Customer Reviews

40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I was excited to receive this CD as a gift because the original Vince Guaraldi soundtrack has been one of my favorite Christmas CD's for years. Given the lineup of artists on this one, I figured it was a can't-miss. Well, with a few exceptions they miss about as badly as is possible, particularly the vocalists. I totally agree with the reviewer above who thought Chaka Khan sounded drunk--on top of a dirge-like tempo she's nowhere near the key, and her vocalese sounds like she's going to crash down off the barstool at any moment. Toni Braxton, there are some songs for which breathy/sexy is inappropriate, and you sure found one of them in "It's the most Wonderful Time of Year" (which, though a perfectly fine Christmas song, has no connection with Charlie Brown Christmas or Vince Guaraldi). Even Brian McKnight, usually the king of smooth, delivers an absolutely funereal version of "Christmas Time is Here".

Even the instrumentals don't get off unscathed: "Red Baron", by the Rippingtons, is a masterpiece of bland everything-sounds-the-same smooth jazz and also has nothing to do with Charlie Brown Christmas (or Christmas at all, for that matter), and the opening track, "Christmas is Coming" by David Benoit sounds like the opening to a Christmas musical comedy.
There are a couple of bright spots: Norman Brown, always tasteful and creative, does a good job with "Skating", and the work of Gerald Albright, Dave Koz and Rick Braun is at least competent.
The main problem here is that nothing contained in this set improves on, or even approaches the original (assuming it has someting to do with the original in the first place, which isn't always the case), leading to the unanswerable question of "What's the point?"

Vince Guaraldi's music has been a part of my life since I was a child. Most people have fond memories of this music in association with the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. I bought this CD because I'm a huge fan of Guaraldi's music and try to collect anything by him or associated with him. Unfortunately, this CD offers a poor product. Some of the tracks (like Fur Elise) stay very close to the original. Other tracks try to "modernize" or "reinterpret" the original--and don't do a very good job. My four year old daughter told me when we were listening to this CD, "Daddy, shut this off. They're ruining Charlie Brown." I must agree with my daughter on this one. Do yourself a favor and just purchase the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown's Christmas CD. Guaraldi's CD is one of the best selling Christmas CDs of all time (and with good reason). You won't be disappointed with Guaraldi's CD, however, I cannot make the same prediction with the 40 Years CD.

I really like the music that was written 40 years ago for "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but have always been disappointed with the soundtrack album's poor sound. Therefore, I was perhaps expecting too much from this new recording--hoping that the arrangements and performances would be closer to the original, but that's not what jazz is about, of course. To me, the standouts are "Christmas Is Coming," "Just Like Me" (a new song written, I think, for this album and beautifully performed by Vanessa Williams), "Linus and Lucy," and both renditions of "Christmas Time is Here."

However, this album is ruined by the bizarre vocals of Chaka Kahn and Toni Braxton. Chaka sounds like she's drunk and down right mad on "The Christmas Song," and Toni Braxton tries to sound sexy on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (which is not a sensual song), but comes off sounding like she's having a particularly difficult bowel movement! Both of these tracks are proof (as if any more were needed) that NOTHING is too ugly these days to be called music and released to the public.

I only bought this CD because Im a die-heart Toni Braxton fan. But 2 other tracks really stand out as well. Vanessa Williams sings a song so touching and sentimental. She sings about a Christmas tree Charlie Brown has found(look at album cover). But whats unique about the song is that Vanessa sings what Charlie Brown is saying to the tree (yes..Charlie is talking to the tree...sounds corny but it works).

Toni Braxton's version of Its the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year is excellent as well. I must admit, in the beginning of the song, she sounds kinda high.....but Its sexy.

Chaka Chaka Chaka..... Not only was she drunk but towards the end of the track, she sounds downright pissed off. This song is so funny that I had to pull my car over to listen to in detail before I got home.

Less filling--not quite the taste, but some portions are lovely. I don't appreciate the 4 added numbers unrelated to the original. They don't add to the theme and just seem like 'filler.' to me. Well done work, but I would much rather someone went in and re-mastered the original Guaraldi.

If you're looking for anything remotely resembling the songs that were in Charlie Brown Christmas you will hate this. If you're looking for random artists to listen to for easy listening you would like it. But I bought this CD being a big fan of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. I thought this would be a great remix of the awesome music they created. I listened to this entire CD 3-4 times, and out of all the songs on the CD only 2 were half way decent to listen to. I actually threw it out my balcony in the pond about an hour ago. I swear to God.

Save your money.

We enjoy this CD very much in the car and as a relaxer in the evening. It's smooth & jazzy and we like the variety of talented performers and performances mixing vocals and instrumentals. It's a pleasant addition to our holiday collection and we'll enjoy it for many years. Kudos & Thanks to David Benoit for producing this CD.

I was really excited to get this CD, being such a fan of everything Charlie Brown and Vince Guaraldi. But, all this CD did was make me want to go find the "Happy Anniversary Charlie Brown" CD and listen to it, instead!

I'm not sure what the producers were thinking about when they were developing this drek, but it clearly was not Charlie Brown OR Christmas. It is the swishiest-cheesiest-smoothjazziest-elevatoriest piece of junk and I'm appalled they were willing to let it out of the studio.

Vince Guaraldi would be proud...this CD is a beautiful and wonderful listening experience; fit for anytime of the year, especially during the holiday season. Top notch talent from David Benoit, Vanessa Williams, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, and many more collaborated to bring this fantastic 40 year tribute to "A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special" performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (easily one of the most elegant, sultry, and good memory inducing...Christmas Jazz albums of all time).

David Benoit's "Christmas is Coming" is one of the most exciting and exhilirating tracks on the CD...what a wonderful way to open the album.

Brian McKnight adds the smoothness to "Christmas Time Is Here"; his excellent vocals, backed by excellent music will surely turn this version of the timeless song into one of radio's most requested tunes for the holidays.

Toni Braxton keeps it sultry on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". If you're a fan of Toni Braxton's vocals...you'll be hooked on this song.

I won't go into the rest of the album, I'll let you be surprised. You will love this CD! "40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas" is destined to become an instant classic. Don't be a "block head" as Lucy would say...buy this CD, enjoy it!

The original Vince Guaraldi Trio 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is one of the the all-time classics for both jazz fans and lovers of Holiday music. As such, any attempt to re-do the work in its entirety-even by the best talent in the Jazz world- will struggle to reach that high bar. Trumpeter Rick Braun's version of 'My Little Drum' by sounds really nice, and Dave Koz's sax refreshes 'Linus and Lucy' well enough, but it seems like most of the other artists just showed up for the paycheck. The result is a mixed bag, and being as each track features a different jazz artist, there isn't even any real pattern throughout. Chaka Khan's rendition of 'The Christmas Song ' may be the worst ever recorded. Jazz snobs may get it, those particular to the simple beauty and unique flow of the original may not.