December Music: “The Holly and the Ivy” by George Winston

Many of the cuts from Winston’s album, December make wonderful Christmas music. They are available from Freegal.

Winston made his fame as a pianist, but his other real passion is another instrument: Hawaiian slack key guitar. He’s reportedly an expert player, and has devoted his music label to preserving the form.

And if you’re like me, and wondering what exactly Hawaiian slack key guitar is, here’s a sample:

The Piano Player and Charlie Brown: “Skating” as played by George Winston

George Winston pays tribute to composer Vince Guaraldi in his album, Linus and Lucy. All the tracks on the album, including “skating” are available from  Freegal. I had always thought of Winston as an erudite fellow in a tux, but he’s actually described as a “balding grizzly-bearded man” wearing “jeans, a plaid work shirt and no shoes.”  He reportedly sometimes breaks out a guitar or a harmonica, or plays boogie-woogie piano and invites the audience up on the stage to dance.

I like him even better now. And for a little festive, jazzy background music, you can’t do better than Winston, Guaraldi, and Peanuts.

"George Winston." Contemporary Musicians. Vol. 43. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 20 Dec. 2012.

(Yup, I'm a librarian. I look these things up.)

“Ring Christmas Bells, Merrily Ring”: Carol of the Bells by Pink Martini

Photo:  David Blaikie

“Carol of the Bells” is based on a Ukrainian folk tune called “Shchedryk.” Aren’t you glad we have an English name for it as well?

I’ve always loved folk carols, especially the ones in minor key. The tune is a real workout for any vocalist (or handbell choir.)

Pink Martini has one of the freshest Christmas compilations out there, and the album Joy to the World is available on Freegal.

AllMusic says “this globally-minded collection is traditional and unpredictable at the same time.

Other classic renditions include those by George Winston (piano),  Mannheim Steamroller (tech), and The Robert Shaw Chorale (chorus). John Williams also included his rendition on the Home Alone album.

Jazzy Christmas Evening” “Christmas Time is Here” with George Winston



Photo: d3b

Most Christmas songs are peppy or sentimental, but this tune written by Vince Guaraldi and performed by George Winston is just the right blend of smooth and nostalgic.

It evokes fireplaces and hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon. The Christmas lights are one, the rest of the lights are off, and no one is thinking about shopping or traveling.

We might be thinking of the Peanuts gang, but that’s to be expected.

The easiest way to find this one on Freegal is to do an advanced search. Put “George Winston” in the “Artist” field and “Christmas Time is Here” in the “song” field.



Halloween Tunes: “Oh great pumpkin, where are you?”—“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” by Vince Guaraldi

Pumpkin and morning glory--Ellen Mackey

Whenever I choose a Halloween pumpkin with my family, I hear Vince Guaraldi’s jazz song “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” from the TV show It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  The whole soundtrack just says autumn.

George Winston’s rendition of the song is available from Freegal.