Carpenters Album: “Christmas Portrait”

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...

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.

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

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!

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.