•
Rating:
LA RECENSIONE
Thirteen piano solos to pay tribute to an unforgettable sixties band: the Doors.
“When I first heard Break on Through (to the Other Side), it was the best piece of music I had ever heard.” George Winston.
The Doors, besides being the best rock band of all music, were also an inspiration for George Winston, regarded as one of the leading pianists in the New Age genre. In particular, he is remembered for Summer, December, Winter Into Spring, and Autumn, albums that, as one might guess, aimed to evoke feelings connected to specific scenic backgrounds.
The album contains some of the most famous Doors songs like Spanish Caravan, People Are Strange, Love Me Two Times, Light My Fire, and Riders On The Storm, and other less famous ones. I won't do a track-by-track review because if you're Doors fans, you'll certainly know them very well. However, I want to focus on two songs in particular: The Crystal Ship and My Wild Love.
Starting from the premise that the majestic work of the Doors will hardly be surpassed (artistically speaking, that is), let alone equaled, one realizes that even the mere fact of reprising it is an act of courage. Their absolute greatness lies in having proposed timeless, original, and mysterious music, and for this reason, music of the soul. Indeed, these two songs are not only filled with the emotional pathos of the originals, but their particular reinterpretation makes them two small masterpieces.
The Crystal Ship, calm and meditative, gives the impression of flying through empty space toward infinity, barely touching it, just to taste its unattainability, and then falling gently, like a leaf, back into reality.
My Wild Love, more than a reinterpretation, seems to be a song on its own: compared to the original, it is much more sinister: it stretches over 6 long minutes, but this time the feeling is not well defined, a haunting confusion takes over us, almost wanting to warn us of an imminent danger.
Other noteworthy tracks are the beautiful Summer’s Almost Done and Spanish Caravan. I was rather disappointed by the absence of The End: I would have liked to hear how he would have reprised it.
In any case, this remains a little gem for Doors fans.
Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
This review praises George Winston's album 'Night Divides The Day: The Music Of The Doors' as an evocative piano tribute to the legendary rock band. It highlights Winston’s interpretation of iconic Doors songs, particularly 'The Crystal Ship' and 'My Wild Love,' noting their emotional depth and unique reinterpretations. While missing 'The End' was a disappointment, the album stands as a cherished homage for Doors fans and lovers of New Age piano music.Tracklist
George Winston
George Winston (1949–2023) was an American pianist and composer whose evocative solo piano albums—especially the season-themed Autumn, Winter Into Spring, Summer, and the bestseller December—brought Windham Hill’s aesthetic to a wide audience. He also recorded tributes to Vince Guaraldi and The Doors, often describing his style as “rural folk piano.”06 Reviews
