Like 1994's
Forest,
George Winston's 2000 album
Plains is inspired by the subtle beauty of America's landscapes. Pieces like "Dubuque" and "Muliwai" evoke regions as diverse as Montana's fields and Hawaiian shores, but
Winston's distinctive piano stylings unite the songs into a cohesive vision. Though his interpretation of
Sammy Cahn's "Teach Me Tonight" is unremarkable, his cover of
Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" and originals like "Cloudburst," "The Swan," "Rainsong," and the title track showcase
Winston's unique ability to transform nature into expressive piano pieces.