Charlie Brown Christmas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut knows a good thing when he hears it, and the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas, set forth so eloquently by the Vince Guaraldi Trio decades ago, is one of them. The pianist is backed here by a bevy of New York's premier session players and jazz stars: drummer Steve Gadd; ace sax players Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, and Steve Cole; and guitarist Pat Martino. Chestnut proves as inventive as always, playing with lighthearted wit and lyrical sophistication. He captures the whimsy of such Peanuts classics as "Skating" and the winning interplay of "Linus and Lucy," delightfully mixing it up with Martino's guitar figures. Chestnut also pays fond homage to the whole Peanuts gang with his memorable opening solo, "Me and Charlie Brown." Joined by Vanessa Williams and the Boys Choir of Harlem on "Christmas Time Is Here," Chestnut and company work their understated magic on this and other traditional fare. Somewhere, Charles Schultz is nodding his head in time to these lovely tunes and updates. --Martin Keller

From Jazziz
You may know Cyrus Chestnut from his solo recordings and work with Wynton Marsalis, Jon Hendricks, and Betty Carter, but the pianist unearths his earliest musical roots on the new Christmas release, A Charlie Brown Christmas. In high school the young Chestnut was known as the piano player who could play the Peanuts theme score, his childhood introduction to jazz. Thirty-five years after the original recordings by Vince Guaraldi, the remake by Cyrus Chestnut & Friends features American holiday... read more

Charlie Brown Christmas

Charlie Brown Christmas, Music, Cyrus Chestnut & Friends, Peanuts (Related Recordings), Charles M. Schulz (Tribute), Christmas, Christmas / Chanukkah, Christmas Music, Contemporary Jazz, Holiday, Mainstream Jazz, Pop, Xmas Vocal
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A Must-Have Classic
  • You wanna hear some great Jazz music?
  • GREAT SELLER
  • Excellent! A must have!
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas
 A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special
Vince Guaraldi Trio
Manufacturer: Fantasy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Vince Guaraldi - Greatest Hits
  2. A Charlie Brown Christmas
  3. Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits
  4. A Boy Named Charlie Brown: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special
  5. White Christmas

ASIN: B000000XDJ
Release Date: 2000-09-19

Tracks:

  1. O Tannenbaum
  2. What Child Is This
  3. My Little Drum
  4. Linus And Lucy
  5. Christmas Time Is Here ( Instrumental)
  6. Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)
  7. Skating
  8. Hark The Herald Angel Sings
  9. Christmas Is Coming
  10. Fur Elise
  11. The Christmas Song
  12. Greensleeves

Amazon.com

The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind's eye. Play it a few more times, though (ignoring the dialogue snippets, if you can), and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi's wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You'll hear why he's such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you'll also realize that Winston's holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia--keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection. --Michael Ruby

Album Description

Original soundtrack recording of the CBS television special recorded in 1965, tracks include 'O Tannenbaum', 'What Child Is This', 'My Little Drum', 'Linus and Lucy', 'Christmas Time Is Here' (instrumental), 'Christmas Time Is Here' (vocal), 'Skating', 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing', 'Christmas Is Coming', 'Fur Elise', 'The Christmas Song' & 'Greensleeves'. Fantasy Records. 1988.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Classic.......2007-03-09

Great CD!!! It brought back good memories. A must-have for any lover of Christmas music, the Peanuts gang, or jazz.

5 out of 5 stars You wanna hear some great Jazz music?.......2007-03-09

I recently purchased this CD and I was blown away by it. I am a big fan of Vince Guaraldi and his music always makes me feel great. The sound on the CD is great (no distortion at all). I would whole heartily recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys light Jazz!

5 out of 5 stars GREAT SELLER.......2007-02-07

Would recommend this seller to others. Fast shipment and product as described. Thank you much!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent! A must have!.......2007-01-29

This compilation of Peanuts tunes by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is outstanding. Everytime I play this, I can see all the Peanuts characters in my mind. It is fun to listen to at anytime of the year, and really brings back memories of my youth and watching Charlie Brown during the holidays. Guaraldi and company show their expert musicianship skills on these snazzy jazzy tunes.The holiday season isn't complete without this collection!

