Flashbeagle Charlie Brown

Vince Guaraldi was a well-respected jazz pianist whose greatest success came from avenues usually closed to contemporary jazz artists: he enjoyed a hit single at a time when jazz had largely been exiled from the pop charts, and he scored a series of very successful animated television specials (namely the Charlie Brown seasonal specials scores and soundtracks for which his name has become synonymous), a medium where cookie-cutter pop music was traditionally the order of the day.

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas paegent. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

Newly re-discovered in our vaults, the original recording sessions for Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack for "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" now remastered for audiophiles and Peanuts® fans and election lovers everywhere. All versions of this release include the original 15 tracks of cues from the special - with extended performances available for the first time ever - plus 10 extra bonus tracks never before heard since their recording in 1972.

As Vince Guaraldi is honoured with the American Eagle Award by the National Music Council, Craft Recordings is celebrating Guaraldi’s 91st birthday by the definite edition of his iconic music for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

As Vince Guaraldi is honoured with the American Eagle Award by the National Music Council, Craft Recordings is celebrating Guaraldi’s 91st birthday by the definite edition of his iconic music for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. What you will hear on most tracks of this new and improved “best” version of the soundtrack are the musical cues as recorded by Vince and crew before they were edited for the television special, in show order, as well as a selection of alternate takes.

As Vince Guaraldi is honoured with the American Eagle Award by the National Music Council, Craft Recordings is celebrating Guaraldi’s 91st birthday by the definite edition of his iconic music for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Vince Guaraldi's name will forever be inextricably linked to Charlie Brown's, thanks to the iconic piano jazz music Guaraldi composed and performed with his trio for 17 Peanuts television specials and a feature film. It all started in 1964, with A Boy Named Charlie Brown, a never-aired documentary on Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz that first brought Snoopy and the gang to life. Producers wanted a jazz soundtrack and approached Guaraldi after Dave Brubeck said he was too busy. In two weeks Guaraldi came up with Linus And Lucy, the freshness of the music perfectly enhancing the simplicity of the animation.