Track Listing

1. Colors/Dance
2. Woods
3. Longing/Love
4. Road
5. Moon
6. Sea
7. Stars
8. Too Much Between Us

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3384 in Music
• Released on: 2001-09-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.com essential recording
The precursor to 1982's commercial breakthrough, December, George Winston's 1980 Windham Hill debut boasts all the lyrical power and poignancy of its follow-up. A simple, clear recording for solo piano, Autumn finds Winston developing simple melodic motifs with studied left-hand underpinning, on hypnotic pieces like "Woods," which moves from a brisk rhythmic figure to rubato minor-key runs. Leaving pauses and breaths in all the right places, Winston suggests the play of color and light, the comfortable melancholy, and the encroaching slow-down that characterizes the fall season. Full of memorable themes, sure pacing, and whiffs of classical grandeur, Autumn is a timeless album that belongs to the firmament of the new age canon. --James Rotondi

Amazon.com
In 1980, Keith Jarrett was the best-known solo pianist, with his string of ECM albums including the Köln Concerts and Facing You. George Winston took the lyricism and mood that made Jarrett's music so popular and refined them into what he called "folk piano" on his first Windham Hill album, Autumn. It launched a million solo pianists. As you listen to this 20th anniversary edition, it's easy to hear why. The opening "Colors/Dance" rings with the open clarity of the Montana plains, where Winston grew up. "Woods," with its quasi-classical arpeggios, seems to dance in the air. And so it goes throughout Autumn as the pianist unfolds his melodies in what sounds like spontaneous reverie. The anniversary edition includes illuminating liner notes from Winston, who cites everyone from the Doors to John Coltrane as influences on particular songs. The CD ends with a bonus track, a melancholy cover of Procol Harum's "Too Much Between Us." --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Sounds just as good in July...
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.

Heavenly Music
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

music for all seasons
It's not the Goldberg variations, but this music truly has something very special about it. It simply captivates my mind and. Like somebody put music to the Serenity Prayer. I got this CD for Christmas and I've been playing it every now and then. If Mr. Winston reads this, I urge him to undertake a tour in Scandinavia and the Baltic States, because he has so many fans over here. In times like these we need the calming effect his mellow music has on the troubled mind.