Oh, man, that's painful. We were SO CLOSE to getting Karen's lead on 'O Holy Night'....the perfect song for her in every way.
š Holidays! THE OFFICIAL REVIEW: [Album] "AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS" SP-9107
- Thread starter Chris May
- Start date
Cuyler
Bright colored pinwheels go 'round in my head.
@Chris May, do you know why this album wasnāt released on CD until (I think) it was presented as Christmas Collection, disc 2?
I see it was released on CD in Japan, never in the U.S. (except the aforementioned). I find it a shame, because many of these songs (that feature Karenās voice) are a pleasure to listen to, as are Richardās instrumental orchestrations.
I see it was released on CD in Japan, never in the U.S. (except the aforementioned). I find it a shame, because many of these songs (that feature Karenās voice) are a pleasure to listen to, as are Richardās instrumental orchestrations.
Because A&M at the time felt that the hybrid disc, Christmas PortraitāThe Special Edition sufficed, as it contained a mashup of both albums and was selling quite well up until this point.
Cuyler
Bright colored pinwheels go 'round in my head.
I suppose youāre right! For me a highlight is the 1984 remix of the Santa Claus single. Do you know, was the single version on āComplete Singlesā a tape transfer or a needle drop?
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
I totally agree Cuyler.
It still bothers me that this album was referred to as a budget release. It has never got the recognition that it deserves. It was nice that Japan gave us this as a stand-alone CD in the box sets.
It still bothers me that this album was referred to as a budget release. It has never got the recognition that it deserves. It was nice that Japan gave us this as a stand-alone CD in the box sets.
Offhand, if I recall, it was pulled from the ā74 mix tape.
Cuyler
Bright colored pinwheels go 'round in my head.
Discogs shows that Japan released "An Old Fashioned Christmas" CD three times, with two of them being on SHM-CD. I hope to get my hands on a copy one day.
Thanks for the answer! I couldn't tell, because the sound is sharper than the 1984 remix, but I didn't hear any gravelly vinyl noises.
Yes, the Complete Singles version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was sourced from a UK tape I believe, unlike the Japanese Single Box version which was a needledrop. Mr. Lubinsky continues to tell us that "Calling Occupants (edit)" was also sourced from tape, but it's clearly a needledrop, and identical to the Japanese Single Box.
England has long been the go-to source for Carpenters mixes, as they have a much more consistent cataloguing and preservation system.
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
I didn't realize that the 2001 re-issue of An Old Fashioned Christmas from Japan just used the same CD from the 1996 Christmas Collection, the actual CD disc has the exact same label that says *Christmas Collection* An Old Fashioned Christmas on it with the same red and green lettering like it appeared in 1996.
It's really sad that this album never got a separate CD release in the USA. Yes it got released in 1996 but part of a collection and not a separate release. It's crazy when you think about it, from 1984 to 1996 it never got put on CD as it's own album. If it wasn't for Japan it would only be available on CD as part of a collection comp.
Joeyesterday
Well-Known Member
Old Fashioned Christmas The Carpenters - Old Fashioned Christmas - Amazon.com Music
Coming November 11, 2022
Coming November 11, 2022
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
This link is an import, itās basically a reissue from Japan they are doing for a limited run for the holidays. There priced accordingly less than $10.00 (Japan price) They are reissuing CP too.
Joeyesterday
Well-Known Member
Amazon U.S.
Rick-An Ordinary Fool
Well-Known Member
Always listen to this on New Years Eve!!
Late October 1984, I noticed this album taking up the entire end section of the racks at my record store. All of them had an orange sticker "value Priced". I picked one up, scratching my head saying to myself, Karen is gone, Where did this come from? I think it was only $2.99. I quickly paid for it and ran home to see if it was real. After the fourth song started and still no Karen, my hopes began to fade. Then when "there's no place like home" began to play, suddenly all was well in the universe again. No matter how bad this album was, it was going to be great for me.
So How do I rate it? To be fair to Richard, you have to look at what he had to work with, then ask how well did he do. Looking at it that way, I think he did the best he possibly could and then some. Karen's left over songs were a mixed bag of oddballs, old hymns and a new years song, none on them were very upbeat. How do you make a cheerful Christmas album out of that? His opening verse was great. The overture was great, included singing (even some Richard) and was longer because it had to be to fill the album space. Excellent album title and "Old Fashioned Christmas" song reminiscent of a "Yesterday once more" type of theme. He could have made a reprise of this to close out the album. Karen's vocals on theses songs are probably a little better than "Portrait" in terms of demonstrating her vocal skills. Richards Instrumentals are fantastic. "My favorite things", not Christmassy for me, I was already 17 in 1967 when Andy Williams did it and Barbara Streisand made her amazing version. But it has been part of most peoples Christmas since then. Richard went way out of his way to give us this album and I am glad he did. Not as good as Portrait but a great second act.
So How do I rate it? To be fair to Richard, you have to look at what he had to work with, then ask how well did he do. Looking at it that way, I think he did the best he possibly could and then some. Karen's left over songs were a mixed bag of oddballs, old hymns and a new years song, none on them were very upbeat. How do you make a cheerful Christmas album out of that? His opening verse was great. The overture was great, included singing (even some Richard) and was longer because it had to be to fill the album space. Excellent album title and "Old Fashioned Christmas" song reminiscent of a "Yesterday once more" type of theme. He could have made a reprise of this to close out the album. Karen's vocals on theses songs are probably a little better than "Portrait" in terms of demonstrating her vocal skills. Richards Instrumentals are fantastic. "My favorite things", not Christmassy for me, I was already 17 in 1967 when Andy Williams did it and Barbara Streisand made her amazing version. But it has been part of most peoples Christmas since then. Richard went way out of his way to give us this album and I am glad he did. Not as good as Portrait but a great second act.
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