Customer Reviews

Jazz For Peanuts - Charlie Brown TV Themes

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jazz pianist David Benoit has made no secret of his love for Charles Schultz's famous comic strip, Peanuts, and the piano music that accompanies its animated adaptations.
It began in the mid-1980s with Benoit's popular cover of Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy," the ever-present theme in the Charlie Brown cartoons.
Benoit added to the tours and appearances he's made as a tribute to Schultz, and to 2000's Here's to You, Charlie Brown!: 50 Great Years!, by releasing "CHARLIE BROWN TV THEMES", a nod to Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the original Peanuts piano music.
Most of the tracks from various Peanuts specials were re-recorded by Benoit while a few, most notably 'Linus and Lucy', were remastered from the original tapes.
Benoit adds some flair, mixing in jazz and classical influences in his own inimitable fashion.
He has selected 10 of the most compelling pieces used in the series. Four songs are classic Guaraldi, including two that previously had not been made public. He also does fresh renditions of three of his own compositions. The other songs are by Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck and Dave Grusin, the latter performed by Kenny G.
You don't have to be a fan of Charlie Brown to appreciate these songs. The basis for their uses serves as an intertwining influence and provides a sense of nostalgia to the classic cartoon.
The jazz is hopping with its stunning riffs and accentuated assortments laced with a staunch injection of charisma.
"The Wynton Marsalis Septet's performance of "The Buggy Ride" easily ranks among the highlights: a trumpet-riffing delight. (It was composed by Marsalis for "The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk," part of the "This Is America, Charlie Brown" miniseries.) The song provides a bop-ish prelude to the Dave Brubeck Quartet's cheery rendering of "Benjamin".- Mike Joyce
Fittingly, the album concludes with the Guaraldi trio's rumbling rendition of "Linus and Lucy."
There's a certain symphonic quality to the album as it works together forming a nice build.
This is an unusual, diverse Christmas gift for your friends who love smooth and straight-ahead jazz.
Enjoy!
Track List:
1. You're in Love, Charlie Brown [from the TV Special "You're in Love, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit and Christian Scott
2. The Buggy Ride [from the TV Mini -Series "This Is America, Charlie Brown"] featuring the Wynton Marsalis Septet
3. Benjamin [from the TV Mini-Series "This Is America, Charlie Brown:] featuring Dave Brubeck
4. The Great Pumpkin Waltz [from the TV Special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit
5. Wild Kids [from the Mini-Series "This Is America, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit, Joe Sample and Taylor Eigsti
6. Breadline Blues [from the TV Mini-Series "This Is America, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit, Dave Grusin and Kenny G
7. Be My Valentine [from the TV Specia l"Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit and Vince Guaraldi
8. Rollerblading [from the TV Special "It Was My Best Birthday Ever, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit, Joe Sample and Christian Scott
9. Re-Run's Theme [from "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown"] featuring David Benoit and Joe Sample
10. Linus and Lucy [from the TV Special "A Charlie Brown Christmas"]featuring David Benoit and Vince Guaraldi
The Complete Peanuts 1967-1970 Box Set

I can't get enough of the peanuts music and this CD is great. It features many different musicians. The music puts your head in a good place!

The top review has a page of info, but NO MUSICIANS! so, here we go! Musicians for all David tracks>>>David, piano; Andy Suzuki, sax & flute; Pat Kelly, guitar; Dave Carpenter, acoustic & electric bass; John Robinson, drums; Christian Scott, trumpet; Taylor Eigsti, piano. Enjoy!

David Benoit's entertaining interpretation of the Peanuts themes are perfect and you don't need to be a jazz fan to enjoy them. I highly recommend for young and old alike. It's a great cd even if you've never heard of Charlie Brown or Snoopy.

This is a delightful CD. I bought one as a gift and liked it so much I bought one for myself also.

The CD has good jazz music, but one or two of the pieces were substandard in my opinion. The CD was just OK.

I NEVER RECEIVED MY PACKAGE. ORDERED ON MAY 13TH FOR MY SONS 18TH BIRTHDAY AND HERE IT IS JUNE 16 AND STILL NOTHING. WHERE THE HECK IS MY PACKAGE?