Windham Hill Records Discography

226 Replies to “Windham Hill Records Discography”

1. Excellent resource. i’d wondered about the “missing numbers” in the listings of releases on early windham hill albums. would be nice if the odd ones (basho, linda waterfall, kidd afrika) got rereleased sometime, perhaps by the artists themselves.

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   1. I love Windham Hill, just looked up
      See ended 2007. So many albums
      Fantastic music – Musicians!
      Thankyou!!!!!!

      Question: I wish when originsl albums converted to cd, that song order hadn’t been changed! WHY do they do that
      The Artist’s original order of their songs
      Should be left alone! Have Liz Story
      Unaccountable Affects, that I have on original cd, and when I later got the cd
      The song order was all changed, really
      Ruins the organic feel ! I actually re-
      Recorded to the original order.
      Joni Mitchell’s, For The Rose’s, is just one of another! Wow!

      Thank You Everyone! Blessings!

      Reply

2. Thanks! It was the “missing” early albums that got me started on this project. I had always wondered over the years why some were skipped.

   Of course the real crime is that many of the core Windham Hill albums are not in print, or available digitally. Try buying “Turning: Turning Back.”

   The interest I’ve seen from other Windham Hill fans makes me wonder about the viability of re-issuing a series of the original Windham Hill albums on audiophile vinyl and CD pressings. Many of the original albums were mastered by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. I like what Music Matters did with their Blue Note series, or the Classic Records reissues. Chime in via comments if this is something you’d be interested in.

   Regarding the “lost” releases: Linda Waterfall has said she’d love to see Mary’s Garden re-released. I’m not sure who owns the rights to it, presumably she does, but it could be Will Ackerman. In the meantime, vinyl sales sites will be the only place to get it. I’ve traded emails with her, and she has promised to provide more information on the album and her experiences recording it.

   Kidd Afrika on the other hand has made the album available through Rhapsody and other digital sites, and it’s a really fun album. Nothing like the other Windham Hill releases. There’s a link to the Rhapsody site on the Kidd Afrika page.

   Basho’s Visions of the Country is a brilliant album, and very compelling, although it took me a few listens to wrap my head around Basho’s vocals. He has quite a passionate following, and I’m really surprised that the album wasn’t re-issued as a Lost Lake Arts album, or otherwise re-released over the years.

   There are also a few later catalog numbers that are as yet unexplained. I hope to research and find out more about those.

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   1. I don’t see WS-0004, a 45 rpm promo copy: George Winston, Country Night/ Iowa Chill

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      1. Yes, I’ve only recently become aware of how many promo albums there are. Discogs lists a few that I’ve never seen.

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   2. I’ve been a Windham Hill fan since I first heard George Winston back in the 80’s. I’ve recently gotten back into vinyl and was able to listen to the amazingly well recorded albums from George Winston and Nightnoise for the first time in about 20 years! I would absolutely love to see this entire cataloged released on vinyl and would be first in line to stock up on some of the albums I’m missing.

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      1. I had purchased a few WH LP’s from the Local Target while in grad school down in Houston 85′-89. I would take them fresh from the sleeve, run a felt duster over it and Sprayed it with Radio Shack LP spray. No pops, no clicks right onto chrome Maxell cassettes. They still play awesomely . Playing the LP’s now as I write, they have been in storage for over 15yrs due to divorce. They play like new. I’m wondering if the RS spray was simple Silicone and may have helped to perserve? . I have taken now to recording for my pleasure only the LP’s onto HiFi VHS. Way better than my AKAI 747 R to R deck. What comes off the LP is duplicated onto the tape. Analog LIVES!!

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         1. I wonder if you have any information on the unreleased titles. Also, I wonder why most of these titles haven’t been released into Apple Music or some similar streaming service. Thanks for the list!

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3. Your list seems to be mssing WH-1042: Ira Stein & Russel Walder – Transit (see: http://www.discogs.com/Ira-Stein-Russel-Walder-Transit/release/762846). released in 1986. I don’t like it nearly as well as Elements, their first release, but it’s still a worthwhile album.

   Some additional Lost Lake Arts releases:

   LL-85 Shadowfax – Watercourse Way
   LL-86 Scott Cossu – Still Moments
   LL-87 John Renbourn – The Lady and the Unicorn
   LL-88 Pierre Bensusan – Early Pierre Bensusan

   LL-91 Paul Horn – Sketches: A Collection
   LL-93 Puck Fair – Fair Play
   LL-94 Tim Story – Untitled
   LL-95 Modern Mandolin Quartet – Modern Mandolin Quartet

   I hope this helps

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   1. Holy Cow! Transit is one of my favorite albums – I know it won’t be universally appreciated – but I’ve always loved Transit. I can’t believe that I missed it. Thanks also for the Lost Lake releases. I’ve never collected them, so I’m less familiar with those. I’ll add them in over the next few days.

      Caitlyn, I appreciate your comments! Make sure to sign up for the RSS updates of the Facebook and comment as you see fit.

      Best,

      John

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4. Hi John- I came to your site from your link on AudioEvo.org and have to say that I’m very impressed with your work here. I guess I grew up in a cave because all of this is new to me. But I’m going to see if I can find one of the Alex de Grassi pressings from Windham Hill. Thanks for turning me on to this resource.

   Jon Brink
   AudioEvo.org/jbrink

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5. John,
   Nice site you have here. I have been compiling a list of the Windham Hill family for years now and collecting the music. I would be glad to forward a copy of the list. Also, I have started to scan the album artwork. I have CD/LP copies up to 01934-11381-2 – Thanksgiving – A Windham Hill Collection – Various Artists [1998] as well as the WH Jazz, Lost Lake Arts, Open Aire, Dancing Cat, Magenta, and Rabbit Ears labels. Still on the hunt to add to the collection and the list.

   Dan

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   1. Thanks, Dan! Good to have you join in. I’ve collected a number of the CD’s as well as I found them used, but never made a concerted effort to grab those. I did just add the entire LaserDisc series to my collection thanks to an eBay seller. Did everything come out in CD? Also, if you have better scans of the artwork than I do, please let me know, I’d be happy to give the best possible images.

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   2. Dan, I did email to Windham Hill Album Discography
      By Patrice Eyries, Dave Edwards, & Mike Callahan
      That they were missing: WH 1071, Fred Simon, Usually/Always, 1988. I hope they add it in.

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6. Hi, John,

   It’s a pity you haven’t gotten around to collecting the Lost Lake Arts releases yet. It’s a very small number of albums and there are some real gems in there, including some of my all time favorites. Most are reissues or earlier albums by Windham Hill artists while a couple are original material, including “Fair Play” by Puck Fair, which I highly recommend. If you like Nightnoise it’s three of the musicians who either were or later would be part of that group. The sound is more Celtic than Nightnoise and the album is truly outstanding.

   I also rate Tim Story’s “Untitled” (originally released on the great Uniton label) and Scott Cossu’s “Still Moments”. I prefer Passport Records original mix of “Watercourse Way” by Shadowfax. The Windham Hill/LLA version was notoriously toned down to better fit the Windham Hill sound. John Renbourn’s “The Lady And The Unicorn” is also a classic, a mix of instrumental folk and renaissance music.

   Anyway, you’ve done a great job documenting the early and best years of Windham Hill here. It’s much appreciated.

   All the best,
   Cait

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   1. I would add Pierre Bensusan to the list of recommended Lost Lake Titles. Musiques is really tremendous.

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7. This is a great site! Bravo to you for putting it together. I myself started hunting down WH after hearing M. Hedges aerial boundries on an AM new age station in San Francisco in 1986. I found most of the early samplers in thrift stores but after working at Amoeba records in LA a few years ago, the collection became a lot more fleshed out. I think the amazingly strict numbering system really appealed to ‘completist’ in me. I also got the laser discs but recently sold them after transfering them to Dvd. Not really an audiophile by nature (and wishing to shed a few hundred pounds of vinyl!) I’ve been digitizing everything album by album, transfering all my WH to (gasp!) Mp3. Please don’t hate me! I really do love this music! I figure with other people preserving WH as it deserves, I should worry too much.

   Incidentally can any one identify these albums?
   Open Air – OA-0307
   WH Jazz – WD-0137
   WH Jazz – WD-0138
   WH Jazz – WD-0139
   WH Jazz – WD-0140
   WH Jazz – WD-0145

   Thanks.

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8. Open Aire – AO 307 – The Nylons – The Nylons [1982] (not 100% sure on this)
   WH Jazz – WD-0137 – ????
   WH Jazz – WD-0138 – Blues & More Vol, 1 – Henry Butler [1992]
   WH Jazz – WD-0139 – Down the Road – Andy Narell [1992]
   WH Jazz – WD-0140 – Premonition – Paul McCandless []
   WH Jazz – WD-0145 – A Change of Heart – John Beasley [1993]

   Dan

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   1. Me and my excel file thank you!

