50th Anniversary Soundtrack of ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Now Available

November 19th, 7:00 PM EST

Snoopy from Peanuts

MGN via Charles M Schulz

(NEWSnet/AP) – An expanded soundtrack for the Thanksgiving season was released this fall to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”

The animated TV special first aired in November 1973.

The restored, remixed, remastered soundtrack album by the late jazz composer and keyboardist Vince Guaraldi features 21 tracks, nearly half of which have not been previously released. It's available either for purchase or streaming.

Guaraldi is accompanied by Seward McCain on electric bass, Mike Clark on drums, Tom Harrell on trumpet and Chuck Bennett on trombone, and the tunes are explored by the ensemble in various configurations, including overdubs.

Six cuts last a half-minute or less, presenting Guaraldi experimenting as he plays grand piano, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Clavinet and even guitar.

There are new versions of the familiar tunes “Thanksgiving Theme” and “Linus and Lucy,” as well as a brief jam involving only Guaraldi and Clark. Five cuts titled “Thanksgiving Interlude” are included, among them a version used in the show that was the 17th and final take.