Paul Winter: Greatest Hits (Special Edition) [Enhanced CD]
Saxophonist Paul Winter isn't the kind of artist you associate with "greatest hits." He has, however, won a few Grammies, been associated with some memorable compositions, and almost single-handedly launched the world chamber music movement, spawning the careers of Oregon, David Darling, Glen Velez, and many others.Over the course of his nearly 40 years of recordings, soprano saxophonist Paul Winter has explored a world of sound, literally. His group, the Paul Winter Consort, was created as an umbrella for Renaissance airs, jazz improvisation, Indian rhythms, and classical repertoire in an elegant, always melodic sound.Greatest Hitsspans the years from 1972 and, in a bit of hubris, the future. A couple of his "greatest hits" haven't even been released yet.Greatest Hitscovers a career remarkable for its all- embracing scope. The sambas of guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves have been a favorite of the saxophonist, and he re-arranges the Winter Consort theme song, "Icarus," a la Brazil. The frame drumming of Glen Velez percolates through a couple of tunes fromCanyon, and originalRiverdancepiper Davy Spillane guests on a pair of pieces from the forthcomingCeltic Solsticealbum. Winter plays duets with wolves, Grand Canyon echoes, humpback whales, and Paul Halley's pipe organ.Currently available as a double CD, it's the second disc that contains many of Winter's classic tunes in their original incarnation, including the aforementioned "Icarus." It also samples music from other artists on Paul Winter's Living Music label. In addition, this is an enhanced CD with a slide show history of Paul Winter including voice clips, music, and propaganda for Winter's environmental concerns and music.These may not be "greatest hits," but this is a great survey from one of the important musicians in modern instrumental music.--John Diliberto