🎄 Holidays! THE OFFICIAL REVIEW: [Album] "CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE" UICY-16256

[JohnFB]

...

Half glass empty me finds Karen's vocals lacking their usual sparkle at times. Maybe it's the lack of reverb (from one extreme on Christmas Collection) to the other.

As I mentioned above, if the reverb was generated electronically via studio equipment then it's artificial and should be removed. However, if it was reverb created by the acoustics in the recording room and/or the recording booth then it's natural and should not have been eliminated.

The critical thing is that if that reverb was artificially generated and if Karen needed that to have "sparkle" or depth or richness in her vocals then the hard, cold truth may just be that she wasn't quite the unique and outstanding and incomparable singer we've all thought she was all these years.

I'm not all that keen on the effect used on Karen's vocals in one of my favourite tracks, The First Snowfall/Let It Snow, Let It Snow. When it comes to the "and it shows no sign of stoppin'" section and especially the first verse on 'Let It Snow' - they sound really over-processed and electronic to my ears...

Yes, absolutely - over-processed and electronic - and unreal. If the doubling was removed from the 1990 remix then Richard finally and for once made the right decision with regard to this old, stale, trite, 50s style recording technique that never did anything to enhance Karen's naturally beautiful voice...
Instead of senselessly adding it back here (thus ruining an otherwise excellent medley) he should take the hard lesson learned after all these years and go through their catalog and do the same purging on every other song where this obscene distortion was used to f**k with her voice...

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I’m wondering if the short note Richard wrote that Universal rejected ended up on the Japanese SHM release? From that u tube unboxing of the SHM cd you can see part of the short note. I can’t tell whether Tom Nolan‘s note is on the SHM cd, since I don’t have it.

Maybe it was a matter of space but I don’t understand why (for the US release) that Universal wouldn’t want to put both Tom Nolan‘s notes along with Richard’s short note?

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Amazon now is saying #291 in cds and vinyl. 119 in Pop cds and vinyl.

55 global ratings with 4.7 out of 5

Imagine what it could be with more promotions. I wonder how sales are doing according to Ume? I hope it does well enough to warrant more releases.

 

[Chris May]

Yes, that’s why I had wished @ChrisMay would have gone over the album and explained the different pieces that were either added or was it there all along but with this new technology just enhanced from the original track? It does add a freshness to an old recording. Maybe he could do a write up and put it in the resource site for this album.

I’ll still never get use one spot on MCD from the RPO album (that’s on this one as well) at the very end after Karen sings I wish I were with you...right after the word you...your suppose to hear Karen sing the first of many Merry's but on the RPO the first Merry is sooo faint you can hardly hear it. Not like that on all the other versions I know.

If I have some time, I may still do that. I just have to finish setting up my new video studio. It's been a crazy year! A good year, just a lot going on like most everybody.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

The limited edition Gold LP is back in stock on the official website. The CD is still sold out.

Christmas Once More - Limited Edition LP - Carpenters Official Store

Christmas Once More is the all-new Christmas collection featuring 16 timeless Carpenters holiday classics curated by Richard Carpenter. This newly remixed and remastered 16-track set includes “Sleigh Ride,” “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays,” “Merry Christmas, Darling” featuring the...

shop.carpentersofficial.com

 

[H2OGuy]

its's fun to have another ''new'' Carpenters Album!

Did Richard chose the songs & the order of them, for this Album?

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

I’ve been enjoying this new CD so much. I must’ve played it at least 50 times already. I ripped my gold vinyl too and been playing that a lot as well.

I haven’t even played the original Christmas Portrait album yet.

 

[JohnFB]

I’ve been enjoying this new CD so much. I must’ve played it at least 50 times already. I ripped my gold vinyl too and been playing that a lot as well.

I haven’t even played the original Christmas Portrait album yet.

I've played the new CD maybe half a dozen times in our car & it sounds great every time (although I still miss "I'll Be Home For Christmas" on there)...

Yesterday I played the "Christmas Collection" double CD on an old, cheap radio/CD player set in my basement while wrapping Christmas presents - repeated "Merry Christmas, Darling" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" several times and once again loved the "First Snowfall" medley (which is far superior to the over-engineered version on the new CD) - and was struck once again (even though I was anticipating it) with the utter delight I feel when Karen's superlative voice finally appears on "Home for the Holidays" after the instrumental medley...my goosebumps get goosebumps...

My wife absolutely loves wrapping presents - I struggle with it, but get it done with the support of R & K...

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

There’s something about Karen’s voice during the holidays that is very hard to put into words. Her voice has a way of bringing joy while also instilling peace during the Christmas season. For me, Christmas also brings a touch of sadness for loved ones no longer here and that I miss dearly that my heart aches. It can be overwhelming at times.

The Carpenters music at Christmas brings back my own fond memories and gives me a feeling of joy, calm and peace all rolled in one.

