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| length = 49:08
| length = 49:08
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| producer = [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]]/Associate Producer – [[Karen Carpenter]]
| producer = [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]], [[Karen Carpenter]] (associate)
| prev_title = [[Passage (The Carpenters album)|Passage]]
| prev_title = [[Passage (The Carpenters album)|Passage]]
| prev_year = 1977
| prev_year = 1977
| next_title = [[Made in America (The Carpenters album)|Made in America]]
| next_title = [[Made in America (The Carpenters album)|Made in America]]
| next_year = 1981
| next_year = 1981
| misc =
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-portrait-mw0000189312 AllMusic review]</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-portrait-mw0000189312 AllMusic review]</ref>
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|rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite book| last = Brackett | first = Nathan |author2=Christian Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2004 | location = New York City | page = 140 | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&q=rolling+stone+carpenters+album+guide&pg=PA140}}</ref>
|rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite book| last = Brackett | first = Nathan |author2=Christian Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2004 | location = New York City | page = 140 | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&q=rolling+stone+carpenters+album+guide&pg=PA140}}</ref>
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'''''Christmas Portrait''''' is the first [[Christmas music|Christmas album]] and ninth studio album by the American popular music duo [[The Carpenters]], released on October 13, 1978.
'''''Christmas Portrait''''' is the first [[Christmas music|Christmas album]] and ninth studio album by the American music duo [[The Carpenters|Carpenters]], released on October 13, 1978.


{{TOC limit|2}}
{{TOC limit|2}}


==Background==
==Background==
The album includes a revised version of the duo's signature Christmas song, "[[Merry Christmas Darling]]", featuring re-recorded vocals by Karen Carpenter (done at her request).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garrett |first1=Thad |title=The American Christmas Songbook: "Merry Christmas, Darling" (1970) |url=https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9949/ |website=Lib.cua.edu |publisher=The Catholic University of America |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191216182722/https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9949/ |archive-date=16 December 2019 |location=620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064 |language=en |date=19 December 2017 |quote="In 1978, at Karen’s request, the vocals were re-recorded for the release of Christmas Portrait, their first Christmas album."}}</ref> It also includes one of two versions of "[[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town]]" (a short, up-tempo version). A slower version, recorded in 1974, as well as other unused songs recorded during this album's sessions, were issued on the Carpenters' later Christmas album, ''[[An Old-Fashioned Christmas]]''.
The album includes a revised version of the duo's signature Christmas song, "[[Merry Christmas Darling]]", featuring re-recorded vocals by Karen Carpenter (done at her request).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garrett |first1=Thad |title=The American Christmas Songbook: "Merry Christmas, Darling" (1970) |url=https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9949/ |website=Lib.cua.edu |publisher=The Catholic University of America |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191216182722/https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9949/ |archive-date=16 December 2019 |location=620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064 |language=en |date=19 December 2017 |quote="In 1978, at Karen’s request, the vocals were re-recorded for the release of Christmas Portrait, their first Christmas album."}}</ref> It also includes one of two versions of "[[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town]]".
A slower version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", recorded in 1974, as well as other unused songs recorded during this album's sessions, were issued on the Carpenters' 1984 Christmas album, ''[[An Old-Fashioned Christmas]]''.


===Album artwork===
===Album artwork===
The original album cover by Robert Tanenbaum is modeled on [[Norman Rockwell]]'s 1960 painting, "Triple Self-Portrait", done as a cover for ''[[The Saturday Evening Post]]''.
The original album cover by Robert Tanenbaum is modeled on [[Norman Rockwell]]'s 1960 painting "[[Triple Self-Portrait]]", done as a cover for ''[[The Saturday Evening Post]]''.


===CD reissues===
===Reissues===
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.)
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 (Schubert)|"Ave Maria"]] was remixed at this time in order to include a choral track that vanished 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, containing ''Christmas Portrait'' and ''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'' together in their original respective track lists.

⚫
In 1996, a two-CD set titled ''Christmas Collection'' was issued internationally, containing ''Christmas Portrait'' and ''An Old-Fashioned Christmas'' together with their original respective track listings.


