Combining the whimsical yet elegant compositions of
Vince Guaraldi and the mellow, restrained playing of
George Winston,
Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi is a mostly happy marriage of the composer's and performer's styles. On much of the album,
Winston tends to tone down the breeziness of
Guaraldi's performances, opting for a gentler, reflective approach that sparkles on "Skating" and "Young Man's Fancy," but tends to make "The Great Pumpkin Waltz" and "Treat Street" sound a bit washed out. However, sprightly renditions of "The Masked Marvel," "You're in Love, Charlie Brown," "Peppermint Patty," and "Eight Five Five" more than make up for the occasional lag and spotlight
Winston's virtuoso piano playing. Though it's not necessarily intended as a best-of
Vince Guaraldi collection,
Linus & Lucy could certainly be used as one; however, it's
Winston's distinctive style that makes it one of the best solo piano new age albums of the '90s.