Monday, April 14, 2025

Vince Guaraldi’s It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown Soundtrack Released for the First Time


Legendary jazz pianist and composer Vince Guaraldi's long-lost soundtrack to the 1974 animated Peanuts® classic It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown is finally available—for the first time ever—in its full remastered glory.

This historic release, presented by Lee Mendelson Film Productions, marks a major addition to Guaraldi’s celebrated Peanuts® discography, joining the ranks of A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.


A Lost Jazz Masterpiece, Unearthed

Originally broadcast on CBS-TV on April 9, 1974, It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown was the twelfth animated Peanuts® special and received an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Children’s Program. But until now, its joyous, jazz-infused soundtrack remained unreleased and unheard—buried beneath dialogue, sound effects, and the passage of time.

Now, thanks to meticulous restoration and mixing by Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winning engineer Clark Germain and producer team Sean and Jason Mendelson, this timeless music has been brought back to life, clearer and more vivid than ever.

“Holy Moly! This was recorded in 1974?!”Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

“It’s always a treat to hear vintage jazz for the first time. This is another glimpse into Vince Guaraldi’s brilliance.”Audiophile Audition


Available in Multiple Formats

Standard Edition

  • Black 12” 45 RPM LP (BioVinyl)

  • CD

  • Digital streaming & download

Limited Edition Easter Purple Vinyl

  • 2000 hand-numbered 12” 45 RPM LPs

  • Available only at independent record stores

  • Pressed on sustainable BioVinyl

  • Foil-stamped and perfect for collectors

Record Store Day 2025 Exclusive

  • 10” die-cut, egg-shaped vinyl

  • Features 8 essential tracks

  • Available in five mystery colors

  • Limited edition, individually numbered

  • Arrives April 12, 2025 — just in time for Easter!


Track Highlights & Bonus Material

The album includes 19 remastered tracks from the original 1974 score and one brand-new recording:

  • “Easter Theme” – The joyful title track

  • “Woodstock’s Dream” (four variations) – A dreamy, jazz-pop masterpiece

  • “Linus and Lucy”, “Peppermint Patty” – New arrangements of Guaraldi’s classics

  • “Bach’s Piano Sonata no. 3”, Beethoven’s 7th Symphony – Given the “Guaraldified” jazz treatment

  • “Snoopy and Woodstock”, “Easter Egg Soup”, and “Marcie’s Song” – Deep cuts now finally spotlighted

Bonus Track: “Woodstock Medley”

A special tribute performance by:

  • David Benoit (Grammy®-nominated jazz pianist)

  • Mike Clark (Guaraldi’s original drummer)

  • Seward McCain (Guaraldi’s longtime bassist and flutist)
    Recorded in the same San Francisco studio where the original score came to life 50 years ago.


Liner Notes & Legacy

Each physical copy includes extensive liner notes by:

  • Derrick Bang – Author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano

  • Sean & Jason Mendelson – Producers and sons of Peanuts® producer Lee Mendelson

The notes feature:

  • Track-by-track insights

  • Rare photos

  • Tape box scans from the 1974 sessions

💬 “Guaraldi favored electric keyboards on this score, with varied cues that are as larkish as the on-screen action.”Derrick Bang


Sustainable Packaging: BioVinyl LPs

All LP editions are pressed on BioVinyl, an eco-conscious alternative that replaces petroleum with recycled cooking oil and industrial waste—making your listening experience as green as it is groovy.

Learn more about LMFP’s sustainability commitment at Lee Mendelson Film Productions


Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Peanuts®

2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts® comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, and this release honors that legacy. The Easter Beagle soundtrack joins a growing collection of archival Guaraldi releases including:

  • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (2022)

  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (2023)

  • It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (2024)

  • You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (2024)

  • Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (2025)


About Vince Guaraldi

Vince Guaraldi (1928–1976) was a pioneering jazz pianist best known for composing the iconic “Linus and Lucy” and scoring more than a dozen Peanuts® television specials. His playful, soulful, and deeply human compositions continue to captivate generations.

"Woodstock’s Dream happens to be one of my favorite Guaraldi cues. With just a few chord changes, he makes a vibrant and memorable melody."Sean Mendelson


Final Notes

This release is a must-have for Peanuts® fans, vinyl collectors, jazz lovers, and soundtrack enthusiasts alike. Celebrate Easter, Peanuts, and the artistry of Vince Guaraldi with this historic, lovingly restored album.


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