CARPENTERS: Q&A, Ep. 5: "Christmas Portrait" (Special Edition)
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- As a longtime Carpenters historian and coauthor of “Carpenters: The Musical Legacy” (with Mike Cidoni Lennox and Richard Carpenter, © 2021), I answer a number of questions submitted to me directly by Carpenters fans related to the duo’s Christmas catalog, while laying out a comprehensive breakdown of how the “Christmas Portrait” album was conceived-including its overall lack of promotion by A&M Records in 1978.
I also get into the Carpenters’ relationship to ABC with regard to the television specials, Mom & Dad Carpenter’s involvement in the second Christmas special in ’78 (which includes audio from a 2021 interview with Richard Carpenter), and Karen’s solo appearance on “Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night” in the UK in December that same year-a trip in which she was led to believe was set up to promote the “Christmas Portrait” album, only to find out otherwise after she arrived.
If you’re a fan of the Carpenters’ Christmas oeuvre including the behind-the-scenes backstory and trivia, you’ll want to check this out!
God Bless Jerry for bending the rules and allowing the Carpenters to record the Christmas Album. Always enjoy your videos Chris.
Thank you for these videos and sharing so much fascinating information with us Carpenters fans.
I’ve always wondered… Has Richard ever commented on Anne Murray? She had a hit record with “I Just Fall In Love Again.” And, like the Carpenters at the time, she wasn’t perceived as “cool,” yet she continued to have hit records in the late 70s and into the 80s. I just wonder what Richard and Karen thought about Anne. I’ve always thought Anne Murray’s voice had a similar richness to Karen’s voice.
Enjoyed this. Thank you, Chris!
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day is my favorite from the Christmas recordings. I fail to understand why Richard did not care for it. I think it is the rendition I have heard. Christ is Born is a very close second. Stunning. Also the Santa Claus is Coming To Town/ What Are You Doing New Years Eve is fabulous. But truly both Christmas albums are played non stop in my home during the holidays. Great information you shared with us, as always. Love the book. Got it for my birthday when it came out. Very good. Thanks.
No offence Chris…but I can’t stop staring at the horse, love it 😁
I don't know whether to laugh or cry ... (makes sound) hahaha
My family and I have probably listened to the Carpenters Christmas albums thousands of times between us. They're timeless and beat any other Christmas album. Tell Richard that the attention to detail on these Christmas tracks are appreciated year after year by a large swathe of the planet.
Also love Richard's great harmonies on "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"
Chris, do you know why there hasn’t been an RPO part 2 as Richard had said he hoped would happen so he could put the rest of the hits on?
Their Newville Home was Christmas...Karen's voice singing the Christmas soundtrack came out as you looked on the the beautiful display that Dad C put together...growing up in Downey it's all so memorable to me and my family....miss them here everyday😍
Thank you so much Chris for the insight with the Christmas albums. So fascinating and I especially love an old fashion Christmas. Richard recording lead vocals along side the other left over recordings for the 1984 Christmas album. I am a huge fan of Richard’s vocals and wondered why he never used this same approach when putting together the later carpenter albums, until we had As Time Goes By. For which he did some leads. His Time album I loved and I could see the opportunity to record tracks on carpenter releases may of been an option. I am sure he had outtakes of leads many would love to hear. Gotta always shout out the love for Richard too along with Karen 🙏
Great stuff ❤
I remember the Carpenters Christmas portrait with their picture on the front of it Karen and Richard I love listening to their Christmas music
Thank you!!! Awesome and I love the book!!!! The Carpenters music is all that I listen too because no other voice is as good!! And Richard’s arrangements just tops it off!! ❤️
Hi Chris! Nice topic :)
I love hearing the stories behind this album Chris. It’s crazy to me that Karen didn’t think she could do “These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives”. I’m convinced she could sing ANYTHING and it would sound beautiful.
Their Christmas album is my favorite of all time. It’s almost that time to start listening to it again.
(Apologies if there are duplicates, the app or my phone is acting up):
Chris! I am in awe of you! Thank you for everything you do and have done in your quest to archive the brilliant career of our favorite duo! I thought I knew a lot, but you have learned so much more and taught me so much. Thank you! I am curious to understand a bit more about Karen’s experience in London on the Forsyth (sp?) show. You said she had to record it physically in the UK. Yet, she also sang it live on the show? Did they have the recording at a low volume or how did that jive? Not that she couldn’t have mastered whatever the scenario (beautifully), just curious. Thank you again for your incredible contribution to their legacy, your knowledge-sharing, and the incredible output in your co-authored book that I have two copies of. 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words! To answer your question, the part that was recorded in the UK was the backing instrumental track (and backing vocals sung by the [band] guys and Karen). The lead vocal she sang live over the pre-recorded track, while the band pretended to play along-for effect. Hope this made sense. :)
❤
First Christmas album I ever bought and still my favorite!