The Carpenters were just about the last adult pop outfit of their era with anything resembling rock credibility (they did have a little of the latter in the early days, and weren't a kid act like the Osmonds) who could have pulled off a straight Christmas album. And they did it in superb style here, illuminated throughout by the delightful, complex, often playful arrangements, courtesy of Peter Knight, Richard Carpenter, and Billy May. Actually, for a change on a Carpenters album, Richard is the dominant personality on ...
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The Carpenters were just about the last adult pop outfit of their era with anything resembling rock credibility (they did have a little of the latter in the early days, and weren't a kid act like the Osmonds) who could have pulled off a straight Christmas album. And they did it in superb style here, illuminated throughout by the delightful, complex, often playful arrangements, courtesy of Peter Knight, Richard Carpenter, and Billy May. Actually, for a change on a Carpenters album, Richard is the dominant personality on display across this record, as both co-arranger and producer, as well as the mastermind behind the project; Karen Carpenter's voice is also prominent, to be sure, most notably on "Merry Christmas, Darling" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and she threw herself into this next-to-last completed project (and their final release before a two-year hiatus), but it's Richard who comes to the fore everywhere here, in ways that are impossible to ignore. And the results are mightily impressive, as the mood never slackens in what amounts to a wall-to-wall celebration of the Christmas holiday. After a suitably festive introductory section, Karen Carpenter's solo voice comes up on the "Christmas Waltz" and the proceedings really take off, carrying us into the most engaging rendition of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" that has come down in many a year, and it only gets better from there, through a brace of holiday staples that end up sounding fresh in her voice and his arrangements. There's not a slack moment on this album. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
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Add this copy of Christmas Portrait to cart. $14.99, new condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by A&M.
Music is very personal, but listening to this album transports you to Christmas. Karen loved Christmas and its music, which really shows here. The songs range from kitchy happy (Santa Claus is Coming to Town) to deeply moving (Ave Maria, Little Altar Boy). Richard does his usual incredible job, wrapping Karen lovingly in rich arrangements that complement her voice. There is a lot of background work by the "O K Chorale," which gives the album a different feel than Carpenter albums. This album is a must have classic.
GD49
Dec 24, 2009
Carpenters Christmas Portrait
An "oldie but goodie". One of our favourite Christmas CD's. A nice mix of old and new brought to life by Karen's beautiful vocals and delightful harmonies with brother Richard. Worth a listen! It will put you in the Christmas spirit!
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