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
On April 16, 1998, ''Christmas Portrait'' was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] for shipment of one million copies in the United States since its 1978 release.<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Christmas_Portrait&artist=Carpenters&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&awardDescription=Multi_Platinum&catalogNo=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1978&endYear=1999&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=RIAA Searchable Database |work=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=2014-12-02}}</ref>
On April 16, 1998, ''Christmas Portrait'' was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] for shipment of one million copies in the United States since its 1978 release.<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Christmas_Portrait&artist=Carpenters&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&awardDescription=Multi_Platinum&catalogNo=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1978&endYear=1999&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=RIAA Searchable Database|work=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=2014-12-02}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

⚫
In December 2011, ''Christmas Portrait: Special Edition'' re-entered the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album sales chart at No. 150 and eventually achieved a new chart peak position of No. 126. In December 2012 and then, in December 2013, the album again re-entered the ''Billboard'' 200 album sales chart and attained a new chart peak position of No. 114. In January 2019, it reached a new peak position of No. 67 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/carpenters/chart-history/tlp/|title=Carpenters Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The original ''Christmas Portrait'' has not been available on its own in the US since the late-90's, when the cassette version was discontinued, so the chart action in the 2010s is for the 1984 compilation. In January 2020, it reached another new peak position of No. 56 on the ''Billboard'' 200.

⚫
By the end of November 2014, ''Christmas Portrait: Special Edition'' was the twenty-third [[List of best-selling Christmas/holiday albums in the United States|best-selling Christmas/holiday album in the U.S.]] during the [[Nielsen SoundScan|SoundScan]] era of music sales tracking (March 1991 to present), having sold 1,950,000 copies according to SoundScan.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6334706/holidays-biggest-radio-and-album-hits |title=The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Biggest Radio and Album Hits of the Holidays|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=2014-12-01|access-date=2014-12-02}}</ref>

==Reception==


In their review, ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' called it "an appealing easy listening album which should be an attractive holiday package for Carpenters fans. Supported by elegant orchestral arrangements and the Tom Bahler Chorale, Karen and Richard sing their way through such Christmas favorites as "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "Sleigh Ride' and "Silver Bells."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-12-09.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|title=Album Reviews|issue=9 December 1978 |page=20 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>
⚫
In December 2011, ''Christmas Portrait: Special Edition'' (Note: the original ''Christmas Portrait'' has not been available on its own in the US since the late-90's when the cassette version was discontinued, so the chart action in the 2010s is from the 1984 compilation) re-entered the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album sales chart at No. 150 and eventually achieved a new chart peak position of No. 126. In December 2012 and then in December 2013, the album again re-entered the ''Billboard'' 200 album sales chart and attained a new chart peak position of No. 114. In January 2019, it reached a new peak position of No. 67 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/carpenters/chart-history/tlp/|title=Carpenters Chart History: Billboard 200|work=Billboard|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> In January 2020, it reached another new peak position of No. 56 on the ''Billboard'' 200.


''[[AllMusic]]'' noted that the duo "did it in superb style here, illuminated throughout by the delightful, complex, often playful arrangements...Actually, for a change on a Carpenters album, Richard is the dominant personality on display across this record, as both co-arranger and producer, as well as the mastermind behind the project; Karen Carpenter's voice is also prominent, to be sure... but it's Richard who comes to the fore everywhere here, in ways that are impossible to ignore. There's not a slack moment on this album."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-portrait-mw0000189312 | title=Christmas Portrait - Carpenters &#124; Album &#124; AllMusic | website=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
⚫
By the end of November 2014, ''Christmas Portrait'' was the twenty-third [[List of best-selling Christmas/holiday albums in the United States|best-selling Christmas/holiday album in the U.S.]] during the [[Nielsen SoundScan|SoundScan]] era of music sales tracking (March 1991{{snd}}present), having sold 1,950,000 copies according to SoundScan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6334706/holidays-biggest-radio-and-album-hits |title=The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Biggest Radio and Album Hits of the Holidays|work=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=2014-12-01|access-date=2014-12-02}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| title1 = [[O Come, O Come, Emmanuel|O Come, O Come Emmanuel]]
| title1 = [[O come, O come, Emmanuel|O Come, O Come, Emmanuel]]
| note1 = lead vocals: [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]]
| note1 = lead vocals: [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer1 = {{hlist|Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length1 = 0:28
| length1 = 0:28


