Christmas Month Week 2 - A Charlie Brown Christmas
ALBUM REVIEW
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Well I'm sorry this review is a few days late, but I've been chilling about all weekend and procrastination took a hold of me again. So without further ado here it is.
There isn't an album that sparks to mind Christmas more than A Charlie Brown Christmas in my opinion. The album just somehow perfectly encapsulates that sound of snow, and the cold so well its almost superhuman. Maybe it's just because of how the album is associated with Christmas or maybe there is genuinely a sound to it that shouts Christmas. What's so special about the album is how well it holds up all this time later, and how not only the hooks of the songs and pieces are memorable, but you might even find yourself humming to some of the improvisation on the album. Every song is memorable without without a moment ever being wasted or feels like it might be going on for too long.
The album starts with the instantly recognizable O Tenanbaum kicking the album open with a track that really fully encapsulates the sound of the album
Following this come What Child is This, and My Little Drum two more Christmas classics that even if you're not familiar with the record I'm sure you would recognize the melody's.
What so amazing when I listen to the album is just that sense of wonder I always had listening to this album as a child, like all that cynicism and boredom fade away instantly and are replaced by the starry eyed wonderment of looking at the snow and Christmas lights in the car as we would drive past ah those were the days. Not back to the actual review.
Next up is Linus and Lucy, what most would recognize as the theme song for Charlie Brown specials. It completely is and what makes the track even more special for myself is the changing of styles starting with the theme before moving into a more Latin section, back to the theme, to a swing section, back to the theme. It really demands the attention of the listener as a legitimate jazz piece as almost all the songs on here do.
Next up comes my personal favorite on the album and I'm sure I'm not the only one. The track is Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental), and nothings brings the feelings and sensations of Christmas morning, honestly every time I hear the track I get a little misty eyed, thinking of all the great memories. The melody is the most instantly recognizable on the album, and that's saying something from an album that seems to lay out catchy song after catchy song. And that really says something about the album as a whole to make a jazz album focused on improvisation as insanely catchy ad this one is a real feat in my eyes.
Afterwards comes Christmas Time Is Here with vocals in my opinion the weaker of the two I don't know why. It's still a great track but for whatever reason the vocals don't do it for me. It might be due to the fact that I've never been a big fan of vocals in jazz.
Skating the next track is another one of "those" tracks that encapsulate the sound so well, yet oddly enough it reminds me of a track from the Thanksgiving special.
Next up Hark, The Herald Angel Sings well this one always will remind me of the section of the special where Linus gives his speech. The singing doesn't bother me on this one at all because it's not really a jazzy song so it gets a pass from me.
Alright! The next one is Christmas Is Coming, this track is just so fun! Really try listening to this one and not be a little tempted to move around or dance, it's just such a danceable track. Again it's up there with O Tenanbaum and Christmas Time Is Here as one of my favorites on the album.
Now the next is a brief rendition of Für Elise and the one track I would say the album could do without. I know it's short and it is in the special, but to me it breaks up the otherwise amazing flow of the album.
The Christmas Song and Greensleeves finish out the album on a high note both really using the sound to their advantage especially Greensleeves which is such a great closing track in every way. It almost makes you sad that the album is over but also reminds you of what great music it has given you over the last 40 or so minutes.
All in all the album is a need to hear weather you like jazz or not and to not listen to this thing around Christmas - time is doing it injustice so go! Go and get the album now!
Rating: Must Have
Favorite Tracks: Christmas Time Is Here, Greensleaves, O Tenanbaum, The Christmas Song, Christmas Is Coming
Least Favorite Tracks: Für Elise
|