Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“The Singles 1969-1973.” The Carpenters. A&M.; Though Karen Carpenter’s delicate contralto always seemed best suited to nursery rhymes, it did occasionally work on pop songs like “Superstar” and “Ticket to Ride,” the cream of this collection. Since conveying passion wasn’t her strength, she and brother Richard were limited to fluff like “Close to You.” Despite the material, her crystal-clear voice can generate goose bumps. If you like her singing, this CD--a good, hiss-free transfer--is recommended. 1/2