| title2 = Overture: [[Deck the Halls|Deck the Halls (With Boughs of Holly)]] / [[I Saw Three Ships]] / [[Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas]] / [[God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen|God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen]] / [[Away in a Manger|Away in a Manger (Luther's Cradle Hymn)]] / [[What Child Is This?|What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)]] / [[Carol of the Bells]] / [[O Come, All Ye Faithful|O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)]]
| title2 = [[Deck the Halls|Deck the Halls (With Boughs of Holly)]]"/"[[I Saw Three Ships]]"/"[[Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas]]"/"[[God rest you merry, gentlemen|God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen]]"/"[[Away in a Manger|Away in a Manger (Luther's Cradle Hymn)]]"/"[[What Child Is This?|What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)]]"/"[[Carol of the Bells]]"/"[[Adeste Fideles|O Come All Ye Faithful]]
| note2 = instrumental
| note2 = overture
| writer2 = {{hlist|Traditional / Traditional|David Overton / [[Ralph Blane]]|[[Hugh Martin]] / Traditional / Traditional|James R. Murray / [[William Chatterton Dix]] / [[Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych]]|[[Peter Wilhousky]]|Nick Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Peter Knight{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[John Francis Wade]]|[[Frederick Oakeley]]}}
| writer2 = {{hlist|Traditional / Traditional|David Overton / [[Ralph Blane]]|[[Hugh Martin]] / Traditional / Traditional|James R. Murray / [[William Chatterton Dix]] / [[Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych]]|[[Peter Wilhousky]]|Nick Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Peter Knight{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[John Francis Wade]]|[[Frederick Oakeley]]}}
| length2 = 4:38
| length2 = 4:38


| title3 = [[The Christmas Waltz]]
| title3 = [[The Christmas Waltz|Christmas Waltz]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|[[Sammy Cahn]]|[[Jule Styne]]}}
| writer3 = {{hlist|[[Sammy Cahn]]|[[Jule Styne]]}}
| length3 = 2:15
| length3 = 2:15
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| length4 = 2:39
| length4 = 2:39


| title5 = It's Christmas Time / Sleep Well, Little Children
| title5 = It's Christmas Time"/"Sleep Well, Little Children
| writer5 = {{hlist|[[Al Stillman]]|[[Victor Young]] / [[Alan Bergman]]|Leon Klatzkin}}
| writer5 = {{hlist|[[Al Stillman]]|[[Victor Young]] / [[Alan Bergman]]|Leon Klatzkin}}
| length5 = 2:53
| length5 = 2:53
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| length6 = 3:55
| length6 = 3:55


| title7 = [[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town|Santa Claus Is Coming to Town]]
| title7 = [[Santa Claus Is Coming to Town|Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|[[John Frederick Coots]]|[[Haven Gillespie]]}}
| writer7 = {{hlist|[[John Frederick Coots]]|[[Haven Gillespie]]}}
| length7 = 1:05
| length7 = 1:05
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| length10 = 1:10
| length10 = 1:10


| title11 = The First Snowfall / [[Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!]]
| title11 = First Snowfall"/"[[Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!]]
| writer11 = {{hlist|[[Sonny Burke]]|[[Paul Francis Webster]] / Cahn|Styne}}
| writer11 = {{hlist|[[Sonny Burke]]|[[Paul Francis Webster]] / Cahn|Styne}}
| length11 = 3:35
| length11 = 3:35


| title12 = [[Carol of the Bells]]
| title12 = [[Carol of the Bells]]
| note12 = instrumental
| writer12 = {{hlist|Leontovych|Wilhousky|Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer12 = {{hlist|Leontovych|Wilhousky|Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length12 = 1:39
| length12 = 1:39
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| length15 = 3:13
| length15 = 3:13


| title16 = [[Winter Wonderland]] / [[Silver Bells]] / [[White Christmas (song)|White Christmas]]
| title16 = [[Winter Wonderland]]"/"[[Silver Bells]]"/"[[White Christmas (song)|White Christmas]]
| writer16 = {{hlist|[[Felix Bernard]]|[[Richard Bernhard Smith|Richard B. Smith]] / [[Jay Livingston]]|[[Ray Evans]] / [[Irving Berlin]]}}
| writer16 = {{hlist|[[Felix Bernard]]|[[Richard Bernhard Smith|Richard B. Smith]] / [[Jay Livingston]]|[[Ray Evans]] / [[Irving Berlin]]}}
| length16 = 5:31
| length16 = 5:31
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| length17 = 2:35
| length17 = 2:35
}}
}}



