Background
In the years following producer Lee Mendelson death in December 2019, his family began reviewing archival materials related to the Peanuts television specials. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, the Mendelsons located a number of previously unreleased analog session tapes recorded by composer Vince Guaraldi. Among these were tapes for You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown, including music cues by Guaraldi and orchestrations by John Scott Trotter, as well as alternate takes. [8]
These analog masters were subsequently transferred at 192 kHz/24-bit resolution by Deluxe Entertainment Services from the original 2-inch, 16-track stereo reels, preserving the full fidelity of the 1972 sessions. [9] [10]
Recording
The soundtrack to You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown was recorded on August 22, 1972, at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco. The session featured Vince Guaraldi (acoustic piano, electric keyboards, guitars, vocals), Seward McCain (electric bass, flute), Glenn Cronkhite (drums), Tom Harrell (trumpet), Pat O'Hara (trombone), and Mel Martin (piccolo, clarinet, soprano saxophone). [9] [10]
This marked Guaraldi's eighth score for the animated franchise and introduced notable stylistic shifts. The addition of Seward McCain, who would become Guaraldi's most frequent bassist—signaled a transition from acoustic to electric bass. McCain's jazz fusion background brought a more contemporary tone, aligning with early 1970s trends in funk and rock. He also contributed flute on "Joe Cool (Vocal)", where his improvisation was integrated into the final arrangement. [8]
Guaraldi's evolving approach was evident in his increased use of electric instruments, including layered electric pianos, synthesized textures, and a wah-wah pedal. While earlier scores such as Play It Again, Charlie Brown (1971) had introduced electric elements, the 1972 sessions further expanded their role. The track "Joe Cool (Vocal)" illustrates this shift, blending electric piano lines with wah-wah effects and multi-instrument layering. [9] [10]
This special also marked Guaraldi's vocal debut within the franchise. He performed lead vocals on "Joe Cool", lending a relaxed, idiosyncratic style suited to the title character. Although not formally trained as a singer, Guaraldi's voice reinforced the informal, improvisational tone of the score. [9] [10]
The recording featured a broader ensemble than previous specials. Mel Martin contributed piccolo passages on the main theme and later performed clarinet and soprano saxophone on an extended Dixieland-style arrangement used during the closing credits. Pat O'Hara's trombone and Tom Harrell's trumpet rounded out the brass section, adding texture and stylistic contrast to the jazz-based cues. [9] [10]
Release
You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording was released on September 6, 2024, in compact disc, digital download, and vinyl formats. The release coincided with the lead-up to the 2024 United States presidential election, thematically aligned with the special's subject matter. In addition to standard editions, a limited pressing on "Woodstock Yellow" BioVinyl was issued as a Record Store Day Indie Exclusive. [6]
Critical reception
The album received positive reviews. Writing for All About Jazz , critic Joshua Weiner praised the musical diversity, noting the score’s range from Dixieland to modal jazz fusion. He identified "Cookin' Snoopy", "Incumbent Waltz", and "African Sleigh Ride" as highlights and emphasized Guaraldi's use of the Fender Rhodes, the debut of McCain's bass work, and the full vocal rendition of "Joe Cool". Weiner characterized the album as one of Guaraldi's strongest outside the core holiday specials. [1]
Online reviewer Giggens highlighted the remaster's clarity and fidelity, attributing it to the use of original multitrack tapes. He described the musical style as a blend of Guaraldi's signature jazz with 1970s funk and R&B. The extended "Joe Cool" track, detailed liner notes, and sustainable packaging were also cited as distinguishing features. [4]
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