This 50th anniversary vinyl edition of a Charlie Brown soundtrack is a definite crowd-pleaser!
Vince Guaraldi – Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown – Original Soundtrack Recording (50th Anniversary Extended Edition) Lee Mendelson Film Productions LM25BMV01 [1/17/2025] stereo vinyl ****1/2:
(Vince Guaraldi – piano, electric piano, clarinet, ARP String Ensemble; Vince Lateano – drums, percussion; Seward McCain – bass; John Scott Trotter – Music Supervision)
Since 1965, there have been over 50 animated television adaptations of Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters. This represented an important milestone in the intermingling of jazz and popular culture. San Francisco pianist Vince Guaraldi composed and performed the scores of these specials, starting with A Charlie Brown Christmas. People of all agers and musical tastes gravitated toward these endearing shows. Lee Mendelson Film Productions has released a vinyl of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown for the first time. Like many of the other soundtracks, the music features Guaraldi with his trio (Vince Lateano/drums; Seward McCain/bass).
Guaraldi has provided another memorable soundtrack. The centerpiece (with 8 versions) is a medium-tempo 3/4 arrangement titled “Heartburn Waltz”. It has a light, breezy resonance that is developed with electric piano and ARP String Ensemble (which was relatively new at the time). There are many “cues” and “intros” that capture the whimsical motifs. With all due respect to Schroeder, it wouldn’t be a bona fide Charlie Brown special without Beethoven, and a snippet from “Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49 No. 3-1, Allegro ma non troppo”suffices. There are also covers of Bach (“Minuet in G Major BMV Anh. 116”) and Chopin’s beloved “Nocturne In E Flat Major, OP. 9 No. 2”). Guaraldi manages to inject some Latin-infused funkiness on “Paw Pet Overture”, and bluesy reverie with “Never Again” on electric piano. The jazzy notation is flawless.
Of course, the melancholic persona of Charlie Brown cannot be overlooked. “Never Again” utilizes strings to distill the heartache of love. “Jennie L.”, “There’s Been A Change” (with an electric guitar solo by Guaraldi) and “Charlie Brown’s Wake-Up” have similar dynamics that create an introspective tender mood. But the pianist always returns to warm, joyful vibes on tracks like “Woodstock’s Revenge”. There are 8 bonus tracks with alternate takes and mixes of many of the songs. A certain highlight is the debut recording of “Last Call For Love”. This is a rolling bluesy trio number (longer than the other cuts) with acoustic piano, showcasing the cohesiveness of the trio.
Be My Valentine,Charlie Brown is another gem in the Vince Guaraldi/Peanuts legacy. This is good jazz that is highly accessible. The sound was restored and digitally re-mastered from 16-track session tapes to a 196kHz/24bit master. The pressing (bio-vinyl) was done with sustainable products.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Vince Guaraldi – Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown – 50th Anniversary Extended Edition
TrackList:
Side A:
Heartburn Waltz; Heartburn Waltz (Reprise); Linus And Lucy; Valentine Interlude #1/Heartburn Waltz (Second Reprise); Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, OP.40 No. 2-1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo; Heartburn Waltz (Third Reprise); Linus And Lucy (Reprise);
Paw Pet Overture; Freddie’s Mood (Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat Major, OP. 9 No. 2); Heartburn Waltz (4th Reprise); Never Again; Music Box Dance (Beach’s Minuet in G Major, BMV And. 116); Woodstock’s Mambo;
Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise); Jennie L.; Heartburn Waltz (6th Reprise); Valentine Interlude #2/Heartburn Waltz (7th Reprise); There’s Been A Change
Side B:
Woodstock’s Revenge; Charlie Brown’s Wake-Up; Heartburn Waltz (8th Reprise); Freddie’s Mood (Show Version);
Bonus:
Heartburn Waltz (Bonus Mix); Jennie L.; (Alternate Take) Heartburn Waltz (Alternate Take); Woodstock’s Mambo (Bonus Mix);
Heartburn Waltz (Reprise/Bonus Mix); There’s Been A Change (Alternate Take); Heartburn Waltz (5th Reprise/Bonus Mix); Last Call For Love.
More information through Mendelson Productions
