A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter- Will Ackerman
2. Wedding Rain- Liz Story
3. Dolphins- Darol Anger, Mike Marshall
4. Aerial Boundaries-
5. Cloudy This Morning- George Winston
See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2
1. Requiem; Sanctus- Tim Story
2. True Story- Barbara Higbie
3. Gwenlaise- Scott Cossu
4. The Light & The Longing- Lisa Lynne
5. Reflection- George Winston,
See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3
1. Angela Smiled- W.G. Snuffy Walden
2. Silky Flanks- Nightnoise
3. Escape of the Circus Ponies-
4. Because It's There- Michael Hedges
5. Tideline- Barbara Higbie, Darol Anger
See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4
1. (You'll Be) Satisfied- Johnny Ray Allen
2. Time After Time- Tuck & Patti
3. Valentine- Martina McBride, Jim Brickman
4. Real Life- Ray Obiedo
5. Who Holds Your Hand- Patty Larkin
See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In the 48-page booklet that accompanies the handsome, hardbound packaging of A Quiet Revolution, long-time producer Dawn Atkinson succinctly defines Windham Hill's core sound as "acoustically rooted music that is a blend of folk, classical and jazz influences." Guitarist Will Ackerman, who launched the label in 1976 with a tiny pressing of solo works, boils its essence down to a single word, adding "it's a word seldom associated with the music industry: innocence." Windham Hill rocked the music trade in the late 1970s by turning down the volume and cultivating intelligent, heart-probing, all-instrumental music that--largely through word of mouth--won over legions of fans attracted to the label's earthy vibe, elevated craftsmanship, and overriding sense of purity. Much of what gave Windham Hill its soul-stirring allure is nicely displayed in this four-disc anthology--a 67-track compilation that includes four previously unreleased live tracks (including "Because It's There" by guitarist Michael Hedges and "Clockwork" by Alex de Grassi).

The music on A Quiet Revolution is sorted by general style, not chronologically. Discs 1 and 2, Elements and Peace, focus more on the label's pastoral textures, and disc 3 (Artistry) explores more ambitious or ensemble pieces. Disc 4 (Excursions) might be viewed by some long-time fans as "Wayward Hill," with its assortment of latter-day vocal stylings and traces of smooth jazz. Beyond that and a few other head-scratching choices, there's much to like here, with stellar tracks from Liz Story (whose brilliant Solid Colors may be the label's finest release) to works from Ackerman, George Winston, Nightnoise, and lesser-known artists, such as guitarist W.G. Snuffy Walden and his small gem "Angela Smiled." Enlightening liner notes are by Echoes radio host John Diliberto and former Billboard writer (and past Windham Hill staffer) Sam Sutherland. For newcomers curious to know what the blissful fuss was all about a few decades ago, A Quiet Revolution provides an inviting overview. --Terry Wood

A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill,Various Artists,Windham Hill Records,New Age / Meditation,New Age Collections,Pop,V/a Compilations


A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill

A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill
A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not what I expected
  • WINDHAM HILL IS THE BEST ! ! !
  • music and soul
  • 30 yeas of Windham Hill
  • A Thorough History of New Age's Premier Label
A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill
Various Artists
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
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  2. Touch-Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar
  3. Essential Winter's Solstice
  4. A Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas
  5. Windham Hill: The First Ten Years

ASIN: B000BKDOCU
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

  1. The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter- Will Ackerman
  2. Wedding Rain- Liz Story
  3. Dolphins- Darol Anger, Mike Marshall
  4. Aerial Boundaries-
  5. Cloudy This Morning- George Winston
  6. The 19A- Billy Oskay, Micheal O'Domhnaill
  7. Western- Alex de Grassi
  8. O, Shenandoah- Philip Aaberg
  9. Flowers Of Edinburgh- Pete Huttlinger
  10. Another Country- Shadowfax
  11. The Road Back Home- Doyle Dykes
  12. After The Harvest- Angels Of Venice
  13. Inverness- Alex de Grassi
  14. Callisto's Sky- Tracy Silverman, Thea Suits Silverman
  15. Moon- George Winston
  16. Night In That Land- Nightnoise
  17. Three Observations Of One Ocean- Will Ackerman

