Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

What more can be said about the greatest Christmas album of all time? This is the epitome of warmth in music. Even without the accompaniment of the Charlie Brown television special, this record stands alone as a masterpiece in the feelings it evokes - whether joyful, melancholic, or just bittersweet; emotions pretty universal around this time of year. Without getting into the technical side of things too much, the emotive jazz on this record holds such beautifully gentle yet expressive playing across its pianos, bass and drums, always capturing that magic sold to death around Christmas time without ever preaching it. Across its variety of classic carols, original vocal pieces, and amazing jazz interplay, this is a world I don’t want to leave when I’m in it.

There isn’t a second of this I don’t enjoy - I’m sure it hits all year round but carries a new weight and warmth in the lead-up to the holiday season. A Charlie Brown Christmas is the quintessential Christmas album hands down.

KEY TRACK: Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental) - the fragility and comfort that this track induces should hit for anyone who feels even slightly off around Christmas time and wonders why.