A dim, candlelit dinner constitutes a typical Valentine’s date. But follow it with what the average Joe wouldn’t — a night of romantic solo piano renditions of Doors classics by George Winston.
Baton Rouge’s Riverside Centroplex will host Winston on Friday, Feb.14, as he performs older classics from his 30-year recording career along with pieces from his new compact disc, “Night Divides the Day — The Music of The Doors.”
When he first heard “Break on Through (to the Other Side)” in 1967, George Winston’s life changed. He felt deeply inspired by the whole album and that song in particular.
“To me, it was the greatest piece of music I’d ever heard,” he said in a press release. “It is a perfect song — the arrangement, dynamics, lyrics … it was deeper to me than anything I’d ever heard. It was also the first time I had ever really paid attention to the lyrics of a song, and the first time I had been affected by a whole album, musically and otherwise.”
Winston has recorded albums since 1972, but only gained national recognition in 1980 with “Autumn.” Since then, he has released six other albums including “Linus and Lucy — The Music of Vince Guaraldi,” which contains his version of the Peanuts classic.
His other inspirations come from R&B, jazz, blues and rock musicians such as Thomas “Fats” Waller, the late Teddy Wilson and New Orleans’ own Dr. John and Professor Longhair, according to the press release.
With various influences, the sound coming together on Winston’s albums and performances is a truly unique genre he calls “rural folk piano.” The sound is “a cross between the range of traditional folk music and instrumental pop/R&B.” “Night Divides the Day” is Winston coming full circle to pay tribute to those who helped him define his own style.
Ray Manzarek, Doors keyboard player, has endorsed George’s efforts at paying homage.
“I love George’s playing,” Manzarek said in a press release. “He has captured the essence of the Doors and added his own unique voice.”
Winston’s tribute contains 13 Doors compositions, spanning from well-known hits like “Light My Fire” and “Riders on the Storm” to more obscure songs like “My Wild Love.”
Winston also will conduct a food drive to help the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Those who attend are asked to bring donations of non-perishable food. There will be collection barrels at the entrances.
Tickets for the show are on sale now at the Riverside Centroplex Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Prices range from $20 to $28. Those interested can also charge-by-phone at 761-8400 or order tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com.