![]() This is the album that started it all, although it’s technically his second album, it was his first on Windham Hill Records. But whether playing the challenging inside-the-piano effects of his “Forbidden Forest” or the inviting themes of “Cloudy This Morning,” George Winston’s gifted lyricism remains true. I liked his earlier albums, but on Forest, George Winston went deeper, extending his ringing, open-air, melodic sound, embracing the minimalist influences of Steve Reich on “Tamarack Pines,” the jazz harmonies of the late-organist Larry Young‘s “The Cradle” and the slow ragtime of William Bolcom‘s “Graceful Ghost. He’s made several wonderful recordings since then, but looking back, I would still stick with my original five which spans from 1980 to 2002.įorestis the CD that brought me into the Winston fold. ![]() ![]() But when he plays inside those limitations, George Winston moves outside the box.ġ2 years ago, I put together a list of the Five Best George Winston albums. Nothing wrong with limitations, everyone’s got them. With one exception, he’s less successful playing their music, which often reveals his own limitations as a pianist. He occasionally goes off and pays tribute to these artists, doing entire albums of Vince Guaraldicompositions, for instance. Winston is an eclectic artist who cites The Doors and Tangerine Dream, Fats Waller and John Coltrane, Philip Aaberg and Steve Reich as influences. Winston took the lyricism and mood that made Keith Jarrett‘s music so popular and refined them into what he called “folk piano” on his that first Windham Hill album. It launched a million solo pianists, yet none of them has attained George Winston’s almost transcendent marriage of melody and atmosphere. Praised with five and four star reviews from Downbeat and Rolling Stone for his debut album, Autumn, in 1980, he’s since come to be synonymous with shlock for many critics. His impressionistic solo piano albums came to define the Windham Hill sound and he’s among the first musicians most people think of when you say, New Age, much to his chagrin. For more info click here.George Winston is the 30th of 30 Icons of Echoes. We are currently requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours for entry to the Washington Center. He just released his 15th solo piano album, Restless Wind, via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records. George Winston’s classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, 2017’s Spring Carousel – A Cancer Research Benefit, as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and six other solo piano albums. Restless Wind is a portrayal of Winston’s place in a chaotic world – his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace. Winston’s music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. He’s inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. George Winston is undeniably a household name. For the most up to date information regarding George Winston’s confirmed tour schedule, please visit /concerts. We are currently working on rescheduling George’s performance, for a date to be determined, in Sep 2022. Refunds (less fees) will be issued back to the original method of payment. We appreciate your understanding at this time. His medical team is closely evaluating the effectiveness of the 3rd vaccine, with hopes of returning to the road in mid-October 2021 at the soonest. George is currently taking immuno-suppressive medications, and is being advised that he not tour at this time due to the surge of the Delta variant of COVID-19. In 2012 he had a bone marrow transplant, which many of you may have heard about with the release of his album Spring Carousel – A Cancer Research Benefit. Night Song Concerts announces the cancelation of George Winston concerts from September 11 to October 4, as we ensure the health and safety of George before he returns to music venues across the country.
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