Merry Christmas Darling

[andywithaz]

I was just listening to CPC and heard Merry Christmas Darling. I noticed there was something different so I compared it to the track on the Essential Collection. To me it sounds like a new vocal lead was recorded. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[Harry]

The ESSENTIAL COLLECTION issue of "Merry Christmas, Darling" is the original single mix. It was issued as a 45 back in 1970 and remained un-issued on an album until 1978, when the song was to be included on Christmas Portrait. When it came time to do the album and TV special, Karen wanted to re-record her lead vocal, so both she and Richard went back into the studio to create the newer mix, and it's THAT version that appears on Carpenters Perform Carpenter.

Harry
...who likes both, but prefers the single version, online...