Christmas Album Timeline
KarenCarpFan
10 Mar 2005
Hello Lead sister Members! Its great to finally be backon the forum again.
I am just a little frustrated why we dont know more about richards xmas album. I know this has been discussed before, but really not all that much. does anyone know when an album is completed and submitted for release..how often after its submitted is the street date? Now with Universal's latest releases its always been months after..but thisis a christmas album. It will be released this october or November. Im assuming by May. Thats six months before when the album will probably be released. would be awesome if this would see some promotion. I dont believe any more is known at the moment about the album is it? Im still waiting for teh autorized website to come up.
does anyone also agree with me, that this is a very smart album for richard to come up with? I mean the radio plays almost every christmas song out there! and so this album should see some promotion by radio alone! how exciting.
take care all and please share any comments you all may have.
(Imagining what teh album cover will love like in my mind!)
Michael
I am just a little frustrated why we dont know more about richards xmas album. I know this has been discussed before, but really not all that much. does anyone know when an album is completed and submitted for release..how often after its submitted is the street date? Now with Universal's latest releases its always been months after..but thisis a christmas album. It will be released this october or November. Im assuming by May. Thats six months before when the album will probably be released. would be awesome if this would see some promotion. I dont believe any more is known at the moment about the album is it? Im still waiting for teh autorized website to come up.
does anyone also agree with me, that this is a very smart album for richard to come up with? I mean the radio plays almost every christmas song out there! and so this album should see some promotion by radio alone! how exciting.
take care all and please share any comments you all may have.
(Imagining what teh album cover will love like in my mind!)
Michael
newvillefan
10 Mar 2005
Hey Michael
Welcome back!
I remember a similar discussion to this a while back on amcorner.com, and I remember making the point that I suspect Universal merely tolerates Richard's solo albums as 'indulgences', because the Carpenters back catalogue in itself is so lucrative that it would more than cover any losses they might incur from his meagre album sales - look at the UK Charts this week, Gold is at #4. From a business point of view, I think he probably receives little attention from them as a solo artist - his previous albums haven't even dinted the charts or made A&M or them much money, either in the UK or the US. The only place he seems to receive much attention is Japan.
I know a lot of people shared that view when I posted it - I'd love to be proven wrong, but I foresee this album coming out, with scant promotion and thus minimal sales. Only those people who know the Carpenters inside out (like us!
) will buy it, cos only we know he's been busy making it and that it's due out this year. Maybe the attraction of guest artists will change all that... 
Look at that UK Close To You documentary, the narrator talked while we watched him in the studio making it, and the impression was we would see it that year. And that was a year or two ago. What kind of impression does that give the average viewer, who might be tempted to test the water and buy it? They go to the shops and enquire, and are told by the staff, 'sorry, there's no such release'.
Sorry if that sounds like a depressing welcome back Michael, it wasn't meant to be honest!
, but I really believe that's a true reflection of the attention he gets by the label as a solo artist. All most people seem to care about is 'the Carpenters'. I talk to friends and tell them what he's done over the years, and they say 'oh is he still going?'
It's a shame cos he is one hell of a talent in his own right, never mind with Karen.
Stephen
Welcome back!
I remember a similar discussion to this a while back on amcorner.com, and I remember making the point that I suspect Universal merely tolerates Richard's solo albums as 'indulgences', because the Carpenters back catalogue in itself is so lucrative that it would more than cover any losses they might incur from his meagre album sales - look at the UK Charts this week, Gold is at #4. From a business point of view, I think he probably receives little attention from them as a solo artist - his previous albums haven't even dinted the charts or made A&M or them much money, either in the UK or the US. The only place he seems to receive much attention is Japan.
I know a lot of people shared that view when I posted it - I'd love to be proven wrong, but I foresee this album coming out, with scant promotion and thus minimal sales. Only those people who know the Carpenters inside out (like us!
) will buy it, cos only we know he's been busy making it and that it's due out this year. Maybe the attraction of guest artists will change all that... Look at that UK Close To You documentary, the narrator talked while we watched him in the studio making it, and the impression was we would see it that year. And that was a year or two ago. What kind of impression does that give the average viewer, who might be tempted to test the water and buy it? They go to the shops and enquire, and are told by the staff, 'sorry, there's no such release'.
