Vince Guaraldi: Animated Indeed

Pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi had already made a name for himself before he became progenitor of soundtracks for the animated television programs based on Charles M. Schulz' 'Peanuts' characters. Accordingly, it is arguable that, even as Guaraldi enthusiastically embraced his new opportunity, he also knew his very name lent credibility to those projects; after all, he won a Grammy Award for 'Best Original Jazz Composition' in 1963 for the version of "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" released the previous year. And this venture followed his performances on piano as a member of Cal Tjader's 1950s ensembles as well his prior solo career documented on The Definitive Vince Guaraldi (Fantasy, 2009). In the end then, it is hardly surprising that audiences embraced Guaraldi's music in direct proportion to the relish he devoted to it: the musician/composer/bandleader's versatility and sense of adventure ensured the short and long-term popularity of his work.

Vince Guaraldi
Oh, Good Grief!
Lee Mendelson Film Productions
2025

Running just over twenty-eight minutes and eight tracks, this Omnivore Recordings prestige release of Vince Guaraldi's Oh, Good Grief! is not the expansive package of its two companion pieces. But the absence of bonus tracks and booklet inserts hardly matters as soon as Michael Graves' restoration and mastering presents such deeply resonant tones on "Linus and Lucy." Meantime, it is not long into "You're In Love, Charlie Brown" before the simpatico becomes apparent between keyboardist Guaraldi, guitarist Eddie Duran, bassist Stanley Gilbert and drummer Carl Burnett: as so sagely observed in the liner notes written by Derrick Bang, the biographer of the leader, this foursome loved to play together. Little surprise then to hear the mutual affection redolent in "Great Pumpkin Waltz;" the pervasive warmth mirrors that of the television programs. And while that three and half-minutes provides luxurious listening, the sensation increases exponentially when Guaraldi changes things up playing a harpsichord on "It's Your Dog, Charlie Brown."

Vince Guaraldi
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown—50th Anniversary Extended Edition
Lee Mendelson film Productions
2025

Even with eight bonus tracks in the forms of alternate takes and mixes, the expanded edition of The Original Soundtrack Recording of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown does not fill half the playing time available on a compact disc. But that hardly renders any less delightful the forty-one plus minutes on this 50th Anniversary Edition: after all, it makes for an absorbing listening experience to hear music so familiar as "Linus and Lucy" with the extra added attraction of a readily discernible drums and bass (courtesy Vince Lateano and Seward McCain, respectively). In addition, there are the crisp tones of Guaraldi on electric piano in addition to the ARP String Ensemble, clavinet, harpsichord and electric guitar(!). Add in the reading material on the insert, containing extensive essays by Guaraldi's biographer Derrick Bang and co-producers Jason and Sean Mendelson, (sons of the late Lee Mendelson, prescient producer of the "Peanuts' TV animation), and this package is an education in itself.

Vince Guaraldi
It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown -50th Anniversary Extended Edition
Lee Mendelson film Productions
2025

The abundance of material included on these anniversary editions is indicative of how seriously Vince Guaraldi took his work on behalf of Charlie Brown and his gang. And the scrupulous sound as originally recorded at Wally Heider's Studios in San Francisco—mixed by Clark Germain and mastered by Vinson Hudson—is also representative of the musician/composer's assiduous pedigree. Consequently, the quick procession of so many tracks timing in at around a minute or less conjures the impression of a string of spontaneous moments of inspiration, even when it comes to Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 3." As such, the nineteen cuts (and one bonus in the form of "Woodstock Medley") not only serve as an accurate reflection of the popular animation on which it is based, but also supplies a tasteful reminder indeed of why it stands up as durable listening over seventy years after it was first introduced to the general public.

Tracks and Personnel

Oh, Good Grief!

Tracks: Linus and Lucy; You're In Love, Charlie Brown; Peppermint Patty; Great Pumpkin Waltz; It's Your Dog, Charlie Brown; Oh, Good Grief!; Red Baron; Rain, Rain Go Away.

Personnel: Vince Guaraldi: piano, harpsichord, Eddie Duran: electric guitar; Stanley Gilbert: bass; Carl Burnett: drums .

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown -50th Anniversary Extended Edition

Tracks: Heartburn Waltz; Heartburn Waltz (Reprise); Linus and Lucy; Valentine Interlude #1 / Heartburn Waltz (2nd Reprise); Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49 No. 2 -1. Allegro ma non troppo; Heartburn Waltz (3rd Reprise); Linus and Lucy (Reprise); Paw Pet Overture; Freddie's Mood (Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2); Heartburn Waltz (4th Reprise); Never Again; Music Box Dance (Bach's Minuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 116) by Johann Sebastian Bach; Woodstock's Mambo; Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise); Jennie L.; Heartburn Waltz (6th Reprise); Valentine Interlude #2 / Heartburn Waltz (7th Reprise); There's Been a Change; Woodstock's Revenge; Charlie Brown's Wake-Up; Heartburn Waltz (8th Reprise); Freddie's Mood (Show Version). Bonus Tracks: Heartburn Waltz (Bonus Mix); Jennie L. (Alternate Take); Heartburn Waltz (Alternate Take); Woodstock's Mambo (Bonus Mix); Heartburn Waltz (Reprise) (Bonus Mix); Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise) (Bonus Mix).

Personnel: Vince Guaraldi: piano, electric piano, glavinet; ARP String Ensemble; harpsichord, electric guitar; Seward McCain: bass; Vince Lateano: drums, percussion.


It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown—50th Anniversary Extended Edition

Tracks: Peppermint Patty; Easter Theme / Easter Theme (Reprise); Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3 -I; Allegro con brio 5. Snoopy and Woodstock; Linus and Lucy; Woodstock's Dream; Snoopy's Gumballs / Sally and Linus 9. Woodstock's Dream (Reprise); Marcie's Song (Kitchen Music); Linus and Lucy (Reprise); Woodstock's Pad; Woodstock's Dream (2nd Reprise); Music Box Dance (Minuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 116); Woodstock's Dream (3rd Reprise); Easter Egg Soup (Kitchen Music 2); Linus and Lucy (2nd Reprise) / Linus and Lucy (3rd Reprise); Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 -II. Allegretto; Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 -I. Poco sostenuto -Vivace; Salting Eggs / Linus and Lucy (4th Reprise); Woodstock Medley (Woodstock's Wake-Up / Little Birdie. Bonus Track: Woodstock's Dream / Thanksgiving Theme / Little Birdie (Reprise))

Personnel: Vince Guaraldi: piano, electric piano, harpsichord, electric guitar; Robert Claire: flute; Seward McCain: bass; Glenn Cronkhite: drums; Eliot Zigmund: drums.

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