Vince Guaraldi fans can rejoice as there is not just one new soundtrack to a previously unreleased Peanuts cartoon TV special but two! Just released from Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) is the premiere soundtrack release of It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. The album has been fleshed out with music from the second Peanuts TV special Charlie Brown’s All-Stars from 1966 (celebrating its 60th Anniversary!).
This release is especially poignant as it includes the final music Guaraldi made in his lifetime. Guaraldi, who passed away while performing on February 6, 1976 recorded much of this wonderful music earlier that same day.
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown is manufactured on reduced carbon footprint Bio Vinyl, a formulation I have been very impressed with thus far having reviewed several albums made this way. I have found the vinyl to be of high quality and, remarkably enough, outstandingly quiet and musically transparent! Bio Vinyl is made from recycled materials and avoids use of petroleum in the creation of vinyl records.
The album cover is crafted from sustainably forested paper and even the clear plastic outer wrapper / baggie is compostable! Additionally, for every copy sold in 2026, LMFP will contribute $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation leading to the planting a new tree in a forest of need. Kudos to LMFP for crafting such a thoughtful release.
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown includes a six-panel LP sized, full color booklet with wonderful graphics and track-by-track analysis by album producer Sean Mendelson, and notes from album producer Jason Mendelson, sons of legendary Peanuts producer Lee Mendelson. Additionally, longtime Guaraldi biographer Derrick Bang — author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano — provides an historical essay.
Musically, both of these soundtracks are great fun as per usual with Vince Guaraldi. There are themes and sounds you’ll probably recognize including the lovely “Rain, Rain, Go Away (Rain Gentle Rain)” which is reportedly one of his last recordings made before he passed away. It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown finds Guaraldi performing in a somewhat more modern version of his classic trio, playing electric as well as acoustic piano and backed by Seward McCain on bass, and Jim Zimmerman on drums.
Charlie Brown’s All Stars was the second Peanuts TV special after the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. It first aired in June 1966 and was performed by the Vince Guaraldi Sextet which included Eugene “Puzzy” Firth (bass), Eddie Duran (guitar), John Coppola and Frank Snow (trumpet), and Lee Charlton (drums).
Guaraldi and Peanuts fans alike will no doubt want to own this fine soundtrack album. You can purchase It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown at Amazon on forest green vinyl for $35.99 or standard black for $34.99 while the CD version is available for $17.99.
For those making Record Store Day plans (April 18, 2026) there is a special Peanuts/Guaraldi disc to look for celebrating both of these baseball themed soundtracks. In a “double play” 45 RPM package, It’s Arbor Day Charlie Brown will be pressed as a special 10-inch clear vinyl baseball-labeled LP edition while Charlie Brown’s All Stars will be pressed on a baseball glove-shaped vinyl disc.
Batter up!
Where to buy
- $17.99 at Amazon (CD)
- $34.99 at Amazon (Black Vinyl)
- $35.99 at Amazon (Green Vinyl)
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
Related Reading:
- Vince Guaraldi’s 50th Anniversary “You’re A Good Sport, Charlie Brown” Soundtrack Returns On Zoetrope 45RPM Picture Disc
- Vince Guaraldi Vinyl Revival: New Releases From Craft Recordings And Peanuts Creator Lee Mendelson Productions For Record Store Day 2025
- Vince Guaraldi’s Be My Valentine Charlie Brown First Time Soundtrack Review
- Craft Recordings Kicks Off 2026 With Landmark Original Jazz Classics Reissues From Vince Guaraldi, Thelonious Monk, And Wes Montgomery
