Music Review: Windham Hill - Sundown
Published October 01, 2006
I'm just guessing, but I'm pretty sure it's not too smart to start a review by revealing your ignorance about a subject. Nevertheless, I have to confess to a certain lack of knowledge about the wider aspects of the whole New Age movement, including the spiritual foundation. But that being said, this is a place where we talk about music so let's just focus on that aspect of New Age. After all, music is music.
You could probably drive yourself crazy trying to figure out all the genres of music that are present in today's musical environment, and some of them are a real mystery to me. I once listened to some Ska and it wasn't bad, but what in the world is Darkwave? And how about Primus? But leaving that aside, New Age is a genre that's very definitely known, although it might be defined a little differently by some. Here's a pretty good description I read recently — it's a fusion of instrumental folk, classical and jazz, that readily lends itself to meditation and relaxation. (It's also been described as indispensable to massage therapists.)
Many trace the origins to a time about 30 years ago when a guitarist in California wanted to make an album, and had to end up doing it himself. The company he formed to do that became 
one of the driving forces in the evolution of New Age music. His name is Will Ackerman and the company is Windham Hill Records.
He proved to be a pretty good businessman as he gradually built up the company, starting with his own music and later discovering and adding artists who became stars of the new genre. Ackerman's company prospered, eventually selling over 40 million albums, he sold most of his stake in the company to RCA. He was a in a position where he could afford to lessen his involvement and get back to the music he loves.
The Big Geez is a retiree who takes time off from trimming ear hair to write about music -- sometimes doing conventional reviews, but often just sharing his opinions about how something resonates with his memories and those of his generation. You can read more of his faux pearls of wisdom at the Geezer Music Club.
- Music Review: Windham Hill - Sundown
- Published: October 01, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Classical, Music: Jazz
- Writer: Big Geez
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Comments on this articleComments
Thanks for your comments, Brian. You're right, of course, but I plead innocent of applying the tag "New Age" because actually,it's the term Windham Hill ITSELF uses to describe the music...it's mentioned several times in all the promotional material accompanying their 30th anniversary announcement.
Alright, I'll let you go this time...LOL!!
Honestly,I wouldn't necessarily go by the packaging on any compilatons or "Greatest Hits" CDs.
Seriously, Mr. Ackerman sold Windham Hill alittle while ago so the new people who release their material just don't have a clue...
It just irritates me because if you listen to any of their respective CDs you'll find out that usually these compilations don't showcase their best works.
Oh well, I'm just a music nut...I'll get off my soapbox now.
Anyways, It was still a nice review.
Thanks again! In all fairness to Windham Hill, I should say that they also use other names for their music in the promo material, including your favorite, "fusion", and "lifestyle music". I'd also compliment them on the media package they put together for critics. It included a lot of info and several CDs, not only the Sundown one, but also a sampler from the Pure series. And finally, you're exactly right when you say many of their artists are first-rate and have performed and recorded in other genres.
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Nice Review...
I guess I just have a hard time with the whole "New Age" sticker that people put on Windham Hill. I'm sure when people think of New Age they probably have names like Yanni and Enya pop up in their heads. Not only are these artists not like them but they surpass them in musicianship and originality.
Considering George Winston is releasing a tribute to The Doors on the piano, I think that alone excludes him from such an artsy fartsy,pretentious genre that is inundated with boring garbage.
While artists like Michael Hedges pushed the envelope on how people played the acoustic guitar and don't forget the Massive Bass Monster, Michael Manring, who not only played with these incredible musicians but has crossed so many genres by playing with artists like Ron Jarzombek,Tim Alexander,Alex Scholnik,Glenn Snelwar,Mark Zonder,Ken Bonfield,Scott McGill,Vic Stevens,etc... these Brilliant Musicians should be viewed and honored as people who broke the boundaries of how music is conceived...So, "New Age" is a very poor term! I would call it Fusion!