While not on this CD, the song An Old Fashioned Christmas stirs so many emotions inside for me, those lyrics…just one of my favorite songs from that album.

Although I listen to them all year, those moments at Christmas is like an old friend, it’s the season and Karen’s voice is back and helping you get through the Holidays. It’s almost a therapeutic feeling. It’s a special time when you can feel that connection…to an artist…with their music.

🎄☃️

 

[newvillefan]

There’s something about Karen’s voice during the holidays that is very hard to put into words. Her voice has a way of bringing joy while also instilling peace during the Christmas season. For me, Christmas also brings a touch of sadness for loved ones no longer here and that I miss dearly that my heart aches. It can be overwhelming at times.

A lot of friends have said to me their find even their Christmas songs depressing because of Karen's doleful, maudlin delivery and the ballad format of a lot of them. Thinking in particular of tracks like "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day". Don't shoot the messenger! 😂

 

[Nemily]

We all hear things a little differently . For me, Karen’s vocals on "I Heard the Bells" are spot on, depicting the writers’ sad events and observations one Christmas, captured poetically and later put to music. It is the telling of a story of anguish, then the writer recounts the story with message of peace and hope. It’s a period piece from over 150 years ago. Peter Knight’s arrangement does the story justice.

 

[Nemily]

While not on this CD, the song An Old Fashioned Christmas stirs so many emotions inside for me, those lyrics…just one of my favorite songs from that album.

Although I listen to them all year, those moments at Christmas is like an old friend, it’s the season and Karen’s voice is back and helping you get through the Holidays. It’s almost a therapeutic feeling. It’s a special time when you can feel that connection…to an artist…with their music.

🎄☃️

"An Old Fashion Christmas" and Richard’s poignant segue from “An Old Fashioned Christmas” into “Frosted” always makes me think of Christmas past and loved ones. It gets me every time. It's a great song.

 

[Mike Blakesley]

The critical thing is that if that reverb was artificially generated and if Karen needed that to have "sparkle" or depth or richness in her vocals then the hard, cold truth may just be that she wasn't quite the unique and outstanding and incomparable singer we've all thought she was all these years.

You seriously underestimate the value of "production" in recorded music.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

We all hear things a little differently . For me, Karen’s vocals on "I Heard the Bells" are spot on, depicting the writers’ sad events and observations one Christmas, captured poetically and later put to music. It is the telling of a story of anguish, then the writer recounts the story with message of peace and hope. It’s a period piece from over 150 years ago. Peter Knight’s arrangement does the story justice.

I never took the time to read about the backstory to the song I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day until this year. There’s a cable channel called Great American Family and after thanksgiving they aired a 2 hr movie, a period piece about the author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and how this poem came to be. Later I then started reading more about this back history of the song. It left me with a greater appreciation of Karen’s reading of this poem.

 

[JohnFB]

We all hear things a little differently . For me, Karen’s vocals on "I Heard the Bells" are spot on, depicting the writers’ sad events and observations one Christmas, captured poetically and later put to music. It is the telling of a story of anguish, then the writer recounts the story with message of peace and hope. It’s a period piece from over 150 years ago. Peter Knight’s arrangement does the story justice.

Someone - maybe Richard or Herb or someone else in their tight inner circle - criticized and disparaged the arrangement and especially Karen's interpretation of "I Heard the Bells" - I forget what the exact objection was...maybe they said it was too "sluggish" or in the wrong key or the used the choir or that it was just simply ineffective emotionally somehow.

I never understood this and disagree forcefully - yes, the key could have been a tad higher, but I'm glad it's where it's at because it allows us to hear what amounts to a brilliant and beautiful "tour de force" of the lowest reaches of her gorgeous contralto range for most of the song - something we all treasured immensely but only got to hear occasionally on some other songs. So many talk about how remarkable her resonant low notes were, but they've never had the incredible pleasure of hearing her conduct this demonstration - this master class - of vocal control in this very difficult vocal range. They've never heard her sing this, and this is a stunning performance, and they've missed so much!

 

[CloseToYou10]

I think Karen's reading of "I Heard The Bells" is brilliant, and if Richard gave this one the "Christmas Once More" treatment I think it would make the piece even more brilliant. One of my other now favorite versions of "I Heard The Bells" is by a group called Modern Angels, just released this year. It uses the original 1872 melody by John Baptiste Calkin, as opposed to the more commonly used Johnny Marks melody, which is what the Carpenters used for their version. The Modern Angels video also gives some history of the song as well as being just gorgeous. Check it out and Merry Christmas to everyone here!

 

[JohnFB]

There’s something about Karen’s voice during the holidays that is very hard to put into words. Her voice has a way of bringing joy while also instilling peace during the Christmas season. For me, Christmas also brings a touch of sadness for loved ones no longer here and that I miss dearly that my heart aches. It can be overwhelming at times.

