Christmas music is one of my passions (I have over 130 Christmas CDs), and I can say without any hesitation that this is the best Christmas recording I have ever heard! The Carpenters were one of the early pioneers of blending Christmas instrumental tracks along with vocal ones. Although there are better versions out there of a few of these songs (some of the arrangements have more regard for keeping strict tempos than for the meaning of the words), overall you can find no album that better captures that old-fashioned Christmasy sound that instantly conveys the beauty, nostalgia, and spirituality of the holidays. If you only have the single-disc version that came out in the mid-Eighties, you owe it to yourself to get this complete 2-disc set. Not only will you be getting the 2 complete albums (instead of an edited highlights edition), you'll be getting better sound. Disc 1 (Christmas Portrait) was remixed and remastered and sounds much better that it did on the original release. Disc 2 (An Old-Fashioned Christmas) sounds fine, but it's not quite as clear and full as Disc 1 since it was only remastered but not remixed. There is not as much of Karen on Disc 2 since there were only a few of her tracks left from the "Christmas Portrait" sessions--but that does not detract from this wonderful collection. Like others have mentioned, even non-Carpenters fans enjoy this album. It's probably the most beautiful work they ever did. If you buy no other Christmas album this year, make it a point to buy this one. I can't imagine that anyone would be disappointed.

First, a warning: the song list on Amazon is incorrect and incomplete. The correct list is:

CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (Their first Christmas disc)
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. Overture: Deck The Halls/I Saw Three Ships/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/Away In a Manger/What Child Is This?/Carol Of The Bells/O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Christmas Waltz
4. Sleigh Ride
5. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. Christmas Song (Chestnuts)
9. Silent Night
10. Jingle Bells
11. First Snowfall/Let It Snow
12. Carol Of The Bells
13. Merry Christmas Darling
14. I'll Be Home For Christmas
15. Christ Is Born
16. Winter WonderLand/Silver Bells/White Christmas
17. Ave Maria

AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS (Their 2nd Christmas disc)
1. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
2. Overture: Happy Holiday/The First Noel/March Of The Toys/Little Jesus/I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/O Little Town Of Bethlehem/In Dulce Jubilo/Gesu Bambino/Angels We Have Heard On High
3. An Old-Fashioned Christmas
4. O Holy Night
5. Home For The Holidays
6. Here Comes Santa Claus/Frosty The Snowman/Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer/Good King Wenceslas
7. Little Altar Boy
8. Do You Hear What I Hear?
9. My Favorite Things
10. He Came Here For Me
11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
12. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
13. Selections From "The Nutcracker": Overture Miniature/Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy/Trepak/Valse Des Fleurs
14. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

The Carpenters released two Christmas albums on LP, "Christmas Portrait" and "An Old Fashioned Christmas". Their first CD release, also called Christmas Portrait, was a combination of the two LPs, mostly the first with some selections from the second. Some songs were given enhanced (or, at least, altered) arrangements, while others were omitted because of space considerations, although most Carpenter fans have undoubtably questioned the choices for years.

"Christmas Collection" is, finally, the original LPs, in their entirely, released together on CD. This is the music the Carpenters were born to make. Their sweet, sometimes corny arrangements and interpretations fit perfectly with these traditional and modern holiday classics. Karen's bright, clear voice adds a freshness to this music that few other singers could offer. Her warm, wholesome, "girl next door" singing brings to mind the image of a snow-covered American Christmas, from the star atop the tree to the rug by the fireplace. Not bad for two 20-somethings from Southern California, as they were when they recorded these songs!

The accompanying orchestral arrangements and layered vocals give this collection an elegant, timeless foundation, if a little overdone sometimes. While the Carpenters (mostly Richard) sometimes overwhelmed his songs with as much production as he could cram into 3 minutes, here he has just the right touch. It's a little unusual to hear Carpenters music with other singers providing background vocals, but they work just fine on this collection.

In the end, the buying decision comes down to Karen's voice. If you've always hated it, you probably don't want this collection. If you've always loved it, either you already own this double-CD set or you have the single CD and/or the LPs and you're wondering whether or not to spend the money. The answer: YES! If you're somewhere in the middle, this music is guaranteed to make you a Carpenters fan, a Christmas music fan, or both.

Since so many people have already reviewed this I will keep my comments short. In one word: MAGNIFICENT! INCREDIBLE! AMAZING! (Ooops, that's more than one word, isn't it...) My family has gone through two sets of these albums on vinyl and I'm on my second set of cassettes. I'm very excited about them finally being on CD. CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (CD 1) was the Carpenters' first Christmas album, and its awe-inspiring beauty does not let up for even one second. Karen's vocal talents shine for all to hear as do Richard's wonderful gifts of arranging and playing. His "one person chorus" on "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a powerful opening. It is an equal match to the beauty of Karen's closing "Ave Maria". AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS (CD 2), which was put together after Karen's tragic death, is a wonderful companion to the first. Although the circumstances which made it possible are very sad, this album necessarily gives a greater amount of the spotlight to Richard's genius. His performance of works like "O Holy Night" and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's NUTCRACKER ballet are brilliant examples of his amazing talent. Both of these albums are standards of excellence as to what Christmas albums should be. Even what were less-known works have become staples of the season because of the "Carpenters' touch" they received on these albums. What more can I say other than this: GO GET THESE IMMEDIATELY--IF NOT SOONER!!!

Many artists cut a Christmas album to cash-in on their popularity. Unfortunately, too many 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 Christman album pictured the way he wanted it, and then took the time to get it right. The result is a lush, beautifully arranged sound with every effort made to make each song special. In essence, the Carpenters created Christmas music that defines what Christmas music should sound like.

This album is actually the "best" of two Christmas albums that Richard and Karen previously released. "Christmas Portrait", their first Christmas album was released in 1978, and An Old-Fashioned Christmas, released in 1984 after Karen's tragic death. When the first Christmas album was conceived, Karen and Richard recorded so much Christmas material that they almost released a double album. Instead, they released a full single disk, (Christmas Portrait, 1978) 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 from the Christmas Portrait sessions as well as some newly recorded pieces.

Now, if you want every Christmas song the Carpenters ever recorded, you have no choice but to purchase both originals, however, if you want the best of both, 31 songs in all, then this is the album for you.

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.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig, Carpenters Fan for 35 years

Christmas is always special,especially when you hear these unforgettable holiday classics by The Carpenters. This collection features their classic,original 1978 Christmas album,"Christmas Portrait",which is one of my all-time favorite Christmas albums.Their wonderful renditions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas","The Christmas song",and their own holiday classic,"Merry Christmas,Darling",are truly legendary Christmas gems! The second CD,which is their 1984 posthumous holiday album,"An Old-Fashined Christmas",contains more great stuff,including wonderful versions of "Home For the Holidays","Little Altar Boy",and,"What Are you doing New Year's Eve?'however,"O Holy Night",and a couple of others,make me sad. Overall,this truly is a fantastic collection,by a legendary musical duo,and your Christmas music collection,would not be complete without it. You will definitely enjoy spending Christmas with The Carpenters!