Sorry if that sounds like a depressing welcome back Michael, it wasn't meant to be honest!
, but I really believe that's a true reflection of the attention he gets by the label as a solo artist. All most people seem to care about is 'the Carpenters'. I talk to friends and tell them what he's done over the years, and they say 'oh is he still going?'It's a shame cos he is one hell of a talent in his own right, never mind with Karen.
Stephen
enigma
10 Mar 2005
Yes Stephen you are correct and if you think the Carpenters are popular in the UK time and time I have heard their biggest market is Japan. Richard is not going to compete with his past that would be a losing proposition but he does have to go forward and do something on his own rather than just live off and take care of the legacy he and Karen left behind. I am not a Richard fan and do not own his solo work besides a few songs gathered over the years but I have to respect him for having the courage to go on without Karen dispite the fact that he knows he will never attain the glory he had with Karen. I heard his song on the Forever video that is supposed to be on his Xmas release and its not bad I like it better than most of his solo material. I hope this album sees the light of day I will judge it when I hear the finished product and try to remain open minded about it. As far as I am concerned if the music is good to me then I will buy a solo record by Richard so far there has been nothing great released by him that would make me want to go out and buy a solo record from Richard. 
Micheal
A Xmas album is a great idea Richard has had a few solo records now and had Karen lived I am sure The Carpenters would have made another Xmas record by now so now that Karen is gone why not a Richard solo Xmas record? it should be interesting.
Micheal
A Xmas album is a great idea Richard has had a few solo records now and had Karen lived I am sure The Carpenters would have made another Xmas record by now so now that Karen is gone why not a Richard solo Xmas record? it should be interesting.
KarenCarpFan
10 Mar 2005
i dont know where i heard this..but a few guest vocalists were rumoured to appear. Roberta Flack, Glenn Cambell and Petula clark were rumoured to appear. I would love to hear Richards backing vocals upfront on this track. and would love a Herb Albert flute solo! Idealy maybe richard could somehow entangle a line sung by Karen in one of the songs!
However..I really want Richard to Make another album similair to Pianist, arranger, composer, conductor..Richard really should have added an instrumental of the song "Now" that song is perhaps the most instrumentally beautiful and lush!
Michael
stephen-thanks for welcoming me back! i had a problem getting my username and password right! Pam was so gracious to help me out! (complicated hehe)
However..I really want Richard to Make another album similair to Pianist, arranger, composer, conductor..Richard really should have added an instrumental of the song "Now" that song is perhaps the most instrumentally beautiful and lush!
Michael
stephen-thanks for welcoming me back! i had a problem getting my username and password right! Pam was so gracious to help me out! (complicated hehe)
puppy
10 Mar 2005
newvillefan, on Mar 10 2005, 02:02 PM, said:
It's a shame cos he is one hell of a talent in his own right, never mind with Karen.
And that's all I have to say about that!Linda
KarenCarpFan
11 Mar 2005
i just got back a reply from Richards assistant..she said she dosnt think the album covers art work is complete and she knows the songs are not complete. hmm..since this is a seasonal album..does this mean if its not ready to be released until november 2006?? jessh by that time just release it in japan. they will buy it! well i will on amazon! heheh goodness..we all know the pain in waiting for news on the release of As Time goes By! that was a horrendous ordeal! Im sure you all can relate!
Michael
P.s. Richard really has done so beyond what is expected. he has preserved the legacy so well..and have been smart in pushing for record sales such as the VH1 commercial, the aquafina commercial,the release and popularity of Gold 35th anniversary which actually saw promotion! and the as Time goes By Cd is in every CD store. people will pick it up out of curiousity.. thats all for now!
