Many artists cut a Christmas album to cash-in on their current popularity -it's a natural and easy "cash cow" for them. Unfortunately, too many artists take a very casual approach to their Christmas albums, not perfecting the sound as they would a regular album. Fortunately, this is not true where the Carpenters are concerned! Richard Carpenter had the Carpenter's Christmas album pictured the way he wanted it in his head, and then took the time and spent the money to get it right. The result is a lush, beautifully arranged sound with every effort made to make each song special. Wiht this album, the Carpenters created Christmas music that defines what Christmas music should sound like.

"Christmas Portrait", is the first Carpenter Christmas album, released in 1978. ("An Old-Fashioned Christmas", was the second, released in 1984, after Karen's tragic death). When "Christmas Portrait was conceived, Karen and Richard recorded so much Christmas material that they almost released a double album. Instead, they released a full single (and at that time vinyl) disk, (but packed it with nearly 50 minutes of music - which was pushing the limits back in the days of vinyl LPS. Christmas Portrait went platinum in the U.S. and became a hit all over the world, and it continues to do well. It is one of the few albums that has been a Top 10 hit on the Christmas charts in the `70s, `80s, and `90s. These are the songs you hear played in department stores and on the radio every Christmas season.

In 1984, A&M released the second Carpenter's Christmas album, "An Old-Fashioned Christmas". The album features the best of the overflow material from the "Christmas Portrait" sessions as well as some newly recorded pieces.

You will love the Christmas sound of the Carpenters and will play it every Christmas season. It is an A+ album and is perhaps the finest Christmas album ever recorded.

In the 1990's Richard combined both Carpenter Christmas albums into one album, entittled "Christmas Collection". This is certainly a consideration in buying one or the other.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig, Carpenters Fan for 35 years

"Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you...

Merry Christmas darling
We're apart, that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm christmasing with you
Holiday is joyful
There's always something new
But everyday's a holiday
When I'm near to you...

The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it everyday
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire to see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you."
~ Merry Christmas Darling ~
~ Words & Music by Frank Pooler and Richard Carpenter ~

"This album is lovingly dedicated to the memory of my sister and friend, Karen, who was extremely fond of Christmas and Christmas music." ~ Richard Carpenter, 1986

This classic Christmas CD is my all-time favorite of all my Christmas CDs. I usually pull it out from my CD shelf right after Thanksgiving Day and start listening to it. I always enjoy listening to these timeless Christmas songs year after year. I was a huge fan of the Carpenters in the '70s and my favorites among their albums are "A Song For You," "The Carpenters" and "Close To You." Karen's death is such a great loss to the music industry with her great talent and exceptional vocal artistry. This album was conceived and produced by Mr. Carpenter, who also did the arrangements together with Billy May and Peter Knight. It consists of the best-loved Christmas classics of all-time.

The most notable tracks are: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," the ever popular "Christmas Song," the bubbly medley of "Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," the very solemn traditional Christmas classic "Silent Night," the wishful "Merry Christmas Darling," the contemplative instrumental rendition of "O Holy Night" and a medley of selections from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" (Overture Miniature, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies and Valse Des Fleurs). Listening to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" brings back memories of my childhood when I truly believed in the existence of Santa Claus (letters to Santa on toys I'd love to have and wondering how could Santa be able to read all the letters from children all over the world, counting the days before "the big day," getting up so early on Christmas Day to eagerly open presents, etc). Christmas is the one time of the year that undeniably brings out the child in me (and I guess all of us with no exception) thru all the excitement that comes with it.

Amidst the hassle and bustle of preparations and celebrations, we need to find some quiet moments to listen and appreciate true classic Christmas carols like the songs in this CD, which I merrily recommend, and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. "Remember, the magic of Christmas lies in your heart!" as what Santa said on "The Polar Express."

Even though the Carpenters' CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is now available, CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (Special Edition) is STILL an holiday music essential. This version contains most of both, but not all of either, Carpenters' Christmas albums. One of the reasons it's a great thing to have--in addition to the CHRISTMAS COLLECTION--is the fact that so much from both albums is all contained on one CD. That makes it perfect for a single CD player, such as in a car or a portable stereo, where space is limited. The warm readings of so many different songs and carols glow on this recording. However, to keep from repeating myself, refer to the CHRISTMAS COLLECTION review for specific musical examples. Before you, the reader, jumps to any conclusions about the quality of this album, just know that I own both CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (Special Edition) and CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. That's how important I think these recordings are. Enough said...

Let me first say, I'm a huge Carpenters fan and have been since they first burst on the scene in the late 60's, early 70's. Having said that and knowing there may be other older fans of theirs out their seeking to get their beloved Carpenters Christmas Portrait on CD in order to replace their album or tape, this is not the same album you bought all those years ago. This is the combination of The Christmas Portait album and the Old Fashioned Christmas with a few songs missing. I have the same problem with this New Version of a Christmas Portrait that I did when I first purchased Old Fashioned Christmas and that is, I do not simply want to wait eight minutes to hear Karen start singing. This version comes across as being a bit over-produced because of this. It was obvious after my first listen of Old Fashioned Christmas that it was "left overs" from the Christmas Portrait album. I realize Richard was trying to get the best of both worlds when he combined the two but I'm uncertain why he chose to leave out the jazz version of Santa Clause is coming to town, particularly since it is their second best known Christmas song. Having said all that, this is not a bad purchase but I prefer the original Christmas Portrait and my album is far superior in the sense of the original order and context of the songs. For those who agree, it would be best to buy the more expensive Christmas Collection to get the albums combined in one purchase but not mixed together instead of this version with the sum of both parts combined as one.

Six years ago I purchased a cassette tape version of Christmas Portrait as a joke gift for my husband -- I always thought it was kind of funny that he was fond of the Carpenters' music. Little did I know that the joke would end up being on me; Karen and Richard Carpenter render every song in this collection with masterful artistry making all the "old" favorite carols and ballads as beautiful and full of life as I had ever heard them! Six years later, we still thrill to listen to this tape. Indeed, it has become one of our anticipated holiday traditions. And now I have to order a CD to replace our worn out cassette tape!