{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = 1984 CD edition
| headline = 1984 Special Edition CD
| title1 = [[It Came Upon the Midnight Clear|It Came Upon a Midnight Clear]]
| title1 = [[It Came Upon a Midnight Clear]]
| note1 = lead vocals: R. Carpenter
| note1 = lead vocals: R. Carpenter
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Edmund Sears]]|[[Richard Storrs Willis]]}}
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Edmund Sears]]|[[Richard Storrs Willis]]}}
| length1 = 0:40
| length1 = 0:41


| title2 = Overture: [[Happy Holiday (song)|Happy Holiday]] / [[The First Noel]] / March of the Toys / Little Jesus / [[I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus]] / [[O Little Town of Bethlehem]] / [[In dulci jubilo|In Dulce Jubilo]] / [[Gesù bambino|Gesu Bambino]] / [[Angels We Have Heard on High]]
| title2 = [[Happy Holiday (song)|Happy Holiday]]"/"[[The First Noel]]"/"March of the Toys"/"Little Jesus"/"[[I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus]]"/"[[O Little Town of Bethlehem]]"/"[[In dulci jubilo|In Dulce Jubilo]]"/"[[Gesù bambino|Gesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus)]]"/"[[Angels We Have Heard on High]]
| note2 = overture
| writer2 = {{hlist|Berlin / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Victor Herbert]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Tommie Connor]] / [[Phillips Brooks]]|[[Lewis Redner]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Pietro Yon]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer2 = {{hlist|Berlin / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Victor Herbert]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Tommie Connor]] / [[Phillips Brooks]]|[[Lewis Redner]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}} / [[Pietro Yon]] / Traditional|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length2 = 8:14
| length2 = 8:16


| title3 = An Old-Fashioned Christmas
| title3 = An Old-Fashioned Christmas
| writer3 = {{hlist|R.Carpenter|[[John Bettis]]}}
| writer3 = {{hlist|R.Carpenter|[[John Bettis]]}}
| length3 = 2:12
| length3 = 2:11


| title4 = Christmas Waltz
| title4 = The Christmas Waltz
| writer4 = {{hlist|Cahn|Styne}}
| writer4 = {{hlist|Cahn|Styne}}
| length4 = 2:12
| length4 = 2:11


| title5 = Sleigh Ride
| title5 = Sleigh Ride
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| length5 = 2:39
| length5 = 2:39


| title6 = It's Christmas Time
| title6 = It's Christmas Time"/"Sleep Well, Little Children
| writer6 = {{hlist|Stillman|Young / Bergman|Klatzkin}}
| writer6 = {{hlist|Stillman|Young / Bergman|Klatzkin}}
| length6 = 2:52
| length6 = 2:53


| title7 = Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
| title7 = Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
| writer7 = {{hlist|Blane|Martin}}
| writer7 = {{hlist|Blane|Martin}}
| length7 = 3:53
| length7 = 3:54


| title8 = Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
| title8 = Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
| writer8 = {{hlist|Coots|Gillespie}}
| writer8 = {{hlist|Coots|Gillespie}}
| length8 = 1:05
| length8 = 1:05


| title9 = Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
| title9 = The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
| writer9 = {{hlist|Tormé|Wells}}
| writer9 = {{hlist|Tormé|Wells}}
| length9 = 3:38
| length9 = 3:39


| title10 = Carol of the Bells
| title10 = Carol of the Bells
| note10 = instrumental
| writer10 = {{hlist|Leontovych|Wilhousky|Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer10 = {{hlist|Leontovych|Wilhousky|Perito{{ref|a|[a]}}|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length10 = 1:38
| length10 = 1:39


| title11 = Merry Christmas Darling
| title11 = Merry Christmas Darling
| writer11 = {{hlist|Pooler|R. Carpenter}}
| writer11 = {{hlist|Pooler|R. Carpenter}}
| length11 = 3:04
| length11 = 3:07


