LOST CARPENTERS DUET EMERGES FROM THE ARCHIVES—KAREN’S VOICE SHINES ON UNHEARD RECORDING THAT LEFT PRODUCERS IN TEARS….read more…

LOST CARPENTERS DUET EMERGES FROM THE ARCHIVES—KAREN’S VOICE SHINES ON UNHEARD RECORDING THAT LEFT PRODUCERS IN TEARS….read more…..

Los Angeles, CA — In what is being hailed as one of the most moving rediscoveries in music history, a never-before-heard Carpenters recording featuring the unmistakable voice of Karen Carpenter has been unearthed from deep within the vaults of A&M Records—and it’s bringing fans to tears.

The track, a gentle and soaring duet titled “Always You,” features Karen’s ethereal vocals paired with a mystery male voice, believed to be a close collaborator from the early 1980s. According to those who have heard the initial remastered version, Karen’s performance is “nothing short of breathtaking.”

Producers at A&M Records, currently in the process of archiving rare and unreleased materials for a 2025 Carpenters Legacy Box Set, made the discovery late last month.

“It was hidden on a reel we thought had already been fully catalogued,” said longtime producer and Carpenters archivist Dan Cartwright. “But when we played it, the room went still. Karen’s voice came in, clear and haunting. Within seconds, we were all crying.”

The track is believed to have been recorded in 1981, just months before Karen’s final sessions. Though the Carpenters were known for their pristine arrangements and emotional ballads, “Always You” is said to have an intimacy that sets it apart from anything in their official discography.

“It’s like she was singing directly to the future,” said Cartwright. “The lyrics talk about time slipping away, about voices that still echo in the heart. Given what we know about Karen’s personal struggles and her legacy, it’s impossible not to be moved.”

Karen Carpenter, whose tragic passing in 1983 at the age of 32 devastated the world, remains one of the most beloved voices of the 20th century. With her brother Richard, the Carpenters sold over 100 million records, becoming synonymous with soft rock elegance and emotional depth.

Richard Carpenter, now 78, issued a brief but heartfelt statement regarding the discovery.

“Hearing Karen’s voice on something I’d completely forgotten we’d worked on was like seeing her walk through the door again. I’ve approved the remastering, and I know she would have wanted the world to hear this.”

Fans around the world have taken to social media to express their joy and anticipation.

“I was raised on Carpenters music. Karen’s voice was the soundtrack of my childhood,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The idea of hearing something new from her feels like a miracle.”

Another added, “She’s always been timeless. But to hear her again in 2025? This is going to be emotional.”

Music historians believe “Always You” could become one of the most important posthumous releases of the decade, not only for its emotional weight but also for its technical quality. According to early listeners, the song features a stripped-back arrangement of piano, acoustic guitar, and light strings—allowing Karen’s voice to sit front and center in a way that feels deeply personal.

“It’s like she’s in the room with you,” said audio engineer Leah Stroud, who worked on the digital restoration. “No studio tricks. Just Karen. Pure and present.”

While A&M has not yet announced an official release date, sources say the song will debut as the lead track on the Carpenters Legacy: Unheard Harmonies collection, scheduled for late fall 2025. The box set will reportedly include rare photographs, handwritten lyric sheets, behind-the-scenes footage, and several unreleased demos from Karen and Richard’s vault.

The legacy of the Carpenters has only grown in recent years, with a new generation discovering their music through streaming platforms, film soundtracks, and heartfelt tributes by artists across genres.

And now, with “Always You,” that legacy is about to take on an even deeper resonance.

“She was taken from us far too soon,” said Cartwright. “But this song proves that Karen Carpenter still has more to say—and the world is ready to listen.”