George Winston Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions: A Hurricane Relief Benefit CD

George Winston is known largely for his quiet, introspective solo piano pieces that have been labeled variously as new age, adult instrumental, and "folk piano." GULF COAST BLUES AND IMPRESSIONS contains its share of intimate, ruminative Winston originals, but the majority of the album delves into the tradition of New Orleans blues, jazz, and R&B. It's only appropriate, since proceeds from the album will go to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, but Winston's turn at tunes by Dr. John, James Booker, and Professor Longhair show his boogie-woogie chops in fine order, and provide plenty of musical substance to the album's philanthropic mission.

Personnel: George Winston (piano); George Winston.

Photographer: Harriet Blum.

Dirty Linen (p.87) - "There's a good bit more stride and jazz sounds than on the reflective albums celebrating the seasons that comprise some of Winston's more popular works, though he does close with a quiet tribute to Longhair."
No Depression (p.107) - "Never has this artist, whose proceeds for this album go to hurricane relief, played so robustly, so joyfully and yet with such intimations of darkness."