5 out of 5 stars A Charlie Brown Christmas.......2007-01-27

The perfect background music for the Christmas season. It has a quality that brings back the memory of the joy of Christmas times past. I can play it multiple times and still want to hear it again.
Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005

    Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    5. White Nights

    ASIN: B000B8I93Q
    Release Date: 2005-10-18

    Tracks:

    1. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
    2. Summertime
    3. I Could Write a Book
    4. It Never Entered My Mind
    5. I Can Cook Too
    6. Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
    7. If I Loved You
    8. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
    9. Thou Swell
    10. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
    11. There's No Business Like Show Business
    12. South American Way

    Tracks:

    1. Shall We Dance
    2. Ohio
    3. Luck Be a Lady
    4. Mack the Knife
    5. There's a Small Hotel
    6. Once in Love with Amy
    7. Yodel Blues
    8. Lazy Afternoon
    9. There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
    10. You're Just in Love
    11. Now Is the Time

    Tracks:

    1. Impossible Dream
    2. Love Makes the World Go 'Round
    3. Try to Remember
    4. Put on a Happy Face
    5. I Say Hello
    6. Happiness
    7. She Loves Me
    8. What Kind of Fool Am I?
    9. Shy
    10. Consider Yourself
    11. Poor Little Person

    Tracks:

    1. Magic to Do
    2. They're Playing My Song
    3. I Don't Know How to Love Him
    4. I Won't Send Roses
    5. Good Morning Starshine
    6. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
    7. Hard Candy Christmas
    8. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
    9. Won't You Charleston with Me?
    10. Applause

    Tracks:

    1. Phantom of the Opera
    2. Memory
    3. On My Own
    4. Muddy Water
    5. How Could I Ever Know
    6. American Dream
    7. I Know Him So Well
    8. Dr. Jazz
    9. Me and My Girl
    10. Suddenly Seymour

    Tracks:

    1. Mamma Mia!
    2. Popular
    3. Seasons of Love
    4. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
    5. Whatever Lola Wants
    6. Crazy
    7. How Deep Is Your Love
    8. Stars
    9. People Like Us
    10. I Go to Rio
    Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Useful for collectors but not the best
    • Excellent Purchase!
    • Yuk!
    • The music is Good, but this isnt the charlie brown album to buy.
    • Hey Scrooge! Buy this album. And Merry Christmas!
    		 Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits
    Vince Guaraldi Trio
    Manufacturer: Fantasy
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    1. A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special
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    3. 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas
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    5. Oh, Good Grief!

    ASIN: B000009OG6
    Release Date: 1998-10-13

    Tracks:

    1. Joe Cool
    2. Surfin' Snoopy
    3. Heartburn Waltz
    4. Track Meet
    5. Camptown Races
    6. Oh, Good Grief (Vocal)
    7. Charlie Brown Theme
    8. Schroeder
    9. Charlie's Blues
    10. Great Pumpkin Waltz
    11. Thanksgiving Theme
    12. Linus And Lucy
    13. Christmas TIme Is Here (Vocal)
    14. Christmas TIme Is Here (Inst.)

    Amazon.com

    Recognizing that the holiday season really begins at Halloween (and, in some quarters, doesn't end until the Super Bowl), Vince Guaraldi and his record company have wisely assembled the hummable themes from various Charlie Brown TV specials. What we have here is the album's ability to communicate the playful irony and loopy, lovable characters that people Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" comic strip every week. Though only one actual Christmas tune is included--"Christmas Time Is Here," in both the vocal and instrumental versions--kids from ages 1 to 92 will still appreciate the "Great Pumpkin Waltz," the "Thanksgiving Theme," oddities such as "Heartburn Waltz" and "Joe Cool," and, of course, the "Charlie Brown Theme." --Martin Keller

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Useful for collectors but not the best.......2007-04-08

