I've listened to many of the Christmas specials, Michael Buble at the moment, and nobody covers Karen Carpenters "Merry Christmas Darling". Why is that? I love to hear Karen sing that. Is it a permission issue? Is it because no one can sing it like Karen? Is it considered a bad song? I don't get it.

Tom ... having b'fast with my wife this morning we heard Karen's recording of that song and I was lamenting how her life turned and its tragic end, robbing us of a beautiful voice ...

I remember I cried all my tears that day...

Have you ever wondered how people so talented develop such low self esteem and end up doing harm to themselves?

I just don't get it. I listen to their recordings all the time.

Deane

Karen Carpenter did such a beautiful job with this song. I've always loved it when she performed it, and only wish I could do it half as good. I'll have to dig deep into my style files to find something appropriate for this particular song, and because of the rapid chord changes I'm not sure I could do this song at all - never tried, though.

Gary

I play this song instrumentally every Christmas, and it always gets a nice reaction. I don't have the sheet music, so I learned it by ear.

There are some really nice chord changes in this tune, and quite a few On-Bass (or slash) chords that really have to be played in order to bring out the song's beauty.

Richard Carpenter wrote some beautiful music for the golden voice of his sister, Karen. The lyrics in this tune were by Frank Pooler, an award-winning American choirmaster, and former Director of Choral Studies at California State University. He wrote them when he was 18.

It is one of my favorite Christmas tunes to play.

Ian

I play this one on piano as an instrumental every Christmas.

Wonderful changes. Great bridge construction.

Karen was fabulous!


Russ

Wikifonia is back up and running. There is a lead sheet for the song there.

Thanks Bob...I got it. Looks pretty good too...seems to be all the correct chords.

Wikifonia is awesome!

Ian

I found the song at chordie. Right on the money.

Gary

The one on Wikifonia has all the proper on-bass chords...very well done. Sometimes the chords aren't totally correct.

Ian

I have a good friend that sounds exactly like Karen Carpenter...I will see her tomorrow(Kath)..at breakfast....Maybe I can talk her into recording Merry Christmas Darling...I'll have my G70 with me anyway(playing a first grade Xmas party (my daughter teaches this class)....after breakfast...

Tom, never thought about doing this one, but after listening to Karen do it several times I decided to give it a shot. Merry Christmas Darling I used the old PSR-3000, Sennheiser E855 and recorded on the Zoom H2 from the keyboard's headphone output jack. Made a couple mistakes, and I probably should have done a short, sax instrumental segment, but I'll do that when I perform the song in front of an audience tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks Tom,

Gary

I do it every season, but NOBODY does it like Karen did. Nobody.

Actually Dave, I do, but in deference to her memory, I won't post it. Trust me, it's really unbelievable. Gives you chills.
Right.

Ooooohhh ```````

Gary I just tried to listen to this song you played.........
I dont know what happened or how it was recorded, but it sounds like it's coming in & out thru a phase shifter of some kind not clear at all? better check it out,
I posted a little bit of it so you can see what I mean.

I don't hear anything unusual at my end Donny. Maybe it's at your end. Anyone else hear what Donny is talking about? I can't hear it, but I'm damned near deaf.

Gary

Merry Christmas everyone. Don I don't think so. Uncle Dave you are soooooooooo right but I'll bet you could do a good job on it. Gary way to go nice job. When are you going to come to Michigan? I still don't understand why none of the "stars" don't cover it.

Fran ol buddy, I would love to hear your friend do this song. Have a great Christmas.

Damn, Gary .. you had to beat me to this one too ?!? ... now if I post it everybody is going to think I want to be Gary Diamond (which of course I want to be in my NEXT life) ...

I hope Lydia enjoys sailing, tropical breezes, sugar white sand, turquoise colored water and warmer temperatures. I'll sign you up for sailing lessons next summer, Tony.

Cheers,

Gary

Well does anyone else here what I'm hearing in this recording?

Donny ... yes, I hear something 'strange' in the recording as well ... I can't tell if it part of the style or what? ...
Gary ... can you record a little of just the style?

I'll have to do it when I get home from today's job, Tony.

Gary

Donny, are you listening to the song with your I-Phone? My daughter says there's always some problems with music when using the phone's speakers. It may be something you're hearing in the style file, I don't hear it, but as I said, I'm deaf as a post so I probably couldn't hear it if it were there. Download the style file I used and try it in your keyboard. Let me know if that's where the problem is. You'll find it at Romantic Guitar I used the second intro and second variation.

