The Christmas Song (Karen Carpenter Interview)

[No1KCfan6]

i sometimes think of karen's voice as the female counterpart to nat king cole's. both were deep, rich, and buttery smooth.

[coronet72]

Singing Perfection

[MrSonny119]

I can't believe it's been over 27 years since she passed away, and it still feels like it was yesterday. If I could have given my life to save hers, I would have. Just like my Mother, who passed away in 1992. I can't describe the joy Karen gave me, as a teenager, in the early 1970's. Karen Carpenter's songs, gave me joy and memories, that will live forever, and thus, so will she. This Christmas song is a classic, just like Karen.

We, her fans, all love and miss her.!!

Rest in Peace Karen.

[ahfaxthis]

Every Christmas time I always remember Karen because of that Holiday Song she sang....I miss her alot. I never got to know her but when I was young, i heard her voice and well as an adult, that voice stayed with me. it's a voice of peace and calm. I love it ! My friends all think i'm crazy but I'm not, i just love her voice and her music. Happy Holidays to the Carpenter Family and thanks to Richard for giving us your sister's voice in so many ways. She's not really gone, never will be,

[earcandy2008]

...Karen was 27 when she recorded this.

Did she have any idea that we would be listening to and commenting on her vocal prowess so many, many years later? God bless you Karen. You have made my Holidays so much better, year after year.

[georgebur]

Karen ended up doing a lot of the promotion as I recall. Richard was unwell and did not do as much as usual on this album. Peter Knight very prominent with orchestrations as we hear right here

[iiAngelic]

;( LOOOOOVE HER VOICE

[Guardian223]

My personal feeling is that the best versions of this song are 1 Johnny Mathis with Percy Faith, 2 Carpenters. Nat King Cole's version is very good but definitely not the best.

[Coowallsky]

@Guardian223 I'll take Nat's over Johnny's.

[MitziAA]

I have this in the original album, cassette, and CD! My favorite Christmas album! It wouldn't be Christmas without Karen and Richard. 

Love it..........

[damone77]

Heavenly! Ty for the post!

Music by Torme

Lyrics by Bob Wells

[samakidis]

Karen Carpenter belongs to the whole wide world people and at the same time to each singular person separately.

[hmmmocha]

Luv this !!!

[wilhub]

no one does xmas songs like karen

[MrJonk1969]

A lot of people have very strong feelings about Karen's voice, including me, but let's not get defensive just because someone simply states that another artist has a nice version of a song, too. Yeesh.

Karen happens to be my favorite vocalist, but there are some songs, including this one, that I like better by the original artist.

[henry12397]

I agree with Mr.Jonk1969 that Nat King Coles version might have been the best....Karen's though is a close 2nd though......kind of partial since I am from Downey.....

[mu6938]

Thanks for posting, vedio or more picture would be better with the song, insted of the still picture

[Roncea0404]

melodii de la desene animate :)))

[Hopwood12]

merry christmas all and a happy new year

stay safe <3

[Runaholism]

you 2 ;)

[SuperSierra21]

i like her voice.I like xmas songs too. so putting then together was so nice.

[tommyjude6666]

I just love the fact of hear her being interviewed.

Shes my favorite of ALL time.

[earcandy2008]

..."Christmas Portrait" moved up on Billboard Top 200 this week, 31 years after it's original release!

[leddhed]

The standard by which all other Christmas music is measured.

[rlcope45]

Karen and Richard have made a great contribution to humankind. Karen's voice is one of the greatest voices ever. I loved their songs from the beginning(we are about the same age),and I am a black guy

[vonique2]

What does your being black have to do with anything? I don't get it.

[rlcope45]

Vonique2,  I was just trying to make a joke.I think you make the point that great music is simply great music when you ask ," What does being black have to do with anything?" Of course, the answer is- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Robert

[foutsfouts]

The voice of an angel.....

[56Packman]

Too bad Frank Sinatra never recorded this song with a Billy May arrangement (Billy arranged this for the Carpenters) such a version would stand tall with the above mentiond singers.

[Alan62651]

I can listen to Karen sing this 12 months straight. She complements Nat Cole and Mel Torme wonderfully.

[Arwensgal]

Me too - just love her to bits!!!

[adenet77]

karen, ahora estás más delgada?

[THEHOOBIE777]

i am glad i am not the only one that listens to xmas music very early.

[Cicilo1983]

"Christmas Portrait" is hands down the best Christmas album ever. I will cherish it forever. My own children know it by heart and love every minute of it. The legacy of the Carpenters will live on, and this album is only one of the many reasons why.

[cheapcape]

RIP Karen, we miss you..

[beeb1421]

i love the clarity and warmth of her voice.

As a kid i had scarlet fever and spent many hours alone with karens voice and richard's incredible arrangements.

In those 4 days i became a carpenters fan for life.

