gershwingreenReviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
Considering that A&M's parent company (Universal Music) issued a rather bland description of this CD calling it a remixed, curated collection overseen by Richard Carpenter, it would be easy to dismiss this new collection as a money grab or just a repackage--until you listen to it.
One has to dig through various forums, blogs, and postings to get the full picture: new technology has made it possible to isolate practically any part of a recording to get rid of air conditioning noise, distortion, etc. and to bring out things buried in the mix resulting in a new clarity. Richard had been working on this for a few years, but the pandemic and (I gather) Richard's health greatly slowed down the progress on this album. I could only wish that their complete Christmas catalog would receive this sonic overhaul , but that may have been hinderd by budget and, again, Richard's health.
Bottom Line: If you care about sound quality at all (and you should if you love listening to music), don't hesitate to "buy these songs again." I noticed the difference right off the bat as Richard started singing It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. This album disiplays a substantial difference in clarity, both musically and vocally, with Karen's voice being brought up front and center. I heard things in her singing and in the instruments that I had not noticed before. It was almost like hearing these songs for the first time.
I have nearly 200 Christmas CDs and have always considered Christmas Portrait to be the greatest Christmas album I've ever heard. Now you can hear much of it like you've never heard it before. Don't hesitate order Christmas Once More!
C. PencilReviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
This newly remixed collection is a marvel. Each track reassembled with loving care, shines like never before. These reveal more detailed sounds of the orchestra and best of all, Karen's vocals are clearer and more prominent than ever. She's showcased here with incredible clarity and sounds like she's sitting right next to you. Those that know the classic original albums well will hear some sweet, subtle surprises here and there that add to the overall effect. Songs like "The First Snowfall/Let it Snow", "Christ Is Born", and "Home For the Holidays" are particularly impressive. It sounds like you're at a live Carpenters performance.
Richard's spotlight moment here with "My Favorite Things" on piano with the orchestra is more delightful than ever with newly added touches. It captures the cheery spirit of the season to perfection. The man is a virtuoso.
Karen's performance of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is one of the best of all time and certainly one of the more beautiful versions of the song ever. It's almost like hearing it for the first time here. Her vocal is stunning with new amazing clarity.
Don't hesitate to pick up a copy of this new collection. You'll be pleased. I only wish there would've been a couple more of their holiday songs included, but what is here flows so nicely. It's hard to find fault. It leaves you wanting more and that's a good thing. "Christmas Once More" is a treasure.
MarkReviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
Wonderfully done. Musical tweaks are great. The track list here is incorrect. Personally I would have used O Holly Night, Do you here what I Hear, Silent Night instead of It Came Upon. A Midnight Clear, My Favorite Things and Happy Holidays. I would have actually skipped any instrumental in favor of another of Karen’s vocals. And, I would have preferred the White Christmas medley instead of just White Christmas.
Also, don’t ever ship CDs in envelopes. I ordered 2 copies and both cases were broken
FAN OF THE GREAT STUFFReviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
The Carpenters have been one of the most popular and beloved music artists to record Christmas songs with the warmth and beauty of the late Karen Carpenter’s voice so well suited for the holiday favorites. This is a nice compilation which offers fresh remixes of selections that first appeared on various singles and their pair of original Christmas albums released in the 1970s and 1980s. Simply stellar versions.
Carrie S.Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
I have an original 1978 Christmas portrait and this is a great addition to my collection. Sounds great and plays super quite. 140gm black vinyl. Comes with an anti-static inner sleeve also.
Bedrock9Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024
This is a remix of some of their best Christmas songs. Richard has moved Karen’s voice front and center and adds some musical touches to freshen it up. It’s not Christmas without The Carpenters.