| title12 = Christ Is Born
| title12 = Christ Is Born
| writer12 = {{hlist|Charles|Bartolucci}}
| writer12 = {{hlist|Charles|Bartolucci}}
| length12 = 3:12
| length12 = 3:13


| title13 = [[O Holy Night]]
| title13 = [[O Holy Night]]
| note13 = instrumental
| writer13 = {{hlist|[[Adolphe Adam]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer13 = {{hlist|[[Adolphe Adam]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length13 = 3:09
| length13 = 3:10


| title14 = [[Home for the Holidays (song)|Home for the Holidays]]
| title14 = [[Home for the Holidays (song)|(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays]]
| writer14 = {{hlist|Stillman|[[Robert Allen (song composer)|Robert Allen]]}}
| writer14 = {{hlist|Stillman|[[Robert Allen (song composer)|Robert Allen]]}}
| length14 = 2:35
| length14 = 2:36


| title15 = Medley: [[Here Comes Santa Claus]] / [[Frosty the Snowman]] / [[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]] / [[Good King Wenceslas]]
| title15 = [[Here Comes Santa Claus]]"/"[[Frosty the Snowman]]"/"[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]"/"[[Good King Wenceslas]]
| note15 = instrumental
| note15 = medley
| writer15 = {{hlist|[[Gene Autry]]|[[Oakley Haldeman]] / [[Steve Nelson (songwriter)|Steve Nelson]]|[[Walter E. Rollins|Jack Rollins]] / [[Johnny Marks]] / [[John Mason Neale]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer15 = {{hlist|[[Gene Autry]]|[[Oakley Haldeman]] / [[Steve Nelson (songwriter)|Steve Nelson]]|[[Walter E. Rollins|Jack Rollins]] / [[Johnny Marks]] / [[John Mason Neale]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length15 = 3:41
| length15 = 3:42


| title16 = Winter Wonderland / Silver Bells / White Christmas
| title16 = Winter Wonderland"/"Silver Bells"/"White Christmas
| writer16 = {{hlist|Bernard|Smith / Livingston|Evans / Berlin}}
| writer16 = {{hlist|Bernard|Smith / Livingston|Evans / Berlin}}
| length16 = 5:17
| length16 = 5:28


| title17 = Ave Maria
| title17 = Ave Maria
| writer17 = {{hlist|Bach|Gounod|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer17 = {{hlist|Bach|Gounod|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length17 = 2:33
| length17 = 2:34


| title18 = Selections from ''[[The Nutcracker|Nutcracker]]'': Overture Miniature / Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies / Valse des fleurs
| title18 = Overture Miniature"/"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"/"Valse des fleurs
| note18 = selections from ''[[The Nutcracker|Nutcracker]]''
| note18 = instrumental
| writer18 = {{hlist|[[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer18 = {{hlist|[[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]|R. Carpenter{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length18 = 5:25
| length18 = 5:27


| title19 = [[Little Altar Boy]]
| title19 = [[Little Altar Boy]]
| writer19 = Howlett Peter Smith
| writer19 = Howlett Peter Smith
| length19 = 3:41
| length19 = 3:43


| title20 = I'll Be Home for Christmas
| title20 = I'll Be Home for Christmas
| writer20 = {{hlist|Gannon|Kent|Ram}}
| writer20 = {{hlist|Gannon|Kent|Ram}}
| length20 = 3:48
| length20 = 3:49


| title21 = Silent Night
| title21 = Silent Night
| writer21 = {{hlist|Gruber|Mohr|Young|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| writer21 = {{hlist|Gruber|Mohr|Young|Knight{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length21 = 3:19
| length21 = 3:20
}}
}}


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==Charts==
==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''Christmas Portrait''
⚫
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Chart (1978–2023)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|56|artist=Carpenters|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 29, 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|74|artist=Carpenters|rowheader=true|access-date=January 4, 2023}}
⚫
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|56|artist=Carpenters|rowheader=true|access-date=February 29, 2020}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Billboard Christmas Holiday charts|US Top Holiday Albums]]<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/carpenters/chart-history/xml/ | title=Carpenters &#124; Biography, Music & News | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref>
|5
|-
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cash Box]]'' Top 200 Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-01-13.pdf|title=Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|date=January 13, 1979|page=33|access-date=30 November 2024}}</ref>
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[[Category:Christmas albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Christmas albums by American artists]]
[[Category:The Carpenters albums]]
[[Category:The Carpenters albums]]
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[[Category:A&M Records albums]]
[[Category:Pop Christmas albums]]
[[Category:Pop Christmas albums]]
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[[Category:A&M Records Christmas albums]]