Tracks:

  1. Requiem; Sanctus- Tim Story
  2. True Story- Barbara Higbie
  3. Gwenlaise- Scott Cossu
  4. The Light & The Longing- Lisa Lynne
  5. Reflection- George Winston,
  6. When I Was 4- Michael Hedges
  7. Open Doors- Jim Brickman
  8. Peace Of Mind- Schrz & Scott
  9. Engravings- Ira Stein, Russel Walder
  10. Visiting- Will Ackerman
  11. Hugh- Nightnoise
  12. Love Song To A Ballerina- George Winston
  13. Calling You- Jean Jeanrenaud & Paul McCandless
  14. All I Ever Wanted- Jim Brickman
  15. Andante From Sonata #2 In A Minor For Unaccompanied Violin- Chris Botti
  16. Peace Piece- Liz Story

Tracks:

  1. Angela Smiled- W.G. Snuffy Walden
  2. Silky Flanks- Nightnoise
  3. Escape of the Circus Ponies-
  4. Because It's There- Michael Hedges
  5. Tideline- Barbara Higbie, Darol Anger
  6. Welcoming- Michael Manring
  7. Billy in the Lowlland- George Winston
  8. Clockwork- Alex de Grassi
  9. Fionnghuala (Mouth Music)- Nightnoise
  10. The Townshend Shuffle- Will Ackerman
  11. The Orangutan Gang (Strikes Back)- Shadowfax
  12. Rickover's Dream- Michael Hedges
  13. Out Of The Frame- Philip Aaberg
  14. Europa- Tuck & Patti
  15. Tamarack Pines- George Winston
  16. On The Threshold Of Liberty- Mark Isham

Tracks:

  1. (You'll Be) Satisfied- Johnny Ray Allen
  2. Time After Time- Tuck & Patti
  3. Valentine- Martina McBride, Jim Brickman
  4. Real Life- Ray Obiedo
  5. Who Holds Your Hand- Patty Larkin
  6. Houses in the Fields- John Gorka
  7. Follow Me- Jane Siberry
  8. Po Mahina- Keola Beamer
  9. On The Dark Side Of Town- Janis Ian
  10. Vaquinha Mansa- Cesaria Evora
  11. Turning To Peace- Paul Schwartz
  12. Pavane- Steve Erquiaga
  13. Hush Li'l Baby- Jim Brickman
  14. That Kind of Man- The Nylons
  15. Hannibal's Revenge- Andy Narell
  16. Desert Crossing- David Arkenstone
  17. Fever Trees- Bobby McFerrin
  18. Takes My Breath Away- Tuck & Patti

Amazon.com

In the 48-page booklet that accompanies the handsome, hardbound packaging of A Quiet Revolution, long-time producer Dawn Atkinson succinctly defines Windham Hill's core sound as "acoustically rooted music that is a blend of folk, classical and jazz influences." Guitarist Will Ackerman, who launched the label in 1976 with a tiny pressing of solo works, boils its essence down to a single word, adding "it's a word seldom associated with the music industry: innocence." Windham Hill rocked the music trade in the late 1970s by turning down the volume and cultivating intelligent, heart-probing, all-instrumental music that--largely through word of mouth--won over legions of fans attracted to the label's earthy vibe, elevated craftsmanship, and overriding sense of purity. Much of what gave Windham Hill its soul-stirring allure is nicely displayed in this four-disc anthology--a 67-track compilation that includes four previously unreleased live tracks (including "Because It's There" by guitarist Michael Hedges and "Clockwork" by Alex de Grassi).

