Customer Reviews

Christmas Portrait [LP record]

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Many artists cut a Christmas album to cash-in on their current popularity -it's a natural and easy "cash cow" for them. Unfortunately, too many artists take a very casual approach to their Christmas albums, not perfecting the sound as they would a regular album. Fortunately, this is not true where the Carpenters are concerned! Richard Carpenter had the Carpenter's Christmas album pictured the way he wanted it in his head, and then took the time and spent the money to get it right. The result is a lush, beautifully arranged sound with every effort made to make each song special. Wiht this album, the Carpenters created Christmas music that defines what Christmas music should sound like.

"Christmas Portrait", is the first Carpenter Christmas album, released in 1978. ("An Old-Fashioned Christmas", was the second, released in 1984, after Karen's tragic death). When "Christmas Portrait was conceived, Karen and Richard recorded so much Christmas material that they almost released a double album. Instead, they released a full single (and at that time vinyl) disk, (but packed it with nearly 50 minutes of music - which was pushing the limits back in the days of vinyl LPS. Christmas Portrait went platinum in the U.S. and became a hit all over the world, and it continues to do well. It is one of the few albums that has been a Top 10 hit on the Christmas charts in the `70s, `80s, and `90s. These are the songs you hear played in department stores and on the radio every Christmas season.

In 1984, A&M released the second Carpenter's Christmas album, "An Old-Fashioned Christmas". The album features the best of the overflow material from the "Christmas Portrait" sessions as well as some newly recorded pieces.

You will love the Christmas sound of the Carpenters and will play it every Christmas season. It is an A+ album and is perhaps the finest Christmas album ever recorded.

In the 1990's Richard combined both Carpenter Christmas albums into one album, entittled "Christmas Collection". This is certainly a consideration in buying one or the other.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig, Carpenters Fan for 35 years

Even though the Carpenters' CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is now available, CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (Special Edition) is STILL an holiday music essential. This version contains most of both, but not all of either, Carpenters' Christmas albums. One of the reasons it's a great thing to have--in addition to the CHRISTMAS COLLECTION--is the fact that so much from both albums is all contained on one CD. That makes it perfect for a single CD player, such as in a car or a portable stereo, where space is limited. The warm readings of so many different songs and carols glow on this recording. However, to keep from repeating myself, refer to the CHRISTMAS COLLECTION review for specific musical examples. Before you, the reader, jumps to any conclusions about the quality of this album, just know that I own both CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (Special Edition) and CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. That's how important I think these recordings are. Enough said...

"Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you...

Merry Christmas darling
We're apart, that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm christmasing with you
Holiday is joyful
There's always something new
But everyday's a holiday
When I'm near to you...

The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it everyday
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire to see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you"
~ Merry Christmas Darling ~
~ Words & Music by Frank Pooler and Richard Carpenter ~

"This album is lovingly dedicated to the memory of my sister and friend, Karen, who was extremely fond of Christmas and Christmas music." ~ Richard Carpenter, 1986

This classic Christmas CD is my all-time favorite of all my Christmas CDs. I usually pull it out from my CD shelf right after Thanksgiving Day and start listening to it. I always enjoy listening to these timeless Christmas songs year after year. I was a huge fan of the Carpenters in the '70s and my favorites among their albums are "A Song For You," "The Carpenters" and "Close To You." Karen's death is such a great loss to the music industry with her great talent and exceptional vocal artistry. This album was conceived and produced by Mr. Carpenter, who also did the arrangements together with Billy May and Peter Knight. It consists of the best-loved Christmas classics of all-time.

The most notable tracks are: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," the ever popular "Christmas Song," the bubbly medley of "Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," the very solemn traditional Christmas classic "Silent Night," the wishful "Merry Christmas Darling," the contemplative instrumental rendition of "O Holy Night" and a medley of selections from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" (Overture Miniature, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies and Valse Des Fleurs). Listening to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" brings back memories of my childhood when I truly believed in the existence of Santa Claus (letters to Santa on toys I'd love to have and wondering how could Santa be able to read all the letters from children all over the world, counting the days before "the big day," getting up so early on Christmas Day to eagerly open presents, etc). Christmas is the one time of the year that undeniably brings out the child in me (and I guess all of us with no exception) through all the excitement that comes with it.

Amidst the hassle and bustle of preparations and celebrations, we need to find some quiet moments to listen and appreciate true classic Christmas carols like the songs in this CD, which I merrily recommend, and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. "Remember, the magic of Christmas lies in your heart!" as what Santa said on "The Polar Express."

