⭐ Official Review [Single]: 4. "MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING"/"MR. GUDER" (1236-S)

[Chris May]

Anyone know if Karen was drumming on the 1970 original single of Merry Christmas Darling?

No, that was the late Hal Blaine. It was taped the same day they recorded “For All We Know.”

 

[David A]

Two easy ways to see if you replied to a thread. First is to scroll to the bottom of the page. It lists both "Who read" and "Who replied".

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Thanks Harry!

 

[1969]

No, that was the late Hal Blaine. It was taped the same day they recorded “For All We Know.”

Thanks for the info, Chris.

 

[3Favorites]

So Merry Christmas Darling was used on three different singles. Was the 1970 version used on all of them? Or did the subsequent singles get the revised version?

 

[Harry]

So Merry Christmas Darling was used on three different singles. Was the 1970 version used on all of them? Or did the subsequent singles get the revised version?

In my collection, all of the "Merry Christmas Darlings" on 45s are the 1970 single version.

I have:
- stock single on styrene with picture sleeve
- promo single on vinyl from Monarch in plain green sleeve
- same as above but in a green sleeve with label showing through
- stock b-side to "Christmas Song" on silver label, sleeve promoting the TV special
- Forget Me Not version of above with no TV promotion

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I posted this earlier in the year. Pretty special find.

⭐ Official Review - [Single]: 24. "CHRISTMAS SONG"/"MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING" (1991-S)

I am getting senile, as I could not locate the official thread for review of 1978 LP Christmas Portrait. In any event, here is a portion of a (cynical) review from UK's Record Mirror, December 22, 1978: "They know what Christmas Is about and they've seen enough of them tinselly Hollywood films...

forum.amcorner.com

 

[Harry]

Yeah, I recall that you did post that, but only had my own 45s to go on. Jack Daugherty is credited on all of mine.

 

[tomswift2002]

So Merry Christmas Darling was used on three different singles. Was the 1970 version used on all of them? Or did the subsequent singles get the revised version?

The 1978 version appeared on a UK 45 in 1990 that was backed by “Close To You” and came in a Christmas card. And then in 1996 it was the “B” side of the Japanese “Ave Maria” 3-inch CD single (where the actual CD had a typo and called it “Merry Christmas, Daring”).

 

[adamj95]

Carpenters "Christmas Portrait" has entered on the iTunes top 100 charts at 27.

 

[3Favorites]

Thanks. I know I have Santa Claus is Coming To Town and the Christmas Song. I should think I had the Merry Christmas Darling single too. But at least I know I have that version too, even if I don't find it. I mainly listen to it on the Christmas Portrait CD,,,ripped to MP3s. I think that's the updated version.