Station Archive

Vince Guaraldi’s music continues to have a wonderful afterlife, thanks to the successful recent releases of the Peanuts soundtracks that Guaraldi recorded before he died at 47 in 1976. Today we update the story with Derrick Bang, who wrote the book about the San Francisco jazz pianist and writes liner notes for the Peanuts soundtrack producers Jason and Sean Mendelson. Bang believes there’s likely more unreleased music to come even after the soundtracks series ends. Today on Davisville he also names an often-overlooked Guaraldi song that he says evokes a stroll in the rain as winningly as the composer’s Christmas song “Skating” evokes kids skating on a pond. We hear part of the song, “Rain, Rain Go Away,” which is nothing like the children’s nursery rhyme.

Bang underscores his belief in Guaraldi’s music and talent. “I want to do the best I can to make sure that his music lives into the 22nd century,” he says on today’s program. “I want him to become one of our Tchaikovskys.”

Illustration taken from the cover of The Charlie Brown Suite and Other Favorites CD (2003), which uses a drawing of Vince Guaraldi by Charles Schulz.

I usually say, never start a summary with an apology. But today, I’ll make an exception. I want to apologize for not properly introducing this week’s show at the beginning of the program.

That said, this week’s episode took a powerful turn. Ray Keck joined me for an hour of reflection on the tragic consequences of war—especially its toll on innocent children. The conversation was sparked by the news of Chuck Mangione’s passing. Listening to his album Children of Sanchez led us into this moving hour of reflection through music.

Here's the playlist.