North Beach is a compilation album by American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi (credited to Vince Guaraldi and Friends) released by D & D Records (Guaraldi's label) in January 2006. The album is a mix of previously unreleased studio and live recordings taped in mid-1970s.
Background
In the mid-2000s, Vince Guaraldi's son, David Guaraldi, worked to restore a wealth of unreleased live recorded material from his father's archives. The recordings on North Beach were taped in a variety of studios and jazz clubs based in the North Beach region of San Francisco, California.
The release features covers of Elton John's "Your Song" and Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year".
North Beach was released on CD only. It did not receive a vinyl release.
Track listing
"Cast Your Fate to the Wind", "Linus and Lucy" and "Cabaret" were re-released on Live on the Air (2008).
Session information
"Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (live) Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano, Fender Rhodes: Vince Guaraldi Electric bass: Seward McCain Drums: Eliot Zigmund Recorded on February 6, 1974, Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California; live broadcast on radio stations KPFA and KPFB
"Autumn Leaves" Written by Joseph Kosma Piano: Vince Guaraldi Double bass: Ron McClure Drums: Mike Clark Recorded on October 8, 1973
"Your Song" Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Piano, Fender Rhodes, ARP String Ensemble: Vince Guaraldi Recorded on November 20, 1975, Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California; sidemen unspecified
"Lucifer's Lady" (live) Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano: Vince Guaraldi Session information unknown
"It Was a Very Good Year" (live) Written by Ervin Drake Piano: Vince Guaraldi Session information unknown
"Linus and Lucy" (live) Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano: Vince Guaraldi Electric bass: Seward McCain Drums: Eliot Zigmund Recorded on February 6, 1974, Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California; live broadcast on radio stations KPFA and KPFB
"Cabaret" (live) Written by Fred Ebb and John Kander Piano, Fender Rhodes: Vince Guaraldi Electric bass: Seward McCain Drums: Eliot Zigmund Recorded on February 6, 1974, Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California; live broadcast on radio stations KPFA and KPFB
"The Masked Marvel" Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano: Vince Guaraldi Guitar: Eddie Duran Bass: Kelly Bryan Drums: Al Coster Recorded in mid-to-late October 1969
"Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (live) Written by Vince Guaraldi Piano, Fender Rhodes: Vince Guaraldi Session information unavailable; most likely recorded January 1976
Personnel
David Guaraldi – producer, liner notes
Michael Graves – engineer (audio restoration) Russell Bond – mastering