Paul SwoffordReviewed in the United States on November 18, 2024
I absolutely love anything that they put out and I'm getting ready to wear this out
Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on November 7, 2024
what a voice . gone way to soon
KenReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2024
Every new Carpenters album is a major event & altho it’s not got any new songs on it songs have been remastered & polished up altho why on earth got is beyond me
Carpenters are perfection without fail every time
Tracks are from both 1978 “ Christmas Portrait & 1984s “ Olde Fashioned Christmas “ which in their own rights are the greatest Christmas gifts two people can give the real music loving people.
The only thing that has “pxxxxd me off” is that two standout songs from the 84 album “0lde fashioned Xmas “ have been left out & we have Richards plunking plunkity instrumental stuff instead which is ok but anyone hearing the 2 left out songs would be sorely disappointed as they are KC at her heart wrenching and mind blowing best
Do You Hear What I Hear & He came here for me are the 2 songs & seriously if you’ve not heard them b4 do so & get the 2 original albums ( not the “ special edition versions as they left them out too)
But this album is still spectacular
Be prepared to burst a gusset
I did
Buy it
You won’t regret it .
MARKReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2024
Having been a fan and collector of Carpenters for many many years, i can still be sat here blown away by that incredible voice of Karens! Just listening to this album for the second time and it's like Karen is stood in front of me, it's simply a joy to the ears. When it comes to music, i am still a dinosaur, because i don't listen to music through a phone, i still have my fantastic hi-fi system with a 20 band graphic equaliser on it and trust me, there's no better way to listen to music, i even have a similar setup in my bedroom to listen to for an hour before sleep and you can't beat it. I can't recommend this album enough and whilst some will argue it's simply Christmas Portrait rereleased, there are some changes and the remastering has taken Karens voice to another level, simply beautiful. Whilst i did buy the vinyl as well, i've yet to open it and play it.
Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2024
Karen Carpenter is one of the greatest singers of all time and this is an album that showcases her vocal versatility. If you’re feeling festive, buy this. If you aren’t yet feeling festive, buy it anyway and you’ll soon be getting your decorations down from the attic!
MusicloverReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2024
I’ve been a fan of the Carpenters since the mid 70s. This newly remixed and mastered album sounds wonderful. Recommended.
gershwingreenReviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
Considering that A&M's parent company (Universal Music) issued a rather bland description of this CD calling it a remixed, curated collection overseen by Richard Carpenter, it would be easy to dismiss this new collection as a money grab or just a repackage--until you listen to it. One has to dig through various forums, blogs, and postings to get the full picture: new technology has made it possible to isolate practically any part of a recording to get rid of air conditioning noise, distortion, etc. and to bring out things buried in the mix resulting in a new clarity. Richard had been working on this for a few years, but the pandemic and (I gather) Richard's health greatly slowed down the progress on this album. I could only wish that their complete Christmas catalog would receive this sonic overhaul , but that may have been hinderd by budget and, again, Richard's health. Bottom Line: If you care about sound quality at all (and you should if you love listening to music), don't hesitate to "buy these songs again." I noticed the difference right off the bat as Richard started singing It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. This album disiplays a substantial difference in clarity, both musically and vocally, with Karen's voice being brought up front and center. I heard things in her singing and in the instruments that I had not noticed before. It was almost like hearing these songs for the first time. I have nearly 200 Christmas CDs and have always considered Christmas Portrait to be the greatest Christmas album I've ever heard. Now you can hear much of it like you've never heard it before. Don't hesitate order Christmas Once More!
C. PencilReviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
This newly remixed collection is a marvel. Each track reassembled with loving care, shines like never before. These reveal more detailed sounds of the orchestra and best of all, Karen's vocals are clearer and more prominent than ever. She's showcased here with incredible clarity and sounds like she's sitting right next to you. Those that know the classic original albums well will hear some sweet, subtle surprises here and there that add to the overall effect. Songs like "The First Snowfall/Let it Snow", "Christ Is Born", and "Home For the Holidays" are particularly impressive. It sounds like you're at a live Carpenters performance. Richard's spotlight moment here with "My Favorite Things" on piano with the orchestra is more delightful than ever with newly added touches. It captures the cheery spirit of the season to perfection. The man is a virtuoso. Karen's performance of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is one of the best of all time and certainly one of the more beautiful versions of the song ever. It's almost like hearing it for the first time here. Her vocal is stunning with new amazing clarity. Don't hesitate to pick up a copy of this new collection. You'll be pleased. I only wish there would've been a couple more of their holiday songs included, but what is here flows so nicely. It's hard to find fault. It leaves you wanting more and that's a good thing. "Christmas Once More" is a treasure.
MarkReviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
Wonderfully done. Musical tweaks are great. The track list here is incorrect. Personally I would have used O Holly Night, Do you here what I Hear, Silent Night instead of It Came Upon. A Midnight Clear, My Favorite Things and Happy Holidays. I would have actually skipped any instrumental in favor of another of Karen’s vocals. And, I would have preferred the White Christmas medley instead of just White Christmas. Also, don’t ever ship CDs in envelopes. I ordered 2 copies and both cases were broken
FAN OF THE GREAT STUFFReviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
The Carpenters have been one of the most popular and beloved music artists to record Christmas songs with the warmth and beauty of the late Karen Carpenter’s voice so well suited for the holiday favorites. This is a nice compilation which offers fresh remixes of selections that first appeared on various singles and their pair of original Christmas albums released in the 1970s and 1980s. Simply stellar versions.
Carrie S.Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
I have an original 1978 Christmas portrait and this is a great addition to my collection. Sounds great and plays super quite. 140gm black vinyl. Comes with an anti-static inner sleeve also.
Bedrock9Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024
This is a remix of some of their best Christmas songs. Richard has moved Karen’s voice front and center and adds some musical touches to freshen it up. It’s not Christmas without The Carpenters.
Paul SwoffordReviewed in the United States on November 18, 2024
I absolutely love anything that they put out and I'm getting ready to wear this out
Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on November 7, 2024
what a voice . gone way to soon
KenReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2024
Every new Carpenters album is a major event & altho it’s not got any new songs on it songs have been remastered & polished up altho why on earth got is beyond me Carpenters are perfection without fail every time Tracks are from both 1978 “ Christmas Portrait & 1984s “ Olde Fashioned Christmas “ which in their own rights are the greatest Christmas gifts two people can give the real music loving people. The only thing that has “pxxxxd me off” is that two standout songs from the 84 album “0lde fashioned Xmas “ have been left out & we have Richards plunking plunkity instrumental stuff instead which is ok but anyone hearing the 2 left out songs would be sorely disappointed as they are KC at her heart wrenching and mind blowing best Do You Hear What I Hear & He came here for me are the 2 songs & seriously if you’ve not heard them b4 do so & get the 2 original albums ( not the “ special edition versions as they left them out too) But this album is still spectacular Be prepared to burst a gusset I did Buy it You won’t regret it .
MARKReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2024
Having been a fan and collector of Carpenters for many many years, i can still be sat here blown away by that incredible voice of Karens! Just listening to this album for the second time and it's like Karen is stood in front of me, it's simply a joy to the ears. When it comes to music, i am still a dinosaur, because i don't listen to music through a phone, i still have my fantastic hi-fi system with a 20 band graphic equaliser on it and trust me, there's no better way to listen to music, i even have a similar setup in my bedroom to listen to for an hour before sleep and you can't beat it. I can't recommend this album enough and whilst some will argue it's simply Christmas Portrait rereleased, there are some changes and the remastering has taken Karens voice to another level, simply beautiful. Whilst i did buy the vinyl as well, i've yet to open it and play it.
Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2024
Karen Carpenter is one of the greatest singers of all time and this is an album that showcases her vocal versatility. If you’re feeling festive, buy this. If you aren’t yet feeling festive, buy it anyway and you’ll soon be getting your decorations down from the attic!
MusicloverReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2024
I’ve been a fan of the Carpenters since the mid 70s. This newly remixed and mastered album sounds wonderful. Recommended.