    If you love Vince Guaraldi's music for the Peanuts shows as much as I do, you'll probably enjoy listening to "Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits." But as some reviewers here point out, this is certainly not the CD to start with if you're new to this music. I'm making my own compilation of Guaraldi's Peanuts music, so this CD is valuable to me for providing some tracks I didn't have, especially since there is not a lot more of this music on the market other than "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." However, start with those two soundtracks if you don't already have them. Also, the 1989 CD "Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown" on the GRP label, which is music mostly by Guaraldi re-recorded by other artists, is also worth considering. "Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits" is good for completing your collection, but 5 of the tracks on it are from those earlier soundtrack CDs, and of the 9 new tracks here, 7 are in mono, some are quite distorted too, and overall the music is not as good. Still, I'd say this is an enjoyable CD, and helps to complete your collection if you've already got "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent Purchase!.......2007-01-10

    Excellent disc, something you can listen to not only during the holidays. I would recommend this purchase to anyone. We like this disc more than the Charlie Brown Christmas one.

    1 out of 5 stars Yuk!.......2006-12-20

    Don't waste your money. I would send it back but my dad threw it away.

    3 out of 5 stars The music is Good, but this isnt the charlie brown album to buy. .......2006-06-28

    Vince guaraldi often gets a bad wrap from jazz critics, claiming that his music is soft and not deep enough to be considered great. I couldnt disagree with them more, after thelonius Monk he is the easiest jazz pianist to recognize upon listening to. His playing sings with a sense of joy unlike anybody else. And his best music was written for the peanuts cartoons.
    However, this is not the peanuts disc to get. Most of the songs while charming and fun are short and underdevolped, surfin snoopy for example is energetic and catchy, but it sounds like it is just one short riff being played over and over again for 1:30. the songs that will best bring back the Holiday memories can all be found on " A Charlie Brown Christmas". I would also recomend that you buy " A Boy named charlie Brown " if you want even more peanuts music.

    5 out of 5 stars Hey Scrooge! Buy this album. And Merry Christmas!.......2006-01-15

    Listen Scrooge! Buy this album, it will put you in the Christmas spirit. And that's a good thing.
    A Charlie Brown Christmas
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Christmas Classic
    • It's not Christmas until you here this music...
    • Great, Fresh Music for the Holidays!
    • For children young and old...`
    • Charlie Brown Christmas CD brings you back to your childhood!
    		 A Charlie Brown Christmas
    Vince Guaraldi , and Peanuts (Related Recordings)
    Manufacturer: Fantasy
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000ICLSMY
    Release Date: 2006-10-10

    Tracks:

    1. O Tannenbaum
    2. What Child Is This
    3. My Little Drum
    4. Linus And Lucy
    5. Christmas Time Is Here
    6. Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)
    7. Skating
    8. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
    9. Christmas Is Coming
    10. Fur Elise
    11. The Christams Song
    12. Greensleeves
    13. Christmas Is Coming (Alternate Take 1)
    14. The Christmas Song ((Alternate Take 3)
    15. Greensleeves (Alternate Take 6)
    16. Christmas Time Is Here (Alternate Vocal Take)

    Amazon.com

    The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind's eye. Play it a few more times, though (ignoring the dialogue snippets, if you can), and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi's wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You'll hear why he's such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you'll also realize that Winston's holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia--keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection. --Michael Ruby

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Christmas Classic.......2007-04-01

    One of my all-time Christmas favorites and very happy to have a new and improved version.

    5 out of 5 stars It's not Christmas until you here this music..........2007-02-15

    This is it. Everyone else can stop making Christmas CDs. I bought several of these CDs for my friends and family and they all loved them. You know the music from seeing the Christmas special year after year. Still, listening to this CD will put you in the holiday mood and keep you there. If this CD wasn't so Christmas related, it would be at the top of my list of favorite Jazz CDs. Vince is Talented!!!

    5 out of 5 stars Great, Fresh Music for the Holidays!.......2007-01-22

    I love the jazzy, smooth, contemporary approach to the holiday music fare! I have bought several copies of this CD to give as gifts and it always wins fans.

    5 out of 5 stars For children young and old...`.......2007-01-21

    What a great holiday cd, from the packaging to the music....great to listen to any time of year.