[Dingalingring]

@ beeb1421- That's so touching and poignant. :-/

[fabroronalyn]

i must have to buy the christmas cd.i cant help myself adoring this girl's voice.she has this charm.i miss her,how sad she died so young-

[catndryer]

There are three truly great versions of this song...........Nat King Cole, Perry Como, and the Carpenters.

[cheapcape]

I agree there.

[Alan62651]

I think Mel Torme belongs in that group, too, especially since he wrote it.

[catndryer]

Mel's writing was great but his performance of the song wasn't all that great.....Johnny Mercer could sing too.....but his are not the best performances of this songs.

[Alan62651]

Which performance? Mel probably sang that song at thousands of shows. I saw him in his 70's with George Shearing, and he could sing rings around most other jazz singers.

[catndryer]

It's nice that you liked Mel......but he was about 100 million in record sales behind the others mentioned.....so you don't have as much company as you would like.

[Alan62651]

If "sales" are the judge, McDonald's must have the best food in the world. I'm not knocking Nat Cole, because I love his music, but Mel Torme was one of the best jazz singers ever. His music was often just too complex for the dumbed-down masses.

[catndryer]

Yes Alan....Mel was good. We are all glad you like him so much. If not for you and the other 30 Mel lovers, we wouldn't know he existed. Thanks for saving his memory for the masses.

[Alan62651]

Notice how you completely avoided the subject. I guess this discussion is more about your ego, than about jazz singers.

[catndryer]

The subject was the "appreciation of Mel Torme".  I dealt with his insignificant role.....kindly.

[Alan62651]

Actually, the subject was "good singers," and you steered it to "Billions Sold," the McDonald's measure of "quality." Enjoy your "pop" jazz, while the rest of us listen to the best, no matter where they appear on "Billboard."

[catndryer]

Alan....I can just see you there at the home.....with Mel's greatest hits on the cheesey boombox....a cup of soup.....a large squeeze bottle of Jergins.....pleasuring yourself to an 8x10 glossy of Mel in a teddy. You old dog you....:)

[Alan62651]

Gee, you expect everyone to kowtow to your opinion, or you insult them sexually. What are you, 10 years old?Barney is waiting on your TIVO. He sells lots of albums, too.

[catndryer]

Only the very few can really understand and appreciate me. You'll have problems.

[catndryer]

We all liked the tv show Night Court too....:)

[oranger2525]

Doris Day has a nice version too.

[vegas787]

Karen's version is better!

[oranger2525]

calm down. i just said the Doris Day has a nice version too.

happy holidays.

[hotjoejoe3]

The above coment was very funny !

[ROCKINDJ007]

Great song and she sings it so great,she is sadly missed.

[Bridefra46]

Also at our house the Christmas CD is standard repertoire every year! All time classics! Karen Carpenter has always been one of my favourite singers, I love her voice!!

[Gr82bLDS]

her voice is like an instrument in itself!

its so clear, just so beautiful.

We miss you Karen

I listen to your Christmas CD every year!

Thank you for your Gift.

[stdelgado]

I remember the year this song came out. It was 1978 I was a new bride, had just had my first son and I was 19 years old. I have just turned 50 and am a mother of 3 and 4 grandchildren. We had taken my son to have his picture taken with Santa at the Stone Wood Shoping Center in Downey California (Now Stone Wood Mall) the home of the Carpenters. We lived in South Gate at the time. We are still married!

[BestKacFan]

What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing! And congratulations! Happy Holidays!

[BestKacFan]

Thanks for the great memory. Congratulations!

[SEFYH]

@stdelgado That was a very sweet story. Thanks for sharing!

[texcaldel]

@stdelgado Merry Christmas BABY thanks on this 32nd CHRISTMAS we are together. Thanks for all you've done for our family.

[KeyportNJguy78]

awesome Christmas Song the Carpenters are amazing Karen is truely missed she has an amazing voice

[clashlc]

How can you not love Karen and Richard! They were awesome and my pre teen and teen years are memorialized by them! Karen and Richard, I love you both and your gifts to this world as nwell as my self!

[haseilblue]

she's really the best of the best!!!

beautiful voice of an angel,..she's one in a million!!

[CZERCHIE46]

Karen's grave says " A Star on Earth, A Star in Heaven"....What an Angelic voice. RIP, Karen. Thanks for the memories !!!!

[wilhub]

thanks for this, there is really a lack of karen interview dialogue on YT. lots of music, but little of the icon actually speaking. great!

[mka800]

Nat King Cole has NOTHING on Karen. Karen was a miracle, Cole was a really good singer. There's a difference.

[shumakerdc]

Actually, I think Karen's version is absolutely in the same league as Nat King Cole's. Terrific performance.

[Karen21242]

Normally, I would agree. This an exception because her voice beats all others.

[sneyder69]

als when she spoke , she had a verry nice voice te hear