Highlights include a 1967 rendition of "California Dreamin'" as well as a ballad version of the Beatles' "Nowhere Man," a six-minute Karen/Ella Fitzgerald medley (finally, in full-stereo), a pretty but thin "For All We Know"-clone, "Leave Yesterday Behind" (not surprisingly, written by "For All We Know"'s Fred Karlin), a Karen/Perry Como duet cobbled together, with missing pieces filled in by Richard, "The Rainbow Connection" (from a 1980 studio outtake) and a hidden track, "And When He Smiles" (from a 1971 BBC TV appearance). I could do without the two Richard instrumental items ("Dizzy Fingers" and a "Close Encounters/Star Wars" medley) as well as the two "hits" medleys (more never-on-disc Karen readings would have been preferable, and we know they exist!), but that's quibbling. Congrats to Richard for doing this for us insatiable Carpenters fans, for his detailed liner notes, for my pick as the second-best Carpenters album cover (ranking just behind "Horizon"). And shame on A&M for not issuing this domestically. Fellow fans, cough up the dough for this import. Despite the flaws, it's worth every penny.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Just in Love With This "New" Carpenters' CD!!, November 3, 2001

By	James J. Peters (Orlando, Florida, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a treat! "As Time Goes By" is phenomenal! First, it is a treat for Carpenters' fans everywhere that Richard went to the trouble to put these tracks together and release them. Second, the selection of songs is varied, and each track has its own raison d'etre.

On first listen, I, like other reviewers, was blown away by "Leave Yesterday Behind" and "The Rainbow Connection," and after each subsequent listening, I became enamoured with all selections. The Carpenters' hits medleys are fun and captivating and exude a freshness despite the passage of time. The covers of songs by the Beatles ("Nowhere Man") and the Mamas and the Papas ("California Dreamin'") are simply golden. The collaborations with Perry Como and Ella Fitzgerald are also thoroughly enjoyable. To hear Karen sing snippets of "It's Impossible" and "My Funny Valentine" brings utter joy and yet sadness that there are so many wonderful standards she should have sung. It only reinforces the consensus that SHE COULD SING ANYTHING AND MAKE IT HER OWN.

Richard's arrangements throughout are typically crisp, his vocals, especially in the Como medley, provide an unexpected highlight, and, of course, his instrumentals are as good as it gets. One other bonus of "As Time Goes By" is the photography on the front and back covers. Wow! Not surprisingly, famed Annie Lebowitz is credited with the photography. For me, these photos are the best ever for a Carpenters' album/CD, with the possible exception of "Horizon."

As long as I live, one of the sweetest sounds I will ever hear is the crystalline, angelic voice of Karen Carpenter. I would recommend this CD, not only to the legions of Carpenters' fans but also to any music lover with an appreciation for quality music---highlighted by the beautiful, unmistakable, unforgettable, hauntingly sweet voice of Karen Carpenter. The final track, "And When He Smiles," typifies my reaction to this fantastic CD!