Kyle Thomas
Well-Known Member
I am beyond excited to hear that Richard will be doing a significant "upgrade" of Carpenters Christmas music. Here's what we know so far from the Talk Shop interview. (I realize Chris and Mike know more than we do. Feel free, guys, to interject and correct any of my assumptions.)
Personally, I hope that Richard will forgo a few of the instrumental tracks (there's no need for a rework of the Nutcracker medley, My Favorite Things, Here Comes Santa Claus medley), keep the gorgeous "O Holy Night," and then include most of the Karen-songs left off Special Edition: the ballad version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (of course!), "First Snowfall/Let It Snow," "Jingle Bells," "He Came Here for Me," "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "I Heard the Bells," etc. I'm not sure all of that will fit on one CD if he uses the 1984 Overture instead of the shorter Christmas Portrait preliminaries, but I'm hoping for as much of Karen as possible.
Long-shot possibilities: The "Sleep Well Little Children" version that features Perry Como in duet with Karen? "Ave Maria" in its original choir-less form?
What about you? What are you all hoping to see on this brilliantly restored collection of Carpenters Christmas music?
- While this won't be a fully re-recorded album with the RPO, it will be given the "RPO treatment," bringing Karen's voice up in the mix and restoring/enhancing the sound so as to eliminate any flaws from the original.
- The "Merry Christmas Darling" RPO version will be the version used on this album.
- The 1984 "Overture" will be part of this release, leading some to think that perhaps Richard plans to rework the Christmas Portrait Special Edition, which included selections from both Christmas Portrait and An Old-Fashioned Christmas.
- BUT... Richard talked briefly about plans he had for the ballad version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which didn't appear on Special Edition. I was thrilled to hear this news because I believe "Santa Claus" is underrated. It's one of Karen's very best vocal performances. The mix of jazz, instrumentation, and harmonies perfectly suit her low-key, easy-going delivery. I can't wait to see how Richard makes that stunning single even better.
Personally, I hope that Richard will forgo a few of the instrumental tracks (there's no need for a rework of the Nutcracker medley, My Favorite Things, Here Comes Santa Claus medley), keep the gorgeous "O Holy Night," and then include most of the Karen-songs left off Special Edition: the ballad version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (of course!), "First Snowfall/Let It Snow," "Jingle Bells," "He Came Here for Me," "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "I Heard the Bells," etc. I'm not sure all of that will fit on one CD if he uses the 1984 Overture instead of the shorter Christmas Portrait preliminaries, but I'm hoping for as much of Karen as possible.
Long-shot possibilities: The "Sleep Well Little Children" version that features Perry Como in duet with Karen? "Ave Maria" in its original choir-less form?
What about you? What are you all hoping to see on this brilliantly restored collection of Carpenters Christmas music?