Customer Reviews

Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas (SuperDisc)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, I've ended up purchasing both of the new releases of the original Charlie Brown Christmas music: this one (the DVD/CD release) and also the remastered version just on CD (with the yellow background cell artwork on the cover).

On this release, you get a DVD and a CD. For some reason, the CD included is NOT the remastered stereo version. It appears to be just a reissue of the original Fantasy Records release on CD. Without the remastering, the sound is brighter, but also much noisier. Some, however, seem to prefer the original, especially if it's what they grew up listening to.

The DVD, on the other hand, has the new, beautifully remastered (some would say re-mixed) versions, in a variety of surround formats, etc. I haven't played them on a surround system, but even just listening to the high-definition stereo tracks through headphones was truly wonderful. Oddly, the songs are not in the same order as on the original release.

Now, about the digital sound files that are included on this DVD for your iPod. The liner notes claim that these files provide a better sound than if you were to rip them from the CD yourself. Well, this is true if you just take the CD that came with this package and rip the files -- because you are then comparing the original release with the remastered version.

Not good enough.

So I went back to the store and bought the remastered CD, and ripped those to iTunes using the Apple Lossless conversion. The result? The files that I ripped myself have about twice the bit rate as the ones provided on the DVD here. They don't sound "twice as good," but on good headphones they do sound clearer, more distinct, and more alive than the pre-made versions on the DVD. Musically, they appear to be identical in terms of the take, the mix, etc. (I haven't confirmed this for every single track).

It's a bit misleading that on the back of the package, this DVD/CD release mentions compatibility with "Apple Lossless," as if they had provided digital files already encoded for you in Apple Lossless. They have not. The files provided have a bit rate of 320 kbps, less than half the bit rate of the Apple Lossles files I ended up ripping from the remastered CD release.

Overall, I'm certainly not sorry I purchased this DVD/CD package, or the remastered CD. The remastered CD is great for the car or office, and provided the best files for my iPod. This DVD, on the other hand, is great for a home theater or DVD-based audio system that can take advantage of the surround and/or hi-definition stereo, and hey, it includes the original recording on CD as a bonus!

I would call this a 5-star release, but I am deducting one star just because of the lack of clarity and slight misrepresentation in the packaging about what's included. I applaud Monster Music for the job they have done with these recordings, but they should know that people who invest in these sorts of releases would like to have as much ACCURATE information as possible about what they are buying.

I love this album. I love this surround version of the original 3-track audio master even more! The disc allows the listener to enjoy the original music in a hall setting or a jazz club setting. Vince Guaraldi's arrangements added so much to the original Charlie Brown Christmas special in 1965. Now, in crystal-clear surround, you are placed amongst the music makers and hear these familiar tunes like you've never heard them before. The voices, the cymbals, the piano.....and more! A treasure that never gets old.

One of my favorites. The surround sound and the new stereo mix are great. The new recordings are so clear.
A++!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Charlie Brown Christmas CD is a must-have for your holiday music listening! The selections are charming, and make the perfect "in the mood" music for decorating your tree, wrapping your gifts, or for playing in the background for happy, holiday family and friend gatherings! I thoroughly enjoy all of the selections in this wonderful holiday CD!!

Everyone should have this classic Christmas album in their collection. It even sounds great all through the year.

'm really quite pleased with this SuperDisc release. The surround sound is fantastic with three different versions of sound you can listen to in either Dolby Digital or DTS. While the extra cd soundtrack isn't the "remastered" edition, it definitely has a much enhanced stereo sound compared to the original late 90's Fantasy release (in which I compared both). I'm extremely happy with this purchase and suggest any fan of this music to get it.

This was amazing-it is hard to believe that they have never gone back to the original session tapes and remixed this before now. It is just like they are in the room with you with Vince spread across the front channels and the drums and bass coming from the rear. A real must for all fans!