Post by cam83 on Dec 15, 2005 15:50:02 GMT -5
These are my thoughts on the CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT-Special Edition...
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear-This song features an overdubbed Richard singing this song. It sounds lush...and beautiful. A very nice intro into the CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT-1978 album release...this song segues into...
Overture(Happy Holidays, The First Noel, March of the Toys, Little Jesus, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, O Little Town of Bethlehem, In Dulce, Jubilo, Gesus Bambino, and ending with Angels We Have Heard On High)...Richard sings The First Noel aptly...then choir sings Little Jesus, which reminds me of Karen, and how it would have been neat to hear her sing that song...Richard returns to O Little Town of Bethlehem...another song you wish Karen had recorded...very wistful and simple song but profound...
An Old Fashioned Christmas-very beautiful song by Richard. Wish it were longer. It always makes me think of Karen...especially since when AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album was released a year after her death in 1984...and how everyone and Richard associates her love of Christmas with the Holiday season. Just a song filled with bare but human emotion...verging on sadness...
Christmas Waltz-Karen's vocal booms out. Like a magical gift. Just pure. You know you are in for a huge treat. With the rest of the album.
Sleigh Ride-The very essence of Christmas holiday season...snow, sleigh rides, friends, and a warm fire...and Karen's warm, and inviting vocal, make for a comfortable time.
It's Christmas Time-Chipper vocal by Karen and wonderful accompaniement by Richard. Karen expertly sings at a face pace, keeping in time, and flawlessly.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-By far, the DEFINATIVE version of this song. Karen has a come hither approach to her vocals. Her vocals sound toasty and warm. Like sitting in front of a warm fireplace, with a hot cup of chocolate. She just hits those notes with impeccable ease, and soars on the notes...and magically it seems, sustains them. Just glorious.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town-A shorter interpretation, which is quick and snappy. But many consider the 1974 version to the best...and were disappointed to not see it on this release. Thankfully on AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS, it was released.
Christmas Song(Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)-Karen claims this song as her own, and adds her own feeling to this song. Not a small feat at all. She gives it her own flair, vocally. It's as if this song is tailor made for her...
Carol of the Bells-Richard does an amazing, wonderful job on this recording. He had first played this song on the Perry Como Christmas Show, aired in December 1974, and must have enjoyed it so much, that he recorded it for this collection.
Merry Christmas Darling-Many will consider this to be their Greatest Christmas song of all time. It was a Number One hit several years, and is always played on the Radio during Christmas season. Karen unhappy with her 1970 vocal, added a warmer, more elegant touch, more refined than her youthful 1970 vocal. It shows here. The vocal harmonies are outstanding...
Christ Is Born-Heavenly. That is the word I can think of on this. It turns your eyes upward to Heaven. The choir sounds like an angelic choir. A pure masterpiece...
O Holy Night-Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful piano playing by Richard. Just evokes crystalline memories...but wish Karen sang this song. Imagining her vocals hitting the top of the sphere.
Home For the Holidays-Warm reading by Karen. A treat to listen to on the AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album.
Medley(Here Comes Santa Claus, Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Good King Wenceslas)-Pleasant medley to listen to, and to sing along too.
Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, White Christmas- All feature wonderful vocals by Karen, except Silver Bells which choir sings.
Ave Maria-Glorious and inspiring. Never heard another singer capturing the beauty of Karen's vocals and interpretation. Her pronounciation of latin, makes you think Karen's first language was Latin. She is formidable on this song...hitting those high notes with ease.
Selections from Nutcracker-These songs showcase Richard's brilliant talent and technique at covering them. These were from the AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album in 1984.
Little Altar Boy-Stunning vocal reading by Karen. For me, this is the spiritual equivalent of SOLITAIRE.
I'll Be Home For Christmas-Beautiful reading by Karen. Very dramatic but done in a Karen style.
Silent Night- Peaceful, and sublime. What an inspiring song to end the album with...truly a spine chilling song. Especially when she ends with BIRTH and holds that note...just spellbounding.
