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I have been in love with Vince Guaraldi's music since I was just a kid, growing up on Charlie Brown. I also highly recommend the soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Now that I'm older, the other sounds of this trio have really begun to appeal to me. From the moment this album begins, I am brought back to a time when things were not so complicated. For those of you who still remember what it's like to believe in St. Nick.
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There isn't really one solo protagonist. "Django" is one of the greatest jazz songs ever written. The first thing about this album is the careful choice of songs. This is one of those trios who have a true musical dialogue.Pay attention to Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge", Gershwin's "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and Porter's "It's De-lovely".When I first heard this album. Here, the trio gives it a great rendition (one that counterpoints the version played by The Modern Jazz Society - with full orchestra).Anyway, this is a 1956 recording, with Vince Guaraldi on the piano, Eddie Duran at the guitar (a trully great musician.). and Dean Reilly on the bass.The good thing about this trio is that all the songs they chose allow us to listen to the geniouses of the players. it was instant love.Very subtle. it will conquer any serious listener.
But Guaraldi's music doesn't stop there.Before Charles Schultz, Vince Guaraldi was already a successful west coast jazz pianist with his unique arrangements of popular jazz standards and his signature tune, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind." Guaraldi's music has a distinctive sound that only a few others have been able to come close to. If you've seen any of the early "Peanuts" cartoons, then you've heard the music of Vince Guaraldi. Charles Schultz boosted Vince's career and music by using him to create musical personas of his characters. George Winston credits Guaraldi as a major influence in his career.This album will allow you to explore Vince's pre-Peanuts music and discover just how innovative he was as a musician. If you like small jazz groups, this one is for you.
Though largely ignored by critics, Vince Guaraldi developed one of the most distinctive, original, and joyous sounds in jazz piano. (Perhaps only Thelonious Monk is as instantly recognizable).However, Guaraldi did not really find his "voice" on the instrument until 1962's "Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus." His prior recordings, "Vince Guaraldi Trio," "Flower Is a Lovesome Thing," and "Jazz Impressions" (which is really just a sampler of the two former works) are simply unexceptional West Coast jazz. The lightness of mood on these three early albums is further accentuated by the absence of a drummer.Vince Guaraldi has often been labelled "easy listening." For the most part, that characterization is unfair, and reflects the accessibility of his work rather than its artistic merit. On these first three albums, however, the characterization is very apt.
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