I did some reading up on this one. It's actually not the cast album to the musical. It was a concept album from 1966 simply featuring songs based on the Peanuts characters. The composer, Clark Gesner (who also sings for Linus on this record), was convinced to later make it into a full-fledged musical. The part of Charlie Brown was performed here by Orson Bean, a guy you might recognize from different things depending on how old you are. I remember him as an occasional game show panelist, especially from "Match Game". Others might know his voice as Bilbo Baggins in the animated TV version of "The Hobbit". Some of you might even have a recollection of him as Loren Bray on the show "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman". However you know him, he does a fine job in this. However, he didn't end up taking the role in the eventual Off-Broadway musical. That role went to Gary Burghoff, probably best known as Radar O'Reilly on "M*A*S*H" (and a frequent panelist on "Match Game" himself). That recording has been released on CD, but this one never has. Here's your chance to listen to it and see what you think!
Here's the track list:
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Doctor Lucy
- My Blanket and Me
- Snoopy
- The Kite
- The Baseball Game
- Little Known Facts
- Schroeder
- Suppertime
- Happiness
Thanks so much for posting this... I used to have this LP (lost in a break-up) and it's great to hear it again. I love this recording, and to hear the genesis from the concept album to the finished show... you're the best!
ReplyDeleteVERY cool... thanks (and, yes... I remember Orson Bean from a multitude of things -- even before Match Game).
ReplyDelete;^)
I really liked the song on the 1967 off broadway version of Lucy singing the song Queen Lucy where she will wear her crown in swimming.
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