    5 out of 5 stars Charlie Brown Christmas CD brings you back to your childhood!.......2007-01-16

    This cd was a gift for my parents. They absolutely love it! The songs are wonderful and the cd itself has all of the songs from the Charlie Brown Christmas special that we have ALL watched as children celebrating Christmas! I would recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys taking trips down memory lane or to those with children who are forming their own "memory lane".
    A Very Special Charlie Brown Holiday Collection
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		A Very Special Charlie Brown Holiday Collection

      Manufacturer: Concord Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Television SoundtracksTelevision Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000LM63XA

      Product Description

      It's a very special Holiday collection Charlie Brown! Exclusively created for the USPS. This digitally remastered collection of Charlie Brown Holiday favorites will surely bring back memories and create new ones along the way. From Vince Guaraldi's classic "Linus and Lucy" and "Christmas Time is Here" (from the original Charlie Brown Christmas Television special) to very special guest performances by Vanessa Williams, Gerald Albright, Toni Braxton, and David Benoit, this album is the ideal gift under any tree!
      40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas
      Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
      • 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas
      • This CD SUCKS.
      • Awful...Just AWFUL!
      • Easy Listening, Jazzy, Holiday Tunes
      • A smooth jazz/R&B masterpiece.
      		 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas
      Various Artists
      Manufacturer: Peak Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B000A2GX4A
      Release Date: 2005-10-04

      Tracks:

      1. Christmas Is Coming - David Benoit
      2. Just Like Me - Vanessa Williams
      3. Linus And Lucy - Dave Koz
      4. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Toni Braxton
      5. My Little Drum - Rick Braun
      6. Skating - Norman Brown
      7. Christmas Time Is Here - Brian McKnight
      8. O Tannenbaum - Gerald Albright
      9. Red Baron - The Rippingtons
      10. The Christmas Song - Chaka Khan
      11. Fur Elise (Beethoven) - David Benoit
      12. Christmas Time Is Here (Reprise) - Eric Marienthal

      Amazon.com

      Could the old Peanuts gang's Christmas antics really be hitting the 40-year mark? This well-deserved tribute to one of the most popular holiday TV specials ever features a stellar adult-contemporary lineup that includes Toni Braxton, Norman Brown, Chaka Khan, Dave Koz, the Rippingtons, Vanessa Williams, and others. The unfettered sentimentality that marked the original TV special and the wry wisdom of these enduring characters are captured here and there in an album that manages to reinvent the magic of cartoon characters and the Christmas season, complete with a brief respite of Für Elise and lite jazz style that permeates the overall mix. To celebrate the anniversary, the vocalists and musicians have made what is truly an immediately accessible record that will appeal from kids from 1 to 92. --Martin Keller

      Album Description

      A Charlie Brown Christmas, an enduring holiday tradition enjoyed by television audiences around the world, this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. To mark the landmark event, Peak Records is releasing 40 Years--A Charlie Brown Christmas, a collection of newly recorded versions of holiday favorites and Vince Guaraldi-penned Peanuts classics, such as the instantly recognizable "Linus and Lucy." The album also includes two Peanuts songs not featured on Vince Guaraldi's multiplatinum-selling A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Red Baron" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

      40 Years--A Charlie Brown Christmas showcases the talents of Gerald Albright, Toni Braxton, Norman Brown, Chaka Khan, Dave Koz, Brian McKnight, Eric Marienthal, and the Rippingtons. Also featured is Vanessa Williams on "Just Like Me," a new track written by David Benoit, who both performed on and produced the CD, and Lee Mendelson, longtime producer of the holiday television specials.

      40 Years--A Charlie Brown Christmas was the brainchild of five-time GRAMMY-nominated musician, composer, and arranger David Benoit, who has been composing music for Peanuts television specials for over ten years, including the 2000 recording Here's to You, Charlie Brown.

