'Charlie Brown' has right sentiment

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas" (Peak Recordings)***

While nothing can replace Vince Guaraldi's timeless soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," this revamped update has its heart in the right place.

Producer and jazz pianist David Benoit, along with executive producers Andi Howard, Mark Wexler and Ron Moss, have recruited rhythm & blues singers and smooth-jazz artists to take on the most beloved holiday music to come along since 1965.

Yes, it's been 40 years since the late jazz pianist Guaraldi took a dip into the public's consciousness with his iconic CD. And a bunch of fans wanted to pay him tribute.

Big-name singers such as Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight do heartfelt and reverent renditions of "Just Like Me" and "Christmas Time Is Here," respectively. Singer Chaka Khan takes on a jazzy version of "The Christmas Song," and Toni Braxton gets down with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

The instrumentals include Dave Koz's saxophone on Guaraldi's trademark "Linus and Lucy," Benoit's versions of "Christmas Is Coming" and Beethoven's "Fur Elise." The Rippingtons also take on "Red Baron," and guitarist Norman Brown makes his mark with "Skating."

This CD captures the sentiment and is a nice little tribute — although there is still nothing like the original Guaraldi score.

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com