Let me first say, I'm a huge Carpenters fan and have been since they first burst on the scene in the late 60's, early 70's. Having said that and knowing there may be other older fans of theirs out their seeking to get their beloved Carpenters Christmas Portrait on CD in order to replace their album or tape, this is not the same album you bought all those years ago. This is the combination of The Christmas Portait album and the Old Fashioned Christmas with a few songs missing. I have the same problem with this New Version of a Christmas Portrait that I did when I first purchased Old Fashioned Christmas and that is, I do not simply want to wait eight minutes to hear Karen start singing. This version comes across as being a bit over-produced because of this. It was obvious after my first listen of Old Fashioned Christmas that it was "left overs" from the Christmas Portrait album. I realize Richard was trying to get the best of both worlds when he combined the two but I'm uncertain why he chose to leave out the jazz version of Santa Clause is coming to town, particularly since it is their second best known Christmas song. Having said all that, this is not a bad purchase but I prefer the original Christmas Portrait and my album is far superior in the sense of the original order and context of the songs. For those who agree, it would be best to buy the more expensive Christmas Collection to get the albums combined in one purchase but not mixed together instead of this version with the sum of both parts combined as one.

To say that the Carpenters provided a musical soundtrack for all my Christmases from the moment it came out through the present is so much of an understatement! Undoubtedly my favorite Christmas album of all time, the Carpenters Christmas Portrait is amazing in every way. Many fans don't know that Richard Carpenter conceptualized this album from one of -his- favorite childhood Christmas albums by Spike Jones (the genius bandleader known for his wacky, comedic arrangements). In fact, if you purchase the Spike Jones Christmas c.d. (still available), you'll be surprised to hear a couple of the exquisite medleys from the Carpenters "soundtrack for the season" in their entirety! But when you add Karen's voice, you've most definitely surpassed the originals!
Listening to "Christmas Portrait" on the cassette player in my car....used to be my reward for making it thru college final exam week in December! I'd actually wait until my drive home after the last exam before I'd let myself FINALLY put the cassette in. I would smile and sing along all the way home. So this music is laced with so much nostalgia that my love for the Carpenters Christmas music is truly beyond words.
Some have mentioned that this "Christmas Portrait- Special Edition" c.d. is NOT the same as the original Christmas Portrait, but an expanded version of the original. To explain...after Karen's death, Richard released the leftover tracks from their "Christmas Portrait" recording sessions on an album entitled "An Old-Fashioned Christmas". Since there weren't enough vocal tracks to constitute an entire album, he filled in the blanks with orchestral/choral arrangements. When compact discs started to become generally available (not very long after the release of this 2nd album)....Richard decided to have their "Christmas Portrait" album introduced on c.d. for the very first time in an expanded "Special Edition"....including the majority of the music from both albums. As a die-hard fan of the Carpenters, I, for one, NEVER had a problem with this. In fact...as beloved as my memories of the original Christmas Portrait album are....when I listen now to the original album vs. the extended c.d....I find myself thinking that the original sounds incomplete. I truly believe Richard improved on the original by coming up with a masterful combination of the best of both albums (you may have gathered from other reviews by now that you can buy a double c.d. collection that has only recently come available of both albums as they were originally presented). Another reviewer mentioned that waiting so long to hear Karen sing after the instrumental overture was annoying but...and repeat after me....-an overture is a nice and classy thing for a pop album-...lol....this is like delayed gratification to most fans! When you finally hear her sing...."Frosted windowpanes"....you almost want to cheer! Richard's beautiful concept of a Christmas album that simply flows in one continous, seamless stream of music was also a huge part of why the Carpenters holiday offering has become such a classic.
Anyway, I'm about to conclude this review without mentioning the music..... "Merry Christmas Darling" will never fail to melt me into a puddle. After Karen's death, this song became even more meaningful and poignant to fans around the world. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is, to my thoughts, the definitive recording of the song. There's not a bad thing about Karen's interpretations of these classics (even though I'm not quite as gung-ho about her reading of "Ave Maria" as some, but can still say I'm proud of her for doing a more-than-respectable job and for choosing the lesser-known Bach-Gounod version of "Ave Maria"!). I still can't for the life of me understand why "Little Altar Boy" never made it onto the original album since it's one of the most spine-tingling things ever recorded by that amazing voice! It's truly as if this song was written for her (it wasn't). I also was puzzled as to why the incredibly sexy jazz-tinged "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" wasn't included on the Special Edition c.d. when it came out. It's the most glaring exclusion. Maybe Richard could've left off a tune or two in one of the instrumental medley's? hmmm
If you're only going to purchase one, I'd still buy the original Special Edition c.d. over the new double-c.d. set. Richard (with the above exception of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town") truly did pick the best of both albums and arranged them in EXACTLY the same seamlessly-flowing fashion as the original Christmas Portrait album. And this was no small feat. The original sounds far too short after you come to love the expanded c.d. (My honest recommendation would be to buy both...ha. I love the original "expanded" Christmas Portrait c.d., but, in buying the double c.d. set, you'll get to hear the "extras" Karen recorded that weren't on the original Christmas Portrait c.d....."Do You Hear What I Hear?", "He Came Here For Me", "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day". And any c.d. set featuring FIVE previously unreleased-on-c.d. vocals by Karen Carpenter is most definitely worth purchasing!)
Well enough musings about this c.d. To say that it has touched my heart in inumerable ways doesn't even come close. Richard's artistry combined with Karen's once-in-a-lifetime voice has caused many fans to say that they were indeed destined to record Christmas music. As long as there are people celebrating Christmas, this c.d. will remain a timeless treasure.

