A final Holiday album post for 2018

December 21, 2018 8:32 PM

December [40m] is the fourth album by pianist George Winston, released in 1982. Perfect for atmospheric reflection as we enter [Northern Hemisphere] Winter and our season of Celebrations. Perhaps the most famous Holiday album you've not yet heard. Happy Solstice! Side A: Thanksgiving; Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head; Joy; Prelude/Carol Of The Bells; Night -- Part One: Snow, Part Two: Midnight, Part Three: Minstrels

Side B: Variations On The Kanon By Johann Pachelbel, The Holly And The Ivy, Some Children See Him, Peace

posted by hippybear (15 comments total)

Added bonus. "Green Sleeves" by Liz Story off of 'A Winters Solstice'
posted by clavdivs at 8:44 PM on December 21, 2018

I always loved Winston's performance of Skating, which you'll recognize from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, which has, for me at least, the strongest nostalgia hit.
posted by tclark at 8:47 PM on December 21, 2018 [3 favorites]

clavdivs, did you make me that tape I had in 1988 with Winston's December on one side and Liz Story's Solid Colors on the other?
posted by straight at 9:51 PM on December 21, 2018 [1 favorite]

Thanks for this, I wasn't aware of it and it's really nice.
posted by WhitenoisE at 12:26 AM on December 22, 2018

In kindergarten, it was all this, and Fleetwood Mac Rumours and that Kenny Loggins record with Danny's Song. I remember my mother making a copy of it for my teacher "to serenade the kids". Thanks, mom!
posted by klausman at 12:32 AM on December 22, 2018

Engraved in my soul.
posted by brambleboy at 2:03 AM on December 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

Winston and Ackerman are why I know what Windham Hill is.
posted by snuffleupagus at 3:44 AM on December 22, 2018

Beautiful album, the quintessential soundtrack to sitting in a cosy chair, the room lit only by candles, firelight and the Christmas tree, watching the snow gently falling outside...
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 3:51 AM on December 22, 2018 [3 favorites]

Oh wow. If this album means anything to you personally - and it def does for me - do yourself a favor and, yes, read the youtube comments at the first link. Doing that with the music in the background is a nice way to spend a few minutes.
posted by jmccw at 4:20 AM on December 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

There should be a trigger warning on this post.
posted by sonascope at 6:23 AM on December 22, 2018 [4 favorites]

Nice.

If you like this, google "A Winter Solstice" also Wyndham Hill - the first of the series has Winston and some other artists and it's in the same vein, and a relaxing favourite in the Codger household around Christmas.
posted by Artful Codger at 2:40 PM on December 22, 2018

I always pair George Winston's Autumn with December, because here in Oregon the month of December is more like Fall than Winter.
And I love George Winston's music.
posted by Jefffurry at 3:28 PM on December 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

I'll always like Mr. Winston's music because a high school girlfriend would sometimes put on "Autumn" before a make-out session.

You have a warm place in my heart, sir, and a stiff place in my teenage pants. #TMI
posted by Guy Smiley at 9:20 PM on December 22, 2018

For me, THE George Winston song will always be the utterly shimmering musical onomatopoeia Rain/Dance from Winter Into Spring. 10 minutes of pure piano magic.
posted by hippybear at 12:57 AM on December 24, 2018

I'm super late but I fell wholly into a Windham Hill hole my soph year of college (89-90), and that included this record as well as a couple by Liz Story, Philip Aaberg, Nightnoise, and others -- basically, I used the aforementioned A Winter Solstice as a jumping-off point, and really enjoyed it.

Add weed, wine, and good food; for maximum enjoyment, ensure it's cold outside, and that you're cozy inside with delightful people.
posted by uberchet at 7:47 PM on January 17, 2019