A Charlie Brown Christmas to Be

The classic “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree and loveable characters of Charlie Brown are unforgettable. A family favourite and classic from 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” surely is great, but what many don’t realize is that the simple instrumental  soundtrack is what really makes the movie complete.

We all know the familiar tune of Linus and Lucy and the children’s voices from Christmas Time is Here; without them, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” wouldn’t be what it is. Each piece has its own charm, all consisting of a simple piano with a drum set accompanied by a double bass making it a staple for Christmas parties all around. The simplicity of these songs makes them a perfect ambiance noise. The double bass provides a warm feeling in anyone’s heart while the piano will be stuck in your mind, pleasantly might I add.

The other familiar tune of Christmas Time is Here is also delightful. The version with vocals provides a childlike wonder and insight into a children’s world around Christmas time. While the whole movie encapsulated this whimsical feeling, “Christmas Time Is Here – Vocal,” is the perfect length of whimsical tunes and voices. On the other hand, the instrumental version is not as nice to listen to. While being a great ambiance noise, simply listening to the song becomes boring and repetitive. The song is a lengthy six minutes and five seconds granting the listener boredom. At around four minutes, I find myself awaiting the end of the song. While good for the movie and its ambiance, by itself, “Christmas Time is Here – Instrumental,” is simply boring.

In my personal opinion, each piece harbors a youthful tone complimenting the children’s wonder and views on Christmas in the movie. By often playing music over scenes with no dialogue, the movie becomes dreamy and captures the essence of a small town around Christmas time. The children’s voices from the vocalized version of “Christmas Time is Here” were recorded in San Rafael. The voices you hear are the choir from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

The Charlie Brown Christmas movie is a classic, but it certainly couldn’t be the same without the soundtrack. Crafted specifically for the movie, Vince Guaraldi, the creator of the album, traveled to multiple locations including Glendale and San Francisco, giving the movie that lovely “Charlie Brown Charm.”

Considered “one of the most beloved holiday albums recorded”, I believe that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” would not have benefited from any other Christmas album. The Vince Guaraldi Trio did an amazing job and I give the album a 9/10.