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   2. Thanks!

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9. I have a pretty extensive listing that I’ve been compiling for several years in Word format. Also about 1/2 of that listing in MS Access database format if anyone wants a copy. This started with the listing on http://www.bsnpubs.com/aandm/windhamhill.html. When I saw that site I realized that a piece of history was fading away and began to research and collect in earnest. I have every recording up to about 1998 with several in hand after that. Alas, the releases became so much repackaging as the label attempted to milk every last ounce of blood from a dying genre and I realized that the talent had moved on and there would be no more music like the early years.

   Dan

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   1. Wow, Dan. You’re pretty dedicated. Since I’ve done the site, I’ve realized it’s really the first 50 that are meaningful to me. Of course, there are some later gems like Mark Isham’s “Tibet” and the later Hedges releases. I’ve also purchased several albums from the artists on other labels. Philip Aaberg, Liz Story, Ira Stein and Russel Walder have all put out amazing albums on other labels.

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   2. Hey Dan,

      I have been looking at your list that you posted the link to for years now. Nice work!

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      1. Marwatso,

         As much as I would like to claim ownership of the BNS listing (and John’s site here), I can’t. Except I did send an updated list to the BNS website and they updated their list from mine. I filled a lot of holes in for them.

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   3. Dan, John Edwards here, I would love a copy of your list. I have quite an extensive collection of Windham Hill but I am probably missing something and would love to complete my complete collection. Thanking you in advance for your help.

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10. I really enjoy this website. Some of the windham people I have seen over the years and conversed with are true artists. I have fond memories of most of Windham Hill music, and own most of it except for a few of the later releases. This kind of music seems lost for the most part, I wish this label still existed, it was a lifeline to me……

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    1. Thanks for the great comments, Jerry. Of course most of the artists are still performing and recording in one way or another. I think that’s what’s missing is a well-curated collection – one where you know that the level of taste will be there regardless of the exact form of the music. Ackerman was a master at that, and I think that the first 50 records stand with Blue Note, and maybe ECM as one of the greatest highly-curated collections of music of the 20th century.

       For something in between Windham Hill and ECM, look at MA Recordings, curated by Todd Garfinkle. Great music and beautifully recorded. http://www.marecordings.com

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11. AWESOME!!!!!! Great work Dan. I am a long time Windham Hill Collector. I would be more than happy to help/share any information that you may need. Although, it looks like you have a good handle on everything.

    I have every LP and CD released on Windham Hill, Lost Lake Arts & Dancing Cat. I have many promotional items from the 80’s/90’s as I was in contact with the PR person there for years. I stopped collecting a couple years after Will left the company though. I still keep track of my favorite artists.

    I was actually listening to my copy of Robbie Basho’s Vision of the Country this morning and thought to look at see what people were asking for it these days. That is how I found your blog. I immediately went all smiles and today is my birthday. Thanks for the unintended birthday present Dan!

    The biggest question I have been trying to answer and purchase is the last remaining releases that went to LP. I have Phil Aaberg, Upright, Pierce Pettis, While The Serpent Lies Sleeping, and even George Winston’s Summer on LP. Do you know of any others that go put to vinyl this late?? I would cry if I found Taproot on vinyl. 🙂

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    1. Marwatso, This is John Edwards, I would love a copy of your Windham Hill list if possible. I have an extensive collection of W/H music but I could possibly be missing something and want to make my collection complete. Thanking you in advance for your help.

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12. Hey everybody! I am looking for a complete list of the DMM Vinyl Releases for Windham Hill. I have several already and they are very impressive acoustically.

    Dan’s the man.

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13. Hey marwatso,

    Glad you like the site! This is John – the creator of the site. Thanks so much for the posting. I’ve never seen a DMM pressing – or at least one that’s indicated as such, but would love to. Starting google….

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14. Well, I got so excited upon finding Windhaming, I confused Dan for the brilliant creator of this site, John. I’m sure Dan’s still the man. But John’s Da Bomb! 🙂 Sorry about that John.

    I read your bio at the beginning. I think we might be the same person. 🙂 …really.

    Hey, I’ll give you $4.00 for that signed Robbie Basho. You’ll have doubled your money. 🙂 🙂 🙂 That is an incredible album. One of my top ten across any genre.

    I too have frequented the bay area stores as well and many others across the country trying to complete the entire label on Vinyl. This for me means getting everything on WH and WHS-C and C-. Although I am not sure if the C-10XX numbers are a phase out of the WHS-C’s anyway.

    I have everything on CD already, because like you I was in high school from 89-92, collecting everything as it was released. In long boxes no less! Dang, I should have never thrown those away. 🙂

    I also am in continuing pursuit of earlier and earlier versions of WHS-C-1001. I think I have the original hand pressed. (with the funky label of a tree and fence) But I’ve thought that twice before. Woman She Rides is great!!! Will should have kept singing and let Basho do the same!!! It would have been a folk revolution! Actually…I think it was anyway. 🙂

    Do you have any specifics about the earliest version of WHS-C-1001?

    Thanks again for doing this John.

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    1. I have to correct this. I do actually have what I believe to be the first “Turtle’s Navel” The one Will was toting around to radio stations – according to legend. 🙂 The jacket is cardboard with paper covers glued on. The back is just text, no graphics. The labels are in a funky font with a green turtle design that is unique to each side. Side One label and the back of the jacket have a rubber stamp that says P 1975 William Ackerman. Does anyone know if this is indeed the legendary first record?

       The one I have has Aimee’s written on the bottom right of the front jacket.

       So, John, Dan or anybody else: Do you know how many of this record were produced?

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       1. There are a few pictures of some of the early, alternate printings of Turtle’s Navel. There are a few shots on the listing that another reader gave me of his collection. I sure wish I knew better, but send us a shot and I’ll post your version as well.

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15. DMM Release list I have (from a Vinyl Sleeve):

    I call dibbs! 🙂

    TA-C-1012 – George Winston – Autumn
    TA-C-1014 – William Ackerman – Passage
    TA-C-1016 – Scott Cossu – Wind Dance
    TA-C-1018 – Alex de Grassi – Clockwork
    TA-C-1019 – George Winston – Winter Into Spring
    TA-C-1020 – Ira Stein/Russel Walder – Elements
    TA-C-1021 – Darol Anger/Barbara Higbie – Tideline
    TA-C-1022 – Shadowfax – Shadowfax
    TA-C-1023 – Liz Story – Solid Colors
    TA-C-1024 – Windham Hill Records Sampler ’82
    TA-C-1025 – George Winston – December
    TA-C-1026 – An Evening With Windham Hill Live
    TA-C-1027 – Mark Isham – Vapor Drawings
    TA-C-1029 – Shadowfax – Shadowdance
    TA-C-1030 – Alex de Grassi – Southern Exposure

    Can anybody fill in? I regard these pressings as noticeably better than any Windham Hill regular release. FYI – I regard the WHS-C pressing to be of better audio quality than the WH releases.

    Windham Hill also did “Audiophile” quality versions of their releases. I have found two and also call dibbs on everything else out there. 🙂 I have seen one Aerial Boundaries on Ebay for this. Sadly I did not bid enough. 🙁

    I have WHS A-C1006 and WHS A-C1021. They are also superior in audio quality than the other releases.

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    1. What does DMM stand for?

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       1. Direct Metal Mastering

          It’s a mastering technique in the creation of LPs.

          Here’s a good overview:
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_metal_mastering

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       2. The DMM releases are only identifiable by their labels and a logo on the back of the jacket.

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    2. Thx Johnny! Just when you think you know it all . . .

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16. Excellent data – except now I must chase some of these DMM releases down. I regard the “standard” releases as outstanding audiophile LPs. I would agree that at least in theory the C-10XX should sound better than the A&M releases because they could be using earlier stampers. In practice, it’s less clear, at least for the few where I’ve done head to head comparisons. Additionally, RTI was still doing most of the A&M era releases, so they likely would have been creating their stampers in the same way as the original pressings. Also, I’ve never seen the A-C1006 numbering – what did the “A” designate?

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    1. My comparisons between the WHS-C-10XX and the WH-10XX have shown only modest gains in quality. But, it is noticeable, if I have two good copies that is. It’s nothing like a DMM or an WHS-A-C-10XX though. That is clearly brighter and richer.

       The A designated “Audiophile Edition”. The jackets are identical to the WHS-C10XX catalog releases. There is one small sticker at the top right of the front of the jacket that has the WHS-A-C10XX number and the words audiophile edition below. The record labels have an off-white or tan tone with burgundy ink, and an all cap bright red “audiophile edition” in the center. The label also shows the WHS-A-C10XX.

       Don’t buy them all, I’m still looking. 🙂

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       1. Finally found a DMM copy. In this case it was “Tideline”. I paid all of a dollar in the clearance bin at the Amoeba in San Francisco, today. Yes, it clearly sounds different than the regular issue. A lot more high-frequency information, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the naturalness it brought to the violin in particular was really impressive.

