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From: bourne@cwruecmp.UUCP (bourne)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Windham Hill
Message-ID: <1202@cwruecmp.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Oct-84 11:06:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: cwruecmp.1202
Posted: Mon Oct  1 11:06:51 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 2-Oct-84 06:17:07 EDT
Organization: CWRU Computer Engr. Cleveland, Ohio
Lines: 78


		Windham Hill is a record label known for its extremely
	high quality recordings and pressings.  When they first came
	out, distributors wanted them to charge 12 to 15 dollars per
	album because the albums were of audiophile quality.  The guys
	at Windham Hill didn't want to do that (high quality music
	for the masses!) and I've purchased their albums for as little
	as 7 dollars.

		For those of you unfamiliar with the label and are
	interested in what's available, I conclude with a mini-review:

	An Evening With Windham Live:  Good starter album as it lets
		you hear a good selection of the artists, notably
		George Winston, William Ackerman, and Michael Hedges.
		The CD version of this one isn't so hot because there
		is a very noticeable tape hiss.

	Windham Hill Sampler:  There are a couple of these out...I've
		only heard the '82 sampler.  Again, another good 
		starter album featuring some of the lesser known
		artists.

	George Winston:  December    piano solos
		Very seasonal type of music  with variations on
		Pachelbel's canon, the Carol of the Bells and all
		those other Christmas-type classical pieces.
		both the CD and the LP sound great.

	George Winston:  Autumn, Winter into Spring
		Two more piano solo albums.  These two are definitely
		what I call 'late evening music'  requiring a good 
		bottle of wine, a cozy fire, and a member of the 
		opposite sex.  Very mellow stuff.

	Liz Story: Solid Colors   piano solos
		Very different style if you are used to George Winston.
		This is bright, cheerful music whereas, to me, Winston
		comes across as being relaxing and soothing.

	Shadowfax: Shadowfax, Shadowdance  ensemble
		Two albums that kind of break with the Windham Hill 
		acoustic tradition.  Here you'll find electric guitars,
		a lyricon (could someone tell me what the hell this thing
		is?), and all manner of asian and african percussive
		instruments.  I've enjoyed both albums.

	Mark Isham:  Vapor Drawings
		Even more bizarre...synthesizers, electronic drums, 
		trumpets, flugelhorns, etc.  This album has a more
		pronounced jazz flavor, compared to the sounds I'm
		used to hearing from George Winston, etc.

	William Ackerman:  Passage    guitar solo
		Actually, there are quite a few ensemble pieces on
		this album.  The other instruments include piano (
		played by Winston), violin, lyricon, and oboe or
		English horn (can't remember which at the moment).

	I've played all these albums or CDs for a number of people
	and I haven't met anyone who didn't like them.  Most people
	ask me for a list of records to go look for!  I hope this
	listing helps some of you find something good to listen to.

		I would appreciate mail from anyone who's heard the
	CD versions of these albums.  'December' by Winston sounds
	very good on CD with less tape hiss than you'd expect coming
	from an analog master.  I wish I could say the same about
	the 'Windham Hill Live' recording on CD.

					dave
				at
					cwruecmp!bourne