George Winston is no stranger to benefits. He often gives the proceeds from his concerts to charitable organizations, and in 2001 he released Remembrance, a benefit album for the families of 9/11 victims. Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions: A Hurricane Relief Benefit serves two purposes. It's a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but it also allows Winston to indulge his love of New Orleans piano, which he's voraciously studied from the works of James Booker, Professor Longhair, Henry Butler, and Dr. John. Winston's proficiency at these styles is not always convincing. There's uncertainty in his timing, and he seems to get finger-tied on difficult runs. But he doesn't make it easy on himself, playing stomping stride pieces by James Booker ("Pixie") and Henry Butler ("The Breaks"). These are rapid-fire tunes on which Winston gets a honky-tonk sound from the piano that might surprise his fans.

On a 12-minute odyssey through "When the Saints Go Marching In," Winston echoes Bobby Hebb's 1966 hit, "Sunny," before breaking into a rollicking stride version of the New Orleans anthem that takes a turn into boogie-woogie minimalism. These songs challenge Winston's skill, as does Dr. John's ruminative "Creole Moon," which would seem more appropriate for Winston's technique. But it's not all New Orleans stride and jazz. Winston also throws in some gorgeous originals that are in his more conventional "folk-piano" style. The long ring-outs and sustains of "Gulf Coast Lullaby Part 1 & 2" have all the Winston signatures, as does "Stevenson." Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions is a fun album, but Winston's love of New Orleans piano isn't always done justice in the performance. --John Diliberto

George Winston's piano playing is always interesting, and it's great to hear him work out on songs in a New Orleans mode. His take on music by Booker, Butler and Dr John is actually pretty impressive. He's got his own approach and the chops to pull it off. The fact that this album supports the Katrina victims also comes as an extra recommendation.

If you like the music of George Winston's earlier albums, especially the "seasons," December, Plains, Forest, Montana.....you will probably not like this one. Unfortunately, it is nothing like his earlier works. I would never have fallen in love with his music if it was all like Gulf Coast Blues. This new one is way too heavy, loud, and generally abrasive. I am very sorry to have to say these things, because I am such a big fan of his.

I love this CD. It has a meloncholy blues sound, very clean, with echoes of typical New Orleans dixieland, strains of Dr. John-type piano, and a touch of Winstoneque new age. Only wish it was longer.

I was disappointed in this CD and have only played it once. There was nothing about the music that "grabbed" me or even made me identify with New Orleans jazz or blues. Not what I expected, but I was still happy to contribute to the hurricane relief effort.

George Winston's "Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions" is both a benefit album to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as a tribute to New Orleans jazz piano. Those who have seen Winston perform in concert know that this style of music is one of his passions, so it's fun to have a full recording of both quiet and rollicking forms of jazz piano from this artist. Six of the tracks are original compositions in the styles of some of Winston's favorite jazz composers, three are covers, and one is an almost twelve-minute arrangement of the New Orleans musical staple, "When the Saints Go Marching In." Folks looking for meditation music should probably move on, although four of the tracks are much quieter and more what Winston's fans have come to expect. All of George Winston's proceeds from this album will go directly to the Dancing Cat Benefit Fund, to be distributed to organizations helping people on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans to rebuild and return. In unity with the artist, RCA Records will be donating the bulk of its net profits to benefit musicians in the New Orleans area, so this is a very noble cause deserving of everyone's support.

The CD opens with "New Orleans Shall Rise Again," a Winston original inspired by favorite New Orleans pianists. Spirited and determined, this piece is a great way to begin and is indicative of what is to come on the album. "Creole Moon" by Dr. John is much darker, and Winston's touch is very percussive. James Booker's "Pixie" is a lighthearted highlight. Winston says in the liner notes that Booker has influenced his overall piano playing more than anyone, and Winston seems to feel very comfortable in this style, with its repetitive walking bass and all-over-the-piano right hand. "Stevenson" is a beautiful Winston original dedicated to a dear friend who died last year, filmmaker Stevenson J. Palfi. Sad and reflective, it is a loving tribute and eulogy. Parts 1 and 2 of "Gulf Coast Lullaby" are full of the vast open spaces that Winston is known for. These two pieces and "Stevenson" are much more ballads than blues, and since they are placed consecutively on the CD, feel right at home between the toe-tappers. "When The Saints Go Marching In" begins with a dark and stormy prelude that barely hints of what is coming. Once Winston gets cooking with the song itself, it is unfettered joy and the boisterous good time that is expected in New Orleans. With almost twelve minutes to explore the themes of the song, Winston really lets loose. "Blues for Fess, Beloved" ends the CD with a mournful piece inspired by Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd), who founded the New Orleans piano scene in the late 1940's. The inspiration for and a strong influence on many, if not all, of the New Orleans-style pianists to follow, this is a sweet and fitting finale to an excellent benefit CD. Recommended!