The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait

Bittersweet is the only way I can think of my memories of Karen Carpenter. She had a voice for the ages that I can only wish she had been here to give us more, but this special tells me she gave us so much. My whole generation realized the great voice she was, as in the 1970's songs her and Richard recorded were already being used at my friends weddings. This show promotes a great Christmas song Karen sings which has become as timeless a song during the holidays as any modern song.

This timeless special features Gene Kelly doing a timeless Irsh Chritmas number, Georgia Engel who had become famous on the Mary Tyle Moore show, and Kristy & Jimmy McNichol who seemed bigger at this time than they would become. Still, this recalls a 1978 time when the world was in an energy crisis but jobs were plentiful and Karen was still with us.

Karen looks so thin & fragile here, and to see her introduce her proud parents on this special to Gene Kelly and us is a small and intimate look at Karen and Richard.

I was in love with Karens voice from the first moment I ever heard it. I only wish now after I attended one Carpenter's concert before Karen died, that I could have had a chance to tell her how much I loved that voice, especially if doing so would have kept her with us longer. She was more amazing than she ever realized. Ironically, she gave us so much but took so little time to become a memory for the ages.