Description
Christmas Portrait is the first Christmas album and ninth studio album by the American popular music duo Carpenters, released on October 13, 1978. The standard CD version of Christmas Portrait, first issued in 1984, is a “Special Edition” compendium of selected tracks from the Carpenters’ two Christmas albums into one 70-minute program, with tracks from each interspersed in the running order; “Ave Maria” was remixed at this time in order to include a choral track that went missing in 1978 and was later found. A CD of the original LP content was briefly issued exclusively in West Germany around the same time. In 1996, a two-CD set titled Christmas Collection was issued internationally, containing Christmas Portrait and An Old-Fashioned Christmas together in their original respective track lists.
Video: The Carpenters – A Christmas Portrait (1978) Complete TV Special
Christmas Portrait
1-1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Arranged By, Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Arranged By, Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
0:28
1-2 Overture:
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5) (4:38)
1-2a Deck The Halls (With Boughs Of Holly)
Written-By – Trad. French Carol*
Written-By – Trad. French Carol*
1-2b I Saw Three Ships
Written-By – Overton*, Trad. Welsh Carol*
Written-By – Overton*, Trad. Welsh Carol*
1-2c Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
1-2d God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Written-By – Trad. English Carol*
Written-By – Trad. English Carol*
1-2e Away In A Manger (Luther’s Cradle Hymn)
Written-By – Anon*, Murray*
Written-By – Anon*, Murray*
1-2f What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
Written-By – Will C. Dix*
Written-By – Will C. Dix*
1-2g Carol Of The Bells
Arranged By, Adapted By – Nick Perito, Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Traditional Ukrainian Carol*
Arranged By, Adapted By – Nick Perito, Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Traditional Ukrainian Carol*
1-2h O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
Written-By – Fred Oakeley*, John Wade*
Written-By – Fred Oakeley*, John Wade*
1-3 The Christmas Waltz
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne*
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne* (2:15)
1-4 Sleigh Ride
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish (2:39)
1-5 It’s Christmas Time / Sleep Well, Little Children
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [It’s Christmas Time] – Al Stillman, Victor Young
Written-By [Sleep Well, Little Children] – Alan Bergman, Leon Klatzkin
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [It’s Christmas Time] – Al Stillman, Victor Young
Written-By [Sleep Well, Little Children] – Alan Bergman, Leon Klatzkin (2:53)
1-6 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane (3:55)
1-7 Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots (1:05)
1-8 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Mel Torme*, Robert Wells (2)
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Mel Torme*, Robert Wells (2) (3:39)
1-9 Silent Night
Arranged By, Adapted By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Originally By] – Franz Gruber
Arranged By, Adapted By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Originally By] – Franz Gruber (3:19)
1-10 Jingle Bells
Arranged By, Adapted By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Originally By] – James Pierpont*
Arranged By, Adapted By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Originally By] – James Pierpont* (1:10)
1-11 The First Snowfall / Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow] – Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne*
Written-By [The First Snowfall] – Joseph F. Burke*, Paul Francis Webster
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By [Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow] – Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne*
Written-By [The First Snowfall] – Joseph F. Burke*, Paul Francis Webster (3:35)
1-12 Carol Of The Bells
Arranged By, Adapted By – Nick Perito, Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Traditional Ukrainian Carol*
Arranged By, Adapted By – Nick Perito, Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Traditional Ukrainian Carol* (1:39)
1-13 Merry Christmas Darling
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Producer – Jack Daugherty
Written-By – Frank Pooler, Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Producer – Jack Daugherty
Written-By – Frank Pooler, Richard Carpenter (3:05)
1-14 I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Arranged By – Billy May
Lyrics By [Words] – Buck Ram, Kim Gannon
Music By – Walter Kent
Arranged By – Billy May
Lyrics By [Words] – Buck Ram, Kim Gannon
Music By – Walter Kent (3:48)
1-15 Christ Is Born
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Dominico Bartolucci*, Ray Charles (2)
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Dominico Bartolucci*, Ray Charles (2) (3:13)
1-16 Winter Wonderland / Silver Bells / White Christmas
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By [Silver Bells] – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans*
Written-By [White Christmas] – Irving Berlin
Written-By [Winter Wonderland] – Dick Smith (3), Felix Bernard
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By [Silver Bells] – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans*
Written-By [White Christmas] – Irving Berlin
Written-By [Winter Wonderland] – Dick Smith (3), Felix Bernard (5:31)
1-17 Ave Maria
Arranged By, Adapted By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Charles Gounod
Written-By [Originally By] – Johann Sebastian Bach (2:35)
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
2-1 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Sears*, Willis*
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Sears*, Willis* (0:43)
Overture:
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5) (8:13)
2-2a Happy Holiday
Written-By – Irving Berlin
Written-By – Irving Berlin
2-2b The First Noel
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Trad. Old English Carol*
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Trad. Old English Carol*
2-2c March Of The Toys
Written-By – Victor Herbert
Written-By – Victor Herbert
2-2d Little Jesus
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
2-2e I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Written-By – Tommie Connor
Written-By – Tommie Connor
2-2f O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Written-By – L.H. Redner*
Written-By – L.H. Redner*
2-2g In Dulce Jubilo
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
2-2h Gesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus)
Written-By – Pietro A. Yon*
Written-By – Pietro A. Yon*
2-2i Angels We Have Heard On High
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Trad. French Carol*
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Trad. French Carol*
2-3 An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – John Bettis, Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – John Bettis, Richard Carpenter (2:14)
2-4 O Holy Night
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Adolphe Adam*
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Adolphe Adam* (3:31)
2-5 (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Lyrics By [Words] – Al Stillman
Music By – Robert Allen (3)
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Lyrics By [Words] – Al Stillman
Music By – Robert Allen (3) (2:13)
Medley:
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
(3:43)
2-6a Here Comes Santa Claus
Written-By – Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
Written-By – Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
2-6b Frosty The Snowman
Written-By – Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson (4)
Written-By – Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson (4)
2-6c Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Written-By – Johnny Marks
Written-By – Johnny Marks
2-6d Good King Wenceslas
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – John Mason Neale
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Written-By – John Mason Neale
2-7 Little Altar Boy
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Howlett Peter Smith*
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Howlett Peter Smith* (3:43)
2-8 Do You Hear What I Hear?