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear-This song features an overdubbed Richard singing this song. It sounds lush...and beautiful. A very nice intro into the CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT-1978 album release...this song segues into...
Overture(Happy Holidays, The First Noel, March of the Toys, Little Jesus, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, O Little Town of Bethlehem, In Dulce, Jubilo, Gesus Bambino, and ending with Angels We Have Heard On High)...Richard sings The First Noel aptly...then choir sings Little Jesus, which reminds me of Karen, and how it would have been neat to hear her sing that song...Richard returns to O Little Town of Bethlehem...another song you wish Karen had recorded...very wistful and simple song but profound...
An Old Fashioned Christmas-very beautiful song by Richard. Wish it were longer. It always makes me think of Karen...especially since when AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album was released a year after her death in 1984...and how everyone and Richard associates her love of Christmas with the Holiday season. Just a song filled with bare but human emotion...verging on sadness...
Christmas Waltz-Karen's vocal booms out. Like a magical gift. Just pure. You know you are in for a huge treat. With the rest of the album.
Sleigh Ride-The very essence of Christmas holiday season...snow, sleigh rides, friends, and a warm fire...and Karen's warm, and inviting vocal, make for a comfortable time.
It's Christmas Time-Chipper vocal by Karen and wonderful accompaniement by Richard. Karen expertly sings at a face pace, keeping in time, and flawlessly.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-By far, the DEFINATIVE version of this song. Karen has a come hither approach to her vocals. Her vocals sound toasty and warm. Like sitting in front of a warm fireplace, with a hot cup of chocolate. She just hits those notes with impeccable ease, and soars on the notes...and magically it seems, sustains them. Just glorious.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town-A shorter interpretation, which is quick and snappy. But many consider the 1974 version to the best...and were disappointed to not see it on this release. Thankfully on AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS, it was released.
Christmas Song(Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)-Karen claims this song as her own, and adds her own feeling to this song. Not a small feat at all. She gives it her own flair, vocally. It's as if this song is tailor made for her...
Carol of the Bells-Richard does an amazing, wonderful job on this recording. He had first played this song on the Perry Como Christmas Show, aired in December 1974, and must have enjoyed it so much, that he recorded it for this collection.
Merry Christmas Darling-Many will consider this to be their Greatest Christmas song of all time. It was a Number One hit several years, and is always played on the Radio during Christmas season. Karen unhappy with her 1970 vocal, added a warmer, more elegant touch, more refined than her youthful 1970 vocal. It shows here. The vocal harmonies are outstanding...
Christ Is Born-Heavenly. That is the word I can think of on this. It turns your eyes upward to Heaven. The choir sounds like an angelic choir. A pure masterpiece...
O Holy Night-Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful piano playing by Richard. Just evokes crystalline memories...but wish Karen sang this song. Imagining her vocals hitting the top of the sphere.
Home For the Holidays-Warm reading by Karen. A treat to listen to on the AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album.
Medley(Here Comes Santa Claus, Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Good King Wenceslas)-Pleasant medley to listen to, and to sing along too.
Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, White Christmas- All feature wonderful vocals by Karen, except Silver Bells which choir sings.
Ave Maria-Glorious and inspiring. Never heard another singer capturing the beauty of Karen's vocals and interpretation. Her pronounciation of latin, makes you think Karen's first language was Latin. She is formidable on this song...hitting those high notes with ease.
Selections from Nutcracker-These songs showcase Richard's brilliant talent and technique at covering them. These were from the AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS album in 1984.
Little Altar Boy-Stunning vocal reading by Karen. For me, this is the spiritual equivalent of SOLITAIRE.
I'll Be Home For Christmas-Beautiful reading by Karen. Very dramatic but done in a Karen style.
Silent Night- Peaceful, and sublime. What an inspiring song to end the album with...truly a spine chilling song. Especially when she ends with BIRTH and holds that note...just spellbounding.
