“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” by Vince Guaraldi, The Vince Guaraldi Quintet [2024 Turkey Tan vinyl]

Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to the timeless 1973 holiday classic “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is finally available for the 50th anniversary of the television special. The vinyl LP includes Guaraldi hits mastered from the original session tapes (recently rediscovered) like the funky brass filled “Linus and Lucy,” “Thanksgiving Theme,” and the soulful “Little Birdie.” This album reveals the full musical performance previously buried in the special’s mix. Furthermore, there are bonus tracks for “Thanksgiving Interlude” demonstrating how Guaraldi crafted his score for the special; an additional keyboard on “Linus and Lucy;” and Guaraldi whistling the melody for “Is It James or Charlie?”

Beyond the composer’s piano playing, the quintet is made up of Mike Clark on drums; Seward McCain (longest touring bassist with Guaraldi – holding down the electric bass); the iconic Tom Harrell on trumpet to class up the album; and Chuck Bennett on Trombone. This is some of the funkiest Guaraldi you’ll hear as his quintet leaned into the East Bay Sound, a type of funk that Mike Clark helped pioneer in the early ’70s. Guaraldi even lends his bluesy voice to introduce Woodstock with “Little Birdie.”

The album was remixed by Terry Carleton at Bones and Knives, restored and mastered by Vinson Hudson, and produced by Sean and Jason Mendelson. The record includes 21 tracks (38 minutes), liner notes by producer Sean Mendelson and art from the special.

Track Listing:
Charlie Brown Blues
Thanksgiving Theme
Thanksgiving Theme (Reprise)
Peppermint Patty
Little Birdie
Thanksgiving Interlude
Is It James or Charlie?
Linus and Lucy
Fife & Drums Theme
Charlie Brown Blues (Reprise)
Thanksgiving Interlude (Reprise)
Thanksgiving Theme (2nd Reprise)
Thanksgiving Theme (3rd Reprise)
Thanksgiving Theme (Alternate)
Peppermint Patty (Bonus Mix)
Linus and Lucy (Bonus Mix)
Thanksgiving Interlude (Alternate Take 2, 4 and 6)
Thanksgiving Interlude (Alternate Take 10)
Thanksgiving Interlude (Alternate Take 14)
Is It James or Charlie? (Bonus Mix with Whistling)
Clark and Guaraldi

Run Time: 38:28 mins

street date 3/6/2026