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18. Thanks for the great resource! I’ve been collecting Windham Hill music in various formats since I worked at Sam Goody’s in Stamford CT in 1982-83. I discovered the Windham Hill Sampler ’81 in a large stack of promo records (mostly pop) and the album cover drew me in. I managed the audio department at the back of the store, next to the glassed-in classical room. Once I started to play the WHS ’81 in the back of the store, nearly everyone that ventured back to the classical and jazz sections wanted to know what it was. Needless to say, our sales of Windham Hill releases increased every week and we just couldn’t keep them in stock.
    A few years later I was living in Denver and a good friend was a cameraman at the local Boulder public television station and filmed the Darol Anger, Barbara Higbie and Alex De Grassi concert. Not only did I get to attend the show, but met them all and watched the video of the show with them afterward.
    I agree that the first 50 releases will always be the “Golden Age” of Windham Hill, and I listen to those much more that the ones that followed. Despite the downward spiral of the label, that music has and always will be magical for me and a part of my listening life.

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19. Thank you so much for sharing the information in this form.

    I had often wondered at the “missing numbers” – even “missing” on the plastic sleeve liner lists for the Windham Hill vinyl releases.

    When filling in “gaps” I have found the vinyl to be typically in excellent condition – Windham Hill listeners are clearly ones who handle such fine records with particular care.

    I don’t have any of the Windham Hill laser discs but I did find a couple of Windham Hill DVDs – I assume there were VHS tapes too at some point?

    I also have picked up some Windham Hill casettes over the years – often for just a few cents.

    I will try and spreadsheet all this at some point and I will happily share it with you.

    Sincere best wishes,

    Steve

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20. I heard some really spiritual bagpipe music awhile back, something like Windham Hill would do. (It’s not Amazing Grace). If anyone would have any idea about who could have done something like this, etc., let me know!

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21. I noticed your list now stops at WH-1106. Well… WH-1107 is George Winston – Summer and was released on LP, CD, and cassette. I believe that is where the WH series ends. After that BMG took over and lots of things changed.

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22. I’ve been told that WD-1052, one of the three missing releases from 1986-87, was “Fair Play” by Puck Fair. For reasons unknown it was released on Lost Lake Arts instead. That would solve one of the mystery numbers if it’s true.

    I still have no clue at all about the other two lost releases.

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23. I’ve said this elsewhere on the site, but here I will say again what a fantastic resource you have created for Windham Hill fans. Thanks! (My posting this also has the second purpose of getting me on the list so I’m notified when people post follow-up comments on this page.)

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    1. Thanks, Justin. I’ve learned so much from all of the passionate fans who have commented and shared their stories with me.

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24. Great site! I am a WH fan from ~1981 when I first heard Autumn playing in the Rizzoli bookshop in Water Tower Place, Chicago. Did some listening back then, but never fully explored the label. When I dove back into vinyl about a year ago, have been buying up a lot of the “first 50” and really broadening my love of this music. Your next one to review, Southern Exposure, is one of my favorites – as are all of the Michael Hedges albums, Shadowfax, Liz Story and William Ackerman. I got to meet George Winston a few years back when he came to play at our hospital’s cancer center between concerts here in town – a very quiet, introspective, nice man. I really enjoyed reading some of your reviews today and will come back often to see what’s new! -J Smith, Des Moines, IA

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25. Dear Sir,
    I have been looking fo a cd by windham Hill Called In Search of Angels There aer various artist such as Tim Story, Jane Siberry, etc. but the song on the album is Star in the east By the ST. Olaf Choir. The CD was Manufactured and distributed by BMG MUSIC 01934 11153-2.
    can you help me find this album? It would mean so much to me.
    [email protected] Thank you so much

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    1. There are two on eBay right now.

       http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=in+search+of+angels+windham+hill&_sacat=307&_odkw=in+search+of+angels&_osacat=307&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

       Dan

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26. Hello, I have opened a music group in Facebook featuring the music of Windham Hill Artists among others. I have found today this webpage that is so interesting. I am a music lover and as you I want this music not to be forgotten.
    I have some CDs of the label, two DVDs “Winter” and “Autumn” and a vinyl of W.A. Mathieu “Available Light” bought in Ebay because i could not find the CD version.
    Let me suggest you to search in http://www.gemm.com which is a website for collectors and people who sell and buy out of catalogue music.
    If you have a FB profile i invite you to join this group and help me to fill the collection.
    Regards
    Antonio, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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    1. Hi Antonio,

       Thanks for the comment. Windhaming also has a Facebook page that you should check out, here: https://www.facebook.com/Windhaming

       Glad to see another enthusiast out there.

       Best,

       John

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27. Thanks! I´ll Check it!

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28. Windham Hill released a cassette with piano and cello. It was a wonderful album, but I cannot find the name so I could search for it. Do you happen to know the names of albums with solo cellos or cellos with piano?

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    1. I wonder if you mean Darol Anger and Barbra Higbie’s Tideline, which was for piano and violin. I’m not aware of an entire album with piano and cello, at least not from the first 106 releases, which is all I track.

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       1. He has to mean Scott Cossu & Eugene Friesen’s “Reunion” – WH-1049 released in 1986. Every song has cello and piano. Gwenlaise is the most beautiful piano and cello duet I have ever heard.

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          1. My son was a 12 when we saw them perform . We bought the album and now I wish I could get the sheet music for my two granddaughters. One plays piano and the other cello. They love Gwenlaise. So beautiful.

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29. I just found it: Eugene Friesen and Paul Halley – New Friend. Released on the New Music label.

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    1. Ah, so it wasn’t a Windham Hill title after-all. I still highly recommend Reunion. Glad you found what you were looking for. Eugene is a great artist.

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       1. I am totally with you. I picked up “New Friend” for a dollar on vinyl a few months back and it’s been on heavy rotation ever since – I just played it again yesterday and truly wonder how I never heard of it until very recently.

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    2. Look for his Lp “Arms Around You”.
       Very Well done.

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       1. Looks like that’s a Eugene Friesen album on Living Music (distributed by Windham Hill)

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30. First, I agree with the recommendations for “Reunion,” which is probably my favorite Scott Cossu album. Eugene Friesen and Paul Halley are best known for their work with the Paul Winter Consort, a group whose work will probably appeal to a lot of people who like Windham Hill music. In the U.S. “New Friend” is on Living Music, a label started by Paul Winter and eventually bought by Windham Hill, so there most definitely is a Windham Hill Connection. Both labels later ended up under the BMG umbrella. Unlike Windham Hill, there are still new releases on Living Music.

    For fans of WIndham Hill who are curious about Paul Winter I’d recommend starting with a Grammy Award nominated album called “Canyon” from 1985, mostly recorded in the Grand Canyon. Both Eugene Friesen and Paul Halley play on this album. Other great choices would be “Spanish Angel”, a Grammy Award winning live album from 1994 and “Sun Singer” (1983). People who know Paul Winter will immediately wonder why I don’t mention “Icarus” from 1972. It’s a great album but it predates both Halley and Friesen joining the Winter Consort (the name of the group at the time). David Darling plays cello on that album.

    Anyway, it’s all great stuff. I look forward to Johnny’s reviews getting to “Reunion” 🙂

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31. Pingback: Music: Accoustic / Instrumental; Meadowlark Records Sampler | Church Profiles

32. Okay – I collect Windham Hill things just because I liked their approach to music. I also found that those who OWNED Windham Hill material tended to take better CARE of their media (they also, in all likelihood, have better gear and take care of THAT better as well).

    I have a somewhat odd duck on a Windham Hill Cassette (MCT-001) – William Ackerman “Balancing” – subtitled “music for meditation” – it carries a 1980 Copyright (Windham Hill Records) and is generally okay (if slow-moving), but what attracted me was the cover photo (by Ron May) and the fact that I had NEVER heard of it (and had not seen it on any list).

    So what have I got here? Something very rare that would be worth sharing with friends and other collectors? It was $.49 at a Goodwill here in Phoenix. I also have a DMM of Liz Story’s SOLID COLORS which came from a different Goodwill some time ago for $.99. May you all find such wonderful treasures at such bargain prices.

    I apologize if this is a repost. I may have posted it once, but it did not show up.

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    1. Hello! Regarding the William Ackerman cassette; it sounds like you have a cassette-single. Balancing is the second track from the album “It Takes A Year”. Though it is rare, cassettes don’t usually command a price of more than a couple dollars. Many sellers do charge a premium for some of the earlier Windham Hill CDs – anywhere from 30.00 to 120.00 each.

       The Solid Colors DMM is a nice find. If in NM condition the record is worth about 15.00. The most collectible LPs from Windham Hill are the “audiophile” editions of the LPs. Though some are considered quite rare. For example, I just paid 91.00 on eBay for a still sealed Windham Hill 1010 – Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country.