Although I listen to them all year, those moments at Christmas is like an old friend, it’s the season and Karen’s voice is back and helping you get through the Holidays. It’s almost a therapeutic feeling. It’s a special time when you can feel that connection…to an artist…with their music.

🎄☃️

All of this seems to be a very common feeling for many of their fans during this season, this special time of year. A frequent comment under their Christmas music videos on YouTube is something to the effect that "...it's not Christmas until I hear Karen's voice...". I've always felt that same way, and there is some shred of justice in the world for this, having that warm, welcoming and wonderful voice forever associated so closely with this very special holiday season that is enveloped within so many fond memories for so many.

 

[JohnFB]

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[pelley]

Oh my gosh, for whatever reason I didn’t even discover this new album until today (Christmas!) So it’s like a Christmas surprise for me. Sounds phenomenal in Dolby Atmos. Really fills the room in a whole new way.

 

[A&M Retro]

We all hear things a little differently . For me, Karen’s vocals on "I Heard the Bells" are spot on, depicting the writers’ sad events and observations one Christmas, captured poetically and later put to music. It is the telling of a story of anguish, then the writer recounts the story with message of peace and hope. It’s a period piece from over 150 years ago. Peter Knight’s arrangement does the story justice.

I agree! It's a very sad song and Karen conveys the emotions of the song just right. It's not a very happy listen, but it's beautiful.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

What is the lowest notes on a verse from all the Christmas songs does Karen sing? I always thought it had to be "I Heard the Bells" she sings some really low notes even deeper than some of their well known hits.

 

[JohnFB]

According to the website "Range Planet", which lists Karen's significant high notes and low notes by song, the following Chrismas songs contain the indicated note (from lowest):

Eb3 - Ave Maria, Christmas Waltz

E3 - First Snowfall medley, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Little Alter Boy, Silent Night, What Are You Doing Ner Year's Eve, Winter Wonderland medley, Home for the Holidays

F3 - Ave Maria, Christmas Waltz, Do You Hear What I Hear, He Came for Me, I Heard the Bells..., It's Christmas Time medley, Santa Claus is Coming to Town

F#3 - The Christmas Song, First Snowfall medley, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Little Alter Boy, Merry Christmas, Darling, What Are You Doing...

G3 - Christmas Song, It's Christmas Time medley, MCD, Winter Wonderland medley

G#3 - Have Yourself..., I'll Be Home..., Silent Night, Home for the Holidays, Winter Wonderland medley

Here's their note about her under the listing:

One half of brother/sister duo the Carpenters, Karen Carpenter was one of America's best-loved singers throughout the '70s for bringing low-voiced singers into the mainstream. Her role in the duo was both as a singer and a drummer; though initially just the percussionist, Karen was eventually coaxed into the limelight as the lead singer of the group, with audiences worldwide loving her distinctive, velvety voice on ballads like "(They Long to Be) Close to You".

Karen's vocal approach was a smooth, soft one; producers discovered early on that close micing brought out the nuances in her voice in studio performances. Though she didn't consider herself a singer primarily, Karen's voice was one of beauty, with emphasis on her tone, phrasing and technique over her range. While her upper register was angelic, Karen focused by-and-large in her silky lower register, once famously stating "the money's in the basement" in regards to her vocal approach. Karen's voice was comfortable seemingly right down to her lowest note, and she was even capable of sustaining notes as low as E3 for ten seconds. Though sadly remembered now for the tragic circumstances of her death over her talent, Karen Carpenter still stands today as having one of the most exquisite voices - some would argue the most exquisite - ever in popular music.

 

[JohnFB]

I'm a little surprised from the above list that there are not more lower notes shown for "I Heard the Bells...", having also thought that this was her consistently lowest vocal effort ever...

For those who aren't familiar with octave notation the key thing to know is that Middle C on the piano keyboard is usually designated as C4 (it's the 4th C up from the lower, or bass, end). So, C3 would be an octave lower. Thus, notes like E3, F3 & G3 are located a certain number of "steps" between C3 and C4.

For reference the typical vocal range for the male Baritone voice is G2 to G4. Note then that the lower notes that Karen sang so often and with such assurance fall within this range - meaning somewhat astoundingly that she could have easily sung in the Baritone section of any chorus or choir in the world. This is probably a feat that they should have gotten on record and demonstrated with flair on one of their TV specials.

Christmas music aside I still think that the most beautiful phrases she ever sang in her lower register are to be found in the work she did on the verses of "Where Do I Go From Here?" If you haven't heard these awesome passages for a while they are well worth a re-visit.

 

[BILLSJUKEBOX]

I guess there is not an official thread for the Collection, but I thought I heard someone say that it is out of print now. This would be a shame because there is nothing wrong with the second disc (AOFC) and they don't sell them separately except in Japan. The price on Amazon has gone up to $38+ if that's any indication. Does anyone know?

 

[Nemily]

I guess there is not an official thread for the Collection

We should start one