Different CD compilations have been released through the years by the Carpenters. These compilations not also gave birth to many remixes of Carpenters’ songs, but (finally) presented us with CD-debuts of single mixes, alternative versions, demo cuts, karaoke sing-a-longs and even newly SACD mixes.
After a few dozen compilations I totally lost count and felt the urge to make an overview which gives information about which version has been released on which CD compilation. I used the official Universal CD compilations released in Europe, Japan and the US, starting with the first ‘Yesterday Once More’ UK set in 1984 and (for now) ending with the ‘Japanese Single Box’ in 2006.
Titles without any additional remix information don’t have other versions than the original album version (to my knowledge).
I tried to be as accurate as possible, but nobody is perfect.
Errors? Disagreements? Additional remix information? Please use this forum to elaborate.
This is the ninth survey, proceeding with the original 1978 ‘Christmas Portrait’ album and the 1984 'Christmas Portrait Special Edition' version. The full original 1978 mix of 'Christmas Portrait' has been released on CD once: in Europe in the early eighties. The CD was manufactured by PolyGram in Hannover (West-Germany), using the original 1978 LP-master. This first print with catalog number of 394 726-2 has never been reprinted by PolyGram, but was being replaced by the Special Edition in 1984. This ninth survey starts with the first PolyGram CD print, followed by the Special Edition, which more or less saw a worldwide release.
The 1984 'An Old-Fashioned Christmas' album and the 1996 'Christmas Collection' will be followed later on.
Christmas Portrait (1978)
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - 0.28
1992 Alternate Version:
•CHRISTMAS WITH THE CARPENTERS (1992) TIME LIFE
2. Overture - 4.39
Deck The Halls
I Saw Three Ships
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Away In A Manger
What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
Carol Of The Bells
O Come, All Ye Faithful
3. The Christmas Waltz - 2.13
4. Sleigh Ride - 2.38
5. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children - 2.54
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - 3.54
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1978 Version) - 4.05
1974 Original Single Version:
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY (VINYL TRANSFER)
1984 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT SPECIAL EDITION (1984)
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
8. The Christmas Song - 3.39
Stand Alone Version:
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY
9. Silent Night - 3.19
1990 Remix:
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
10. Jingle Bells - 1.11
11. The First Snowfall/Let It Snow - 3.33
12. Carol Of The Bells - 1.38
13. Merry Christmas Darling (1978 Version) - 3.05
1970 Original Single Version:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY
1978 Album Version:
•CARPENTERS PERFORM CARPENTER (2003)
•GOLD: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY 2 CD EDITION (2004)
1990 Remix:
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
1992 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS WITH THE CARPENTERS (1992) TIME LIFE
2004 SACD Hybrid Remix:
•THE SINLGES: 1969-1981 SACD HYBRID (2004)
14. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 3.50
15. Christ Is Born - 3.14
1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
16. Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas - 5.30
White Christmas 1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
17. Ave Maria - 2.36
1984 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT SPECIAL EDITION (1984)
•ANTHOLOGY (1989) JAPAN ONLY
1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
Christmas Portrait Special Edition (1984)
1. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - 1.42
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
2. Overture - 8.16
Happy Holiday
The First Noel
March Of The Toys
Little Jesus
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
In Dulci Jubilo
Gesu Bambino
Angels We Have Heard On High
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
3. An Old-Fashioned Christmas - 2.12
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
4. Christmas Waltz - 2.13
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
5. Sleigh Ride - 2.39
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
6. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children - 2.53
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - 3.54
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
8. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 4.05
1984 Remix
9. Christmas Song - 3.39
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
10. Carol Of The Bells - 1.40
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
11. Merry Christmas Darling - 3.07
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
12. Christ Is Born - 3.13
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
13. O Holy Night - 3.10
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
14. (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - 2.36
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
15. Medley - 3.43
Here Comes Santa Claus
Frosty The Snowman
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Good King Wenceslas
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
16. Winter Wonderland -
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
17. Silver Bells -
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
18. White Christmas - 5.29
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
17. Ave Maria - 2.35
1984 Remix (With Choir)
18. Selection From The Nutcracker - 5.27
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
19. Little Altar Boy - 3.44
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
20. I'll be Home For Christmas - 3.49
1978 Original 'Christmas Portrait' Album Mix
21. Silent Night - 3.21
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
After a few dozen compilations I totally lost count and felt the urge to make an overview which gives information about which version has been released on which CD compilation. I used the official Universal CD compilations released in Europe, Japan and the US, starting with the first ‘Yesterday Once More’ UK set in 1984 and (for now) ending with the ‘Japanese Single Box’ in 2006.
