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An Old-Fashioned Christmas

by The Carpenters

Released: October 26, 1984

Christmas

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Reissue.

The Album

An Old-Fashioned Christmas is the second Christmas album and twelfth studio album by the American music duo Carpenters, released on October 26, 1984. Richard Carpenter took these tracks and recorded new instrumental and choral material to create a full-length album. It is also the second posthumous release following the death of singer and drummer Karen Carpenter in 1983.

Inside the Recording

All tracks were produced by Richard Carpenter, except "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," which was produced by Jack Daugherty, Richard Carpenter, and Karen Carpenter.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album originated from six unused tracks featuring…

The album originated from six unused tracks featuring Karen's vocals from the Carpenters' previous Christmas album, 1978's Christmas Portrait.

A 1984 expanded CD reissue of Christmas Portrait…

A 1984 expanded CD reissue of Christmas Portrait included eight tracks from An Old-Fashioned Christmas.

It includes a slower version of "Santa Claus…

It includes a slower version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," which differs from the version previously released on Christmas Portrait.

In 1996, a two-CD set titled Christmas Collection…

In 1996, a two-CD set titled Christmas Collection was released, containing both albums in their original running order.

All lead vocals are by Karen Carpenter, except…

All lead vocals are by Karen Carpenter, except where noted.

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Essential Tracks

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

All tracks were produced by Richard Carpenter, except "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," which was produced by Jack Daugherty, Richard Carpenter, and Karen Carpenter.

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Explore the Album

The Carpenters - An Old-Fashioned Christmas

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The Complete Album Story

An Old-Fashioned Christmas is the second Christmas album and twelfth studio album by the American music duo Carpenters, released on October 26, 1984. It is also the second posthumous release following the death of singer and drummer Karen Carpenter in 1983.

The album originated from six unused tracks featuring Karen's vocals from the Carpenters' previous Christmas album, 1978's Christmas Portrait. Richard Carpenter took these tracks and recorded new instrumental and choral material to create a full-length album. It includes a slower version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," which differs from the version previously released on Christmas Portrait.

A 1984 expanded CD reissue of Christmas Portrait included eight tracks from An Old-Fashioned Christmas. In 1996, a two-CD set titled Christmas Collection was released, containing both albums in their original running order.

All lead vocals are by Karen Carpenter, except where noted. All tracks were produced by Richard Carpenter, except "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," which was produced by Jack Daugherty, Richard Carpenter, and Karen Carpenter.