How The Best Christmas Album Almost Never Happened

The best Christmas Album almost didn't happen - and even when it did, the creators of the special worried that they "ruined Charlie Brown". A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a staple for nearly 60 years, and today I'm going to break down exactly why - with a few surprises along the way.

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► Complimentary Interview Channel - @DiggingTheTalks

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SOURCES

[easystreetphoto]

y'all's parents raised a rhythm section, i love it

[billg]

"The perfect mix of Merry and Melancholy" is the perfect description of a Charlie Brown Christmas.

Excellent episode, man.

[kam]

The opening scene when he turned into Charlie Brown is gold💀.

[jamisondonald]

I thought you had cloned yourself to take multiple spots in the rhythm section

[strifelord]

This channel sets the bar for how a YouTube channel and how YouTube videos ought to be. An awesome mix of information, quality, entertainment, engagement, presentation, pace and overall production value and professionalism. Well done.

[MidtownSkyport]

Not only is this album my soundtrack to wrapping presents and trimming the tree, it was also one of the major stepping stones to me 'getting' jazz

[wipis]

Charlie Brown Christmas is an exercise in authenticity. You could get into a whole discussion of "what is authentic?" But the amateur voices, 3 piece music, and whimsical story all just feel like childhood. They feel like bottled nostalgia.

[MusicFromAnotherTime]

Charlie Brown-Core is my favorite kind of music.

[RhymesWithCarbon]

To me, "Christmastime Is Here" is _the_ definitive Christmas song. It evokes everything I like (and don't like) about Christmas. It evokes snowy days, reflection on the previous year, introspection, but gratefulness for being where we are in life. It's incredible, and I love it. I love so much that you covered this. Yes it's complicated, but I take a lot of inspiration from Fred Rogers - don't dumb down your presentation just because it's "for children". Children get it, man. They can cope with intelligent harmonies and arrangements. They like the challenge.

[christopherzehnder]

I love the brushed drums on this album. It’s so chill and warm.

[ChucklestheSP]

That intro was epic. Hats off to the animator who did this. You look like you're straight out of the cartoons

[collins_channel]

Mans has stepped up EVERYTHING!! First a psyops thriller, now hes a Peanut?! Keep killin it bro 🔥

[machinelearng]

My all time favorite cartoon as a child was Charlie Brown because of the jazz soundtrack. I couldn't wait for Christmas to come so I could watch the show and hear the jazz. I got into a lot of trouble in Jr. High for drawing Snoopy on the walls. I did it in pencil but still got in trouble. Btw, the person who taught me to play piano was a man named Charles Brown. The blues man who wrote and sang Merry Christmas Baby.

[SpiderDan]

I for real thought for a minute that you were on drums and bass with a split screen (tiny phone). 😂 i was thinking, wow he is a pretty great drummer as well, then it was nice to learn he was your brother. Great jazz drumming my dude and congrats on the 'Peanuts' gig! ! Also, bro the 'Take Five' joke, corny as it was, totally got me 👍 so unexpected. Almost dropped my thanksgiving leftovers! And I personally am glad the had Linus recite that bible verse, just makes it all that much more grounded.

[PANDORAZTOYBOKZ]

Childhood hiphop nerd, turned Jazz bassist, turned hip hop producer is basically my current trajectory so I love your channel so much.

[yungsayin]

The creator of Peanuts actually lived near my hometown, Santa Rosa… he built an airport and ice skating rink here, and there’s random peanut statues scattered throughout the town

[Corleone]

I guarantee you that this Digging The Greats episode will be the best holiday special that I watch this season. I have a feeling that many other people will feel that way too.

[pastense]

Sometimes I hear Guaraldi-isms in Robert Glasper’s playing. It’s a shame Vince passed away so young and this album was his only magnum opus. Yet another Bay Area musician for me to proud of. RIP Vince Guaraldi

[WuzyBambussy]

Laughed out loud with the bro drop 😂
So much love for this channel . Your work is 🔥
From Wu Tang to Guaraldi. True musicheads, much respect.

[Dan-ylk]

The Charlie Brown Christmas w/ Vince Guaraldi Trio is, hands down, my favorite holiday album. It’s truly timeless. I feel every Christmas, good, bad, and ugly, every time I listen to the album.

Thank you for creating this video.