Gary

I have listened to the tune on two different computers. Nice job, Gary!

It sounds to me like it was recorded at a low resolution and/or bit-rate. You may want to double check the settings on the Zoom recorder. Just a thought.

Thanks for the music,
Dan

You may be right about that, Dan. I'm bringing in the S-950 from the van this afternoon when I get home from the job and I'll redo it.

Gary

Gary, as I told you on the phone, I thought the effects were pretty heavy, but I may have been hearing some of what DNJ heard. Not sure.

Thank you all so I'm not crazy lol

Yes you are.

Eddie

What I'm hearing is a kind of 'squishy, swirly sound ... whatever that may be ...

I listened through the headphones and heard that sound as well Tony and Donny, so today I performed the song using the S950 and recorded it using the onboard recorder, what a difference. Guess that stuff must have been something with the Zoom H2 - just don't know what it was, though,

Merry Christmas Darling

Gary

Much better, Gary ... thank you ...

wow what a difference in recording quality....just correct a few chords and you got a winner Gary!!!

also now that the s950 is in house can you look for those styles we talked about?

Ho Ho Ho

The downloadable fake book style arrangement available on Wikifonia has the most accurate chords compared to what's on Chordie and others. Having the chords closest to what Richard carpenter used will make it sound the best, and make it even easier to sing over.

You can transpose to any key.

I believe the lyrics are there as well, so you don't really have to read music to use it.

It's a great tune for sure, and a real Christmas classic.

Ian

This should get you there ...

http://www.wikifonia.org/node/7337#/C/0/1

I like the chords used on the Chordie version better - they seem to flow and fit better for me.

Gary

I have to say Gary ... I'm a fan, but the intro portion you sang and played before the words "Merry Christmas Darling" sounded like a different song to me. That tune has become a standard in my book, and I don't take too many liberties with the tried and true. Your overall presentation is very smooth, but the melody and changes are just too foreign to my ears. I know, I'm fussy where Karen is concerned, but it'd be like changing the melody to "My Way" or "As Time Goes By" ... just shouldn't be done in most cases.
Just my opinion - I still love ya.

I'm a stickler with that song too, Dave...that's why I suggested the chords in the Wikifonia version, as they appear to be pretty close to the originals.

I do it instrumentally, but using the correct chords (a few are the on-bass type) certainly makes a big difference in establishing the melody, in my opinion, and they create the proper musical tension and release at the appropriate points, which I'm sure the writer Richard Carpenter, fully intended.

It made it a bit more difficult to learn using the original chords, but I felt a song of this high quality and beauty was worth it.

Every time I hear it, I'm always amazed at the warmth and richness of Karen's voice...she was a one of a kind.

But, so is our Gary.

Ian

Dave, I just do em as I hear em. So, when you're old and deaf as a post like me, give it a shot, you may be surprised at the results. I gave it MY best, which is all I have to offer.

Now, the chords on Chordie are much different that those on Wikipedia, and I obviously couldn't tighten my shorts enough to sing the song in the original chords. Therefore, I had to transpose to a chord where it fit my vocal range. That alone makes a huge difference. Now, I have always loved that particular song by Karen, and I am fully aware that she alone OWNS that song. However, during the past two weeks, every audience I've performed the song in front of absolutely love MY rendition. Lots of applause, hugs and kisses from the ladies, young and old, pats on the shoulder from the guys - so I must be doing something right.

I rarely perform My Way, but frequently do As Time Goes By. When I do My Way, I usually get a standing "O" for that one. When Time Goes By, usually brings a lot of folks out of the woodwork to sing along with me - they always love that one.

Thanks for the accolades everyone and have a Very Merry Christmas,

Gary

I just finally had a chance to try this tune... I did not try it with the 'on bass' feature, but even still I have to agree with Ian that lacking the Major 7 chords (which I love using) that 'chordie' doesn't show makes the song lose a lot IMHO ... especially when I use the 'block chord' ensemble feature ... this really IS a Christmas classic that unfortunately (from what I hear) has not gotten the airplay it deserves ...
Before NEXT Christmas (God willing and the river don't rise - as they say) I probably will lay down a backing track midi or mp3 file on the KORG using the 'on bass' feature and play over it ... I'll sing it also if I can get to practice it enough ...
BTW ... I have used 'chordie' and 'Wikifonia' quite a bit and have had to make chord adjustments with both from time to time, but they CERTAINLY are a resource to at least get you going in the right direction ...