      A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted debuted on network television in 1965. Written by Charles M. Schulz, with Bill Melendez directing and Mendelson as executive producer, the show won an Emmy for Oustanding Children's Program, despite initial concerns about the show's leisurely-paced jazz soundtrack, religious theme, and use of children's voices. In December 2004, A Charlie Brown Christmas was named Best Christmas Special by TV Guide and drew an audience of over 13 million viewers, the special's best numbers ever on ABC.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas.......2007-01-28

      Heard this on the radio, could not find in any store. It is a great addition to my Christmas collection. My family knows that is my favorite thing to do is play Christmas music during the holidays.

      1 out of 5 stars This CD SUCKS........2006-12-28

      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.

      1 out of 5 stars Awful...Just AWFUL!.......2006-12-19

      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.

      4 out of 5 stars Easy Listening, Jazzy, Holiday Tunes.......2006-11-30

      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.

      5 out of 5 stars A smooth jazz/R&B masterpiece........2006-11-17

      Thank God for the freedom to express ones opinion and most importantly the freedom to think and choose for oneself.This album was not intended to compete with the original but to expand the customer base.This is a classic smooth Jazz/ R&B version directed at customers like me.As an audiophile,i don't care for music recorded some 40 years ago except if it is meticulously remastered.My recommendation is for the Superdisc Format by Monster Music.This format allows you to experience absolute state of the art multichannel surround sound the likes you have never heard before.Most people complain about Chaka Khan vocals sounding like someone who is intoxicated.However,in the Superdisc version she sounds quite sober to me even though not at her best performance.Disregard the negative reviews and choose between the old version and the smooth Jazz version you may like the latter.
      Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • CD included is NOT the remastered version
      • Better Than Ever...
      		 Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      Vince Guaraldi
      Manufacturer: Monster Music
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      4. Alma-Ville
      5. The Charlie Brown Suite & Other Favorites

      ASIN: B000BPFBWG
      Release Date: 2006-11-28

      Tracks:

      1. O Tannenbaum
      2. What Child Is This?
      3. My Little Drum
      4. Linus and Lucy
      5. Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)
      6. Christmas Time is Here (Vocal Version)
      7. Skating
      8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
      9. Christmas Is Coming
      10. Fur Elise
      11. Christmas Song
      12. Greensleeves

      Product Description

      high Definition Surround Sound With on Stage Jazz Club on Stage Concert Hall And front Row Surround Feature Experiences digital Music Files Encoded With Dolby Music Files That Simulate Surround Sound Through Any Pair Of Headphone each Track Has Been Remixed And Audiophile Mastered Get live Experience

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars CD included is NOT the remastered version.......2006-12-19

      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.

      5 out of 5 stars Better Than Ever..........2006-05-14

      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!
      David Benoit, 40th Year Anniversary Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
      • David Benoit, 40th Year Anniversary Charlie Brown Christmas
      • THE SOUND IS WONDEROUS -- THE SOUNDS ARE SPURIOUS
      • I'll second the motion...
      • leave well enough alone
      		 David Benoit, 40th Year Anniversary Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      Vince Guaraldi , and Various Artists
      Manufacturer: Monster Music
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
      MusicMusic | Monster Cable | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
      Similar Items:
      1. Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      2. Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company (Monster Music High Definition Surround Sound CD SUPERDISC)
      3. Here's to You, Charlie Brown!: 50 Great Years!
      4. Wintersong
      5. A Charlie Brown Christmas

      ASIN: B000BPFBW6
      Release Date: 2006-11-28

      Tracks:

      1. Christmas Is Coming (2:53)David Benoit
      2. Just Like Me (4:11)Vanessa Williams
      3. Linus and Lucy (4:02)Dave Koz
      4. Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (4:16)Toni Braxton
      5. My Little Drum (3:27)Rick Braun
      6. Skating (3:60)Norman Brown
      7. Christmas Time Is Here (4:24)Brian McNight
      8. O Tannenbaum (3:52)Gerald Albright
      9. Red Baron (4:08)The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
      10. The Christmas Song (4:02)Chaka Khan
      11. Fse (1:06)David Benoit
      12. Christmas Time Is Here (reprise) (3:13)Eric Marienthal

      Product Description

      high Definition Surround Sound With orchestral And in The Room Surround Feature Experiences digital Music Files Encoded With Dolby Music Files That Simulate Surround Sound Through Any Pair Of Headphone each Track Has Been Remixed And Audiophile Mastered Get live Experience

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars David Benoit, 40th Year Anniversary Charlie Brown Christmas.......2007-01-09

      This HD CD which really works fine. Even the MP3's and AAC's are high quality files.

