Thanks, Enigma - and O.E. - anytime you want to post your list is fine with me.
There are so darned many to choose from, but I think I've come up with my top 10.
drum roll......
10. Sleigh Ride - this LeRoy Anderson tune is a wonderful Christmas traditional song, and I love the way it's sung, and all of the musical nuances in this tune. It's just a wonderful rendition of the song.
9. Christmas Waltz - "Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside, painted candy canes on the tree..." This is such a great song, and Karen sounds so excited about Christmas, singing this song. I think it's a super song for her to sing, and I just like the entire flow of the tune.
8. Santa Claus is Comin' To Town - leave it to Richard Carpenter to find a way to showcase his sister's basement voice, while at the same time providing us with a timeless standard Christmas song, with a twist. A ballad, of all things. But, what an expressive ballad it became, complete with those gorgeous basement vocals of Karens, and the trumpet work, the sax solo...the whole nine yards. Bravo on a well-done remake of a classic tune.
7. It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well Little Children - The Baroque style of It's Christmas Time captured my imagination the first time I heard it. Wow - this is a unique song and Richard plays it so wonderfully - and of course, there's Karen's vocals. Such a beautiful number - and to couple it with a lovely "lullabye-type" song like Sleep Well. Beautiful, this.
6. First Snowfall/Let It Snow - First Snowfall is a song I hadn't heard before I got this album.....what a fun song it is. It's definitely a "production" number, but one I enjoy time and again - especially coupling it with Let It Snow - again, another standard that literally thousands of individual recording artists have put on their Christmas compilations. In my mind, no one sings it better than Karen Carpenter.
5. Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas - I absolutely love Richard's arrangement of Winter Wonderland - how fun is THAT? Silver Bells is a classic, as is White Christmas. Again, I find I can hear Karen enjoying the season so much when singing this song. I'm glad they included the not-so-often heard intro...."The sun is shining the grass is green....." Too many people leave that out of their rendition of White Chirstmas, and it's such a great little piece. This is a beautifully done medley - Hurrah for Richard's incredible arranging abilities.
4. Merry Christmas Darling - what a wonderful, now standard fare Christmas Song. No one does it like Karen with her golden, deep, smooth, rich voice - just melts you to listen to this one. I think of the gentlemen (and women) who are away from us doing the fighting - "I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve - I wish I were with you..." Don't you know that sentiment is strong for those who have loved ones fighting our various wars. This is a gorgeous song that just says "Christmas" to me in so many wonderful ways.
3. Ave Maria - This song is crazy-difficult to sing, yet Karen does it with ease. I am partial to the cut without all of the extra choir - just the simplicitiy of Karen singing and Richard playing. Chilling song.
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas - "you can count on me" - Again, the delivery of this ballad by Karen is awesome. Her handsome, low, velvety voice just melts me every time I hear her sing this wonderful song. "I'll be home for Christmas, IF ONLY in my dreams..."
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Karen Carpenter sings this number better than anyone I've ever heard before or since. She has a quality about her voice and an attitude behind the voice that makes it come alive, and I believe it's just a gift we get to listen to time and again.
"...Through the years, we all will be together IF the fates allow. Hang the shining star upon the highest bough...and, have yourself a merry little Christmas, now....."
Tim
