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Why is there one mix of White Christmas with Karen singing 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas' at the beginning and one with just the choir?
Thanks Harry, always wondered about that. I like having the originals but just find it weird that Karen's vocal showed up like that on the remix.Because of remixes. In the original version from 1978, Karen's vocal on the opening "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" was removed to allow the choral group to sing it. When Richard remixed the sing in 1990 (and again in 1992), he added Karen's vocal back in, so she's singing with the chorale. It's a case where with more Karen, the remix is probably favored, though the price is heavy reverb.
Harry
It's a case where with more Karen, the remix is probably favored, though the price is heavy reverb.
Query:
We know why (ref: Coleman) Richard Carpenter was unable to go to London to perform alongside Karen.
Do we know why he was unable to take part in the Radio interview (in Los Angeles ) alongside Karen ?
My biggest regret with the whole remixing of that album. Although I do think the mixes in and of themselves are a bit more contemporary. If one listens to the originals from '78, they actually are a bit dry, and less stereo on the reverbs.
What bothers me more is that this sounds like digital echo, which does not fit well with tracks which were recorded in analog originally. Digital echo, even those that emulate natural environments, can't match the echo you'd find like at Capitol Studios, or that underground echo chamber at a place like Gold Star. It's too clean and perfect. It gives that whole 2-CD set this glossy, synthetic sheen that IMHO is repulsive to listen to.
The original mixes were never broken. Why "fix" them?
Agreed. If I'm not mistaken all that stuff got remixed at Capitol so I'm not sure what Richard opted for when he did the mixes. I still listen to the original Portrait mostly when listening to this album.
That is what is puzzling--I have at least a few dozen of those old Capitol albums from the 50s and 60s, especially when they released albums in the then-new stereo format. Some of those early stereo LPs were really drenched in reverb, almost to the point of being unintelligible. Yet the reverb always had this warm quality to it, no matter how much or how little was used. The reverb on this 2-CD set sounds nothing like it. If it is Capitol's reverb, maybe it's due to digital recording, or having EQ'ed the reverb to give it that glassy quality. It just doesn't sound like Capitol's reverb, that's essentially what I'm saying. It was known for being one of the best reverb chambers in the business.
By the way, is there any way to purchase the original XMAS PORTRAIT on CD?
Since '96 I've pretty much stuck to the 2 CD Christmas collection, since each album was featured in its entirety. But this year, for the first time, a couple of the re-mixed tracks on Portrait have bothered me, most significantly one of my favourites - Christmas Waltz.
I couldn't find my Special Edition so bought it again, transferred it onto my smart phone, and listened to the original mix for the first time in 19 years and was floored by her vocal.
The re-mixes don't bother me to the extent that they bother most: some bass lines, instruments etc., are showcased with more clarity and volume; some tracks aren't hurt; some are even enhanced. . .but Karen sings with a playful, and subtle, lisp on many of these tracks (something she always had just like her brother, but to a much lesser extent). .take Christmas Song for example. This worked beautifully in the original mix, but with the digital re-do those lisps become intrusive and almost metalic sounding.
I don't notice them when they're on my Stereo, but with headphones I do. . .and so, the Special Edition makes a welcome return to my ears after 2 decades.
Of course I'll still play the remixed album, simply because of the flow of the songs, and First Snowfall (another favourite).
By the way, is there any way to purchase the original XMAS PORTRAIT on CD?
Right, that's me done. Remix or no remix (and I dare say if he could do it over Richard would incorporate the best of the orginal mix with the best of the re-mixes). . .it's still a BRILLIANT 50 minutes of music.