Track Listing

1. Linus and Lucy - David Benoit Trio, Vince Guaraldi
2. Charlie Brown Theme - David Benoit Trio
3. Pebble Beach - Marc Antoine, David Benoit Trio
4. Linus Tells Charlie - David Benoit Trio, Chris Botti
5. Frieda - David Benoit Trio, Michael Brecker
6. Christmas Time Is Here - David Benoit Trio, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Joel Kibble, Mark Kibble, Claude McKnight, Take 6, David Thomas, David Thomas
7. Getting Ready - David Benoit Trio
8. Blue Charlie Brown - David Benoit Trio, Russell Malone
9. Red Baron - David Benoit Trio
10. Happiness - David Benoit Trio, Al Jarreau

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86078 in Music
• Released on: 2000-05-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Amazon.com
Joined by bassist Christian McBride and drummer Peter Erskine in an acoustic-trio format, pianist David Benoit stitches together a modest but appealing ode to the music of Vince Guaraldi and the cartoon character that affected both of their careers. Half the compositions that make up Here's to You appear on Guaraldi's 1964 television soundtrack A Boy Named Charlie Brown. It's actually Guaraldi's original trio you hear during the opening 50 seconds of "Linus and Lucy," until Benoit's threesome splices in its own improvisation. A bit brief at 42 minutes, the package is nevertheless nicely understated and affectionately played. Some listeners would rather not have a holiday selection at the album's midpoint ("Christmas Time is Here," with harmonies by gospel act Take 6), but the intrusion is minor. Other guests include Chris Botti (adding a tasteful muted trumpet to a Benoit composition, "Linus Tells Charlie"), Michael Brecker (tenor sax on the swinging "Freda"), and Al Jarreau on the concluding "Happiness." --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Happiness is.........a David Benoit CD
David Benoit has proven himself a worthy successor to the Vince Guaraldi/Peanuts legacy. Vince passed away in the mid 70's, and in my opinion, some of the musical scores of the Peanuts television specials suffered afterwards, until David Benoit became associated with them and helped to return the classic jazz sound to the series. This is a wonderful tribute album on two different levels; to the genius of both Charles M. Schulz, and also to Mr. Guaraldi, the original "musical voice" of the Peanuts animated specials. For starters, David Benoit has once again re-recorded the popular "Linus and Lucy" theme. (It has previously appeared on his "This Side Up" album in 1985, and again, in a revised version, on the 1989 "Happy Anniversary Charlie Brown" album.....not to mention his own "Best of..." CD.) But this time around, the original Vince Guaraldi track forms the basis of the arrangement, with Benoit and Co. improvising over that recording. Great idea! Following that track are re-interpretations of tunes that should be familiar to anyone who was watched "Peanuts" on TV over the years. Everything is performed tastefully and with respect, and includes excellent performances from several "guest stars" in the jazz world. There are also two Benoit compositions on this CD, and it's interesting to see how well he mimics Guaraldi's style, even in the area of composing. Closing out the album is the song, "Happiness", from the Broadway musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", with Al Jarreau supplying the lead vocal. Will you be moved by this track? Good Grief, yes......

Cheesy-looking, but a truly great album
Being a long-time fan of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" strip and of jazz, I was very happy to receive this CD as a gift. I had never heard of David Benoit, but after listening to this album over and over, I can say that he is a wonderful, wonderful piano player.

While this album, while looking at it, looks cheesy and very much like it's children's music, Benoit's piano trio (with Christian McBride on bass and Peter Erskine on drums, in case you have any doubts of the swinging-ness of this record) really has created a great jazz album and a fitting tribute to Vince Guaraldi and his music. Many of the cuts have special guests, too.

The album opens with (what else?) the always-recognized "Linus and Lucy," played beautifully by the trio and with Guaraldi's original piano track dubbed in. The trio also adds in a new, funky backbeat-style section in the middle.

"Charlie Brown Theme" is lesser-known, a medium-tempo song. While it is not my favorite, I still enjoy the calmness of it and Benoit's solo is pretty swinging.

"Pebble Beach" is an up-tempo bossa nova number with Marc Antoine joining the group on guitar. The tune is very catchy and it's fun to listen to. Good solos by Benoit and Antoine.

"Linus Tells Charlie," a slower tune, is given a beautiful texture with the addition of the muted trumpet sounds of Chris Botti. A very relaxing tune.

"Frieda" is one of my favorites, and it features Michael Brecker on tenor sax (he's pretty good, don't you think?). Killer solo by Brecker and the amazing chops of Benoit are featured here on this fun tune.

The gospel vocal group Take 6 is featured on Guaraldi's (and Lee Mendelson's) classic Christmas ode, "Christmastime is Here." A beautiful arrangement that makes you wish for winter.

"Getting Ready," the seventh cut, is the only song on the CD written by Benoit. It's a pretty straightforward tune that's more rock-ish than the rest. It grooves really hard, though, a fine example of the togetherness of this trio.

"Blue Charlie Brown" is a simple blues in F with Russell Malone on guitar. This is also the only tune where Erskine takes a solo (1 chorus before the out-head).

"Red Baron" is another one of my favorites. Marc Antoine reappears on guitar on this beautiful straight-8ths song. Great solos by all, and this song will stay with you forever, which is not a bad thing. Thanks to Guaraldi for a beautiful tune.

The closer, Clark Gesner's "Happiness" from the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!" is punctuated with the soothing, swooning voice of Al Jarreau. A beautiful song and a beautiful arrangement to end a beautiful album with.

Whether you are 3 or 103 years old (or anywhere in between and beyond), this CD is for you. Peanuts fan, jazz fan, music fan...it's all here. A wonderful tribute to the memory of Vince Guaraldi--and great background music for reading the daily strip.

Buy this CD...
If you like Charlie Brown...if you like Vince Guaraldi...if you like David Benoit...you'll LOVE this CD! This is an excellent tribute to Charles Schultz, Peanuts, and the music of Vince Guaraldi. Any negative review comes from someone who just doesn't understand... This music will keep the vision and insight of Charles Schultz, and the genius of Vince Guaraldi alive for many years. Bravo, Mr. Benoit!