Customer Reviews:
 Not among my favorites, but remains the most pleasant surprise May 7, 2010
Joseph Klimek (Santa Clarita, California United States)
I don't like to write reviews about music very often. The only time it seems appropriate is when it's a soundtrack, and the question is how well the music works for the film. In this case, however, there is too much to be said.
Every now and then, I go searching for hours and days for any good music on the internet. The first problem is that too many composers that write the kind of thing I'm looking for use really cheesy digital instruments. This cd uses them, but to a minimum. The better sounds always stand out well enough, that they only give it more of a unique tone than corny style.
The second problem is that it is hard to find what I want because the titles of the albums and tracks never seem to have any relation to the sound or style of the music. I have found a couple that worked, but this is the first one where the music put the image in my mind even if I was dwelling on something else. For me the most shocking surprise came with 10 Degrees, it was a perfect way of mixing the dark, cold evenings that can be haunting with the somehow beautiful glow of the moonlight on a winter night.
Finally, you can't base what you want on the composer or performer. Too many people complain about their favorite artist after a while simply because they feel there is nothing new. However, I find that if the artist continues with the same style it can help improve what was done before. My point is that, for this reason, too many albums have a wide range of styles making it so that every album, even if a few tracks may be among my favorites, will often have several tracks that I can't stand. Or, the artist's other albums turn out to be nothing I would want, and I have to go back to searching for someone else. This is one of a few where the whole album has the same general tone, even though the final track is about different scenery.
In the end, it has to be said, this is not the best music I've heard, but it is the best collection at putting together what it tries to than any I've found in quite a while.
 Peacful Mornings August 23, 2003
judy (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Morning coffee and listening to Winter Mornings is perfect. This CD really puts me in a great mood.
from MainlyPiano.com August 18, 2003
Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
All of the music for "Winter Mornings" came to Shirley Cason during the early hours of winter days, hence the title. Played on various keyboards, several of the selections have a cool, ambient feel while others are more melodic and structured. "Beauty of the Earth" opens the CD with a gentle song about God and Earth's marriage, and all of us being the children of their universe. "Winter Skies" is a bit more orchestrated, depicting an icy coolness and the stillness of early morning. Ambient and floating, this is a very effective piece. "Icicle Melt" comes from the dripping sounds of icicles melting off the house. Electronic and elegant, this piece is much more ambient than melodic, and has a very shimmering beauty. "10 Degrees" is my favorite track. Darkly beautiful, it is like the light dancing and sparkling off of early morning snow. There is also a sense of mystery and of a vastness that works really well. "Snow Dance" is almost a musical Christmas card. Gentle bell-like sounds create the feeling of snowflakes swirling and of morning light bouncing off of the surface of the snow. Very serene and peaceful with a gentle rhythm for the dance. "Children and Snowmen" is a bit lighter although it is far from bright and carefree. The piece becomes more orchestrated as it develops, and would be lovely as the soundtrack to a scene of winter activities. The CD closes with "Gulf of Florida," a musical admission of needing to flee the snow for a week each year to warm up. It's a very charming way to end this chilly and evocative collection. "Winter Mornings" is a wonderful CD for relaxing or cozying up to a winter fire. Very enjoyable!
Peaceful Sleep August 15, 2003
Tracey (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just love Shirley Cason's Winter Morning CD. It is the most peacefull and relaxing CD I have ever heard to listen to at night
while I fall asleep.
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