Christmas Portrait Redux update?

[newvillefan]

I wish they'd released "Those Good Old Dreams." It was scored and recorded for the album but is sitting on the shelf.

What made Richard choose that track out of all the ones he could have done? It wouldn't have been my first choice for an orchestral reimagining.

 

[Chris May]

What made Richard choose that track out of all the ones he could have done? It wouldn't have been my first choice for an orchestral reimagining.

Good question. Never bothered asking him.

 

[Mark-T]

B'wana= what a killer cut! Also my favorite. I listened to it last night actually!

 

[adamj95]

Good question. Never bothered asking him.

Any possibility it will ever be released?

 

[Harry]

What made Richard choose that track out of all the ones he could have done? It wouldn't have been my first choice for an orchestral reimagining.

He wrote it. He's probably proud of it.

 

[Chris May]

He wrote it. He's probably proud of it.

And knowing him, there are little things he regrets not having added to the original arrangement.

 

[Matthew S]

I wish they'd released "Those Good Old Dreams." It was scored and recorded for the album but is sitting on the shelf.

That needs to be a standalone digital release for sure!

 

[Chris May]

That needs to be a standalone digital release for sure!

I have some of the raw RPO studio footage of this one, but not the finished mix. Not even certain it went to final mixdown. Although I’m sure he has a reference mix for himself.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

The album is absolutely gorgeous. The best you’ve ever heard these tracks, I can assure you.

After hearing the RPO, I know this new Christmas CD will sound so amazing.

My thing is that after I hear all these new updated tracks...will I then say why can't I hear the complete original CP or original AOFC albums with these same updated mixes? We will be getting 16 excellent choice of tracks updated like we have never heard before and we are sure to be impressed but we won't be getting all of the fantastic Christmas tracks from CP and AOFC, only a sample from both albums.

I'm incredibly grateful we are getting anything at all.

Of course my opinion means nothing at the end of the day but knowing how great Richard worked on the RPO and me being a huge fan of that, I kinda wish he had updated the entire original CP album with this same technology and then the next year or year after he could do the same thing for AOFC. This way we would get the entire original Christmas albums with this new updated technology of mixes.

 

[Chris May]

After hearing the RPO, I know this new Christmas CD will sound so amazing.

My thing is that after I hear all these new updated tracks...will I then say why can't I hear the complete original CP or original AOFC albums with these same updated mixes? We will be getting 16 excellent choice of tracks updated like we have never heard before and we are sure to be impressed but we won't be getting all of the fantastic Christmas tracks from CP and AOFC, only a sample from both albums.

I'm incredibly grateful we are getting anything at all.

Of course my opinion means nothing at the end of the day but knowing how great Richard worked on the RPO and me being a huge fan of that, I kinda wish he had updated the entire original CP album with this same technology and then the next year or year after he could do the same thing for AOFC. This way we would get the entire original Christmas albums with this new updated technology of mixes.

I think if he was in better health we would have had even more. Part of the reasoning with the 16 selections is that they all needed to fit on a vinyl. Of course they could have gone to a second disc, but I don’t think Richard was willing to make that level of commitment at this stage in the game. Having said that, I’m with you, Rick, grateful to have what we do. The remixes are stunning!

 

[Mark-T]

Can't wait for them.

 

[Matthew S]

I have some of the raw RPO studio footage of this one, but not the finished mix. Not even certain it went to final mixdown. Although I’m sure he has a reference mix for himself.

I bet there are enough of us on here who would be willing to pay a few bucks for it on a digital release to cover the cost of a final mix ….(hint hint…)

 

[Someday]

I’m wondering if there is some way we can all sign some kind of digital Christmas card, thanking Richard for this gift & wishing him better health. Maybe @Chris May would be able to help.

 

[Kyle Thomas]

I have some of the raw RPO studio footage of this one, but not the finished mix. Not even certain it went to final mixdown. Although I’m sure he has a reference mix for himself.

Just an idea here, Chris. What if the RPO "Those Good Old Dreams" could be released as a bonus track for the digital release of "Christmas Once More?" There's that line -- 'like a child's eyes on a Christmas night' after all.

If "My Favorite Things" can count as a Christmas song...

 

[Nemily]

I'm in favor of this great idea! The harmonies are light and bright and in addition to the "Christmas night" nod in the lyrics, the percussion practically conjures up a cozy sleigh ride .

 

[CarpentersToYou]

Just an idea here, Chris. What if the RPO "Those Good Old Dreams" could be released as a bonus track for the digital release of "Christmas Once More?" There's that line -- 'like a child's eyes on a Christmas night' after all.

If "My Favorite Things" can count as a Christmas song...

It's probably already been pressed .

 

[H2OGuy]

I wonder if (overall) brand new Vinyl pressings sound good, I hope they do

 

[Chris May]

I just spoke with Richard, he sounds great, and he commented on how he feels this album turned out even better than expected ... especially Karen's leads. I think you all are going to really enjoy this one.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

It's probably already been pressed .

It’s possibly digital works differently and they could add that as a bonus track. But I’m not holding my breath. lol

 

[Mark-T]

Glad he sounds great!

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

It kills me that UMe is charging almost $10.00 to ship the gold vinyl Lp. Argh!!

 

[Carl]

Glad Richard is ok!

 

[Nemily]

I just spoke with Richard, he sounds great, and he commented on how he feels this album turned out even better than expected ... especially Karen's leads. I think you all are going to really enjoy this one.

This is the best news that he sounds great 💛

 

[Nemily]

It’s possibly digital works differently and they could add that as a bonus track. But I’m not holding my breath. lol

So this is what I was sort of thinking, too. It is just one of those songs that can pass as a Christmas seasonal track and it has aged very well. I can't help but wonder if UMG would consider promoting it as seasonal digital release if not a bonus track digitally/just for streaming.

I think I may do a new Christmas playlist and throw that one in there and see how it flows

 

[Mark-T]

Check This Out! Just put out: The Carpenters’ ‘Christmas Once More’ Collection Will Be Released This Holiday Season