Titles without any additional remix information don’t have other versions than the original album version (to my knowledge).
I tried to be as accurate as possible, but nobody is perfect.
Errors? Disagreements? Additional remix information? Please use this forum to elaborate.
This is the ninth survey, proceeding with the original 1978 ‘Christmas Portrait’ album and the 1984 'Christmas Portrait Special Edition' version. The full original 1978 mix of 'Christmas Portrait' has been released on CD once: in Europe in the early eighties. The CD was manufactured by PolyGram in Hannover (West-Germany), using the original 1978 LP-master. This first print with catalog number of 394 726-2 has never been reprinted by PolyGram, but was being replaced by the Special Edition in 1984. This ninth survey starts with the first PolyGram CD print, followed by the Special Edition, which more or less saw a worldwide release.
The 1984 'An Old-Fashioned Christmas' album and the 1996 'Christmas Collection' will be followed later on.
Christmas Portrait (1978)
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - 0.28
1992 Alternate Version:
•CHRISTMAS WITH THE CARPENTERS (1992) TIME LIFE
2. Overture - 4.39
Deck The Halls
I Saw Three Ships
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Away In A Manger
What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
Carol Of The Bells
O Come, All Ye Faithful
3. The Christmas Waltz - 2.13
4. Sleigh Ride - 2.38
5. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children - 2.54
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - 3.54
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1978 Version) - 4.05
1974 Original Single Version:
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY (VINYL TRANSFER)
1984 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT SPECIAL EDITION (1984)
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
8. The Christmas Song - 3.39
Stand Alone Version:
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY
9. Silent Night - 3.19
1990 Remix:
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
10. Jingle Bells - 1.11
11. The First Snowfall/Let It Snow - 3.33
12. Carol Of The Bells - 1.38
13. Merry Christmas Darling (1978 Version) - 3.05
1970 Original Single Version:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
•JAPANESE SINGLE BOX (2006) JAPAN ONLY
1978 Album Version:
•CARPENTERS PERFORM CARPENTER (2003)
•GOLD: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY 2 CD EDITION (2004)
1990 Remix:
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
1992 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS WITH THE CARPENTERS (1992) TIME LIFE
2004 SACD Hybrid Remix:
•THE SINLGES: 1969-1981 SACD HYBRID (2004)
14. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 3.50
15. Christ Is Born - 3.14
1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
16. Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas - 5.30
White Christmas 1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
17. Ave Maria - 2.36
1984 Remix:
•CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT SPECIAL EDITION (1984)
•ANTHOLOGY (1989) JAPAN ONLY
1990 Remix:
•FROM THE TOP (1990)
•THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (1997) READER’S DIGEST
•THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION: 1965-1997 (2002)
Christmas Portrait Special Edition (1984)
1. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - 1.42
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
2. Overture - 8.16
Happy Holiday
The First Noel
March Of The Toys
Little Jesus
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
In Dulci Jubilo
Gesu Bambino
Angels We Have Heard On High
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
3. An Old-Fashioned Christmas - 2.12
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
4. Christmas Waltz - 2.13
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
5. Sleigh Ride - 2.39
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
6. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children - 2.53
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - 3.54
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
8. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 4.05
1984 Remix
9. Christmas Song - 3.39
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
10. Carol Of The Bells - 1.40
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
11. Merry Christmas Darling - 3.07
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
12. Christ Is Born - 3.13
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
13. O Holy Night - 3.10
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
14. (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - 2.36
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
15. Medley - 3.43
Here Comes Santa Claus
Frosty The Snowman
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Good King Wenceslas
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
16. Winter Wonderland -
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
17. Silver Bells -
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
18. White Christmas - 5.29
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix
17. Ave Maria - 2.35
1984 Remix (With Choir)
18. Selection From The Nutcracker - 5.27
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
19. Little Altar Boy - 3.44
1984 Original ‘An Old-Fashioned Christmas’ Album Mix
20. I'll be Home For Christmas - 3.49
1978 Original 'Christmas Portrait' Album Mix
21. Silent Night - 3.21
1978 Original ‘Christmas Portrait’ Album Mix