Search - Vince Guaraldi :: Vince Guaraldi and the lost cues from the "Charlie Brown" television Specials vol. 1

A Good Start

GuessHoo57 | Kelmar1 | 03/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There has yet to be a definitive collection of Guaraldi's "Peanuts" cues. This isn't one either, but it's a good start. Perhaps one day everything Peanuts/Guaraldi that exists will be culled into one package; the fact that so much of this music has been hidden away all these years is odd and borderline cruel to those of us who live for it and have been waiting for it to be available since the specials first aired.



The best cuts on this collection are probably the ones that are most familiar and have been the most elusive to fans: Guaraldi's vocal renditions of "Joe Cool" and the smoky "Little Birdie," (his voice sounds a little like the singer of the old "Conjunction Junction" Schoolhouse Rock song, and this is a very good thing), a short and re-arranged Peppermint Patty theme without that annoying clavinet that ruins the "Oh Good Grief" collection, the version of the "Thanksgiving" theme that is exactly as it appears in the special instead of the alternate version that appears in "Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits." If those, and "There's No Time For Love" were the only cuts I'd have paid full price for the CD based on their inclusion alone.



I have several quibbles with this collection, but forgive it simply because of what it DOES include. Even half-full Guaraldi gets at least an A- (with the exception of the "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" CD which I personally never got into...and where is a proper soundtrack to the feature film of the same name?). Some of the cuts really sound like filler, especially the first few. They have the feel of what they undoubtedly are; jam/improv sessions. They also include Guarldi's use of the then-popular ARP synthesizer which he didn't use until towards the end of his run with the Peanuts, and sounds a bit jarring nowadays--especially since the ARP went on to be the instrument of choice for several New Wave gloom n' doom rockers of the 80's like Joy Division and The Cure. These selections would be great as bonus tracks in a box set, but considering there are only 12 brief songs, and there is supposedly a second volume on the way, it leaves one a bit frustrated. The soundtrack to "You're In Love Charlie Brown" would warrant a whole CD of its own. There are so many cues that have never been represented before, including the John Scott Trotter arrangements of Guaraldi's music which have NEVER been collected as far as I know.



The cover is a little silly and misleading as there are none of the "Christmas special" cues (unless you count "African Sleigh Ride" which I personally do not). I don't have a problem with that--those songs are represented elsewhere and have generally been over-exposed. I'm glad "Linus And Lucy" and "Christmastime Is Here" aren't included for once, although I'm still awaiting a release of the gorgeous orchestral version of the "Skating" medley featured in the "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" feature (and since it was recorded on the soundtrack LP someone SOMEWHERE must have it, no?).



Again these are minor quibbles; if you like Guaraldi's "Peanuts" scores you simply can't live without this album and you won't be sorry you purchased it; it delivers. It's Guaraldi in the mid-70's at his most cool and confident, and no doubt "trip-hop-jazz-ambient" musicians will be stealing samples from this disc for years to come. However, we fans are going to have to continue to wait a bit longer to get a truly satisfying collection, it seems. Here's hoping it isn't another 35-40 years!

"

Hidden gem

L. Hoh | 09/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vince Guaraldi is America's truest hidden musical gem. Most of us remember the music from the Charlie Brown Halloween and Christmas specials. But he also did the music for 8 other tv specials before a heart attack took him, all too soon, from us. A true musical genius and this is a true treasure, as is all the other releases on cd. Thankfully they can be played time and time again."

Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown tele

Edith McGregor | Incline Village, NV | 09/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A real gem of a jewel!!!!



This is one CD that brings back wonderful childhood memories and allows you to share them with a new generation. In listening to it, you hear the awesome musicianship of Mr. Guaraldi. Simply put, he was an excellent musician and composer."