Michael
ohhh and i nearly forgot..I do agree very much Richard is a huge talent. but compare it to the Oprah show..Oprah gets all the credit..but really..the makeup hair crew, camera crew..without them Oprah would just be unglamous and not even be filmed! its beghind the scene guys like richard who really are to congradulate teh most, though sadly, they can never be the star
goodness..we all know the pain in waiting for news on the release of As Time goes By! that was a horrendous ordeal! Im sure you all can relate!Michael
P.s. Richard really has done so beyond what is expected. he has preserved the legacy so well..and have been smart in pushing for record sales such as the VH1 commercial, the aquafina commercial,the release and popularity of Gold 35th anniversary which actually saw promotion! and the as Time goes By Cd is in every CD store. people will pick it up out of curiousity.. thats all for now!
Michael
ohhh and i nearly forgot..I do agree very much Richard is a huge talent. but compare it to the Oprah show..Oprah gets all the credit..but really..the makeup hair crew, camera crew..without them Oprah would just be unglamous and not even be filmed! its beghind the scene guys like richard who really are to congradulate teh most, though sadly, they can never be the star
Sakura
11 Mar 2005
Welcome back, Michael!!
If Yuka will write liner notes or Japanese translation for Richard's Christmas album, Yuka will let us know around May of the release year, I think.
Universal Music Japan said that they would release Richard's Christmas album even if Universal Music(U.S.) will not release. I guess it will be possible, thinking about "as time goes by".
"Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition" became #101 last April, even though it was double CD release. And Gold(UTV) was confirmed as Gold Disk last December.
Fans in the U.S. let us know about CM on TV, newspaper and magazine.
I guess Christmas album will be released by A&M/UME like "as time goes by". I really hope they will advertise Christmas album like UTV Records release.
I posted this before.
I guessed that DVD-Audio would not be released this February because I read that Universal Music usually releases DVD-Audio several months after release of SACD.
I really hope Richard will finish Christmas album soon.
Sakura
If Yuka will write liner notes or Japanese translation for Richard's Christmas album, Yuka will let us know around May of the release year, I think.
Universal Music Japan said that they would release Richard's Christmas album even if Universal Music(U.S.) will not release. I guess it will be possible, thinking about "as time goes by".
"Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition" became #101 last April, even though it was double CD release. And Gold(UTV) was confirmed as Gold Disk last December.
Fans in the U.S. let us know about CM on TV, newspaper and magazine.
I guess Christmas album will be released by A&M/UME like "as time goes by". I really hope they will advertise Christmas album like UTV Records release.
I posted this before.
Sakura, on Jan 1 2005, 01:40 PM, said:
http://mas.scripps.c...earcarp28_e.jpg
Carpenter plans new version of classics
December 28, 2004
2.Richard Carpenter will be busy in 2005, but not for the same reason as this year, when he donated $3 million to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
Music will be in the forefront in 2005 for the songwriter Carpenter, who along with his late sister, Karen, formed the easy-listening duo The Carpenters. They sold millions of records in the 1970s that featured hits such as "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You."
Slated for release in January is the Super Audio CD version of the previously released "The Carpenters: Singles 1969-1981." The new version features remastered versions of 21 hit singles. A DVD version, which will feature 25 of their hits, is due out in February, Carpenter added.
Carpenter, a Thousand Oaks resident since 2000, also said he will finish an album of Christmas songs, also for A&M Records, due for release in late 2005.
"We're looking forward to a new, good year," he said.
Asked if he plans to give away any money in 2005, Carpenter chuckled and said, "I hope not."
Carpenter plans new version of classics
December 28, 2004
2.Richard Carpenter will be busy in 2005, but not for the same reason as this year, when he donated $3 million to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
Music will be in the forefront in 2005 for the songwriter Carpenter, who along with his late sister, Karen, formed the easy-listening duo The Carpenters. They sold millions of records in the 1970s that featured hits such as "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You."
Slated for release in January is the Super Audio CD version of the previously released "The Carpenters: Singles 1969-1981." The new version features remastered versions of 21 hit singles. A DVD version, which will feature 25 of their hits, is due out in February, Carpenter added.
Carpenter, a Thousand Oaks resident since 2000, also said he will finish an album of Christmas songs, also for A&M Records, due for release in late 2005.
"We're looking forward to a new, good year," he said.
Asked if he plans to give away any money in 2005, Carpenter chuckled and said, "I hope not."
I really hope Richard will finish Christmas album soon.
Sakura
Sakura
11 Mar 2005
There was an inverview with Richard in 1998.
