A Charlie Brown Christmas [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: Original Soundtrack/Vince Guaraldi
Producer: Cheryl Pawelski (Reissue)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Vince Guaraldi (piano); Monty Budwig, Fred Marshall (bass); Colin Bailey, Jerry Granelli (drums). Includes liner notes by Ralph J. Gleason. Adapter: Vince Guaraldi. Personnel: Vince Guaraldi (piano); Fred Marshall, Monty Budwig (bass instrument); Colin Bailey, Jerry Granelli (drums, drum). Audio Remixer: Stephen Hart . Liner Note Author: Joel Selvin. Arranger: Vince Guaraldi. The pianist Vince Guaraldi's scores for the PEANUTS animated features added immeasurably to the utter charm and ultimate success of those TV productions. Whatever the context, Guaraldi always made real jazz, never dumbing down the music for whatever potential audience he was writing and playing for. Of course, it helped that Guaraldi always played in a concise Latin-derived popular style in the first place. A mixture of traditional Christmas tunes, Guaraldi originals ("Linus & Lucy," the lovely "Christmas Time Is Here"), and even a little Beethoven ("Fur Elise"), A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is one holiday album that can be enjoyed all year 'round. It's quite possible that Guaraldi made more than one lifetime jazz fan with these timeless tracks. Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz called on pianist extraordinaire Vince Guaraldi and his trio to compose and perform music that would reflect the humor, charm, and innocence of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang for their 1965 Christmas TV special. It was a perfect match: Guaraldi strings together elegant, enticing arrangements that reflect the spirit and mood of Schulz's work and introduce contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity. "What Child Is This" touches on cool jazz's richly textured percussive nuances, while "The Christmas Song" reflects Christmas' relaxing, mellow moments. The renowned "Linus and Lucy" gives the Peanuts characters a fresh, energetic feel with its tantalizing meter changes, brilliant percussion, and dashing, humorous piano lines. "Christmastime Is Here," perhaps the album's most endearing and eloquent moment, is six minutes of soft, lullaby-like melodic and percussive flavors. This collection of soul-soothing melodies would not be complete without the romantic gem "Skating," which blends musical references to falling snowflakes with the dashing feel of swing. Finally, the uplifting, emotionally stirring swing tune "Christmas Is Coming" really brings the listener into the joyous light of the Christmas spirit. Fred Marshall's alluring walking basslines and drummer Jerry Granelli's hauntingly beautiful brush work give most of the album a warm foundation, while Monty Budwig and Colin Bailey shine through with eminent dexterity on bass and drums on "Greensleeves." As for Guaraldi, his penetrating improvisational phrases paint pictures of the first winter snowfall, myriad glistening trees, and powdery white landscapes. With its blend of contemporary jazz and lyrical mannerisms, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season. ~ Shawn Haney Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz called on pianist extraordinaire Vince Guaraldi and his trio to compose and perform music that would reflect the humor, charm, and innocence of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang for their 1965 Christmas TV special. It was a perfect match: Guaraldi strings together elegant, enticing arrangements that reflect the spirit and mood of Schulz's work and introduce contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity. "What Child Is This" touches on cool jazz's richly textured percussive nuances, while "The Christmas Song" reflects Christmas' relaxing, mellow moments. The renowned "Linus and Lucy" gives the Peanuts characters a fresh, energetic feel with its tantalizing meter changes, brilliant percussion, and dashing, humorous piano lines. "Christmastime Is Here," perhaps the album's most endearing and eloquent moment, is six minutes of soft, lullaby-like melodic and percussive flavors. This collection of soul-soothing melodies would not be complete without the romantic gem "Skating," which blends musical references to falling snowflakes with the dashing feel of swing. Finally, the uplifting, emotionally stirring swing tune "Christmas Is Coming" really brings the listener into the joyous light of the Christmas spirit. Fred Marshall's alluring walking basslines and drummer Jerry Granelli's hauntingly beautiful brush work give most of the album a warm foundation, while Monty Budwig and Colin Bailey shine through with eminent dexterity on bass and drums on "Greensleeves." As for Guaraldi, his penetrating improvisational phrases paint pictures of the first winter snowfall, myriad glistening trees, and powdery white landscapes. With its blend of contemporary jazz and lyrical mannerisms, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season. [This edition of A Charlie Brown Christmas included bonus tracks.] ~ Shawn Haney

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