I have owned this album for over ten years, and it is the single best contemporary Christmas album in my collection. Everyone loves it, and Karen Carpenter's incredibly fresh and innovative treatment of a number of traditional songs like "The Christmas Song", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Merry Christmas, Darling", and "Home For The Holidays" have to be heard to be fully appreciated. Similarly, her thoughtful treatment of religious songs like "Oh, Holy Night", "Ave Maria", "Christ Is Born", and "Silent Night". There is much more here, but suffice it to say that you will be glad to have selected this CD after you get it home and listen to it the first time. It is simply outstanding, and a wonderful reminder how very talented and gifted a vocalist Karen Carpenter was. Happy holidays

Six years ago I purchased a cassette tape version of Christmas Portrait as a joke gift for my husband -- I always thought it was kind of funny that he was fond of the Carpenters' music. Little did I know that the joke would end up being on me; Karen and Richard Carpenter render every song in this collection with masterful artistry making all the "old" favorite carols and ballads as beautiful and full of life as I had ever heard them! Six years later, we still thrill to listen to this tape. Indeed, it has become one of our anticipated holiday traditions. And now I have to order a CD to replace our worn out cassette tape!

Bing Crosby,Nat King Cole,Temptations,Jim Reeves,Jackson 5...These are great artist who have made the greatest Christmas albums....but Nobody I mean NOBODY comes close to The Carpenters...Each and every song on this album is amazing..My favorite track on this album is Christmas Waltz...Karen's Voice is just amazing on this...Merry Christmas Darling is a classic that no one can touch...It is not Christmas until I hear this album...This is the only Christmas album I can listen to in the summer time haha.............The Carpenters Rock!

This is undoubtedly the finest Christmas album ever produced. Every single song on this collection is marvelous. The musical arrangements are all first rate and employee only the finest musicians to perform the music. The famed Peter Knight, who orchestrated the Moody Blues' "Days Of The Future Passed" album, arranged and orchestrated many of the songs on this classic Christmas offering. And if it couldn't get any better there's the fantastic voice of the inimitable Karen Carpenter. Her voice was made to sing Christmas music and on this album she is victorious in every way. Her voice shines on each song and is crystal clear in her diction and sings in perfect pitch all the way through.
This album includes the classic Carpenters holiday tune "Merry Christmas Darling". Other outstanding tracks are; "The Christmas Waltz" which has a nice old fashioned feeling about it, the upbeat and joyous "Sleigh Ride", a classic performance of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", and to inspire you there is "Silent Night", "Christ Is Born" and "Ave Maria" all three are performed with complete reverence and bring out the beauty of Christmas.

This disc is so good it's a joy to listen to year round.

Christmas Portrait: The Special Edition brings the best of the Carpenters' two holiday albums together on one CD. "Christmas Portrait", the duo's 1978 release, still stands as perhaps the greatest Christmas album ever recorded. Karen's soft, warm voice over a dazzling selection of beautifully arranged Christmas songs, is a perfect cup of hot chocolate for the season. There are just enough standards and new songs to keep everyone happy, while interested. And Richard's choral and orchestral arrangements allow one song to flow gently into the next, creating a symphony of sound that communicates Christmas better than any other CD on the market.
Richard has flawlessly interwoven songs from their second disc "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" as well. The newer songs are beautiful and perfectly arranged, yet feature much less of Karen, understandably. The only mis-step on this extended album is the exclusion of the slow-down ballad version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - one of the most romantic versions of a children's Christmas song ever attempted. Still, even without this gem, the duo manage to engage the listener with beautiful music that again captures the essence of the season.