J​.​R. Bohannon :: Plays Vince Guaraldi

It might yet be a little early in the year to break out Christmas tunes, but it’s worth letting pedal steel instrumentalist J.R. Bohannon take you “Skating” with this recent single from the folks at Astral Spirits. Slipping and sliding over a ghostly rhythm track, loping bass arcs, and a thick layer of ambient noise, he brings a spooky and psychedelic spirit to Vince Guaraldi’s timeless melodies.

A Reflection: Vince Guaraldi Trio — A Charlie Brown Christmas

There’s loneliness and companionship, joy and despair, truth-seeking and blithe celebration, all during what’s marketed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Your interpretation of the season begets your holiday spirit, whatever version it may be — bah humbug and good tidings. It’s little surprise then that Charlie Brown’s soundtrack, as well as our own, is something just as introspective and shifting. Something like jazz.

A Reflection: Vince Guaraldi Trio — A Charlie Brown Christmas

There’s loneliness and companionship, joy and despair, truth-seeking and blithe celebration, all during what’s marketed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Your interpretation of the season begets your holiday spirit, whatever version it may be — bah humbug and good tidings. It’s little surprise then that Charlie Brown’s soundtrack, as well as our own, is something just as introspective and shifting. Something like jazz.

A Reflection: Vince Guaraldi Trio — A Charlie Brown Christmas

There’s loneliness and companionship, joy and despair, truth-seeking and blithe celebration, all during what’s marketed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Your interpretation of the season begets your holiday spirit, whatever version it may be — bah humbug and good tidings. It’s little surprise then that Charlie Brown’s soundtrack, as well as our own, is something just as introspective and shifting. Something like jazz.

A Reflection: Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas

There’s loneliness and companionship, joy and despair, truth-seeking and blithe celebration, all during what’s marketed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Your interpretation of the season begets your holiday spirit, whatever version it may be — bah humbug and good tidings. It’s little surprise then that Charlie Brown’s soundtrack, as well as our own, is something just as introspective and shifting. Something like jazz.

Vince Guaraldi…Sings

In terms of Guaraldi’s varied career I’ve always viewed the Peanuts scores as a peek into the Guaraldi rabbit hole. As the televised specials moved into the late sixties and early seventies, so did the music. Guaraldi, a bay area bohemian of the old school, infused layers of funk, soul, r&b and all manner of groove into the latter specials. His underused vocals reeked of a smoldering blue cool that can’t be faked. The below two tracks are culled from volume one of the high recommended compilation Lost Cues From The Charlie Brown Television Specials.