A Charlie Brown Christmas is the soundtrack to the beloved Christmas television special of the same name. It was released in 1965, the same year as the television special. The album is by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Vince Guaraldi plays the piano, organ, and does the arrangement for the album. Jerry Granelli plays the drums and Fred Marshall plays the double bass.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a mixture of original pieces by Guaraldi and traditional ones. The album primarily features the playing skills of Guaraldi. The album itself can best be categorized under the cool or west coast jazz subgenre. Although it would also fall under the holiday jazz subgenre as well. A Charlie Brown Christmas also holds the distinction of being the first jazz album that many children listen to.
The first track "O Tannenbaum" is a traditional cover that starts off as most versions do but then breaks into the jazz piano playing of Guaraldi. The trio does a wonderful job showcasing their skills right away on the first track and work together seamlessly. The second track "What Child is This?" is also a traditional cover that heavily features Guaraldi's piano.
The third track "My Little Drum" is the first Guaraldi original on the album and an arrangement by Guaraldi of "The Little Drummer Boy". Guaraldi and company are able to do justice to the original while making a wonderful version of their own.
The fourth track "Linus and Lucy" may arguably be Guaraldi's most well-known and well-beloved track. Even those who do not consider themselves fans of jazz often not only find themselves knowing this piece but loving it. Although originally used on the album Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown a year prior, it's A Charlie Brown Christmas where this piece was first introduced to millions. It's difficult to not love this upbeat track but it's not difficult to see why this piece is so beloved. This wonderful piece was co-written by Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson.
The fifth track "Christmas Time Is Here" was also co-written by Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson. This piece is used twice on the album, the first here as an instrumental. This track is such a wonderful listen and it's certainly no disappointment that this also happens to be the longest track on the album. Guaraldi and the rest of the Trio really shine on this track. It's not difficult to see why this track has also become a beloved classic.
The sixth track "Christmas Time Is Here" has Guaraldi playing on the piano in the background as children add lyrics to "Christmas Time Is Here". The lyrics are beautiful and make it an instant Christmas classic. Marshall's playing on both versions of this piece deserve recognition as well.
The seventh track "Skating" sees the Trio performing a piece that can best be categorized as swing. This piece is also co-written by Guaraldi and Mendelson. Marshall's playing on this track is rich and Granelli really shines on this track especially. The eighth track "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a beautiful cover of the traditional piece with just Guaraldi's organ and the children singing.
The ninth track "Christmas is Coming" is another piece that brings the swing. The piece is a Guaraldi original and the last original track on the album. Guaraldi and the Trio make the most of it and certainly pull no punches as they perform brilliantly.
The tenth track "Fur Elise" is a quick cover of the original by Beethoven. The eleventh track "The Christmas Song" will be almost instantly recognizable to people of all ages as the song also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire". Guaraldi does a terrific job giving justice to the original piece while making it own at the same time. The song is a personal favorite of mine so I find the use of this piece as an excellent way to end the album.
Overall, A Charlie Brown Christmas makes a strong case as the greatest Christmas album of all time on top of being a superb album in general. I personally consider it to be my favorite Christmas album and the type of album that represents everything great about this time of season. If you have never fully listened to this album then do yourself a favor and find the time to do so. This album is worth listening to anybody of all ages that enjoys good music. The album is available for listening on Spotify.
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