Karen Carpenter - Karen Carpenter (1996)

Karen Carpenter's only solo album, recorded in New York in 1979 with producer Phil Ramone but unreleased until 1996, was also the only album she ever recorded with a producer other than her older brother Richard. The difference is immediately obvious. Ramone, whose biggest client was Billy Joel, prefers a looser, more spacious sound than Richard's note-perfect, almost-antiseptic orchestral pop.

Not to take anything away from Karen and Richard's endless string of classic pop singles, but it is refreshing to hear Karen's near-perfect voice, a dusky, melancholy alto with bell-like clarity, in a more relaxed and jazz-influenced setting. Arrangements are by jazz greats Bob James and Rod Temperton, and accompaniment includes most of Joel's backing band. The clear highlight, a sensuous yet melancholy version of Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years," is easily among the best things Karen Carpenter ever recorded in her short career.