I think "The Essential Collection (1965-1997)" was planed by Univeral Music(U.S.). But "Carpenters Perform Carpenter", 30th box set and 35th box set were Japanese plans.
Hope something occurs in the U,S,, which will make Univeral Music(U.S.) think new plans, not only to keep Karen's legacy but Richard's solo activity. I love "Time" and "Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor".
Sakura
Quote
What was the inspiration behind Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor?
I was asked by our affiliate in Japan, Polydor, to put it together. They
asked for an album with piano, orchestra, and some vocal arranging after the
remarkable new success of the Carpenters starting in late 1995 through '96
and continuing as we speak. Since we'd sold well over two million copies of
22 Hits of the Carpenters, they wanted the bulk of it to be those songs. At
first I wasn't quite certain, then I got to thinking, "Well, Burt
[Bacharach] is a producer and arranger. He produced records for a number of
people -- Dionne, Herb Alpert -- and then every year or so he put out an
album where he played the same songs, but reinterpreted them mostly as
instruments."....
I was asked by our affiliate in Japan, Polydor, to put it together. They
asked for an album with piano, orchestra, and some vocal arranging after the
remarkable new success of the Carpenters starting in late 1995 through '96
and continuing as we speak. Since we'd sold well over two million copies of
22 Hits of the Carpenters, they wanted the bulk of it to be those songs. At
first I wasn't quite certain, then I got to thinking, "Well, Burt
[Bacharach] is a producer and arranger. He produced records for a number of
people -- Dionne, Herb Alpert -- and then every year or so he put out an
album where he played the same songs, but reinterpreted them mostly as
instruments."....
Hope something occurs in the U,S,, which will make Univeral Music(U.S.) think new plans, not only to keep Karen's legacy but Richard's solo activity. I love "Time" and "Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor".
Sakura
puppy
11 Mar 2005
Quote
Asked if he plans to give away any money in 2005, Carpenter chuckled and said, "I hope not."
I just found that really funny!! He has a goofy sense of humour.Linda
Sakura
11 Mar 2005
KarenCarpFan, on Mar 10 2005, 04:37 PM, said:
i dont know where i heard this..but a few guest vocalists were rumoured to appear. Roberta Flack, Glenn Cambell and Petula clark were rumoured to appear. I would love to hear Richards backing vocals upfront on this track. and would love a Herb Albert flute solo! Idealy maybe richard could somehow entangle a line sung by Karen in one of the songs!
However..I really want Richard to Make another album similair to Pianist, arranger, composer, conductor..Richard really should have added an instrumental of the song "Now" that song is perhaps the most instrumentally beautiful and lush!
Michael
stephen-thanks for welcoming me back! i had a problem getting my username and password right! Pam was so gracious to help me out! (complicated hehe)
However..I really want Richard to Make another album similair to Pianist, arranger, composer, conductor..Richard really should have added an instrumental of the song "Now" that song is perhaps the most instrumentally beautiful and lush!
Michael
stephen-thanks for welcoming me back! i had a problem getting my username and password right! Pam was so gracious to help me out! (complicated hehe)
I hope Richard is going to talk about Christmas album at Top Of The World III.
Sakura
KarenCarpFan
13 Mar 2005
hello all,
Sakura, I dont remember your post. for teh longest time i wasnt able to use my member name and was just reading all your comments for months! so was I right? roberta flack, Glenn Cambell, and petula clark?
hmm..and very interesting A&M japan will release it even if usa dosnt..and does that even mean if its march 2006?? oh lordie hope not lol
see ya all lata
Michael
Btw..about roberta flack..iv seen here in pictures on the carpenters performing arts center webpage..wonder where the connection came from?
Sakura, I dont remember your post. for teh longest time i wasnt able to use my member name and was just reading all your comments for months! so was I right? roberta flack, Glenn Cambell, and petula clark?
hmm..and very interesting A&M japan will release it even if usa dosnt..and does that even mean if its march 2006?? oh lordie hope not lol
see ya all lata
Michael
Btw..about roberta flack..iv seen here in pictures on the carpenters performing arts center webpage..wonder where the connection came from?
