Additional "Mystery" Details

Lee Mendelson Film Productions just issued its official press release concerning the debut release of Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack for the 11th animated Peanuts TV special, It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown.

It can be viewed here.

It includes quite a few more details than I had in my initial post, back on May 19, and in the June 11 follow-up. Most importantly, some of the release dates have changed, so take note.

To recap and update:

• The Record Store Day Indie Exclusive Magnifying Glass Clear Vinyl, available September 11, can be pre-ordered at this Record Store Day page, but bear in mind that not all stores get listed; if you don't see your local favorite, give 'em a call.

• The Mystifying Teal Vinyl, exclusive to Barnes & Noble, also will be available September 11. It can be pre-ordered here.

• The Mysterious Magenta Vinyl, exclusive to Urban Outfitters, also will be available September 11. It can be pre-ordered here.

• Finally, standard black vinyl, CDs and digital downloads will be available September 18, and can be pre-ordered here.

The biggest surprise?

This unique release invites customers to solve several mysteries! Can you find all the tiny Peppermint Patty robbers, with the aid of the included Snoopy Holmes magnifying glass sheet? (All vinyl and CD releases include this special treat.) The packaging includes several other secrets, where the listener/reader is challenged to search for clues, and solve puzzles, that will lead to even more surprises!

(Having just received an advance copy — one of the privileges of writing liner notes — I can attest to the originality and deviousness that went into this release. You thought the Zoetrope and Easter Eggs were ground-breaking? Wait until you get your hands on this one!)

Stocking stuffers

We’ve an embarrassment of holiday-themed riches this month, starting with not just one, but two terrific big band covers of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Richmond, Virginia, is blessed with a full-blown swing band fronted by bassist/arranger Andrew Randazzo, which performs as the R4nd4zzo Big Band. The 15-piece unit boasts four trumpets, three trombones, four reeds and a rhythm section of keyboards (Jacob Ungerleider), guitar (Alan Parker), bass (Randazzo) and drums (DJ Harrison). The ensemble presented a swinging tribute to Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas to a packed house at Richmond’s Vagabond on December 18, 2017; the performance was recorded and released as a Bandcamp digital album a month later.

Can’t imagine why it took so long for me to find it; this album definitely shouldn’t be missed.

Aside from his inventive arrangements, Randazzo also has a cheeky sense of humor; the classic holiday tunes and Guaraldi originals have been given fresh titles that occasionally require a bit of thought … such as “SK8N,” which features unison brass on the familiar melody, following Randazzo’s tasty solo bass introduction. The pace picks up, with Toby Whitaker and JC Kuhl delivering cool solos on (respectively) bass trombone and baritone sax.

The set actually kicks off with “Tannenbomb,” which begins in gentle Guaraldi fashion; the full band then sets a mid-tempo pace for sleek solos on piano and brass, against Randazzo’s bass comping. The ensemble returns to the melody and then concludes with a double-time burst of speed. The mid-tempo “Drum Closet” (“My Little Drum”) is dominated by groovy rolling percussion, the melody taken by brass against Parker’s guitar comping. Parker similarly dominates the melody in a thoughtful cover of “Black Friday” (“Christmas Time Is Here”), and he also gets plenty of exposure — notably during a lengthy bridge solo — in “Whose Baby Is This!?”

A few arrangements may challenge Guaraldi purists, starting with an unusually contemplative, mid-tempo reading of “Linus, Single Again,” dominated by Ungerleider’s sweet piano solo and some cool rhythm work. But the stand-out, for exploratory ambition, is “Xmas on a Thursday,” a deconstructed handling of “Christmas Is Coming,” dominated by funky bass and percussion, a barely recognized melody in a minor key, and an acid rock electric guitar solo that soars into outer space … after which the track concludes with a traditional solo piano reading of “Fur Elise.” Far out, man!

The set finishes with a gentle reading of “Chestnuts,” featuring guest vocalist Roger Carroll; Randazzo’s acoustic bass solo at the bridge is particularly lush, backed by unison brass comping. The horns takes over the melody when Carroll returns to croon the iconic tune to a close. At which point, a very good time clearly has been had by all.

(One minor issue: I rather doubt Peanuts Worldwide, Fantasy/Concord and all others concerned would be pleased by this set’s digital album cover!)