Customer Reviews

Autumn (Windham Hill 20th Anniversary Edition)

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first encountered pianist George Winston when I purchased "December" back in 1982--I have a huge collection of holiday music. I was so taken with his playing that I have since bought all of his albums. "Autumn" is one of my favorites and it only is better with the addition of the bonus track "Too Much Between Us," written by Procol Harum members Robin Trower, Gary Brooker and Keith Reid.

In his liner notes, Winston tells how the Doors' debut album inspired much of this album--especially the 10-minute "Colors/Dance" and "Sea." [In fact, Winston says he now includes ten Doors songs at the solo piano dances that he currently does.] Other influences he cites are John Coltrane, Frank Zappa and John Fahey--not exactly the names you'd expect to hear from one of new age music's best-selling artists!

Regardless of his influences, this is some of the most gorgeous piano music you're ever likely to hear. [Note: George Winston wannabes can print out the seven pages of sheet music for "Longing/Love" available as part of the enhanced CD portion of the disc.] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Actually, I hate to call George Winston "new age" because those prejudiced against the genre are likely to run away without listening, and that would be too bad. Winston's music is exquisitely played piano, and while it can be classified as new age, you'll hear influences of The Doors, Frank Zappa, along with traces of George Shearing, Meade Lux Lewis, and other jazz piano.

The truth of the matter is that this music is better experienced and not categorized. It is mellow, but not shallow. It's suitable as background music, but you can also allow yourself to be immersed in it.

I think you'll be glad you gave it a try.

I first heard "Autumn" when it was released in 1980, and it was one of a couple of albums that got me hooked on New Age music. When I first bought the album (and it was a vinyl LP; this was before CDs were affordable, at least on my then-struggling-student budget), I thought it was the most beautiful solo piano music I had ever heard. I am still inclined to believe that today, and this album withstands the test of time to emerge as one of the all-time best New Age works.

The first half of the album is the most melodic, and thus the stronger, half in my opinion. There is very little out there in the musical world that can compare to the 1-2-3 combination of gentle grace and bittersweet melody shown in "Colors/Dance," "Woods," and "Longing/Love."

Although I had long replaced my vinyl copy of "Autumn" with a CD, I ordered the 20th anniversity edition for the sole purpose of the added track containing the sheet music for Longing/Love. I enjoy playing the piano, and I have tried searching the web for sheet music for George Winston compositions, to no avail. I was thrilled to hear that this CD contains an arrangement for what is one of my favorite Winston songs.

Is this George Winston's best album? Very possibly. The other possible candidates are "December" and "Forest," both highly worthy of purchase if you do not already have them. Both also contain songs of aching beauty (e.g., the "Walking in the Air" arrangement from "The Snowman"). But when you consider the influence "Autumn" had on the development of New Age music in general and how early this appeared in Winston's career, that may tip the balance in favor of "Autumn."

I had the good fortune to see George Winston in concert recently, and his sheer talent continues to amaze and inspire me. (In addition to playing the piano, he also impressed us with virtuoso guitar and harmonica solos.) He is unassuming in appearance and seems to be a genuinely nice guy. We are all fortunate that he has shared his talent with us.

Verdict: If you like New Age music, buy this album. If you like piano music, buy this album. Heck, if you like music at all, buy this album. It would end up high on my list of "what would you bring if you could only bring 10 CDs with you to a desert island."

If you are looking for excellent solo piano music, look no further. Autumn is the predecessor to George Winston's 1982 masterpiece, December, and fittingly poses as a worthy runner-up to the pianist's very best work. It's difficult to capture such passionate performance on a solo piano studio recording, but George Winston's sincerity and emotion shimmers through each track on this remarkable disc.

From the poignant "Colors/Dance" to the meandering "Road" and through the kinetic-sounding "Stars," this album is a captivating listen. While fall is an appropriate season to listen, don't let the title of this album fool you. This is music you can play any time of the year! I find myself listening to this album frequently whenever I want to relax and hear beautiful, contemplative music. Autumn contains some of the most earnest, soulful, and invigorating solo piano music I have ever heard. I highly recommend this album and Winston's subsequent 1982 release to you!

I first purchased this album on tape in 1991. No matter how many times I listen to this, I am always emotionally moved by Winston's melodies. Soothing but yet almost haunting, each song tells a story. "Colors/Dance" gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Few, if any artists, carry the same passion and emotion into a recorded piece such as this. I had the opportunity to hear George Winston live in October of 1993 and since then, when I listen to this album, I can now remember a wonderful performance. Although I now own all of Winston's albums, this one is still my favorite.

I have been listening this masterpiece album for almost ten years. But one day in last December, I realized that full of this album, namely Colors/Dances, became the ballad of my life. Because, somewhere in Central Asia I spent five great days with the love of my life by listening it almost every moment. It is not easy to explain how we felt so high during this time, but even today, I can say, it is the music of our love.

George Winston is less concerned about producing structured compositions than he is about evoking autumn, which happens to be my favorite season. The pieces surround you with notes swirling as beautifully as colored leaves in the wind. My favorite is Colors/Dance. It are relaxing (in a good way) and full of haunting, simple, beautiful melodies.

I am not typically a fan of this "genre" of music for lack of a better word. However, there simply is no one else like George Winston. Every note he plays evokes a strong emotion, one that he exactly wants you to experience. Each piece has just the right amount of sadness, melancholy, and breathtaking beauty to sweep you away in its theme and place you right there in the thick of things. The titles say it all, Autumn is simply that. With each song played you feel like you are deeper and deeper into a long walk on a crisp fall day into a gorgeous wood full of color and majesty. Your heart will feel the familiar pulling of the impending shortening of days and dying of the summer light. This is truly and album to remember as is all of his work. If you liked this you will enjoy his other album December as well. This is a fantastic album guaranteed to pull at your heart strings and please your senses.

When I was a small child, my mother played this "tape" to put me to sleep. So the only comment I have is that it isrelaxeing , and will set your dreams free.Now that I have my own son, we listen to "autum", ever night ,I can tell he loves it too!!

I first heard this album twenty years ago while at a B&B on the Mendecino coast in Northern California. It fit the scene perfectly. This is thoughtful music. It suggests peaceful solitude and inner reflection. Also wonderful background music. I never want to be without it.