Smart bets: Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas

Posted on by Alli Marshall

Poor Charlie Brown never managed to kick the football. He never got the little red-haired girl or a boisterous Christmas tree. But one thing the Peanuts character did get — and this nearly makes up for all those losses — is one of the all-time best soundtracks. The 1965 album A Charlie Brown Christmas, by composer Vince Guaraldi, elevates holiday songs to high art. Cool jazz tracks balance coziness with nostalgia. The record is part of both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Atlanta-based musicians Jeffrey Bützer (drums) and T.T. Mahony (piano) mark the 50th anniversary of the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special by taking their live re-creation of Guaraldi’s score on tour. Joined by female singers and an upright bassist, they’ll perform at The Grey Eagle Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. $12 advance/$15 day of show. thegreyeagle.com. Photo by Ken Lackner

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall
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