:: Captain's Personal Blog ::

Stardate: Monday, October 20, 2003

The Many Steps of the Snoopy Dance

What a treat I got from my dad this weekend. A CD called "THE CHARLIE BROWN SUITE & OTHER FAVORITES" by Vince Guaraldi. At first, it looked like it had the same tracks as another CD that I had of Mr. Guaraldi; "Good Grief." However, when I played the first track, boy was I in for a surprise.

I have always liked the works of Mr. Guaraldi. More than because some of his music serves as the underscore for the Peanuts cartoons. They were always well composed. They were always instantly evocative, whether it be of the Peanuts cartoons that they accompanied, or just the simple innocence of childhood. They are very much mood pieces, with a complexity and life all their own.

As in the first track, "LINUS AND LUCY WITH THE BAND". At first it sounds like the version of "LINUS AND LUCY" featured on "GOOD GRIEF". I was never as fond of this version as I was the TV version, as that the piano rhythm, heard in the back, had an extra note in it. No doubt, if I had heard it that way first, I would have liked it better, but alas, I had not, so I like it less. Again, this is not to say that I don't like it, it is just not my favorite.

"LINUS AND LUCY WITH THE BAND" is a revisit of the popular Peanuts theme, but with so much added life that it sounds fresh and new. It's a grown up version of the theme, much hipper than than the David Benoit version (also a great version), truer to the sound of Guaraldi (d'uh, because he did it) and just an incredible listen.

Another track, "INTRO WITH LINUS AND LUCY" is just another incredible aural experience, akin to PETER AND THE WOLF. All sorts of musical themes are played, from light and airy, to ominous and foreboding. Then we hear the popular LINUS AND LUCY theme again, making everything OK. But it's not only played on the familiar piano, but also on horns and strings. It is given flourish, and becomes a rock in a tumultuous storm of character. Another gem.

"HAPPINESS IS" was also featured on "GOOD GRIEF", but in a much smaller version. Whereas most of the tracks on "GOOD GRIEF" are performed primarily on piano. Here, the version is lush with strings and bells and is symphonic in its scope. It too is an incredible upgrade on an old favorite.

I could go into each track individually, but I would spend most of the time repeating myself. For any lover of those CHARLIE BROWN cartoons, lover of Vince Guaraldi, or even a lover of fine music, I recommend this CD wholeheartedly. It is a beauty to withhold.
:: J 1:57 PM [+] ::
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