While Vince Guaraldi's piano playing and composing have had a big influence on George Winston's work, there is little sense of direct imitation in this affecting tribute to the man who composed the memorable music for the television specials based on cartoonist Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts characters. Winston's solo piano style is fuller and more reflective than Guaraldi's, a hearty blend of powerful chords and subdued rhythms. It seems to embrace Guaraldi's tunes, both the Peanuts songs, like the title tune and "You're in Love, Charlie Brown," and Guaraldi's other music, like "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and "Monterey," which seems to blend somber tones with an almost luminous quality. The warmth, wit, and whimsy here evoke memories of the best work of Guaraldi and Schultz. --Adam Rains

Japanese Release featuring 17 Tracks Including the Exclusive Bonus Track the Red Baron.

If you are a fan of the late Vince Guaraldi, the classic Peanuts cartoon strip and Charlie Brown specials, or a fan of George Winston, I recommend this CD to you. If you prefer the originals, then I would recommend the excellent collection Vince Guaraldi's Greatest Hits (see my review for that, entitled "Cast Your Ears To Vince Guaraldi").

It's obvious that George Winston has the greatest respect for Vince Guaraldi as seen in the liner notes. Thus, I don't think there's anybody better to do a tribute to Guaraldi than Mr. Winston. Ok, so Winston improvises a little bit (like on "Peppermint Patty" and the closing track) but isn't that found on all tribute albums? When I 1st heard "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", I thought it had a Charlie Brown special feel to it. Now I know why! Other pieces that I like are the brief and simple "Eight Five Five" (you know Winston was a fan if he picked this piece up!), the classic "Linus and Lucy", "Skating", "Great Pumpkin Waltz", the Latino-flavored "The Masked Marvel", "You're In Love, Charlie Brown" and "Bon Voyage". But this isn't all Charlie Brown music. There's also "Treat Street" which sounds a little like George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and the lovely melancholy "Theme to Grace" in which Winston throws in a piece of his own "Lament" into this poignant final track.

I remember reading once that George Winston had planned another CD of Vince Guaraldi music. I hope he makes good on that plan.

Vince Guaraldi
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How can anything really compare with the original?
Get Vince's recording for the fullest Jazz and multi-instrument effect.

Wonderful, lovely, sentimental, nostalgic. The music here, all presented without any other interpretation besides the original composers piano and the music that was meant to be heard, is perfect. Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy this masterpiece of memories.

My daughter wanted to use "Linus and Lucy" for her recessional at her wedding and we could not find it any where... This was the perfect recording. And it was quite a surprise to all the guests.

Linus & Lucy: The Music Of Vince Guaraldi, by George Winston, can best be summed up in one word... joy. This CD is a joy to listen to. I was familiar with the music of Vince Guaraldi and the Vince Guaraldi Trio only in that I heard it as the background music of the wonderful Peanuts shows. George Winston provides his own excellent updates on the Guaraldi classics, and introduces a new generation to this classic music. Listening to this CD, at any time of the year, is a joyous experience. It is a 5 star CD.