      4 out of 5 stars THE SOUND IS WONDEROUS -- THE SOUNDS ARE SPURIOUS.......2006-12-06

      I FIND AGREEMENT WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS OF THE EARLIER REVIEWERS IN THAT A RE-DO OF THE CLASSIC PEANUTS SCORE (WHICH WAS FANTASTIC AND ALSO AVAILABLE AS A MONSTER DISC) WAS NOT ONE OF RECORDED MUSICS GREATEST NEEDS. ALSO, THE VOCALS BY MS. WILLIAMS AND MS. KHAN ARE SADLY PATHETIC AND COULD BE READILY SHAMED BY ANY OF THE KIDS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR. MS. BRAXTON'S EFFORT COULD EASILY BE THE MOST HIDEOUS NOISE I HAVE EVER HEARD. AS I WAS PLAYING THE DISC SOMEWHAT LOUDLY TO APPRECIATE THE SPECTACULAR SURROUND IMAGERY, HER VOCAL TORTURES DROVE MY CAT TO SEEK SOLACE AND REFUGE UNDER THE SOFA. SHE MAY STILL BE THERE. BUT THE SOUND,THE FANTASTIC SOUND. THIS IS WHAT 5.1 SURROUND IS ALL ABOUT. ASIDE FROM SOME IMPRESSIVE FILM AUDIO TRACKS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD A DISC SO SKILLFULLY UTILIZING THE SURROUND TECHNOLOGY. THE MONSTER ENGINEERS HAVE CREATED A SONIC MASTERPIECE EQUAL TO TWO OF MY FAVORITE 5.1 RECORDINGS: MIKE OLDFIELD'S TUBULAR BELLS UPDATE AND A JEAN MICHEL JARRE IMPORT TITLED AERO. I EAGERLY AWAIT WHATEVER THE MONSTERS PUT THEIR HANDS TO NEXT. I ORDERED THE RAY CHARLES MONSTER DISC TODAY. AT LEAST THERE THEY HAVE GREAT SOUNDS TO EVOLVE INTO GREAT SONICS. WITH THIS CHARLIE BROWN DISC, THE WRAPPING SOUND SURROUNDS SOME MUNDANE SOUNDS.

      1 out of 5 stars I'll second the motion..........2006-12-02

      ...and I haven't even bought this CD. I got the email today from Amazon advertising it, and my first reaction (because the original CD soundtrack from Guaraldi is the GREATEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF ALL TIME) was that I'd give it a try. I mean, come on, surround sound? How cool is that? Little did I know, before reading the previous review, that it was a whole new album/arrangement of all the songs. Horendous indeed!!!! Now, if they had simply taken the original tracks and put them in surround, maybe improved the mix....who knows....? But I can tell you this: for me, part of the beauty of the original recording is the flat out INNONCENCE and glorious LO-FI of the mixes. It immediately takes me back to that one night of the year when CBS would air the special. I lived for that evening, as did many of you.

      Why am I taking the time to write a review for something I haven't even heard? Because I don't want to know that anyone else had their Christmas almost ruined over another modern-day artist trying to cash in on a true genius' talents, just like the previous reviewer so correctly stated. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Benoit, but really......compose your own Christmas songs and leave the classics alone, David. Some things in life should simply be off limits.

      In other words.....I SECOND THE MOTION!!!!! LONG LIVE THE ORIGINAL RECORDING!!!!!!!

      (oh, and God bless us....every one.....)

      1 out of 5 stars leave well enough alone.......2006-12-01

      This CD is horrendous! Today, Nov 30, I got out my Christmas CD's to start getting in the holiday mood. This CD is so bad that it ruined my entire mood - I'll be lucky if I recover by Christmas!

