Liner NotesTHE SONGS
Deland, Florida Medley (Songs 1-4)
- Highway Hymn Blues 3:00
- Song 3:20
- Go ‘Way From My Window 1:30
A traditional Appalachian ballad collected by folklorist John Jacob Niles. Also see www.john-jacob-niles.com - The Woods East of Deland 2:58
To Megan Corwin
5. Brenda’s Blues 1:44
A stride piano arrangement of a solo guitar piece by the late great guitarist John Fahey (1939-2001), from his 1965 recording THE TRANSFIGURATION OF BLIND JOE DEATH (reissued on the Fantasy label). John recorded this piece in standard tuning, key of C, capoed up to the third fret to sound in the key of Eb, and I play it is the key of A flat. Also see www.johnfahey.com and www.revenantrecords.com
6. Miles City Train 5:59
Inspired by train rides to and from Miles City, Montana in the 1950s, when there was still a passenger train line going through southern Montana. Only freight trains run through southern Montana now and the only passenger service in Montana is through the High Plains of northern Montana along Highway 2.
7. New Hope Blues 1:40
Inspired by the great stride pianist, Thomas “Fats” Waller (1904-1943), especially by his solo and band recordings between 1929 and 1936, and by the great solo blues/ragtime guitarist Blind Blake, who recorded prolifically in the 1920s. Also see www.redhotjazz.com/fats.html and www.georgewinston.com/faqs.html#fats
8. Theme for a Futuristic Movie 1:55
Written by composer/pianist Michael S. Roth in 1970 when he was sixteen. Michael has been involved in many things, including composing chamber music and many scores for drama and film, and he was the musical director and pianist for the great recent play THE EDUCATION OF RANDY NEWMAN. Also see www.myspace.com/rothmusik
9. Rag 5:55
Dedicated to guitarists John Creger and the late Carl Wyant..
10. Untitled 5:49
BONUS TRACKS
These are demos or live performances of the five other songs that I considered to possibly record for the original issue of this album.
11. Blues in G (George Winston) 3:47
Live performance from McCabes in Santa Monica, CA sometime in the mid 1970s.
12. You Don’t Love Me (Willie Cobbs and Ellas McDaniel [Bo Diddley]) 4:48
Composed by the Blues/ Soul singer Willie Cobbs and Bo Diddley around 1961.
- Demo from 1971.
13. Elcina’s Grandmother’s Rag (George Winston) 3:20
Inspired by Leila Kyte McMillan (1888-1981), and her daughter Ina Mason, and her granddaughter Gwen Elcina Fiske, and people and places around Canandaigua, New York.
- Demo from 1971.
14. Variations on Song for Kurt (Alan Kilmartin) 8:07
Variations on a piano piece composed by around 1970 by drummer/ guitarist Alan Kilmartin. using some polyrhythms on the piano that he played on the drums.
- Live performance on radio station KPFK in Los Angeles in 1974, on the Captain Midnight Show.
15. Bright Light Waltz (George Winston) 3:55
- Live performance on radio station KPFK in Los Angeles in 1974, on the on the Captain Midnight Show.
Special thanks to Thomas “Fats” Waller for the inspiration to play the piano.
All compositions are composed or arranged by George Winston, except where noted
All selections are Terrapin Music (BMI) except Brenda’s Blues and Theme for a Futuristic Movie Tortoise Music (ASCAP)
Recorded November, 1972, except New Hope Blues and Untitled, recorded June 1973
Produced for Reissue by George Winston
Digitally Remixed by Howard Johnston
Remastered by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, CA
Bonus Tracks Audio Restoration:
Ron Rigler
Parker Dinkins - Master Digital www.masterdigital.com
Additional Engineers:
Justin Lieberman
Loredana Crisan
Design by Anne Robinson
Cover photo by Frans Lanting
Originally released on Takoma Records R-9016 under the title PIANO SOLOS.