The music on A Quiet Revolution is sorted by general style, not chronologically. Discs 1 and 2, Elements and Peace, focus more on the label's pastoral textures, and disc 3 (Artistry) explores more ambitious or ensemble pieces. Disc 4 (Excursions) might be viewed by some long-time fans as "Wayward Hill," with its assortment of latter-day vocal stylings and traces of smooth jazz. Beyond that and a few other head-scratching choices, there's much to like here, with stellar tracks from Liz Story (whose brilliant Solid Colors may be the label's finest release) to works from Ackerman, George Winston, Nightnoise, and lesser-known artists, such as guitarist W.G. Snuffy Walden and his small gem "Angela Smiled." Enlightening liner notes are by Echoes radio host John Diliberto and former Billboard writer (and past Windham Hill staffer) Sam Sutherland. For newcomers curious to know what the blissful fuss was all about a few decades ago, A Quiet Revolution provides an inviting overview. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Not what I expected.......2007-05-07

Only about half of the music is "Quiet." I expected something a little more melodious and restful. It's good music though, and well-executed.

5 out of 5 stars WINDHAM HILL IS THE BEST ! ! ! .......2007-05-07

I've been a WINDHAM HILL fan since their early works and this box set is the best. Great artists and music compilation and inside staff information from the early years.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one for truly Early Windham Hill followers.

4 out of 5 stars music and soul.......2006-11-10

A beautiful collection , even if there aren't the songs that have made the history of Windham Hill

5 out of 5 stars 30 yeas of Windham Hill.......2006-11-07

Having discoverd Windham Hill in 1983 when I met my husband. I have been a died in the wool fan since then. This was an amazing and wonderful trip for the memory of my husgand's and my 23 hears together. Even had our falling love song on it. Arrived very soon after order and in perfect condition. What more can a customer ask for?

5 out of 5 stars A Thorough History of New Age's Premier Label.......2006-09-02

Sixty-seven tracks spread across four discs and nearly five hours of music provide a thorough look into the vision of Windham Hill's founder William Ackerman. Windham Hill, which began in 1976 with the release of Ackerman's SEARCH OF THE TURTLE'S NAVEL, became the leading proponent of new age music.

The first CD (entitled "Elements") begins with Ackerman's enchanting "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter," one of his most gorgeous melodies. The earliest track is from Disc 3 (entitled "Artistry"): the energetic "The Townsend Shuffle," from Ackerman's second album released in 1977. The most recent track is "Calling You" from Joan Jeanrenaud & Paul McCandless' 2005 release CINEMA.

All of Windham Hill's major artists are here: Ackerman (4 tracks), Alex de Grassi (3), Jim Brickman (4), Liz Story (3), Michael Hedges (4), Nightnoise (4), and George Winston (5). There are also four previously unreleased tracks (all live recordings): David Arkenstone's "Dessert Crossing," Jim Brickman's "Open Doors," Barbara Higbie's "True Story," and Alex de Grassi's "Inverness."

The first three discs present a clear picture of the "Windham Hill sound." However, For listeners who have been drawn to the Windham Hill label for its instrumental new age ambience, Disc 4 will be an eye opener with all but five of the tracks featuring vocals. The music on this disc ranges from the blues of the Subdudes' "(You'll Be) Satisfied" and Tuck & Patti's jazzy take on Cyndi Lauper's "Time after Time" to the Latin rhythms of Ceseria Evora's "Vaquinha Mansa" and the country balladry of guest vocalist Martina McBride on Jim Brickman's "Valentine."

Overall, this is a welcome and satisfying addition to any music library for collectors who enjoy relaxing music. And the 48-page booklet includes an extensive history of the label, an informative timeline, as well as photos and complete information for all tracks. [Running Time - Disc-1 74:25, Disc-2 69:24, Disc-3 78:45, Disc-4 74:40] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pop Music:

  1. Adagio-Classical Music for Yoga
  2. Alligator Adventure
  3. Amalgame
  4. Angel's Egg (Radio Gnome Invisible, Pt. 2)
  5. Beneath a Prairie Moon
  6. Chants of Heaven
  7. Christmas
  8. Christmas Offertories
  9. Dancin In The Mystery
  10. Dark Light Dark

Pop Music

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