George Winston occupies a strange territory of the cultural landscape. Somehow, early in his career, he came to be categorized alongside some of the shittiest music in the world: “easy listening.” A few dull landscape-photography album covers later, Winston had unintentionally cemented his status as the soundtrack to yoga classes nationwide. It is understandable that one would misclassify Winston as such (assuming the “one” in question has a subscription to Harper’s and eight or more matching square plates). His music can be soft, impressionistic, and subtle, creating a depth of imagery not through a raw sonic assault, but through a gradual and understated totality of sound, much like the champion of the 18th-century easy listening scene, Antonio Vivaldi.
In truth, Winston is a complex, fascinating piano virtuoso and is alive right now. His well-documented web of influences spans from Fats Waller to The Doors to Appalachian fiddle music. He is also an incredible slack-key guitarist and blues harmonica player, talents which are demonstrated on only one of his 18 albums, Remembrance: A Memorial Benefit. And I defy any New-York-Times-Art-and-Leisure-section-trusting Starbucks drinker to listen to “Miles City Train” during his or her next scented bath and call it “easy”.
I think that George Winston is limited by the audience that supports him. When I saw Winston perform at the Abrons Arts Center last November, he heavily prefaced one piece, warning the audience that the ending would be a little experimental. As the song came to an end, he muted the piano and began slamming on the keys, playing them alone as a percussion instrument. He finished the piece and immediately apologized.
Winston’s renditions of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s lively melodies on Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi Volume 2 are hardly relaxation fodder, with the possible exception of “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.” On February 2, Winston released this follow-up to his 1996 tribute to Guaraldi, Linus and Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, in a 16-song regular edition and a 19-song deluxe edition. Enterprising gentlemen and ladies may stream the first track for free, courtesy of AllAboutJazz.com. Play it at your next Lamaze class.
Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi Volume 2 tracklist:
01. Time For Love
02. It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown
03. Macedonia/Little David
04. Woodstock
05. Fenwyck’s Farfel/Calling Dr. Funk
06. Room at the Bottom
07. Air Music
08. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown
09. You’re Elected, Charlie Brown/Little Birdie
10. Brasilia
11. Jambo’s (Casaba)
12. Pebble Beach/Dolores Park
13. Love Will Come/Slow Dance
14. Rain, Rain Go Away
15. Nobody Else
16. Love Will Come 2
17. Dilemma *
18. Seeds For Thought/Ballad For Oscar *
19. Christmas Time Is Here *
* Deluxe Edition only
George Winston tourdates:
02.23.10 - Decatur, GA - Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College
03.02.10 - West Hartford, CT - Hoffman Auditorium at Saint Joseph College
03.04.10 - Fairfield, CT - FTC Stage One
03.06.10 - Old Saybrook, CT - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
03.08.10 - Newburyport, MA - Firehouse Center for the Arts
03.09.10 - Newburyport, MA - Firehouse Center for the Arts
03.12.10 - Chatham, NJ - The Sanctuary Concerts
03.14.10 - Glen Allen, VA - The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
03.21.10 - Easton, MD - Avalon Theatre
03.30.10 - Arlington Heights, IL - Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
03.31.10 - Arlington Heights, IL - Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
04.07.10 - Phoenixville, PA - Colonial Theatre
04.09.10 - North Bethesda, MD - The Music Center at Strathmore
04.12.10 - Tryon, NC - Tryon Fine Arts Center
04.15.10 - Greenville, SC - Peace Center for the Performing Arts
04.22.10 - Berea, KY - Phelps Stokes Auditorium
• George Winston: http://www.georgewinston.com
