Horizon

by Carpenters

Overview

The Carpenters were one of the more ubiquitous and successful acts of the early and mid-'70s. Songs like "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" make the shortlist of pop classics of the '70s. Unfortunately, their 1973 retrospective, 1969-1973, might have wrapped up their commercial careers too soon. This 1975 effort seems to be willing to explore sad emotions with the blithe songs appearing almost as an afterthought. Although it would sound the death knell for many efforts, with Karen Carpenter's pitch-perfect and sorrowful voice, it's actually a nice fit, and an emphasis on the duo's subtext. The beautifully arranged "Aurora" sets the album's ambience. "Eventide," a continuation of the melody and theme, shows up later in the album. The covers, "Desperado" and "Please Mr. Postman," have the duo adding nothing new to the tracks. A more convincing take on the standard "I Can Dream, Can't I?" was co-arranged and orchestrated by the legendary Billy May. The track, despite the depressing horn and backing vocal arrangement, has Carpenter's empathy and tone ringing clear. Another cover, "Solitaire" written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody, is melodramatic but a great match for Carpenter's voice. The originals, including "(I'm Caught Between) Goodbye and I Love You," are competent but not magical, and that fact diminishes the effort. Although some might be put off by the sorrow-or-bust ethos of this, Horizon gains its strength from strong production values and, of course, Karen Carpenter's singular gifts as an interpreter. ~ Jason Elias

Product Details

Release Date:	09/25/2012
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988005724489
Rank:	34909

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Carpenters   Primary Artist
Billy May   Orchestra
Joe Osborn   Bass
Gayle Levant   Harp
Alvin Stoller   Drums
Tony Peluso   Guitar
Tommy Morgan   Harmonica
Earl Dumler   Oboe,Horn (English)
Doug Strawn   Sax (Baritone)
Bob Messenger   Sax (Tenor)
Jackie Ward   Vocals (Background)
Red Rhodes   Slide Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Gene Merlino   Vocals (Background)
Joe Mondragon   Bass
Bob Bain   Guitar
Pete Jolly   Keyboards
Richard Carpenter   Vocals,Keyboards,Orchestra
John Bahler   Vocals (Background)
Jim Gordon   Drums
Karen Carpenter   Drums,Vocals
Frank Flynn   Vibraphone
Mitch Gordon   Vocals (Background)
Thad Maxwell   Slide Guitar,Guitar (Steel)

Technical Credits

Ed Caraeff   Photography
Philip Cody   Composer
Georgia Dubbins   Composer
Anthony F. Peluso   Composer
Anne Pascale Palma   Composer
Glenn Frey   Composer
Bill Doggett   Composer
Billy May   Arranger,Orchestration
Tony Peluso   Composer
Irving Kahal   Composer
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Freddie Gorman   Composer
Don Henley   Composer
Robert Bateman   Composer
Phil Cody   Composer
Roger Young   Engineer
Neil Sedaka   Composer
Richard Carpenter   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Orchestration
Ray Gerhardt   Engineer
Brian Holland   Composer
Georgia Dobbins   Composer
William Garrett   Composer
Bud Rehak   Composer
John Bettis   Composer
Diane Rubin   Composer,Composer
Justin Cody   Composer
Karen Carpenter   Producer,Associate Producer
Sammy Fain   Composer
Eddie Rambeau   Composer
Palma Pascale   Composer
Dave Iveland   Assistant Engineer
Roland Young   Artwork,Art Direction
Anthony Peluso   Composer