       Thanks for sharing your find, I was not aware of this particular single.

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       1. It’s not a single – It’s a full album. Here are the track listings:

          Side 1:
          Balancing
          Sunday Rain
          Birdsong
          Ely
          It Takes A Year

          Side 2:
          Bricklayer’s Beautiful Daughter
          Processional
          Barbara’s Song
          The Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit

          These may correspond to another album, or this may be simply a re-labeled work or compilation of some of his other stuff simply for the sake of marketing. It does have a fairly early copyright date, though, for a compilation.

          I’m not interested in selling it – I’m a collector – but was more interested in learning if this stuff was known or not, and if anyone would want to have a listen.

          FWIW

          Reply

33. I’ve scoured the discography and have found that these tunes all appear on other albums. They are drawn from “Turtle’s Navel,” “It Takes a Year,” and “Childhood and Memories.” I’d call it a compilation.

    Mystery Solved. It’s out there. Curious about the numbering, though – were there more in the MCT-xxx series…..

    Reply

34. Ah, a full album. You got me on the origin. I’ve never seen a cassette like that. Perhaps another Pastels release (German Windham Hill outlet from the early eighties). It should be noted that “Birdsong” is only available on a Pastels vinyl release of the same name. Does your research concur? Can you describe the cover photo?

    Reply

    1. Do you know if Pastels created their reissues from master tapes, or tape copies sent from the US?

       Thanks,

       Sam

       Reply

35. Working on getting a picture of the album cover. It’s on a cassette, so it’s small. But check this – Google does not HAVE an image for this cover that I can use. It’s just not there.

    So I’m working on that.

    While way out in the sticks (actually brush) of Arizona, I went to a thrift store and scored an audiophile pressing of George Winston’s AUTUMN (among other things) for a buck.

    Reply

36. We’ll see if this works.

    Reply

    1. http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn98/Big_Daddy_Audio/DSC_0013.jpg

       Reply

37. Nice find on the George Winston Audiophile Edition. There’s one on Ebay for 24.99 right now. 🙂 The picture/cover seems vaguely familiar but not enough for me to place it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    1. Definitely not a Pastels release though. How’s Birdsong? Any vocals?

       Reply

       1. No vocals on any of the album. I’m trying to figure out how to share the cassette without causing trouble with Mr. Ackerman. I wish there was a way to do this for his fans.

          Birdsong is like the rest of the album – very soft and comforting; in the oevre of Windham Hill, the opposite would be Shadowfax Shadowdance (just for reference).

          Reply

38. Rip it and share it. It’s not like you’ll taking away sales from anyone. Will sold Windham Hill (guaranteeing its demise) and the label became a shell of its former glory, simply repackaging the music until all the lame ideas were exhausted. It no longer exists and when we are gone, I don’t know who will keep the memory alive. I stopped my collection around the the mid 90’s since everything released after that, I already owned. I’ve never seen this cassette and would love to hear what’s on it. I love Will’s work, his music and production.

    BTW, does anyone have a Windham Hill “Tune In” transistor radio? I have one . . .

    Reply

    1. Once I have the tune ripped, where I do I post it? Is there some sort of “hosting site” (e.g. photobucket) for songs? I don’t have a website or anything.

       Reply

       1. Remember MegaUpload, the site the FBI shut down? It was such a site. Lots of them have been shut down because ripping and sharing copyrighted material is illegal. It’s called piracy.

          Reply

       2. I’m no expert at this, but it seems like the best and most legal way is to turn the image into a video and post it to YouTube. Just put a copy of the album cover as the image part. That way a record company can add a link to iTunes or other in order to monetize their content, and YouTube worries about the licensing. If you just post it to Soundcloud or another hosting service, then you might be responsible for the rights.

          Best,

          Johnny

          Reply

       3. This was my ethical dilemma from the start. An image is one thing – it’s just packaging. The actual material is another issue altogether. It’s not worth getting fined or going to jail for.

          Reply

    2. What insanely bad advice! Ripping and sharing copyrighted material is called piracy. Sony, who own the current rights, can and may very well go after people who do this.

       All of William Ackerman’s music is readily available legally. Support the artists and get your music that way.

       Reply

       1. You’re right, Caitlyn. So tell, where can I buy this album? That’s the first time I ever saw it, and I’ve been collecting WH since 1984. But, I’m sure you can offer advice on where to purchase it. BTW, I own most of the WH catalog, including videos, laser discs, and memorabilia, all paid for. I don’t pirate. Most of what I own however, I bought used. Sony didn’t make a nickel on it. So, if there is only one copy left, do we let it die so Sony doesn’t get cheated? Or do you just think we going to sell copies on pirate sites? Tell me . . .

          Reply

39. Any information about Turtle Island String Quartet’s first recording on Windham?

    Reply

    1. Not yet – if you’d like to contribute a posting on this, I’d entertain it. Thanks, Johnny

       Reply

       1. Turtle Island String Quartet’s first album was WINDHAM HILL JAZZ #WH-0110.
          All their early releases were also on the Windham Hill Jazz imprint, although their
          ’95 release “By The Fireside” was a “crossover” title, as both its catalogue
          number (#1175) and logo correspond to the parent label…..this brings up an
          interesting point, because beginning in the mid-90’s, the the line between “WINDHAM HILL” and “WINDHAM HILL JAZZ” becomes increasingly blurry. Several artists from the jazz label produced albums on the parent label (Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, etc) at this time. And to further confuse things, beginning in ’96 or ’97, most, if not all “WINDHAM HILL JAZZ” releases bore catalogue numbers corresponding to the main sequence of the parent label (i.e., #1934-11xxx, instead of #1934-10xxx).

          Reply

40. Hello, awesome list. I’ll have to listen to some of it. I love instrumental music. I heard a piece of music called Harp Strey. I was told the artist is “Windham Hill Collection”. However, I haven’t been able to find it. Is anyone familiar with the song? It has only a few instruments. Its nice and pensive, among other things. I’d be happy to supply more information.

    Reply

41. I have a tough one. I used to own a laserdisc in the 80’s that had Windham Hill artists on it. The disc was a winter setting. There were scenes of a river at the beginning, a train, and also a cabin in the woods. I have been looking for it for a long time in audio format or at least a list of songs so I can find the artists. I has one song on it that has a lot of memories tied to it. Would love to find it but have not been able to. If anybody knows of this laserdisc it would be great to know if any of the songs are available.

    Reply

    1. Almost certainly this video, which originally came out on VHS and LaserDisc. http://www.amazon.com/Windham-Hill-Winter-Will-Ackerman/dp/630585789X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3

       Reply

       1. Glad to see someone mentioning the Windham Hill video releases…..the titles that I know of are : “AUTUMN PORTRAIT” (1985), “WATER’S PATH” (1985),
          “WESTERN LIGHT”, “WINTER”, “SEASONS”, “CHINA”, and “TIBET”. There is
          also the infamous “Windham Hill In Concert” film (infamous because the bulk of the footage was actually recorded on a studio sound-stage, and interspersed with “crowd scenes” and ovation from a 1986 show at Wolf Trap). The only other
          video titles I know of are “George Winston – Seasons in Concert” and “Solace”, although Solace contains a lot of excerpts from the original ’80’s releases (as well
          as short interview footage with most of the artists).
          ……I think there is also a Liz Story in Concert video…..anyone know for sure ?

          Reply

       2. Yes, Liz Story – Solid Colours was made into DVD by Quantum Leap. It is from an old video, but it is great to see and hear her play.

          Still for sale on Amazon:
          http://www.amazon.com/Solid-Colours-Liz-Story/dp/B000EQHXPK

          By-the-way, some of the concert footage from Windham Hill In Concert is from Colorado’s Red Rocks.

          There are also VHS copies of “An Artists Portrait” of Michael Hedges and Michael Manring. Both are FANTASTIC but I have yet to find them converted to DVD.

          There is a PBS release featuring Philip Aaberg called “11th & Grant with Eric Funk” on DVD,

          There is a DVD called the “Six-String Workshop” with Alex DeGrassi. It is an educational video.

          That’s all I know of.

          Mark

          Reply

       3. @Carl – the 11 song video can also be watched on YouTube. I posted a link to it on the Windhaming Facebook timeline – https://www.facebook.com/Windhaming?ref=hl you can see it on February 24, 2013. If you enjoy it, I would encourage you to also buy some of Liz’s music on iTunes so she can profit from her work. https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/liz-story/id11470

          Reply

42. Hello friends Windham Hills, i am a regular listener of some artists and composers of this house
    pity that here in Brazil , we do not have accaes to every work.
    Happiness and succses.

    Reply

43. Don’t know if anyone else has mentioned this, but looking through the discography, I noticed that the listing for Paul McCandless “Hearsay” is reversed…artist on the right, title on the left.

    Reply

    1. it’s fixed now.
       Thanks!

