All The Seasons Of George Winston: Piano Solos

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This CD is a sort of Reader's Digest version of George Winston's renowned solo piano discography. All the Seasons presents 13 abridged selections from Winston's seven solo recordings-- "radio edits" that were supervised, as the liner notes indicate, by the pianist himself. Four "bonus tracks" are also included, and two are quiet, impressionistic gems that compare favorably with Winston's classic Autumn to December period. "Sandman" is an instrumental version of a section from the Meryl Streep-narrated storybook album The Velveteen Rabbit, and "Northern Plains" is a hushed, contemplative jewel, though its abrupt conclusion is a bit odd. Perhaps this, too, is an advanced edit of a piece that will someday be more fully realized. Ultimately, this album is best-suited for listeners unacquainted with Winston's work, since fans are likely to be dismayed when favorites such as "Colors/Dance" and "Joy" travel to unexpected places. For Winston neophytes though, the album offers a decent overview of his first 25 years of recording. --Terry Wood

All The Seasons Of George Winston: Piano Solos,George Winston,Windham Hill Records,Adult Contemporary,Contemporary Instrumental,Jazz Music,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Tracks:

Colors/Dance
The Venice Dreamer (Part 2)
Living In The Country
The Cradle
Joy
Treat Street
Variations On The Canon By Pachelbel
Thanksgiving
Miles City Train
Corrina, Corrina
Hummingbird
Longing/Love
Cast Your Fate To The Wind
Sandman
The Snowman's Music Box Dance
Northern Plains
Sleep Baby Mine

Amazon.com

This CD is a sort of Reader's Digest version of George Winston's renowned solo piano discography. All the Seasons presents 13 abridged selections from Winston's seven solo recordings-- "radio edits" that were supervised, as the liner notes indicate, by the pianist himself. Four "bonus tracks" are also included, and two are quiet, impressionistic gems that compare favorably with Winston's classic Autumn to December period. "Sandman" is an instrumental version of a section from the Meryl Streep-narrated storybook album The Velveteen Rabbit, and "Northern Plains" is a hushed, contemplative jewel, though its abrupt conclusion is a bit odd. Perhaps this, too, is an advanced edit of a piece that will someday be more fully realized. Ultimately, this album is best-suited for listeners unacquainted with Winston's work, since fans are likely to be dismayed when favorites such as "Colors/Dance" and "Joy" travel to unexpected places. For Winston neophytes though, the album offers a decent overview of his first 25 years of recording. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Get lost with George.......2004-11-07

This is a lovely cd of Mr Winston's that will take you away from stress and tension...I put it on for massage clients and off they go...music is a great way to set a mood and this is great to have on in the house to make it tranquil and HOME. Hard to explain but easy to experience....try it ....you won't be disappointed!

Awesome!.......2002-11-25

Since I love music, especially piano, this cd was a must-have! I love the music and it's so soothing to listen to-I listen to it just to relax and it really works! This is an awesome collection of piano solos!

from Solo Piano Publications.......2001-11-09

This compilation is a celebration of pianist George Winston's 25 years of recording. The selections from Winston's seven albums are good, but nearly all of the pieces have been edited - some by a few seconds, some by more than half. Winston shortened his pieces to make singles for radio air-play over the years, but it seems that these edited selections might also have been calculated to appeal to a more mainstream, pop-oriented audience. Gone are Winston's improvisations, which were the most frequent in his earlier albums and a Winston trademark. "Colors/Dance" is one of Winston's best-known pieces (and one of my favorites); it was originally 10:25 - this version is down to 3:14. "Longing/Love" was another landmark piece for Winston, and almost half of it is edited out. Why? If not for commercial reasons, why were some of Winston's best pieces chopped, but "Variations on the Canon by Pachelbel" included? Isn't everyone tired of that piece by now? I also question the inclusion of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" at the expense of Winston's more original work. In concert, Winston alternates his better-known work with jazz and blues, so the inclusion of "Treat Street" and "Miles City Train" shows that aspect of his playing - important in a retrospective. There are also four "bonus tracks": "The Cradle" is a lovely ballad, expanded from "Forest"; "Sandman" from "The Velveteen Rabbit" is presented for the first time without Meryl Streeps' narration - a lovely lullaby; "Northern Plains" was inspired and influenced by fellow pianist/Montanan, Philip Aaberg - wide open spaces that both composers describe so well; and "Sleep Baby Mine", another tender lullaby. This is a really "nice", easy-to-listen-to album, but I question it as a true representation of George Winston's work over the past 25 years. Too much is missing.

Terrific for a sampler.......2001-09-06

These are well edited radio cuts of George Winston's work. For pure solo piano that isn't drowned out by orchestra or diluted by vocals and other musicians, I don't think George Winston can be beat. However, this album is for new listeners more than long time followers. True, there are four added cuts, one a new and live version of "The Cradle". However, many are shortened and therefore disappointing to his core audience. Again, if you're new to George Winston's music, this is a great starting point.

Just beautiful soundscapes.......2001-09-05

The ultimate in relaxation music. Mellow piano solos from his greatest seasonal albums. Music to work to, music to read the paper by on a rainy weekend, music to close your eyes and dream to, music to have a candlelight dinner while the kids are staying over at the grandparents house!!! I liked this so much I went out and got his Plains cd and thoroughly enjoyed it also.
A must have in any collection. Enjoy.