Title - You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown
Artist - Vince Guaraldi
That’s right, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen! Your alternative jazz soundtrack for the election season is here now! For this is the much anticipated premier release of Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack for You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (1972), on Digital, CD & LP on September 6th, 2024.
Newly re-discovered in their vaults, the original recording sessions for Vince Guaraldi’s beloved soundtrack for the 1972 classic You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown have been remastered for audiophiles and Peanuts® fans and election lovers everywhere.
All versions of this release include the original 15 tracks of cues from the special - with extended performances available for the first time ever - plus 10 extra bonus tracks never before heard since their recording in 1972.
Guaraldi brought Dixieland jazz, his classic favorites, and even his voice (for the first time in Peanuts®) to the soundtrack that provides the score for Linus’s campaign for student body president.
Some highlights include: the complete (over five minutes) Joe Cool, where Guaraldi sings about one of Snoopy’s most famous alter egos; multiple versions of Incumbent Waltz written for the special; probably his saddest tune Deserted Charlie Brown; classic Linus and Lucy updated for the ’70s; and several of the eponymous You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown tunes.
There are also some bonus tracks for Joe Cool, alternate takes of songs like Blue Charlie Brown and a bonus of African Sleigh Ride.
1. Incumbent Waltz
2. You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown
3. Oh, Good Grief!
4. Cookin’ Snoopy (Fast Piano Jazz)
5. Blue Charlie Brown
6. Incumbent Waltz (Reprise)
7. Linus and Lucy / Poor Charlie Brown
8. Joe Cool (Vocal)
9. Incumbent Waltz (2nd Reprise)
10. Elect Linus (Dilemma) / Woodstock’s Wake Up
11. Joe Cool (Unused Reprise)
12. Oh, Good Grief! (Reprise)
13. Deserted Charlie Brown
14. You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (Reprise)
15. Linus and Lucy (Reprise)
16. You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (2nd Reprise - End Credits)
17. Joe Cool (Alternate Take 1)
18. Joe Cool (Alternate Rehearsal Take)
19. Blue Charlie Brown (Alternate Take 1)
20. African Sleigh Ride
21. Cookin’ Snoopy (Fast Piano Jazz - Alternate Take 1, 2 & 3)
22. Incumbent Waltz (2nd Reprise Alternate Take 1)
23. Incumbent Waltz (2nd Reprise Alternate Take 3)
24. Incumbent Waltz (Unused Cue)
25. Linus and Lucy (Acoustic Piano Mix)
This classic Peanuts® recording opens on the luxuriantly perky, short but sweet Incumbent Waltz, the quick, veritably chanted ode You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown, the opulent piano piece Oh, Good Grief! and then we get given the aptly-titled ditty Cookin’ Snoopy (Fast Piano Jazz), the finger-snapper Blue Charlie Brown, and a dulcet reprise of Incumbent Waltz.
Along next is the jauntily fun Linus and Lucy / Poor Charlie Brown and the Randy Newman-esque Joe Cool (Vocal) and they are in turn backed by the second reprise of Incumbent Waltz, the free flowing Elect Linus (Dilemma) / Woodstock’s Wake Up and both the smooth Joe Cool (Unused Reprise) and a delightful reprise of Oh, Good Grief!
Next up is the spirited piano work that drives the blues-jazz cut Deserted Charlie Brown, a lush reprise of You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown and a gently frenetic reprise of Linus and Lucy (Reprise), before we are greeted with the New Orleans-imbibed second reprise of You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (End Credits), and two alternate takes of Joe Cool, and one more of Blue Charlie Brown.
The recording then rounds out with the lovely to finally hear properly African Sleigh Ride and a fast piano jazz, alternate three takes of Cookin’ Snoopy, coming to a close on a trio of different takes and outtakes of Incumbent Waltz, and finally a rather delightful acoustic piano mix of Linus and Lucy.
In addition to the composer’s piano playing, guitar and vocals, the maestro’s cabinet (band) is comprised of legends who lent their talents for this wonderful campaign. The music will get you in a great mood for any election.
The album was remixed at Bones and Knives by Terry Carleton, and restored and mastered by Vinson Hudson, and produced by Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson.
The album will be available on CD, Vinyl, and digital. The CD has an 8 page insert and the vinyl has a 4 page insert. Both the CD and Vinyl include art from the special and liner notes that give a track-by-track analysis by Derrick Bang (author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano) and notes by Sean and Jason Mendelson, sons of Peanuts® producer Lee Mendelson and album producers.
Official Purchase Link
www.mvdshop.com