Featuring a surprisingly poignant cover photo of a suburban house -- not unlike the Downey, CA homestead in which
Karen and
Richard Carpenter grew up --
Now & Then is a concept album about the music that inspired
Karen and
Richard in their childhood. Besides the hit single "Sing" and a charming take on
Hank Williams' "Jambalaya," the centerpiece of
Now & Then is
Richard Carpenter and
John Bettis' nostalgic "Yesterday Once More." The song opens and closes a side-long medley of early-'60s pop hits that includes
the Beach Boys' "Fun, Fun, Fun,"
Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World,"
the Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron," and
Jan & Dean's "Dead Man's Curve." Also included are
Shelley Fabares' "Johnny Angel,"
Bobby Vee's "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes,"
Ruby & the Romantics' "Our Day Will Come," and
the Chiffons' "One Fine Day." Given
Karen's immense skills as an interpretive singer, not one of the covers is less than interesting, and most are flat-out wonderful.