       Reply

44. Not sure where else to ask this question, but “When did Windham Hill officially cease to exist ?”
    I recently picked up two George Winston albums, (“GULF COAST BLUES, VOL. II”, and
    “LOVE WILL COME, Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. II”)….and noticed that NEITHER of them
    bear the Windham Hill label. (They are on Dancing Cat, which I know is Winston’s own label……although he has previously always put his solo albums on the Windham Hill label, despite
    owning Dancing Cat for decades)…..also, the catalogue numbers don’t seem to be in sequence anymore.
    I’ve been researching online to make some sense, but from about 2002 on, I can’t seem to
    make heads or tails out of what happened with Windham Hill, even though it seems clear that there have been several legitimate releases, besides the rehash compilations which they seem
    to have put out boatloads of !!

    Reply

    1. Windham Hill still exists as a subsidiary of Sony/Legacy. Inquiries into the Sony/Legacy legal department have confirmed that they still own Windham Hill and retain all of the rights (unrelated to Windhaming, I heard this from someone who was trying to do business with the label).

       So what are the harbingers of the end? Will Ackerman left is something like 1986. It appears that Dawn Atkinson remained the lead on Windham Hill matters at whatever company owned Windham Hill for another 15 years or so. Her name popped up on the last samplers as recently as 4 years ago (maybe she’s still there.)

       The most recent original artist release that I’ve seen was from the late 90’s (other than Ackerman’s Hearing Voices from 2001 and the George Winston releases). However, Discogs could probably answer this question with a little more research (strangely, sorting by year yields an Angelo Badalamente soundtrack released in Russia on the Windham Hill label in 2011… if you find out definitively, let us know.)

       In the end, there is a reason I chose the scope of this site to be the albums released on vinyl. First, I love everything in the first 30 releases. Secondly, I love most albums in the first next 20. Releases 50-100 get a little uneven for me. You have absolute classic albums mixed with some that were good but not groundbreaking, and some that are completely forgettable. After that it’s really mixed and a different label with different artists than the early and mid-80’s releases that made me passionate about the label.

       Reply

       1. Johnny,

          The site was windham.com as windhamhill.com is owned by Windham Hill Inn. Windham.com redirects to legacyrecordings.com and you used to be able to buy the leftover stock. Windhamhillrecordings.com was never used as far as I can remember. Anyone know how to contact Dawn Atkinson so we can clear this up?

          Dan

          Reply

          1. You’re completely right about the URL. I’ve edited my original post to remove my error so it doesn’t get repeated.

             Regarding their Not sure what there is to clear up, Dan. Sony Legacy has the rights to the label, and are uninterested in promoting it, apparently. If you’re interested in the artists who made the label great, I would put my energy into following and promoting the great work being done by Will Ackerman at Imaginary Roads. However, I’ll PM you the one contact I have for WH.

             Reply

       2. Edited to delete my mistaken references to the correct web original Windham Hill web site.

          Reply

       3. I share your sentiments regarding Windham Hill in the late 80’s to an extent,
          although I didn’t actually discover the label until late ’88, so some of those releases were some of the first ones I acquired. It seems that Ackerman realized
          early on that the strength of the label came from the fans who were wiling to buy
          every release, so in a sense it really was truly a “Collectors Label”, much in the
          same way that labels like ECM had been in the past. So it seems that great care
          and attention was put in to making sure that new artists and releases would “fit” into the label as a whole; this phenomenon translated especially with the “Samplers”, so that every track would fit and flow together seemlessly. This may be one reason why releases by people like Kidd Afrika and Linda Waterfall were quickly deleted from the catalogue, because they didn’t quite fit with the overall “family” nature of the label (It is hard to imagine a Kidd Afrika song on one of the early Samplers, for instance).
          So later, when a broader spectrum of artists and style was again brought it, it challenged our notions of what was “right” for the label, especially since we as fans were committed to buying every release. I know for myself this first happened with the “folk” period in ’89, with the stuff by John Gorka, Pierce Pettis, etc. Although I bought the “Legacy” sampler, I didn’t buy any of the other “vocal” releases in the late 80’s…..it was the first time I violated my committment to buying everything !

          Reply

45. Agreed, Johnny. My “Imaginary Roads” grouping in my iTunes library contains 1010 songs. I’ve bought everything Will has produced and even some of the artist’s earlier work. I have followed Will’s work very closely for a long time now.

    Reply

46. For anyone interested in Linda Waterfall’s “Mary’s Garden,” she appears to be selling vinyl copies on her website. Link to the order form where it’s listed: http://lindawaterfall.com/MailOrderForm.html

    On her discography pages, she lists it as “Trout,” which I understand is her own label, so you’d probably get the Trout release, and not the Windham Hill version.

    For those interested in Kidd Afrika, Amazon appears to have “The Windham Hill Record” available via MP3. Yeah, I know.

    http://www.amazon.com/Kidd-Afrika-Windham-Hill-Record/dp/B00129WD6W/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_2_TP7Y

    Reply

47. Responding to Caitlyn’s repeated comments about “piracy”. Though ripping and sharing is illegal in some jurisdictions (e.g. US), the fact is that some Windham Hill music is no longer available legally in any shape or form. I refer in particular to WH 1031 – “Nightnoise” by Billy Oskay and Mícheál O’Domhnaill. Given that there is no inventory cost to offering digital downloads, there is no reason why that album should not be readily available via Amazon MP3, iTunes Music Store or wherever. I have just discovered you can listen to it on Spotify, but I can’t find it anywhere else. A real shame!

    Reply

    1. 17 copies available on Discogs right now, starting at $2.99. http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_id=214323&ev=mb

       Reply

48. It’s a brilliant album, one which turns up on the used market often. I found my copy on Discogs IIRC. Also check Gemm, MusicStack,EBay and Amazon. Prices are all over the place but if you’re patient you will find a copy in good shape at a reasonable price. I did and I am a notorious cheapskate when it comes to music.

    Reply

49. Caitlyn,
    Thanks for the suggestions (I was unaware of Discogs). However, I already have a copy on vinyl and another on CD. I also have a site about Nightnoise and regularly get queries from people looking to get a copy (admittedly, not a flood :-). It is ridiculous that you can get that album in minutes via BitTorrent or similar, for free (legally or illegally, depending on your jurisdiction) but you can’t purchase it in a way that pays money to the artists.

    Reply

50. Years ago I worked for The Musicland Group, and always had several WH albums on our in-store play list. I have recently been looking for an album we used to play that featured the electric harmonica. It was a powerful recording, and would like to find it! Anyone have an idea of what I’m looking for?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    1. I don’t know of any Windham Hill recordings with electric harmonicas, but I wonder if you’re thinking of the lyricon? Try the two Shadowfax releases, particularly Shadowdance.

       Reply

       1. The best example of the lyricon is Visiting by Will Ackerman on the Past Light album. Chuck Greenberg was a master on that.

          Reply

51. I’ve had the cassette “Balancing” MCT-001 1980 for several years.

    50 cents in a Chicago thrift store

    Will told me it was one of a couple hundred he sold from the trunk of his car,

    just after I found it. This via an email from him..

    Am listening to it right now…

    Reply

52. Thank you for this excellent list of Windham Hill’s extraordinary releases. I first discovered them when I found” It Takes a Year’ at Streetlight Records on 24th St. in San Francisco in vinyl LP form. I had no idea what it was but just liked the beautiful tree on the cover. The music turned out to be as great as the cover.

    After that there was a steady accumulation of Windham Hill LP’s, then Tapes, then CD’s. Their releases were always something to look forward to and were a big part of the early 80’s for me. Fortunately I collected most of the early releases on CD because you see them online for big collector’s prices now.

    The great thing is how well they’ve held up. The music is so timeless; I enjoy listening to them now as much as when they were new. Thanks for filling in the blanks too. Like many others here I always wondered about those missing numbers. Does anyone here know why they weren’t released? It’s great to find so many people remembering Windham Hill.

    Reply

53. Thanks for this listing. I was turned on to Alex De Grassi around 1982ish and became a huge fan of the label buying most of the same “early 50” LPs. As a college student I made an effort to see these artists. I saw Michael Hedges and Liz Story in concert together in Nashville in 1983, and the next day we saw them walking down the street and gave them a lift back to their hotel! Such a thrilling moment. Others I got to see over the years, Alex De Grassi, Ira Stein and Russel Walder, Montreaux, Malcolm Dalglish, George Winston, Scott Cossu, Shadowfax, Michael Manring, Mark Isham, and of course, Will Akerman. Their music does still stand up for it’s beauty and soul and I still listen to it these many years later.

    Reply
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55. I’m trying to find info on a Windham Hill Sampler I obtained in 1987.My memory is somewhat vague but I seem to recall it had Spring 1987 on the cover (I had it on cassette.)I wish I could offer more information,but I hoping someone here can help me on this.

