40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas is a compilation album released in the U.S. by Peak Records in October 2005. The album is a tribute to the soundtrack album A Charlie Brown Christmas released by American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi (credited to the Vince Guaraldi Trio) in December 1965.
Reception Rob Theakston of AllMusic noted that the original soundtrack recording has become "a cornerstone for jazz orientation and an essential holiday remedy for the run-of-the-mill-predictable contemporary favorites." He added that the musicians assembled for this tribute album represent a "veritable who's who of adult contemporary and jazz performers," and that the resulting music is "very warm sounding, heavily polished" and "well-played".
Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang noted that the album is "quite nice," adding that David Benoit's rendition of "Christmas Is Coming" is a "punchy, swinging cover," while Dave Koz's version of "Linus and Lucy" is "equally lively."
All About Jazz critic Woodrow Wilkins called the album a "jazz lover's delight."
Track listing
Session information Credits adapted from CD liner notes.
"Christmas Is Coming" Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano, arranger: David Benoit Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Cello: Dan Smith, Larry Corbett Concert master: Joel Derouin Contractor: Suzie Katayama Copyist: Anna Stromberg, Eric Stonerook, Jenis Stonerook, William Stromberg Percussion: Luis Conte Trombone: Steven Holtman Trumpet: Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron Viola: Carole Mukogawa, Denyse Buffum Violin: Haim Shtrum, John Wittenberg, Julian Hallmark, Laurence Greenfield, Ruth Bruegger
"Just Like Me" Written by David Benoit, Lee Mendelson Piano, bells, arranger: David Benoit Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Vocals: Vanessa Williams Cello: Dan Smith, Larry Corbett, Rudolph Stein Concert master: Joel Derouin Contractor: Suzie Katayama Copyist: Caryn Rasmussen, Scott McRae-Capehart, Suzie Katayama Engineer (vocals): Jan Folkson Producer (vocals): Rob Mathes Viola: Carole Mukogawa, Denyse Buffum, Karen Van Sant Violin: Robert Peterson, Haim Shtrum, John Wittenberg, Julian Hallmark, Laurence Greenfield, Norman Hughes, Ruth Bruegger
"Linus and Lucy" Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano, synthesizer: David Benoit Guitar: Tony Maiden Electric bass: Alex Al Alto Saxophone: Dave Koz Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Percussion: Luis Conte
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" Written by Edward Pola, George Wyle Vocals: Toni Braxton Piano, electric piano, synthesizer, arranger: David Benoit Guitar: Grant Geissman Acoustic bass: Dave Carpenter Drums: John Robinson Engineer (assistant vocal engineer]: Mack Woodward Producer (vocals): Keri Lewis
"My Little Drum" Written by Vince Guaraldi Electric piano: David Benoit Guitar: Tony Maiden Electric bass: Alex Al Flugelhorn: Rick Braun Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Percussion: Luis Conte
"Skating" Written by Vince Guaraldi Electric piano, arranger: David Benoit Guitar: Norman Brown Acoustic bass: Alex Al Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
"Christmas Time Is Here" Written by Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson Vocals, arranger, producer: Brian McKnight Piano: David Benoit Keyboards: David Nathan Guitar: Tyrone Chase Bass: Chris Loftlin Acoustic bass: Dave Carpenter Drums: Prescott Ellison, Peter Erskine Engineer: Chris Wood
"O Tannenbaum" Written by Ernst Anschütz Electric piano, arranger: David Benoit Guitar: Tony Maiden Electric bass: Alex Al Tenor saxophone: Gerald Albright Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta Percussion: Luis Conte
"Red Baron" Written by Vince Guaraldi Guitar, keyboards, arranger, producer: Russ Freeman Keyboards: Bill Heller Saxophone: Eric Marienthal Drums: Peter Erskine Engineer: Steve Sykes
"The Christmas Song" Written by Mel Tormé, Robert Wells Vocals: Chaka Khan Piano, electric piano, synthesizer, arranger: David Benoit Acoustic bass: Dave Carpenter Drums: John Robinson Percussion: Luis Conte
"Für Elise" Written by Ludwig van Beethoven Piano: David Benoit
"Christmas Time Is Here" (reprise) Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano: David Benoit Acoustic bass: Dave Carpenter Saxophone: Eric Marienthal Drums: Peter Erskine
Additional personnel Producer: David Benoit (Tracks 1–6, 8, 10–12) A&R coordinator: Valerie Ince Art direction: Abbey Anna Production coordinator: Yvonne Wish Design: Andrew Pham Engineer (second): Brian Vibberts, George Gumbs, Jeff Wakolbinger, Josh Blanchard Engineer (mix): Clark Germain (Tracks 1–8, 10–12) Engineer (tracking): Clark Germain (Tracks 1–8, 10–12) Executive producer: Andi Howard, Mark Wexler, Ron Moss Mixing: WonderWorld Studio, Los Angeles, California Mastering: Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, California
References