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I believe many of those masters did. However, everything has more or less been backed up and would likely be mixed digitally anyway—like with the RPO project.I’m sorry, but I don’t remember…did the Christmas albums’ multitracks survive the fire?
Considering that the only Christmas track on the SACD was Merry Christmas, Darling (or “Daring” ) Richard would’ve had no need for the original Christmas multi-tracks in 2004, let alone the tapes for An Old-Fashioned Christmas. The last time Richard touched those would’ve been in 1996 when he Remixed the Winter Wonderland Medley (all the other CP tracks were Remixed between 1990 & 1992). So the original, analog master tapes, with the exception of MCD, most likely still exist.I’m sorry, but I don’t remember…did the Christmas albums’ multitracks survive the fire?
I don't think so.... because the first one, as you know, consists mostly of major chart hits. Another volume would not have nearly as many hits, and the hits are always the driver for sales of compilation albums. (I know most of us here don't consider the RPO album to be a compilation album, considering a lot of it was re-recorded.....but it's still a compilation album in the strictest sense.)
Thanks Chris. So much can be done these days with ProTools, that “tweaking” these tracks should give us very exciting results.I believe many of those masters did. However, everything has more or less been backed up and would likely be mixed digitally anyway—like with the RPO project.
I play my German release more too.I, for one, would love to see an improvement on the Christmas Portrait part of the Christmas Collection CD set. I wonder how many of us play the German release more.
I consider the German CP Cd the definitive version. It’s the most played Christmas album each season for me and even in July. I never play the Special Edition and don’t even consider that release “special”. I do play the Time Life set a lot that one I consider special as it’s just all Karen one after the other but don’t care for that remix of MCD. I also don’t play the Christmas Collection Cd at all.I, for one, would love to see an improvement on the Christmas Portrait part of the Christmas Collection CD set. I wonder how many of us play the German release more.
Let’s see there’s still:
It’s Going To Take Some Time
-I Won’t Last A Day
-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) —-while it may not have hit the charts, it’s still easily one of their most identifiable Christmas hits—-much more than Santa.
-Sing (I’m kind of surprised this wasn’t on RPO1)
—Please Mr. Postman (considering this was a bonus on RPO 1 for certain regions, it could go on RPO2, otherwise Horizon wasn’t represented)
-Only Yesterday
-Solitaire
-A Kind of Hush
-Goofus (might be a “Baby It’s You” track)
-All You Get From Love (Richard did chart this for RPO 1 but didn’t record it)
-Sweet, Sweet Smile
I kind of just went to the end of the 70’s there. But in Japan The Rainbow Connection was a pretty big hit back in 2001, also they had Tryin’ To Get The Feeling in the UK.OK, fair enough.... I should have said MAJOR chart hits.
If you take out the Christmas songs and the song that's already been released, you're only left with 9 songs, and one of them is most people's least favorite Carpenters single ever, and Richard doesn't like Solitaire (or was that Karen?), and a few of the others were just mid-chart hits. Only 3 of those songs made the top 10 in the US, and none made it in Japan (one of the biggest foreign markets).
I'm not saying an RPO2 wouldn't be a good thing, it's just not likely to sell in the numbers that RPO1 did because of a lack of MAJOR chart hits.
But an idea I keep returning to is an album filled with songs that are stripped down to their essence, perhaps just Karen's voice with the piano, or a few instruments (as if she were in a lounge with a jazz band). No harmonies or strings.
@Kyle Thomas said: "But an idea I keep returning to is an album filled with songs that are stripped down to their essence, perhaps just Karen's voice with the piano, or a few instruments (as if she were in a lounge with a jazz band). No harmonies or strings. Just that voice and those gorgeous melodies, given a new setting..."I had that same idea a long time ago -- Carpenters Unplugged, so to speak -- but I figured Richard would never go for it, since the big orchestrations and arrangements are HIS part of the mix. He'd never want to take himself that far out of the picture, I don't think.
I’d SO miss What Are You Doing New Years Eve?Update (from "The Musical Legacy" book). NOTE: If you haven't gotten your copy and don't want a spoiler, don't read this post yet.
~~~~~~~~~~
On page 203, Richard offers his thoughts on Old Fashioned Christmas and believes that apart from "Home for the Holidays" and "Little Altar Boy," the rest of the album was not worth the effort. These are the only recordings that would make the transition to a new edition of Christmas Portrait should one ever come to pass.
I suppose this means that an audio-upgraded version of Christmas music from the Carpenters would likely include "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," the Overture from Old Fashioned Christmas, and then the songs from Christmas Portrait, with "Home for the Holidays," "Little Altar Boy" and the ballad version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" interspersed.
In my opinion, that would be a phenomenal re-release of upgraded Christmas music, and I hope next year at this time, we will be enjoying it already!
I’m still surprised that years ago, when Universal was issuing the 20th Century Masters Christmas Collection that they didn’t reissue either disc from this set. Disc 2, because of the number of tracks, would’ve fit better in the line.Am I the only person who thinks that Disc Two of the Time-Life compilation
Christmas With the Carpenters is already a phenomenal Christmas release ?
Also, every one of the vocal tracks on Old-Fashioned Christmas album are fantastic.
And yes, one of my all-time favorites: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve.
CDs can hold a maximum of 80 minutes of music, so if it's going to be a single disc, some selections are going to have to be cut.In the uDiscover interview of Richard that was released yesterday, there was a brief mention of this project. It said that both Christmas albums are being retooled, improved, and combined onto 1 disc. Have there been many other CDs released that have over 90 minutes of music on them? Would this be pushing the envelope sonically just like they did with the release of the Christmas Portrait LP in 1978?
Unfortunately!CDs can hold a maximum of 80 minutes of music, so if it's going to be a single disc, some selections are going to have to be cut.
I agree wholeheartedly! It’s epic!Speaking of An Old-Fashioned Christmas...
Do You Hear What I Hear...is a fantastic piece.
My two cents for the day.
So then are we looking at an updated version of the 1984 Special Edition or will it be a Special Edition 2 with songs left off the original one mixed in this time?CDs can hold a maximum of 80 minutes of music, so if it's going to be a single disc, some selections are going to have to be cut.