Pianist George Winston salutes the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast on his new album, “Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions — A Hurricane Relief Benefit.” All proceeds will benefit various organizations providing relief to the region in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Due Sept. 5 via Windham Hill, the 10-track set features material inspired by esteemed New Orleans pianists James Booker (“Pixie”), Professor Longhair, Henry Butler (“The Breaks”), Dr. John (“Creole Moon”), Allen Toussaint and Jon Cleary.
The album also includes a handful of Winston originals plus a nearly 12-minute version of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” It’s the follow-up to Winston’s 2004 album “Montana: A Love Story,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top New Age Albums chart.
Winston, who rarely leaves the road, already has dates booked through April 2007. He next performs tomorrow (July 26) in Helena, Mont.
Here is the track list for “Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions”:
“New Orleans Shall Rise Again”
“Creole Moon”
“Pixie”
“The Breaks”
“Pixie #3” (Gobagie)
“Stevenson”
“Gulf Coast Lullaby Part 1”
“Gulf Coast Lullaby Part 2”
“When the Saints Go Marching In”
“Blues for Fess, Beloved”
