Vince Guaraldi: It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Vinyl LP

”Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.” It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a masterpiece of animation - endlessly quotable, hilarious, and heartwarming with minimal schmaltz. The sequence where Snoopy pilots his trusty doghouse in battle with The Red Baron is especially expressive and exciting in its minimalism. The Peanuts gang were expertly performed by child actors, but the music by the Vince Guaraldi Sextet is just as memorable. Surprisingly, the complete score was never released in full until quite recently, with only “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” making occasional compilation appearances. The soundtrack consists of the original musical cues as they were heard in the 1966 prime time special, listen and be instantly transported back to the carefree days of youth. Includes a new introduction from the special’s executive producer Lee Mendelson and thoughtful liner notes by Derrick Bang, Peanuts historian and author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano.

• black vinyl pressing
• plays at 45 RPM
• includes printed insert
• music label: Craft Recordings 2022

reviewed by JAIME HERNANDEZ 09/2022