You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown [Original Concept Album] - Clark Gesner (1966)

Original music by Clark Gesner
Cast: Orson Bean (Charlie Brown); Barbara Minkus (Lucy); Bill Hinnant (Snoopy); Clark Gesner (Linus).

Adapted from Original Peanuts Comic Strips by Charles M. Schulz.
Recorded at Capitol Recording Studios, New York.

"Lucy, Why is Charlie Brown banging his head against a tree?"
"To loosen the bark so the tree will grow faster!"
_______________________________
SYNOPSIS
By now (I'm sure) everyone knows the music to "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown".
But do you know where it all started?
Well let's see:
Was it the (1985) animated TV cartoon? Nope.
How about the (1973) Hallmark Hall of Fame TV broadcast, which was live-action? Nope.
It must be the (1967) Off-Broadway play, right? Nope, but we're really close.

It all started around 1966.
Budding young composer Clark Gesner just wanted to write some songs about his favorite comic strip, Peanuts. Then he was convinced to make a demo for Charles M. Schulz, who loved them. All he wanted to do was see them come alive on a record album. In 1966, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown was released, simply as a musical for records on MGM’s children’s label, King Leo.

The album didn’t set the world on fire, but it did spur producer Arthur Whitelaw to get the concept mounted into a stage show. Using selected Peanuts comics instead of a formal script, the show came together using the first ten songs with a few longer sequences (“The Book Report,” “Glee Club Rehearsal”). The show was an Off-Broadway smash and not a year has passed since that several productions of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown hasn’t been produced in schools, community theaters—and that’s not counting two TV adaptations and a Broadway revival.

It’s interesting to listen to Clark Gesner singing his heart out as Linus, with absolutely no idea how much would spring from these ten songs. It’s a Cinderella story incongruous to Charlie Brown’s ongoing setbacks. It’s also interesting to note how Gesner’s songs would seldom, if ever, be so lavishly orchestrated than on this album.
Jay Blackton was no less than the musical director of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! His arrangements for this album have the grandeur of an Academy Awards ceremony. Even the Peanuts movies never sounded this lush.

Enjoy!
_______________________________
YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
00:00 01. You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - Barbara Minkus, Clark Gesner (01 : 35)
01:28 02. Doctor Lucy - Barbara Minkus (02 : 44)
04:10 03. My Blanket and Me - Clark Gesner (02 : 50)
06:49 04. Snoopy - Bill Hinnant, Orson Bean (03 : 31)
10:14 05. Charlie Brown's Kite - Orson Bean (02 : 04)
12:15 06. The Baseball Game - Orson Bean (03 : 31)
15:47 07. Little Known Facts - Barbara Minkus, Clark Gesner, Orson Bean (02 : 26)
18:12 08. Schroeder - Barbara Minkus (02 : 37)
20:48 09. Suppertime - Bill Hinnant (02 : 59)
23:46 10. Happiness - Barbara Minkus, Bill Hinnant, Clark Gesner, Orson Bean (03 : 06)
________________________________________
"Happiness” » Orson Bean, Clark Gesner, Bill Hinnant, Barbara Minkus

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream, finding your skate key, telling the time.
Happiness is learning to whistle, tying your shoe for the very first time.
Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is five different crayons, knowing a secret, climbing a tree.
Happiness is finding a nickel, catching a firefly, setting him free.
Happiness is being alone every now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is morning and evening, daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all, that’s loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister, sharing a sandwich, getting along.
Happiness is singing together when day is through.
And happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening, daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all, that’s loved by you.