Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown Television Specials is a compilation soundtrack album by Vince Guaraldi released by D & D Records (Guaraldi’s label) in 2007. The album consists of select music cues featured on several Peanuts television specials produced between 1972 and 1975.
Background In the mid-2000s, Dave Guaraldi discovered recordings from seven 1970s-era Peanuts television specials composed by his father, Vince Guaraldi. He curated select tracks to compile the first of two volumes of previously unreleased musical cues, sourced from his father's personal recording session reel-to-reel tapes.
Dave collaborated with sound engineer Michael Graves at Osiris Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, to restore and remaster the recordings for release.
The songs chosen for this volume were featured in the following Peanuts television specials: You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown (1972) There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown (1973) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown (1974) You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (1975)
Reception and notability Sound Insights author Doug Payne noted that the release of Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown Television Specials was notable due to the fact that almost none of Guaraldi's Peanuts soundtrack work was made available for public consumption. Despite scoring 16 Peanuts television specials and one feature film, only two official soundtracks were released during Guaraldi's lifetime: Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown (an unaired television documentary) and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown Television Specials did much to fill a significant gap in this respect.Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown Television Specials at dougpayne.com
Chris Holmes of the nostalgia-themed website grayflannelsuit.net commented that "although some songs are quite brief, they paint a good picture of Guaraldi’s music near the end of his life; whimsical, funky, and always impeccably performed."
T. Ballard Lesemann of the Charleston City Paper called "Little Birdie" the "best Thanksgiving theme," commenting the "anti-worry/positive sentiment and snuffy singing style somehow matches the vibe of the season. Guaraldi sings lead, just barely in front of a great-sounding brass section and some funky electric piano."
Track listing All songs composed by Vince Guaraldi.
Notes Liner notes erroneously state that "Peppermint Patty" (Track 5) was featured in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving; this version did not appear in any Peanuts television special. The vocal version of "Joe Cool" is a composite of three separate recordings from different specials. This track was reissued in 2024 on You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording, with the original vocal track reinstated.
Personnel All songs recorded at Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California.
You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown – Vince Guaraldi Sextet Recorded on August 22, 1972 Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, guitars, vocals Seward McCain – electric bass, flute Glenn Cronkhite – drums Tom Harrell – trumpet Pat O'Hara – trombone Mel Martin – woodwinds
There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown – Vince Guaraldi Quintet Recorded on January 15, February 22 and 26, 1973 Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, guitars, vocals Seward McCain – electric bass Tom Harrell – trumpet Pat O'Hara – flute Glenn Cronkhite – drums
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – Vince Guaraldi Quintet Recorded on August 20, 22, September 4, and October 1, 1973Mendelson, Sean; Liner notes from CD version of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording (2023) Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, vocals, guitars Seward McCain – electric bass Tom Harrell – trumpet Chuck Bennett – trombone Mike Clark – drums
It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown – Vince Guaraldi Quartet Recorded on December 14, 16-19, 1973 and January 23, 1974 Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, guitars Seward McCain – electric bass Tom Harrell – trumpet Eliot Zigmund – drums Mike Clark – drums
You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown – Vince Guaraldi Trio Recorded on September 12, 18 and 19, 1975 Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, Minimoog/ARP String Ensemble synthesizers Seward McCain – electric bass Mark Rosengarden – drums
References
See also Vince Guaraldi discography List of songs recorded by Vince Guaraldi List of cover versions of Vince Guaraldi songs Lee Mendelson Film Productions
External links