    Reply

    1. There was a 1986 sampler, but not an 1987 that I’m aware of, at least not in the US. Some other countries had different releases, particularly in later years for samplers.

       Reply

56. Do you have a CD of Sounds of Wood and Steel Volume #2 with Taylor Willobee by Rodney Crowell on Windham Hill??
    thank you,
    Al

    Reply

57. I’ve been looking for a song that I heard on a CD sampler that was issued by Windham Hill sometime in the mid 90’s. The cd did not contain any song titles… only samples of some songs along with a few complete songs. It was not an official Windham Hill Sampler… just a freebee. The first song the cd was Ozzie Kotani’s My Old Guitar (only part of the song) followed by the intro Keola Beamers Polia’hu….The Snow Goddess… There were many other songs on the album…
    The song I’ve been looking for was sung by a Children’s choir accompanied by solo piano. Don’t know the words but it was definitely a Christmas song. That is about as specific as I can get. Any clue where I can find this track?
    Thanks!

    Reply
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60. Hi! I have been looking for piano sheet music to the song “For the Asking” by John R Burr. It is from the Windham Hill Records Piano Sampler II 1994. I have looked everywhere for it but can only find it on a CD. Can anyone help me with this? Thank you!!

    Reply

    1. I am also looking for sheet music from the Windham Hill Sampler 2 but it doesn’t seem to exist. If anyone has a source, there would be a growing market for this (there are at least two of us!)

       Thanks,
       Paul

       Reply

    2. Why not go to the source. Ask John via his FB page https://www.facebook.com/JohnRBurr

       Reply

61. Hi there,

    By incident i landed on this site. To me it’s really an echoe from the past. I started with the frist digital records from Windham Hill, as they were sonically quitte superior to the first CD’s (i.e. Sultans of Swing, Bop till you drop, etc.). Right now i am listening to the Windham Hill Piano Sampler, as a testrecord for my latest home-build Scan Speak Illuminator based mini monitors. In fact i was looking for high-res verslons of Windham Hill records. There should really be a market for these.
    Best regards,
    Martin Deisting

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the comments, Martin. Yes, Passage was one of the very first digital recordings, and sounded very good for the technology. I do still prefer most analog recordings, but what they did is really amazing. I would guess those Scan Speaks really make the music sing. Regarding High-res versions, I think the vinyl is the highest-res you’ll ever get – both because there is no higher resolution format, and because Sony/Legacy is not paying much attention to Windham Hill these days. However, you should check out high-res issues from Windham Hill artists. For example, you can get recordings of Alex de Grassi from Blue Coast: http://bluecoastrecords.com/store/alex-de-grassi/special-event-19

       Reply

62. Theres a cracking “little” chapter on WH in John Stanley – Collecting Vinyl book.

    ” Windham Hill are future collectables , stunning sound and great wall art”

    The books a good read for anybody remotely interestered in record collecting.

    Reply

63. Nice site. Just borrowed Winter Solstice III from the library for Christmas ambience. We have most of the George Winston’s and listen to them regularly. Now I will have to see what I don’t have. And then I can try the other artists. I liked the story of the audiophile find in Arizona. It is nice to get some of the history through the comments.

    Reply

64. Thanks for documenting this information. We’ve had A Winter’s Solstice (spelled “Soltice” above) for many years, then found Solstice II. Just came upon III in time for opening presents Christmas morning.

    Reply

65. great memories. If I hadn’t of had Windham Hill, Steve Dunstan & Christmas Hills in the 80’s I’d of blown my Brains out. Thanks

    Reply

66. 1/17/15 I found LP: Windam Hill Jazz: Ben Sidran: Too Hot to Touch under: WH-0108
    LP: WH Jazz: Turtle Island Sting Quartet : WH 0110.
    LP WH Jazz: Tuck and Patti /Tears of Joy (1988) WH-0111
    LP: WH Jazz: Billy Childs : Take for Example This (1988) WH-0113
    LP: WH Jazz: Tuck & Patti:Love Warriors: (1989) WH-0116

    Any missing numbers/names of the albums would be appreciated.

    ALSO: Under the Magenta Label: MA-

    I found 1985/Magenta-0204: w/reference to Windham Hills: Magenta as a division of Windham Hills:

    1. MA-0204: Ben Sidran: On the Cool Side: 1985 Windham Hills Records/A&M/Magenta is
    2. Ma-0206: Ben Sidran: On the Live Side: 1986 Windham Hills/”” Both are piano/etc.

    ALSO: Dancing Cat Label: (George Winston’s label/he produced?)
    Manufactured in cooperation with Windham Hills Records.
    1. George Cromarty: Wind in the Heather : 1984/composition for guitar) :DC-3001
    2. Michael Lorima: Remembranza: 1984: guitar: DC-3002
    3. DC-3003:
    4. Shad Weathersby: Light Outside the Door: DC-3004 (1984)
    5. DC-3005:
    6. DC-3006:
    7. DC 3007: George Winston & Meryl Streep: The Velveteen Rabbit (1985)

    Any missing numbers/names of albums would be appreciated.

    Great site…..

    Reply

    1. Take a look here: http://www.bsnpubs.com/aandm/windhamhill.html
       I have a more complete listing.

       Reply

       1. Hi Dan, Thanks for taking a look at the site. Are you the publisher of BSNpubs? For a long time that was one of the very few Windham Hill discographies online. If you have a more complete listing, you might want to update the page you referenced which is missing many LP’s, for example WH-1078, 1080 and 1087. If you’re referring to CD’s, anyone who is interested in those should look to that link or to http://www.discogs.com/label/23112-Windham-Hill-Records for more information, as I focus exclusively on vinyl.

          Reply

67. Johnny,
    I don’t own that website. I used it at one time to upgrade my personal list and noted they were missing many entries. I’ve gotten my information from several sources including my own collection.

    Reply

    1. 1/19/15: Dan: Thanks for the comprehensive list/ I will update my collection and it would appear I am missing more than I thought…appreciate the comments. James Hogan Love, Esq. 79 South Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824 203-254-2022

       This message is being sent by The Law Office of James Hogan Love, Esq. It is intended exclusively for the individuals and entities to which it is addressed. If you have received a copy of this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and delete all copies of this message. This message is protected by applicable legal privileges and is confidential. Unauthorized interception is prohibited by Federal Law.

       Reply
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70. Thank you for this resource. I discovered Windham Hill when I went to see them at Ravinia in 1988 as a high school graduation present to myself. Mostly, I was hooked on their samplers, but I certainly wore those out.

    Reply

71. Add my thanks as well for the work done here to provide a resource for Windham Hills lovers. I’m just starting on the journey but am picking up LPs and CDs anywhere I can. I hope it’s not verboten here 🙂 but does any one know if there is a like resource for the Narada label as well? Specifically Narada Lotus which was actually what brought me to New Age and instrumental music in the first place. Thanks again for a great resource!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the comments. I don’t follow Narada at all, but Discogs is always a good place to start. http://www.discogs.com/label/43491-Narada-Lotus

       Reply

72. John, I just stumbled across your site while doing a Windham Hill discography search. Nice! I’m a long time WH fan, since first discovering Ackerman’s “Passage” LP in a Ft. Smith, AR Sound Warehouse a long time ago. I have many of the early LPs and much of the subsequent CD releases. I currently have my CD player at work stocked with WH releases and have the “An Evening with Windham Hill Live” playing even as I am typing this note. I’m looking forward to digging through your site. Thanks much!

    Reply
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74. Looking for a vinyl or CD of the soundtrack from the movie “Country” and also looking for leads on Mark Isham’s movie music, especially for “Rules of Engagement” Both are very moving and seem to be completely out of circulation. Anybody have leads?

    Reply

    1. For this and so many other recordings, you might try the Discogs marketplace. As I write this, there are currently 41 copies of the US vinyl release for sale. I’m sure there are lot of CD’s, too. http://www.discogs.com/Charles-Gross-Windham-Hill-Artists-Country-An-Original-Soundtrack-Album/release/1653567

       Reply

       1. Thanks! I’ll check it out and let you know what I find.

          Reply

       2. John beat me to it. There are six versions of Country on Discogs now, with 53 copies for sale: http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_id=28632&ev=mb

          There is also a copy of Rules of Engagement: http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_id=336709&ev=mb

          All in all Discogs has over 5,100 Mark Isham items for sale right now, including most of his soundtrack releases.

          Reply

    2. Did you ever get a hold of a copy of “Country”?

       Reply

75. Slowly but surely building an awesome WH vinyl colllection. It amazes me the quality of the used copies out there, like they’ve never been played. But demand is definately changing. I was recently in Amsterdam and the LPs I found and bought were all $10 or $12 each.