      The first track, "Christmas is Coming" butchers a great song with clumsy unwelcome horn arrangements. The second, "Just Like Me" is a breathy, flat, overwrought waste of 4 minutes. The third, "Linus and Lucy" is a depressingly boring arrangement with repetitive saxophone riffs, an annoying percussion track and a lobotomized version of Vince Guaraldi's original harmonies. I could go on and on but there isn't a bright spot in this entire disaster of a CD ... oh, except "Fur Elise" which is a note for note rendition of the original.

      This CD is an affront to the musical genius of Vince Guaraldi and I'm sick and tired of lesser artists cashing in by rehashing his great music - no one has done it better, in fact they aren't even close. Buy the original Charlie Brown Christmas CD and save yourself the aggravation. Have a happy holiday, I just hope I recover in time to salvage some of mine.
      Charlie Brown Christmas
      Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
      • Wonderful Music For All Times Of The Year
      • No Noticable Differrence between SACD and CD
      • The timeless classic...
      		 Charlie Brown Christmas
      Vince Guaraldi
      Manufacturer: Fantasy
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Cool JazzCool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
      Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Children's Music | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. A Boy Named Charlie Brown
      2. Gratitude
      3. Explorations
      4. Work Song
      5. Days of Future Passed

      ASIN: B0000AYLJC
      Release Date: 2003-09-30

      Tracks:

      1. O Tannenbaum
      2. What Child Is This?
      3. My Little Drum
      4. Linus and Lucy
      5. Christmas Time Is Here [Instrumental]
      6. Christmas Time Is Here [Vocal Version]
      7. Skating
      8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
      9. Christmas Is Coming
      10. Fse
      11. Christmas Song
      12. Greensleeves

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Music For All Times Of The Year.......2007-03-16

      I am a huge Vince Guaraldi fan. His compositional genious is what really makes many of the Peanuts specials. A Peanuts Christmas is his first and, in my opinion, all-time best Peanuts soundtrack. For those who love Jazz and Christmas music as much as I do, there is no way you can go wrong. This particular CD has a few added bonuses that have not appeared on albums in the past.

      For other Guaraldi fans, be sure to look for the new offering compiled by his son David - Vince Guaraldi & The Lost Cues. Included are many wonderful nuggets from various Peanuts specials that have not appeared on any other album. Check it out on [...].

      1 out of 5 stars No Noticable Differrence between SACD and CD.......2006-12-04

      Love, the album. But the SACD transfer does little to enhance the already superb audio recording on the regular CD.

      5 out of 5 stars The timeless classic..........2003-12-15

      ...On the format that it was meant for. I'm hoping that the more I see on SACD, the more likely it stays around. This one certainly comes alive on SACD. Especially with all the piano. It seems that piano gets washed out on CD, but it reverberates in all it's glory with this one. It sounds like the band is right in my living room.
      Charlie Brown Christmas
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Charlie Brown Christmas
        Cyrus Chestnut Trio
        Manufacturer: Wea International
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Modern PostbebopModern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Bebop & Post-BopBebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        JazzJazz | Imports | Stores | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        ASIN: B000056H60
        Release Date: 2001-01-09

        Tracks:

        1. Me and Charlie Brown (Piano Solo)
        2. Skating
        3. My Little Drum
        4. Christmas Song
        5. Baby Dance
        6. Fse
        7. What Child Is This?
        8. Linus and Lucy
        9. O Tannenbaum
        10. Christmas Time Is Here
        11. Me and Charlie Brown
        12. Christmas Is Coming
        13. Greensleeves
        14. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
        15. Schumann Excerpts from the Scenes of Childhood [*]

        Album Details

        Japanese version featuring a bonus track: Schumann Excerpts from 'The Scenes of Childhood'.

        Music:

        1. Corner of Eden
        2. Counting Games And Rhythms For The Little Ones
        3. Country Goes Raffi
        4. Diamonds and Daydreams
        5. Disney's An Extremely Goofy Movie Dance Party! (2000 Film) [Soundtrack]
        6. Doggone My Time
        7. Doing Our Job [Live]
        8. Dr. Seuss Presents: Fox in Sox
        9. Dr. Seuss Presents: Green Eggs & Ham
        10. Elephant Party

        Music

        Music