For over forty years the cartoon has been bringing Christmas joy and tidings to the whole world. Sure much of the credit goes to the late Charles Schulz for creating such wonderfully realized characters and situations, but Vince Guaraldi’s brilliant musical soundscape that he gave the characters in which they could sing, dance, and truly live, is just as important.
Formed from a simple Jazz ensemble, songs such as “Linus and Lucy,” “Christmas is Coming,” “The Christmas Song,” and “Greensleeves” are not just great holiday music but great music, period. On the newly released "remastered" version of this album you are also able to see some of the effort that went into recording this, as there are 4 extra tracks providing alternate takes of "Christmas is Coming," "Greensleeves," "The Christmas Song," and "Christmas Time is Here."
On the surface these songs may seem simple and easily crafted from basic musical notes, but obviously a lot of love and effort went into these songs, as well as memories of what Vince Guaraldi (and Charles Schulz) loved about Christmas.
Memories... well, memories are things that can cut through heartache like a knife.
No matter where I go in my life or what I learn or see, these songs — these wonderful songs of Vince Guaraldi and his piano — are forever tied to memories of being gathered with my family on cool December nights.
I miss my father and mother madly, and I’m not sure I’ll actually handle Christmas day itself, but I do know that I’ll have this wonderful album playing in the background. That way, no matter what happens when I remember my parents, I won’t be alone.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this wonderful CD, okay? Your childhood memories will thank you…
Article comments
1 - Mike
Hey Michael, great post on Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. I ended my Christmas post on the same album, and for many of the same reasons. I just never tire of listening to Linus recite the real meaning of Christmas. The music always gives me that warm fuzzy feeling of home and a loving childhood. Thanks for validating those feelings.