    Anyone reading this in the Toronto area, if you see any LPs in record stores, give me a shout at [email protected]

    Reply

    1. I couldn’t agree more. I think Will understood the need to use quality vinyl and have excellent pressings to reduce surface noise with these quieter recordings. And yes, it seems that every LP I find appears unplayed, or at the least very well cared for. I’ve only found 3-4 that I wouldn’t buy due to condition. The do sound truly wonderful. Rickover’s Dream on vinyl is a treat for the ears!

       Reply

76. I have found exactly 1 (one) unplayable Windham Hill vinyl disc in all my years of searching. While it definitely supports the notion of Will Ackerman using high quality pressings, it also points to the fact that most people who gravitated towards the Windham Hill catalog of material generally took better care of their stuff. That’s my take, and I’m sticking to it.

    Reply

77. Agree with you both. So cool to hear from others who really dig the label and value their WH collections. Btw, in additon to recently buying Ackerman’s Passage, Mark Isham’s Vapor Drawings and Shadowfax S/T, I also found Interiors Interior and The Shape of the Land. How rare are those two LPs? Btw, Hot Beach by Interiors is gorgeous!

    Reply

    1. How rare? I don’t know how many they produced, but it’s a question of supply and demand. In the Bay Area, it’s fairly easy to find WH albums at Amoeba, Rasputin and Reckless Records… but when I travel I find it’s pretty hard to find Windham Hill albums in general. They’re all terrific albums.

       Reply

       1. Just got back from a book, record and CD sale and found un-opened/CD’s of hard to find stuff…there was alot more Windham Hills Jazz records released then I thought…plugging away on earlier LPS.  Happy hunting and leisurely listening.  James Hogan Love, Esq. 79 South Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824 203-254-2022

          This message is being sent by The Law Office of James Hogan Love, Esq. It is intended exclusively for the individuals and entities to which it is addressed. If you have received a copy of this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and delete all copies of this message. This message is protected by applicable legal privileges and is confidential. Unauthorized interception is prohibited by Federal Law.

          Reply

78. An excellent UK label. Very much influenced by Windham Hill.
    http://www.discogs.com/label/75680-Coda-Records-3

    Reply

79. Does anyone know which Windham Hill production included a beautiful chorus of some sort sung by a group of Cambodian children? If you do, could you please email me at: [email protected] and tell me where to look for it? Thanks, anyone who’s reading this! Carol

    Reply

80. Of the first 50 albums on Windham Hill can anyone say which ones are instrumental only?

    Reply

    1. Um, depends on how you define instrumental – there is some humming along and vocalizing, but not singing clear words in the first 50.

       Reply

81. Hi there. I think almost all of the early catalogue is instrumental. Latest one I bought is Liz Story’s Unaccountable Effect. Beautiful.

    Reply

82. The Kidd Africa album has vocals.

    Reply

    1. I presume Linda Waterfall’s “Mary’s Garden” has lyrics as well?

       Robbie Basho’s “Visions of the Country” has vocals.

       Reply

       1. I see what you’re saying and you’re absolutely right. Other than vocalizations, for lack of a better word the four that have lyrics include: 1) Linda Waterfall – Mary’s Garden 2) Kidd Afrika – Kidd Afrika 3) Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country and 4) Shadowfax – Shadowdance (on the track Brown Rice)

          Reply

       2. Shadowfax’s Too Far to Whisper also features GE Stinson on vocals (What Goes Around). Once WH started High Street most albums that featured vocals were moved to that imprint. After BMG bought Ackerman’s 50% they started introducing a lot more vocal opportunities. Jim Brickman of course comes to mind here.

          Reply

83. Also Robbie Basho – Art of the Acoustic Steel String Guitar 6 & 12 has one vocal track: Pasha II. That makes four out of the first 10 that have vocals.

    Reply

84. Hello

    We would like to use a Song from Oystein Sevag + Lakki Patey (Painful Love – prologue) for our Homepage, its an aid organisation for womens in india. Does somebody know, where i can get the rights for this song?

    Warm regards Karin

    Reply

    1. If the song was originally released on Windham Hill, you’ll need to contact Sony/Legacy. http://hub.sonymusic.com/about/feedback.php

       I hear they’re not very responsive… but I wish you luck.

       If it wasn’t on Windham Hill, then look at the CD or online credits to see what label it was on. We’re just a fan site, so I have some good contacts with former artist, but none with Sony/Legacy.

       Reply

    2. Contact:

       WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP
       BMI Work # 3652418
       PH (310) 441-8600
       Fax (310) 470-7101
       10585 SANTA MONICA BLVD
       LOS ANGELES, CA 90025-4921
       http://www.warnerchappell.com

       Reply

85. What about “WILLIAM ACKERMAN, SCOTT CASSU, ALEX DE GRASSI / AN INVITATION TO WINDHAM HILL” on WINDHAM HILL RECORDS #L 43915 ???

    Reply

    1. This site only covers US releases on vinyl. Looks like “An Invitation” was UK, Australia and New Zealand, but not US. Looks really good, though. If I’m ever feeling ambitious I can start collecting the non-US releases.

       Reply

86. Can anyone tell me who was the recording engineer of this recordings?

    Thanks, Tom

    Reply

    1. Hi Tom, There are different engineers for each recording – check the listing by album. But many of them were recorded by Harn Soper or Steven Miller. Good luck.

       Reply

87. Hello, I thought I had the complete collection, but found a couple of albums that I can’t seem to find. The “Occasional” series. I have the (Select Sounds Audio Companion to the Windham Hill Occasional WD 96-34 cd) What are the others especially the “Occasional” album ????

    Reply

88. Years ago I had a tape of music that I loved. It was released by Windham Hill and the only song I can remember from it was tubular bells. I have searched to try and find which album it was but I can’t remember any more than that song. The music was a part of me, I would like to rediscover it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jennifer – I can’t think of any Windham Hill recording that features bells. I wonder if you were thinking of the album Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield? It’s not on Windham Hill, but might be what you are looking for.

       Reply

    2. The final cut on A Winter’s Solstice features bells and, I think, tubular bells. It is called: A Tale Of Two Cities, by Mark Isham.
       It is a beautiful piece with trumpet and other horns, as well as the bells.

       Reply

89. Can you order these CD’s directly frpm Windom Hill? I live in Greenville S,C. and I’ve looked high and low and I can’t find them any where. If so how is it done?

    Reply

    1. Hi Rod, Sony Legacy owns and distributes Windham Hill as far as I can tell. You can buy Windham Hill discs, new and used, all over. You might try purchasing directly from the artists’ sites, or check the usual music outlets like your local record store or online seller. I like Valley Entertainment, Adventure Music, in addition to the artists’ sites.

       Reply

90. Can you order CD’s directly from Windom Hill. I live in Greenville S.C. and I’ve looked high and low and can’t find them any where. If so how is this done.

    Reply
91. Pingback: Just Charlie

92. I found a lot of them on eBay over the years, including “Turning, Turning Back”. I paid $25 for it but I have seen it go for over $60.

    Like the author of this site, I bought a lot of my originals as a teen and filled in the blanks using eBay. Keep in mind that not all of them were released on CD ever, and some of the CDs were released in the early 90s, but not by Wyndham Hill.

    Reply

93. Hello. I was wondering why “Reflections” by Ray Obiedo so short? The only clip I can find is for 0:48. Is it part of a longer piece? I can’t find it. Also, the reason I know about it is that NPR used it as a “bumper” between segments. I was transfixed by it and tried to find it. All that seems to exist is 0:48, and then it fades out. Please help.

    Reply

94. I had the opportunity to buy a japaneese CD “Piano Solo” “Liz Story: In the forest” (PCCYY-20096). I couldn`t find any informationes in the www.
    Can you help me: EAN, price…further informations..
    Thanks
    W.B.

    Reply

95. Is there any background information your Celtic Christmas series (I, II and III)? It’s that time of year again, and we plan our holidays around that wonderful music. I’d love to know when it was recorded, even where the photos were taken… it’s a major part of the Christmas season.

    Reply

    1. Same for me – these albums are always played starting November and through the holidays. Wouldn’t be Christmas without them at this point.

       Greg

       Reply

96. Greetings Windham Hill fans,

    ***First come , first served***

    I have one copy of the 4 CD set (with 45 booklet) of the “A Quiet Revolution – 30 Years of Windham Hill” available for the VERY EXPENSIVE PRICE OF FREE!!! Everything is in mint condition with the exception of one thumbnail sized piece of plastic missing from the affixed CD tray attached to the book style holder. Interested parties should contact me at [email protected] to claim upon. The claimant will be asked for their address and I will gladly send it to you at no charge. If you’ve seen the prices on Amazon and eBay for this then you know this is a steal of a deal and the chance of a lifetime.

    See image

    https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2tLeTvxljWE/WoEBNvZTGUI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ITOSVDdoJ3QR60BVH8Yty9MYhWrPNa7iQCHMYCw/s0/firefox_2018-02-11_20-51-21.png

    Reply

97. The CD set has been CLAIMED!

    Reply

98. I’ve heard that there is a song called “Nothing Means More To Me That You” but i can’t find it.

    Reply
99. Pingback: Enchantingly memorable musical magic with FLOW (the Group)

100. The 86 Windham Hill sampler has a tune “Hot Beach” by The Interior. I can’t find anything else by them on the Internet. Anybody have any idea who they were? Meanwhile I am so glad I found this site. I am a huge fan of most of the WH artists and have most on cd and a few on vinyl. They are all loaded on my iPod and I listen to them frequently.

     Reply

     1. Interior was a Japanese band. They have two full releases on Windham Hill – Interior – Interior and Interior – Design. Check Discogs for them.

        Reply
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103. Would love a copy of a missing one. William Ackerman, Meditations. Not the one that’s out now, but the original. Been a fan of his since the 70’s. Never discovered anyone who could move me in the same way. Would love a re-release–the one with him on the cover with a blue shirt on

     Reply

     1. Amazon

        https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001O0SP84/ref=sr_1_2_olp?keywords=William+Ackerman%2C+Meditations&qid=1556765808&s=music&sr=1-2

        Reply

104. Does anyone know where I can “buy” the music on the album Country? I hate “stealing” music but can’t find it on iTunes.

     Reply

     1. Amazon

        https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000000NG7/ref=tmm_acd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1556765735&sr=1-6

        Reply

105. May I ask an album contained with Montreux – To be at second song followed by a song feel like Overturn … I don’t feel it is Sampler 88. Long time ago I did ask by e-mail but I can purchase it back as I am in Macau.

     Thanks technology brings us closer to help me find my dream album.

     Reply

     1. Montreux, A Windham Hill Retrospective is a CD compilation from 1993 made and distributed in the USA by BMG Music. UPC # 01934-11122-2 (8) Hope that helps.

        Reply
106. Pingback: Vinyl Sunday | Music in Motion
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109. I have to samplealbums, named A winters solstice V and On a winters night. Are there other albums with the same soft feeling released? If so is where can I buy them?

     Reply

     1. There are the first 4 Winter Solstice albums. They are out of print as far I’m aware but I’m sure you could find the albums used on Discogs, Amazon or eBay, for example. The other albums you should look into are the new Will Ackerman compilations that were recorded and produced at his studios in Vermont. They are all outstanding. https://imaginaryroadstudios.com/the-gathering/

        Reply
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111. I must say I feel as though I’ve stumbled upon a group of friends I haven’t seen for nearly 30 years when I read the posts above . I’m was and am a HUGE Windham Hill music fan and must have had 40 or 50 albums back in the day . As so many have mentioned here , this music accompanied me everywhere I traveled ( a professional musician in those days ) hiked , paddled or biked . It was played at home on family get-togethers , quiet intimate evenings , played for babies to lull them and myself into relaxation. This wonderfully adventurous , exquisitely written and performed music literally was the soundtrack to my life and much of it remains to this day a part of my regular music listening .It has inspired me to write , encouraged me to make photographs ( another passion for many years ) been part of festive seasons and backyard cookouts . The vision of Will Ackerman made it possible for these gifted and beautiful artists to enrich my life immeasurably . Today I listen to these albums with much gratitude and a bit of nostalgic sadness aware of the impact the music has had on my spirit .

     This is a wonderful site and i’m so happy to have found it today .

     Reply

     1. Come join us at the Windham Hill Lovers group on Facebook.

        Reply

112. Johnny – This is a great resource. I’ve skimmed through the comments, and my story is similar, but it was my dad who originally got into Windham Hill, and then I did from him. ’76 through ’83 included my high school years. 🙂 What brought me back was, I was interested in getting some ECM titles, so I got the Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett, but then as I’m listening, I got to thinking about George Winston. I even saw Michael Hedges in concert a long time ago. Thanks for doing this! Kevin.

     Reply

     1. Thanks, Kevin!

        Reply

113. Where is George Tortorelli?

     Reply

     1. https://www.facebook.com/george.tortorelli

        Reply

114. Thank you for putting together such a thoroughly researched list. I’m a pianist and composer who’s found some of the Windham Hill artists to be a major inspiration since I first encountered them in the early 90’s. I’ve sometimes idly wondered what would be a modern successor to the label that sought out new artists who would fit in with the classic Windham Hill style. In the modern era, the obvious answer is to self publish and try to gain an audience through social media, but that has none of the advantages of a label’s editorial curation which guides listeners to new artists in a trusted genre.

     Reply

115. Wow – I have found my people! Seriously though, my WH discovery began while active duty as a medic just prior to the first gulf War. I retired in 2005 with several WH DVDs and almost all the Hedges, Ackerman, Winston and Shadowfax gifts to music. Thanks for the discography it helps as I plan my complete collection.

     Reply

116. Does anyone know where I can get a CD copy of Ray Obiedo – Sweet Summer Days. Release date : Jul. 15, 1997. Label : Windham Hill Records. There is a copy I’ve seen on Amazon for $95.00. That’s beyond ridiculous. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’ll spend something for it but not $95.00. Thanks!

     Reply

117. Did WH issue a Valentine compilation cd around 1998 which included the song by Jim Brickman and Martina McBride? Plus many other artists?

     Reply

     1. Hey Gary, I wonder if you’re thinking about this 1998 sampler, The Gift of Romance?
        https://www.discogs.com/release/16772574-Various-The-Gift-Of-Romance-A-Windham-Hill-Sampler

        Reply

     2. Then again, maybe it’s this: https://www.discogs.com/release/11655437-Jim-Brickman-With-Martina-McBride-Valentine?fbclid=IwAR2cuZUdlkusQqLAt0mvyOqRigzX0dumrduC4fvUhMEXZasSXJ65dYL7i3o

        Reply

118. Glad to have found this place. I am listening right now to the first Winter Solstice album via YouTube. It has been so many years since I heard Ira Stein and Russell Walder’s “Engravings II.” That composition, in one way or another, has been in my consciousness for 40 years. I bought the first George Winston album right after it came out. I was a junior in high school. Then Breakfast in the Field by Michael Hedges, and William Ackerman’s first album. Everybody else was listening to 38 Special, KISS, etc. But that was who I was and still am. I have seen several of the artists live over that time – Ackerman, Winston, Hedges, Scott Cossu and others. I had vinyls but my family sold them long ago. I think I will try to go find your Facebook group.

     Reply

119. Just listening to “Winter” by George Winston that I do every year about this time. I found this site while listening. I owned a record store in Wisconsin and we were one of the few in the 1970’s and 1980’s that stocked Windham Hill’s records. I have most of them them on vinyl and have replaced many of them with CDs over the years.

     Reply
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121. I have a 1985 UK CD titled ‘An Invitation to Windham Hill’ with the catalogue number CDW1: 1. Thanksgiving
     2. Western
     3. Love Theme
     4. Visiting
     5. In The Blue Distance
     6. Angel’s Flight
     7. Ohana
     8. Aerial Boundaries
     9. The Bricklayer’s Beautiful Daughter
     10. Longing/Love

     I assume this is a UK release. It’s published by Rondor. Not sure whether they created the compilation or whether it’s a UK version of a US release.

     Cheers

     Reply

122. I recall an album called “Legends” but I can’t find it anywhere. If I remember correctly, it actually came with the first CD player my parents bought, which would have been late 80’s early 90’s. I love this album, but can’t find in anywhere. Does the album “Legends” ring a bell? I think it was a compilation, possibly a sampler album.

     Thanks for your knowledge!

     Reply

     1. I have to admit I don’t recall anything with that name. Can you provide details on the tracks, or describe the music – all instrumental? Which instruments? etc.

        Reply

     2. I think the CD you’re thinking of is “Legacy: A Collection of New Folk Music”

        Reply

123. I had 5 LPs at the time, from Barbara Higbie and Darol Anger “tideline”, from Michael Hedges “breakfast in the field”, and in Germany the big “opener for Windham Hill” was George Winston, “autumn” and “december” were my LPs. Forgot the 5th one, someone with a fretless bass^^. All were stolen, and the sad thing is, by some idiot who mainly stole expensive inherited things and most probably threw some 100 LPs away as he found out that he had taken them from the cellar room^^. Wonderful site, thank you!

     Reply

124. Hello everyone, it’s great to have found a community of WH fans.
     I remember that day like if it was yesterday, when I was introduced to such amazing music. It all started when I visit a friend who had recently traveled to New York and was given two CD’s. He started playing them and left to do some errands and I was left alone listening to Windham Hill’s The First Ten Years and Pierre Bensusan’s Spices. WOW! What a musical trip I took those couple of hours. It has been around 35 years since I have been playing and discovering so many artists within the WH world and the like.

     I have read a lot about vinyls, cassettes and CDs here, but I started creating, and still adding to it, a Playlist on Spotify containing everything WH, or at least everything that I can find (search for Windham Hill Music by byron_ortiz)

     Here is to music (cheers)

     Reply

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