Review 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 --.comIn 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 DilibertoWinston's impressions of the fall season are full of slow chording and sudden melodic runs on his acoustic piano. He captures the mixed feelings of the season, both its final flaring of life and its gradual retreat. --All Music GuideIn 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 DilibertoWinston's impressions of the fall season are full of slow chording and sudden melodic runs on his acoustic piano. He captures the mixed feelings of the season, both its final flaring of life and its gradual retreat. --All Music Guide
A**F
Beautiful Music, Rich Emotional Content, Unexpected Benefits
The songs on this album suggest winding down, quiet conversations, and acceptance of life as it is. In other words, Autumn.I hate to highlight notable compositions, because each of them is beautiful and satisfying to a certain mood. But in particular, "Colors-Dance," "Woods," "Moon," and the track laid down later, "Too Much Between Us," convey a sense of dialogue between two very old, very close friends.I bought the vinyl version in my first apartment. My roommates and I would sit on our L-shaped couch and read to this music. Somehow, it has the ability to occupy the part of the mind that wants to wander while allowing the rest of your attention to focus on its task. (That may be true of Winston's music in general. )We found this to be true for my son as well, at night when the ADD meds were wearing off but the homework still had to get done.But don't only listen to "Autumn" when you're doing something else. It is full of emotional content and lovely melody. Unlike many other reviewers, I favor this album over all others, even "December."
T**D
Fall into Autumn
I have been listening to George Winston since college. You either like him or you don't. For me it just wouldn't be Autumn without this album. I look forward to the first cool days of the fall just so I can play this music. Admittedly I usually play it in the background while I am woking or writing. It's that kind of music, but don't get me wrong - it is not just white noise, each piece has a distinctive feel which can be melodic and soulful and yes a bit sad. I recently made the digital purchase of this album for the convenince and it is as good as the old cd. George Winston's Autumn and December are easily among his best so if you like this be sure to check out December.
R**N
Dead Leaves & Piano Keys
I discovered this album in a vinyl dump bin and loved it so much that I purchased a CD copy. A jangling yet softly plodding journey through an audio autumn. As a completely irrelevant side note I mixed this album with PJ Harvey's 'White Chalk' and found they complemented each other in a morbidly pleasing fashion.
J**N
Music not to my taste
Does not catch the magic of Winston’s Christmas album, one of my favorites.
F**E
Exquisitely Beautiful, Devinely Inspired
Played as though the Angels themselves were playing a game of heavenly tag across the keys of the piano, but it is only the magical talent of George Winston.I first bought this as a cassette tape a long time ago. Listening to this music then made me feel that I was so grateful to have the ability to hear such wonderful, beautiful music. Listening now is still that same perfect music. Grace has come to my hearing again.Now it seems to me to be one of the only things in the world that is as beautiful now as it was when first it came into my world,as beautiful as a perfect autumn day. Feel the sun, watch the leaves dance together as they fall under the bluest of skies together to the ground.Thank you George Winston. Your music has touched my heart, and my life-I am grateful.
K**R
It is a real gem
I tried to listen to several of his albums and also read the reviews. The fact that someone else had stated that she/he had a lot of his albums but really loved this one was very helpful. Upto this point I had mostly listened to classical piano music but his tracks are like little symphonies, changing within the track to return to a certain theme. I also love the way he touches the piano keys, truly a virtuoso. He and the piano know each other so to speak inside out and it is just beautiful. One track for example makes me think of music by Isaac Albeniz: Asturias.
S**N
I Love Geoge Winston
I have had this CD for quite a while, and I have it downloaded on my IPod, along with a number of other CDs by Geoge Winston. I listened to that CD individually when I first got it, and I liked it, but I no longer remember the details. That being said, I really don't know the difference between one or the other anymore, because when I choose to listen to this type of music, it is combined with other CDs and even other artists and individual songs are being played randomly. All I know is that if you like Geoge Winston's older CDs, you should also like this one.
T**E
Beautiful!!
One of my favorite albums! George Winston’s Autumn album completes my fall season!
G**S
Five Stars
Excellent
A**R
Empfehelnswertes Album mit hervorragender Aufnahmequalität
Die CD wurde prompt geliefert, deutlich vor dem benannten Lieferlimit. Der Inhalt der CD war mir zuvor bekannt, deshalb wollte ich diese ja auch haben. Das Album und der Interpret ist in seinem Genre sehr zu empfehlen. Sehr gut Klangqualität. Bestnote.
P**E
Four Stars
Another relaxing CD that replaced our original one on tape
E**C
Einwnadfrei
Die Ware traf pünktlich und intakt ein. Die Qualität der darauf enthaltenen Songs ist sehr gut. Ich bin sehr zufrieden.
Z**O
Autumn
Sehr schönes Konzeptalbum von George Winston. Passend zum Herbst, schöne Impressionen für gutes und schlechtes Wetter. Wie alle Jahreszeiten von George Winston!
