Turkey Tan vinyl variant of the chart-topping jazz soundtrack. Includes bonus material not heard before the special's 50th anniversary release

Vince Guaraldi Quintet's A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving presents the complete score to the beloved 1973 Peanuts television special, restored from the recently rediscovered original session tapes and presented here on limited edition Turkey Tan vinyl. The collection reveals Guaraldi's music beyond what could be heard in the original television mix, restoring complete performances and gathering unused takes and alternate mixes alongside such favorites as "Thanksgiving Theme," "Little Birdie," "Peppermint Patty" and "Linus and Lucy."

Recorded with one of Guaraldi's most distinctive ensembles, the soundtrack finds the pianist and composer joined by Mike Clark on drums, Seward McCain on electric bass, Tom Harrell on trumpet and Chuck Bennett on trombone. The quintet leans heavily into the funky East Bay sound of the early 1970s, particularly on the brass-driven arrangement of "Linus and Lucy." Clark, who became known as an important funk drummer and later played with Herbie Hancock, supplies the rhythmic foundation, while Harrell's trumpet and Bennett's trombone give the score a character unlike Guaraldi's earlier Peanuts recordings. Guaraldi also contributes vocals on the soulful "Little Birdie."

The 21-track program includes music heard in the special as well as material that was edited for timing or went unused. Among the archival discoveries are alternate takes of "Thanksgiving Interlude," bonus mixes of "Peppermint Patty" and "Linus and Lucy," and a version of "Is It James or Charlie?" featuring Guaraldi whistling the melody. These expanded performances provide a revealing look at how Guaraldi developed and refined his cues while scoring the animated production.

Remixed by Terry Carleton at Bones and Knives, restored and mastered by Vinson Hudson, and produced by Sean and Jason Mendelson, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving runs approximately 38 minutes and includes liner notes by Sean Mendelson along with artwork from the original television special. This limited Turkey Tan vinyl edition offers both Peanuts collectors and jazz listeners an unusually complete document of one of Guaraldi's funkiest scores, finally allowing the music recorded for the 1973 special to stand on its own.

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

Additional Details

Label: Lee Mendelson Film Productions

Genre: Soundtrack

Run Time: 38:28 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 03/06/26

UPC: 760137161264