Instrumentals: “Christmastime is Here,” “Skating,” “Christmas is Coming,” “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi; “Fur Elise” by Ludwig von Beethoven; “The Christmas Song” by Bob Wells and Mel Torme; “O Tannenbaum” by Ernst Anschutz; “What Child is This?” by Katherine Caldecott Davis. Vince Guaraldi – piano; Fred Marshall – double bass; Jerry Granelli – drums; Monty Budwig – double bass; Colin Bailey – drums) Producers: Jymn Magon, Lee Mendelson. Writers: Charles M. Schulz, Jymn Magon. Music: Vince Guaraldi. Choir Director: Barrett Mineah.

Performers: Vince Guaraldi (Piano, Hammond Organ), Jerry Grannell, Colin Bailey (Drums), Fred Marshall, Monty Budwig (Double Bass); St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Children’s Choir. Another favorite is “Christmas Time Is Here, ” which is presented on the original album in both instrumental and vocal versions. Initially, the song was written as an instrumental cue. But when Mendelson saw the opening sequence paired with the music, it seemed like something was missing. “I felt we should get some lyrics, and some voices,” Mendelson told Bang. “We couldn’t find anybody to write the lyrics, and I called all my Hollywood friends who were songwriters. But nobody took the assignment, so I sat down, and in about 10 minutes wrote the words to ‘Christmas Time Is Here’ on an envelope.” Side One: O Tannenbaum; What Child Is This; My Little Drum; Linus And Lucy; Christmas Time Is Here (instrumental) The five sessions featured in the Super Deluxe box set (captured at the Bay Area’s Fantasy Studios and Studio 16, as well as Southern California’s Whitney Recording Studio) are presented in their entirety, including blown takes and cross-chatter between the members of Guaraldi’s trio (bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Colin Bailey for many of them, as well as bassist Fred Marshall and drummer Jerry Granelli for others).

Guaraldi enlisted young singers from San Rafael’s St. Paul’s Church Choir to perform the song (the children also served as stand-ins for the PEANUTS® gang as they sang “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.”) Several of these singers shared their memories with Bang, including Dan Bernhard. “Vince and Lee wanted kids who sounded like kids,” he explained. “They used a version of ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’ that was slightly out of tune, and [St. Paul’s Choir director Barry Mineah] threw a fit. But Vince and Lee used that one on purpose; we did a whole bunch of takes that were perfect, but they didn’t want those.” Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge.

Side Two has the vocal rendition of “Christmas Time Is Here”. The angelic children’s voices (in unison) are juxtaposed in stereo with the piano. Guaraldi’s solo is understated and elegant. “Skating” is another energetic performance with 3/4 time flourishes and a muscular, bluesy interlude. in the middle. The chord changes are infectious and ear-catching. Revisiting the solemn aspect of Christmas (“Hark, The Herald Angels Sing”), voices and organ are presented without jazzy inflections or improvisation. Signature Guaraldi motifs shine on the ebullient “Christmas Is Coming”. At 1:04 there is a patented finger-snapping turn that is fluid and soulful. Of course, the inevitable return to cheerful resonance is executed flawlessly. On “Fur Elise’, Guaraldi faithfully interprets Beethoven in recognition of the composition’s inherent musical perfection. Any listener will visualize Schroeder hunched over his tiny piano. In a “modern” cover, “The Christmas Song” is an indelible part of the Yuletide catalog. It works in almost any type of arrangement. Guaraldi’s intimate translation allows the melody to envelop the quiet chords and notation. His innate awareness of the lyrical nature (both figurative and literal) of the number is focused and very articulate. In a final jazz reinvention of traditional pieces, “Greensleeves” flows gracefully and has a melancholic feel with Guaraldi’s best piano runs on the album. His phrasing and timing are flawless. Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas – Fantasy Records F-8431 (1965)/Craft Recordings (2020) 180-gram stereo vinyl Limited Lenticular Edition, 40:25 *****: Side Two: Christmas Time Is Here (vocal); Skating; Hark, The Herald Angels Sing; Christmas Is Coming; Fur Elise; The Christmas Song; Greensleeves Instrumentals: “Christmastime is Here,” “Skating,” “Christmas is Coming,” “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi; “Fur Elise” by Ludwig von Beethoven.Additional Dialogue: Arrin Skelley (Charlie Brown); Michelle Muller (Lucy), Daniel Anderson (Linus). Yet, while many fans of Guaraldi and PEANUTS ® are well acquainted with the history of the special, the story of how the music was actually made has never been told, until now. Thanks to the dialogue captured on these session tapes, Guaraldi’s creative process—as he worked alongside Mendelson and director Bill Melendez to craft the festive score—finally comes to light. Songs: “Christmastime is Here” by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson; “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley.