On this first day of Fall, I'm thinking of one of my favorite albums, George Winston's "Autumn." Sadly, Winston is no longer around to play selections from one of the best new age piano albums ever recorded. In his memory, I'd consider these some of his best tracks:
- Colors/Dance (My favorite Winston selection, evoking Autumn's beauty and bittersweet feel with an expansive melody and effective tempo changes. I was pleased when Winston began the 1990 concert I attended with this.)
- Living In The Country (While Winston's "Autumn" album is the gold standard, to me, for new age piano, this track from his "Summer" album also deserves its due. When the tempo accelerates, the ragtime-influenced hook carries the melody.)
- Longing/Love (Another "Autumn" highlight with a strong hook and a melody fit for a solo trek through the woods or soap opera underscoring.)
- Miles City Train (Six well-maintained minutes of raucous, brisk, saloon-style piano playing.)
- Road (Yet another "Autumn" standout, suitable for a particularly unhurried trundle.)
- Thanksgiving Theme (Winston's playing is a bit more deliberate than Vince Guaraldi's here. Still, it was a thrill to finally hear any version of this tune from "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on a CD when it was released.)
- Theme For A Futuristic Movie (This contemplative midtempo melody should be better known. For years, it was the tune I listened to most frequently on Winston's "Ballads And Blues 1972" album.)
- Woodstock (A strong rendition of the Vince Guaraldi tune, seemingly arranged for a saloon piano.)
