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CarpentersTo the chagrin of my cooler friends (a sad and dwindling lot these days), I persist in defending The Carpenters (read more). Karen Carpenter, in particular, with her silky voice and impeccable phrasing, had much to offer all but the crustiest rocker, and her brother Richard was a veritable boy genius as a producer and arranger. Over the years, the duo released several Christmas singles and two complete albums, Christmas Portrait (1978) and An Old-Fashioned Christmas (1984). Sadly - and much more so than on any of their regular albums - both LP's reflect Richard's predilection towards schmaltz more than Karen's remarkable vocal talents. While the latter record includes leftover tracks from the 1978 sessions, much of it was recorded after Karen's tragic death in 1983, and it features middle-of-the-road arrangements that would make Mitch Miller blush. But when Karen's voice is allowed to assume its rightful place in the spotlight, these records shine as brightly as any in the Carpenters' oeuvre.

That said, neither album has been issued intact on CD - at least, not on the Carpenters' home turf. (They have been reissued in Europe and Japan - repeatedly.) Since the very beginning of the Carpenters' career, you see, Richard has been willing - eager, even - to fiddle with their catalog. He has relentlessly remixed, rearranged, and rerecorded songs in an effort to improve or modernize them. Starting with their first greatest hits album, The Singles 1969-1973, Richard began rewriting history - often with great success. Compare the epic version of the Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" on The Singles to the understated original on the Carpenters' 1969 debut, and you'll hear how completely Richard could transform a song in the studio. Now, to Carpenters fans, Karen's legacy is sacrosanct. And, Richard Carpenter is no fool - he isn't about to deface his musical Mona Lisa. Besides, it's his music, too, and he can do what he wants. But all the knob-twiddling in the world won't bring Karen back, and hardcore fans want to remember these records the way they were. No crime there.

CarpentersBut, when it came time to reissue the Carpenters' holiday albums for the digital age, Richard got off to a rocky start. Originally, he compiled a "special edition" compact disc of Christmas Portrait in 1987, but it was more a hybrid of the two LP's complete with obvious changes and additions. It may have been a commercially rewarding move for Richard, but it infuriated Carpenters purists. Later, Richard compiled both albums in their entirety and in their original running order on Christmas Collection (1998), though not without some obvious amendments - much better, if less than perfect. Listening to Christmas Collection, with its white-bread choruses and elevator-ready orchestras (not to mention Richard's cavalier revisionism), tries even my patience. On a precious few songs, however, Karen's masterful singing cuts through such clutter like Rudolph's red nose on a foggy Christmas eve - and those will go down in history.

Among those songs is one that may be the last traditional Christmas standard ever. The lyrics of "Merry Christmas, Darling" (1970) were written in 1944 by Frank Pooler, who years later would teach music to both Richard and Karen. In 1966, when the Carpenters were an up-and-coming local band in Long Beach, California, Richard was casting about for a new holiday song. Pooler gave him his old composition. Richard wrote a new melody for it, and the group worked it into their repertoire. was a song in the same vein as "Let It Snow" or "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" - deeply romantic songs set during the holiday season. It was the Carpenters' first holiday recording, and they'd never really top it. Certainly, it's the Christmas song for which they will be remembered, and that is nearly all due to Karen's warm, intimate vocal performance.

CarpentersBy 1970, the Carpenters were a sensation, having scored huge hits that year with "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun." So, they waxed "Merry Christmas, Darling" for the holidays, and it topped Billboard's Christmas chart - where it would recur several subsequent years. At Karen's request, she recorded a new vocal for Christmas Portrait, and Richard, of course, remixed it. But, the original is the best - even Richard thinks so - and it would be used for all subsequent single reissues. The original single version can also be found on From The Top, the Carpenters' four-disc boxed set - highly recommended for many reasons, that one included.

The other Carpenters Christmas songs that really shine are all in the same vein: romantic showcases for Karen's remarkable voice and Richard's sophisticated arrangements. I especially love their lush treatment of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," a 1974 single later included on An Old-Fashioned Christmas, "The Christmas Song," a 1977 single included on Christmas Portrait, and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (1984), a sexy track from An Old-Fashioned Christmas. These are the songs that keep me coming back to the Carpenters' holiday repertoire, despite its shortcomings. [top of page]

Albums Albums

SongsEssential Songs

  • Do You Hear What I Hear? (1984)
  • Merry Christmas Darling (1970)
  • I'll Be Home For Christmas (1978)
  • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (1978)
  • The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (1977)
  • Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1974)
  • What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (1984)

Further ListeningFurther Listening

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