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – G. Shayne*, N. Regney*
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – G. Shayne*, N. Regney* (2:53)
2-9 My Favorite Things
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Rodgers & Hammerstein
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Rodgers & Hammerstein (3:53)
2-10 He Came Here For Me
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Ron Nelson (2)
Arranged By – Billy May
Written-By – Ron Nelson (2) (2:12)
2-11 Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Producer – Jack Daugherty, Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots
Arranged By – Richard Carpenter
Producer – Jack Daugherty, Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots (4:04)
2-12 What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Frank Loesser
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Frank Loesser (2:51)
Selections From “Nutcracker”
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Peter Illych Tchaikovsky*
Adapted By – Richard Carpenter
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Written-By – Peter Illych Tchaikovsky* (6:14)
2-13aOverture Miniature
2-13bDance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
2-13cTrepak
2-13dValse Des Fleurs
2-14 I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Lyrics By – Henry Wadsworth*
Music By – Johnny Marks
Arranged By – Peter Knight (5)
Lyrics By – Henry Wadsworth*
Music By – Johnny Marks (2:21)
Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Universal
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&M Records, Inc.
Copyright © – A&M Records, Inc.
Made By – EDC, Germany – 50968654
Made By – EDC, Germany – 50990457
Published By – Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.
Published By – Frank Music Corp.
Published By – Public Domain
Credits
Art Direction – Chuck Beeson
Artwork [Illustration] – Chuck Beeson
Bass – Joe Osborn (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17)
Conductor [The English Chorale] – Robert Howes (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Conductor [The O.k. Chorale] – Dick Bolks (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Design [Album] – Chuck Beeson, Rebecca Chamlee
Double Bass [Upright] – Peter Morgan*
Drums – Barry Morgan, Cubby O’Brien (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17), Ron Tutt
Electric Bass – Joe Osborn (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Engineer – Dave Iveland* (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17), Eric Tomlinson (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14), Ray Gerhardt, Robert de la Garza (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14), Roger Young
Engineer [Remix] – Armin Steiner (tracks: 1-7, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16), Roger Young (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6, 1-8, 1-9, 1-11, 1-14 to 1-17)
Keyboards – Pete Jolly, Richard Carpenter
Lead Vocals – Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter
Mixed By – John Richards (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14), Roger Young (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Photography By – Harry Langdon
Piano – Richard Carpenter (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Producer – Richard Carpenter
Producer [Associate] – Karen Carpenter
Remastered By – Dave Collins
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Messenger (tracks: 1-1 to 1-7), John Phillips (6) (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14)
Vocals – Karen Carpenter, Richard Carpenter, The English Chorale (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14), The O.K. Chorale (tracks: 2-1 to 2-14), The Tom Bahler Chorale* (tracks: 1-1 to 1-7)
Notes
Tracks 1-1, 1-2a, 1-2b, 1-2d, 1-2e, 1-2f, 1-2g, 1-2h, 1-9, 1-10, 1-12, 1-17, 2-2b, 2-2d, 2-2f, 2-2g, 2-2i, 2-4, 2-6d and 2-13 are listed as being under Public Domain (P.D.).
2-2d: From the Oxford Book Of Carols
2-2g: 14th Century German Melody
Digitally remastered from original source tapes for superior sound quality.
Disc One ℗ 1978 A&M Records, Inc.
Disc Two ℗ 1984 A&M Records, Inc. + ℗ 1974 A&M Records, Inc.
© 1996 A&M Records, Inc. A Universal Music Company
Made in the EU
Standard 2CD jewel case reissue.
