David Benoit
"Here's To You Charlie
Brown..."
Joined by bassist Christian
McBride and drummer Peter Erskine in an acoustic-trio format,
pianist David Benoit stitches together a modest but appealing
ode to the music of Vince Guaraldi and the cartoon character
that affected both of their careers. Half the compositions that
make up Here's to You appear on Guaraldi's 1964 television soundtrack
A Boy Named Charlie Brown. It's actually Guaraldi's original
trio you hear during the opening 50 seconds of "Linus and
Lucy," until David Benoit's threesome splices in its own
improvisation. A bit brief at 42 minutes, the package is nevertheless
nicely understated and affectionately played. Some listeners
would rather not have a holiday selection at the album's midpoint,
but the intrusion is minor. Other guests include Chris Botti
, Michael Brecker (tenor sax on the swinging "Freda"),
and Al Jarreau on the concluding "Happiness." --Terry
Wood |