Customer Reviews

Ballads & Blues 1972

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

 

 

This is Winston's first album, released back in 1972, almost a decade before the seasonal-themed albums that made him famous. This album provides a glimpse into Winston's roots and influences as his piano style was influenced by Fats Waller and other rhythm and blues pianists. As such, it's not a "new age" album like his later releases.

This is my favorite CD of the George Winston collection! If you enjoy Rhythm and Blues, you will love this toe tapping collection.

I already had plenty of George Winston when I bought this one. This is an early work previously recorded for Tacoma records in 1972-73, and that is where it should have stayed. This is a beginner recording, showing George knew his way around a keyboard, but the deep feeling, and delicate nuanced playing found in the music that made his name later, are absent.

Windham Hill doesn't get any credit for re-releasing this. George's playing came along in leaps and bounds after it. If Windham Hill had been around in 1972 and released this, George's career might have been stillborn. But then it simply isn't good enough for Will Ackerman to have taken any notice. Luckily for both of them (and us) they didn't meet until years later.

A collection of pretty lightweight piano pieces with absolutely none of the depth or cohesion of other George Winston collections. Plus, with only about 33 minutes of music its kind of a rip-off. Don't bother with this unless you already have all of his other CDs. But then if you already have all of his other CDs you're going to be pretty disappointed with this one.