Latest revision as of 05:44, 30 November 2024

Christmas Portrait
Studio album by
Carpenters
ReleasedOctober 13, 1978
Recorded1977–1978
GenreChristmas
Length49:08
LabelA&M
ProducerRichard Carpenter, Karen Carpenter (associate)
Carpenters chronology
Passage
(1977) 		Christmas Portrait
(1978) 		Made in America
(1981)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]

Christmas Portrait is the first Christmas album and ninth studio album by the American music duo Carpenters, released on October 13, 1978.

Background

[edit]

The album includes a revised version of the duo's signature Christmas song, "Merry Christmas Darling", featuring re-recorded vocals by Karen Carpenter (done at her request).[3] It also includes one of two versions of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".

A slower version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", recorded in 1974, as well as other unused songs recorded during this album's sessions, were issued on the Carpenters' 1984 Christmas album, An Old-Fashioned Christmas.

Album artwork

[edit]

The original album cover by Robert Tanenbaum is modeled on Norman Rockwell's 1960 painting "Triple Self-Portrait", done as a cover for The Saturday Evening Post.

Reissues

[edit]

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 vanished 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 with their original respective track listings.

Commercial performance

[edit]

On April 16, 1998, Christmas Portrait was certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipment of one million copies in the United States since its 1978 release.[4]

In December 2011, Christmas Portrait: Special Edition re-entered the Billboard 200 album sales chart at No. 150 and eventually achieved a new chart peak position of No. 126. In December 2012 and then, in December 2013, the album again re-entered the Billboard 200 album sales chart and attained a new chart peak position of No. 114. In January 2019, it reached a new peak position of No. 67 on the Billboard 200.[5] The original Christmas Portrait has not been available on its own in the US since the late-90's, when the cassette version was discontinued, so the chart action in the 2010s is for the 1984 compilation. In January 2020, it reached another new peak position of No. 56 on the Billboard 200.

By the end of November 2014, Christmas Portrait: Special Edition was the twenty-third best-selling Christmas/holiday album in the U.S. during the SoundScan era of music sales tracking (March 1991 to present), having sold 1,950,000 copies according to SoundScan.[6]

Reception

[edit]

In their review, Cashbox called it "an appealing easy listening album which should be an attractive holiday package for Carpenters fans. Supported by elegant orchestral arrangements and the Tom Bahler Chorale, Karen and Richard sing their way through such Christmas favorites as "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "Sleigh Ride' and "Silver Bells."[7]

AllMusic noted that the duo "did it in superb style here, illuminated throughout by the delightful, complex, often playful arrangements...Actually, for a change on a Carpenters album, Richard is the dominant personality on display across this record, as both co-arranger and producer, as well as the mastermind behind the project; Karen Carpenter's voice is also prominent, to be sure... but it's Richard who comes to the fore everywhere here, in ways that are impossible to ignore. There's not a slack moment on this album."[8]

Track listing

[edit]

