Richard's Christmas Album

Calling ChrisMay.

 

Blimey, something wrong when the great Richard Carpenter can`t get a label to touch him, I`m surprised at that!
would it be more to do with the music rather than Richard?
personally, I hope it happens

 

I wonder if this is connected to that photo from last year of Joe Osborn recording at session in Nashville? Of course it's to bad that Richard hasn't released as a single or even done a Carpenters Christmas compilation and included one or two new tracks like "December Morn" and "Christmas Turned Blue" (although versions of both appeared on Seiko Matsuda's Love album in 2000).

Also, whenever the album is released, I hope its more like Time where Richard actually sings on the tracks, and not like his 1997 PACC album.

 

I thought he might try and get this out for their 50th anniversary. . .sort of a last chance saloon with lots of free publicity.

When, if, released it may stand as the album with the longest gestation period in history. Weren't the first tracks laid down in like '99/'00?

 

I sure hope this album sees the light of day soon, and that Richard includes his wonderful rendition of "Toyland" from one of the Carpenters' Christmas-themed TV specials on it.

 

I know it won't happen but it's fun to discuss...if Richard were to have 1 more Christmas song with a Karen lead what could the title possibly be? We know they over recorded Christmas music.

 

I forgot to add that I'm very excited about this and truly hope it gets a release. Most likely Oct next year I presume.

 

Anything more you can tell us about this, Chris?

 

I don't see this being a 50th anniversary release as it's not a Carpenters duo release. Id say it's billed as a RC release for Christmas 2018.

 

Thanks, Chris. I don't know whether to get my hopes up or not.

 

After years of waiting, could this project actually be happening? There have been so many false starts.

 

Wouldn't it be nice if Gayle Levant and Earl Dumler play on it.

 

With all due respect, I hope his vocals were recorded early in the process. His voice was sounding quite shaky on the Como Medley.

 

Having one more Christmas Album with music written/produced/performed by Richard has been on my Christmas list every year since I first heard of the project.

I have no idea if there is any music with Karen that has not been released. I lean towards "no" as there were only 6 unreleased tracks on "An Old Fashioned Christmas" plus Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town. I would think, if others existed, they would have been included and there would have been have less medleys/instrumentals. However, there may be some uncompleted "work leads". So there is some hope. Either way, if new music comes our way, it certainly will be a "happy holiday"!

 

The song "Won't You Play A Simple Melody" was recorded by Karen, Agnes, Richard and Harold.

Richard said that Karen and Agnes sing first then he and his father sing. It was recorded for the Christmas Portrait Tv Special but was cut for time limits.

He said in the mook that it is an outtake that maybe could be released as a curiosity piece for something like a box set.... Maybe it would make a nice little bonus track for this album. It would be very touching, having his late parents and sister all singing together again at Christmas.
He said

 

Releasing it for Christmas this year would be a great prelude to the Carpenters' 50th anniversary next year. And "Toyland" could be a hidden track on Richard's Christmas album. What a wonderful way to end 2018 that would be.

 

Perfect timing. Nice to see Richard Carpenter in top form.

 

Mandy Barnett has a great country voice similar to Patsy Cline. It’s ‘old school country style’ even in her Christmas CD. I’m not sure it’s my cup of tea, (the extended country style vowel modifications get to me) but I do long for the instrumental songs Richard is orchestrating. I would love to hear him in the style of serious modern classical composer, and not so much of the smaltz effect as on the Old Fashioned Christmas album. (I did like the jazz piano influenced Santa on it, however.) The classical/jazz like composer I feel will sell better where a singer is not needed, for no one will compare to Karen and likewise comparisons that will discredit the effort would be avoided. We as fans, like it all, even the smaltz, but the buying public and critics will feel indifferent. However, a deeper involved music sensation that can stand alone or be addressed in the classical or jazz market will add credibility.

 

I wonder if a pending release is part of the "settlement" he and his legal team made with A&M?