The day after Thanksgiving traditionally begins the Christmas season in our home. The outside lights and indoor decorations go up, and the tree is embellished with ornaments that are reminders of our travels, our family, and our faith. It's all set while listening to the classic Christmas Portrait album by Richard and Karen Carpenter. In many ways, it doesn't feel like the holiday season to me until the Carpenters version of Christmas Waltz begins, "Frosted windowpanes..." Karen's magnificent voice fills the room and floods my heart with warmth. Yet, nothing touches me as deeply as the love Jesus Christ has more me. When I stop and think of how my life would be without him- both on this earth and eternally- gratefulness fills my heart. What freedom, what hope, what peace we who believe have in Jesus Christ! A real reason to celebrate all year long.
Whether your Christmas celebration is secular or sacred or some of both, the Carpenters classic Christmas Portrait should be on your player! Presented in a seamless style, Karen's once-in-a-lifetime voice glides over brother Richard's understated but complex arrangements. Strings, bells, horns. All real stuff. No synthesizers here. It had to be an expensive collection to make- but it shows. This is a masterpiece from anyway you look at it.
Want some romantic Christmas music? It's here. Of course, Merry Christmas Darling with Karen's tender reading is at the top of the list. But the absolutely mood setting Christmas Waltz and playful Sleigh Ride set the right tone.
Needing something to remember the incredible truths of God's love this time of year? The Christmas standard Silent Night is among the best they've ever recorded- reverent in its simple elegance. You may never haver heard Christ is Born as it is a lesser known tune, but it's certain to make you stop and focus on the important things in life. The albums ends with Ave Maria. Karen hits the money notes in the basement here to jaw dropping effect. No one did that better! (And she could do it live in concert as well! I heard it for myself. How I would have loved a full concert of the entire album with a live orchestra!)
The playful side of the holidays comes out as well with a smooth jazz version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town anda very joyful First Snowfall / Let It Snow. If you're looking for those standards from last century, the iconic White Christmas and The Christmas Song give Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, respectively, a run for their money. There's a gut wrenching I'll Be Home for Christmas that will make you cry as you marvel in her perfect interpretation.
Karen and Richard's sincerity and a love for Christmas and Christmas music shines through in this collection. You can hear it in her voice and in Richard's playing on Carol of the Bells. There's not a hint of posturing or just wanting to make a buck. It's a perfect collection. Perhaps even the album they were born to make. More recently, artists have tended to lean toward a more campy take on holiday music, but there's something just so heartwarming about curling up next to the fire while Karen serenades.
