Christmas Time Is Here
Was just riding around Tampa with Times sportswriting star Tom Jones and saw this CD in his car. This is the 2006 Fantasy reissue of arguably the greatest Christmas album of all time (no offense, Mr. Spector, put the gun down). Recorded in 1965 and remastered with breathtaking clarity, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas is the very definition of perfection.
This is what I wrote about it last year: An absolute must-have, this deluxe edition of Guaraldi's 1965 cool-jazz masterpiece has been remixed, remastered and reinforced with four bonus tracks. It remains an essential catalyst for any TV-raised tyke (or tyke at heart living in balmy FLA) trying to get into the spirit of the season. Guaraldi's puckish piano noodlings have never sounded so crisp and clean, especially the iconic Linus and Lucy and that propulsive hepcat-rhythm breakdown. Christmas Time Is Here (both a vocal and an instrumental track are included) manages to capture the sound and purity of gently falling snow without being sappy. Now let's all do the Snoopy dance. Grade: A
Kid Lulu and I watched the special the other night -- she was flat-out howling at Snoopy's antics. Plus I loved how my 3-year-old bobbed her head to Guaraldi's soundtrack. What a legacy that guy left, huh?
Anyway, CLICK HERE TO BLISS OUT.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Sean, I absolutely, agree with you. My friend and I were at Barnes and Noble looking at cards. There's a Charlie Brown Christmas line with music. When we got to the trademark 'Linus and Lucy' song, we started doing the Charlie Brown dance. Some guy looked at us oddly and I declared,"How can you not do the dance? You gotta do the dance."
We have the DVD, but there's something so nostalgic about viewing it on the telly. It's really hard to believe this gem is as old as I (1965).
Posted by: Marissa | December 06, 2007 at 08:02 AM
One of my most frequently played CDs is "Vince Guaraldi's Greatest Hits". It not only has the classic "Peanuts" tracks, but also his Latin-influenced jazz/dance stuff. "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" is one of my favorites.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | December 06, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Dude, you realize that Spector isn't in jail and he could read your blog if he wanted to? That little guy is freaky, I don't care if he did write "Be My Baby" and "De Do Ron Ron".
Posted by: DG | December 06, 2007 at 09:34 AM
I have a CD from years ago. Does the remaster get rid of some of the hiss?
Posted by: Bassnote | December 06, 2007 at 12:25 PM
No hiss -- just bliss.
Posted by: Sean Daly | December 06, 2007 at 12:45 PM
I'll have to get it then. I have several Vince Guaraldi CDs. he was awesome.
Posted by: Bassnote | December 06, 2007 at 12:47 PM
thank god, my Russian brothers have it! Can't beat $1.78!
Posted by: chase | December 06, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Sean, it isn't Christmas until this soundtrack CD goes into my car. It doesn't leave the car until somewhere in early January. Many, many fond memories come flooding back whenever I play this. Mom and dad are both gone now but this music brings them back for me.
P.S. Bassnote, don't sweat the hiss. When it's still there you know that they haven't futzed with the master tape....embrace the analog goodness!
Posted by: Former Producer Dave | December 10, 2007 at 10:20 PM
I actually just put Linus and Lucy on my phone as the current ringtone. I gotta celebrate the season even with my phone. Great CD!
Posted by: Shelly | December 10, 2007 at 10:58 PM