All lead vocals by Karen Carpenter, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (lead vocals: Richard Carpenter)
  • Traditional
  • R. Carpenter[a]
0:28
2."Deck the Halls (With Boughs of Holly)"/"I Saw Three Ships"/"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"/"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"/"Away in a Manger (Luther's Cradle Hymn)"/"What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)"/"Carol of the Bells"/"O Come All Ye Faithful" (overture)
4:38
3."Christmas Waltz"
2:15
4."Sleigh Ride"
2:39
5."It's Christmas Time"/"Sleep Well, Little Children"
2:53
6."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
  • Blane
  • Martin
3:55
7."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
1:05
8."Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"
3:39
9."Silent Night"
3:19
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Jingle Bells"
1:10
11."First Snowfall"/"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
3:35
12."Carol of the Bells"
  • Leontovych
  • Wilhousky
  • Perito[a]
  • Knight[a]
1:39
13."Merry Christmas Darling"
3:05
14."I'll Be Home for Christmas"
3:48
15."Christ Is Born"
3:13
16."Winter Wonderland"/"Silver Bells"/"White Christmas"
5:31
17."Ave Maria"
2:35
1984 Special Edition CD
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" (lead vocals: R. Carpenter)
0:41
2."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 (The Infant Jesus)"/"Angels We Have Heard on High" (overture)
8:16
3."An Old-Fashioned Christmas"
2:11
4."The Christmas Waltz"
  • Cahn
  • Styne
2:11
5."Sleigh Ride"
  • Anderson
  • Parish
2:39
6."It's Christmas Time"/"Sleep Well, Little Children"
  • Stillman
  • Young / Bergman
  • Klatzkin
2:53
7."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
  • Blane
  • Martin
3:54
8."Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
1:05
9."The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"
  • Tormé
  • Wells
3:39
10."Carol of the Bells"
  • Leontovych
  • Wilhousky
  • Perito[a]
  • Knight[a]
1:39
11."Merry Christmas Darling"
  • Pooler
  • R. Carpenter
3:07
12."Christ Is Born"
  • Charles
  • Bartolucci
3:13
13."O Holy Night"
3:10
14."(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays"
2:36
15."Here Comes Santa Claus"/"Frosty the Snowman"/"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"/"Good King Wenceslas" (medley)
3:42
16."Winter Wonderland"/"Silver Bells"/"White Christmas"
  • Bernard
  • Smith / Livingston
  • Evans / Berlin
5:28
17."Ave Maria"
  • Bach
  • Gounod
  • Knight[a]
2:34
18."Overture Miniature"/"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"/"Valse des fleurs" (selections from Nutcracker)
5:27
19."Little Altar Boy"Howlett Peter Smith3:43
20."I'll Be Home for Christmas"
  • Gannon
  • Kent
  • Ram
3:49
21."Silent Night"
  • Gruber
  • Mohr
  • Young
  • Knight[a]
3:20

Notes

  • ^a signifies adapted by

Singles

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"Merry Christmas Darling"

[edit]
  • US 7" single (1970) – A&M 1236
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "Mr. Guder"
  • UK 7" single (1971) – AME601
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "Ticket to Ride"
  3. "Saturday"
  • UK 7" single (1990) – AM716
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
  • UK 7" single (1990) – AMS716
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
  • UK 12" single (1990) – AMY716
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "You're the One"
  3. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
  • UK CD single (1990) – AMCD716
  1. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  2. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
  3. "You're the One"

"Christmas Song"

[edit]
  • US 7" single (1977) – A&M 1991
  1. "Christmas Song"
  2. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  • JP 7" single (1977) – CM-2083
  1. "Christmas Song"
  2. "Merry Christmas Darling"
  • JP CD single (1996) – PODM-1059
  1. "Christmas Song"
  2. "Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas"

"Silent Night"

[edit]
  • JP 7" single (1978) – AMP 1012
  1. "Silent Night"
  2. "Jingle Bells"
  3. "Ave Maria"

"Ave Maria"

[edit]
  • JP CD single (1996) – PODM-1065
  1. "Ave Maria"
  2. "Merry Christmas Darling"

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Christmas Portrait
Chart (1978–2023) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[9] 74
US Billboard 200[10] 56
US Top Holiday Albums[11] 5
US Cash Box Top 200 Albums[12] 135

References

[edit]
  1. ^ AllMusic review
  2. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City: Simon and Schuster. p. 140. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  3. ^ Garrett, Thad (19 December 2017). "The American Christmas Songbook: "Merry Christmas, Darling" (1970)". Lib.cua.edu. 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064: The Catholic University of America. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019. In 1978, at Karen's request, the vocals were re-recorded for the release of Christmas Portrait, their first Christmas album.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ "RIAA Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2014-12-02.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Carpenters Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Biggest Radio and Album Hits of the Holidays". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2014-12-02.
  7. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 9 December 1978. p. 20. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Christmas Portrait - Carpenters | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  9. ^ "Carpenters Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Carpenters Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "Carpenters | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. January 13, 1979. p. 33. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
[edit]
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