AMG Review of Charlie Brown Christmas

Heather Phares
All Music Guide

On their update of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Cyrus Chestnut Trio and friends -- which include Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, Steve Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Vanessa Williams, and the Boys Choir of Harlem -- infuse classics like "O Tannenbaum," "What Child Is This," and "Linus and Lucy" with a modern holiday spirit. Brian McKnight joins Chestnut, drummer Steve Gadd, and bassist Christian McBride on "The Christmas Song," and Williams and the Boys Choir of Harlem appear on "Christmas Time Is Here." "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and the Chestnut original "Me & Charlie Brown" are some of the other highlights from this sophisticated, warm Christmas album.