40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas is a compilation album released in the U.S. by Peak Records in October 2005. The album is a tribute to the soundtrack album A Charlie Brown Christmas released by American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi (credited to the Vince Guaraldi Trio) in December 1965.[4]
Rob Theakston of AllMusic noted that the original soundtrack recording has become "a cornerstone for jazz orientation and an essential holiday remedy for the run-of-the-mill-predictable contemporary favorites," adding that the musicians assembled for this tribute album represent a "veritable who's who of adult contemporary and jazz performers." Theakston added that the resulting music is "very warm sounding, heavily polished" and "well-played".[1]
Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang noted that the album is "quite nice", adding that David Benoit's rendition of "Christmas Is Coming" is a "punchy, swinging cover", while Dave Koz's version of "Linus and Lucy" is "equally lively".[3]
All About Jazz critic Woodrow Wilkins called the album a "jazz lover's delight".[2]
All tracks are written by Vince Guaraldi, except where noted.
Credits adapted from CD liner notes.
"Christmas Is Coming"
"Just Like Me"
"Linus and Lucy"
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
"My Little Drum"
"Skating"
"Christmas Time Is Here"
"O Tannenbaum"
"Red Baron"
"The Christmas Song"
"Für Elise"
"Christmas Time Is Here" (reprise)