Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/31/06/7691f0cdd7a02b356e1d6110.L.jpgTitle: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Artist: Vince Guaraldi Trio

Audio CD (October 10, 2006)

Original Release Date: 1965

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Christmas

Format: Free Lossless Audio CodecTrack Listing:



01. O Tannenbaum

02. What Child Is This

03. My Little Drum

04. Linus & Lucy

05. Christmastime Is Here (Instrumental)

06. Christmastime Is Here (Vocal)

07. Skating

08. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

09. Christmas Is Coming (Album Version)

10. Für Elise

11. The Christmas Song (Album Version)

12. Greensleeves (Album Version)

13. Christmas Is Coming (Alternate Take 1)

14. The Christmas Song (Alternate Take 3)

15. Greensleeves (Alternate Take 6)

16. Christmastime Is Here (Alternate Vocal Take 5) Amazon Review:

The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind's eye. Play it a few more times, though (ignoring the dialogue snippets, if you can), and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi's wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You'll hear why he's such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you'll also realize that Winston's holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia--keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection.



Allmusic Review:

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.