Reminiscing

I wanted something that reminded me of my youth and all things amazing.  So here, I present my one hundred forty-fourth pick.

Artist - Vince Guaraldi
Album - Oh Good Grief!
Released - 1968
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side One
Linus and Lucy
You're in Love, Charlie Brown
Peppermint Patty
Great Pumpkin Waltz
Side Two
It's Your Dog, Charlie Brown
Oh, Good Grief!
Red Baron
Rain, Rain Go Away

Only Vince Guaraldi can make Charlie Brown into something amazing.  Using a keyboard and electric harpsichord, Vince illuminates the characters with his sound.  A little snippet from the album cover:

Oh, good grief!  They've gone and done it.  They've put that jazzy music from Peanuts television specials on a record.  Those piquant waltzes, fox trots, and box steps that Vince Guaraldi wrote...What's more, they're played by Mr. Guaraldi himself, on piano and electric harpsichord, with a noble assist from Carl Burnett (drums), Stanley Gilbert (bass) and Eddie Duran (electric guitar).

I remember going on a mission to fine A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl because it reminded me of my childhood and the Christmas' I had with our little family.  I always feel like a kid again in that sense and always think about all things wonderful.  To have that moment in my heart and mind, I will never forget it.

Enjoy!

Once in a While

One Hundred Fortieth

Artist - Devo
Album - Are We Not Men?
Released - 1978
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Post-Punk, New Wave

Tracks:
Uncontrollable Urge
Praying Hands
Space Junk
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Too Much Paranoias
Gut Feeling
Come Back Jonee
Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')
Shrivel-Up

I have to admit, this album is such a fun album.  I vividly remember SXSW 2009, I was at Austin Music Hall seeing Datarock perform and Devo was next.  All the Devo-heads were out and about, wearing their Devo headgear and prepping for the show.  As a matter of fact, here is a photo:

Anyway, back to the album.  As of late, with all my ESPN watching, Uncontrollable Urge has been getting a lot of play, so in honor of all things wonderful in the world of sports, this pick deserves some playtime today.  Are We Not Men? is Devo's debut album.  A few talented artists of this time took interest in what Devo had to offer and I believe that is what made them the interesting group that they are.  

Enjoy!