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Think of music from the 1980s and what comes to mind? Michael Jackson and his best-selling album, “Thriller” or maybe the provocative videos of rising star Madonna? Perhaps the hard-edged, heavy metal sounds of Queen and Metallica were your thing.
The decade was a time of musical innovation and diversity, but it also had a softer side. Documentary filmmaker Tal Skloot has turned his lens on the many musicians who comprised Windham Hill Records in his latest film, “A Quiet Revolution: The Story of Windham Hill Records.” The independent label, often classified as one of the first to feature “New Age” music, would go on to international acclaim, winning 27 gold and platinum records, but it had a humble — and local — origin.
Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill, began his musical journey playing guitar around the Stanford campus. He eschewed the notion of a career in academia like his father and instead became a carpenter. He still pursued his musical interests, teaming up with other like-minded artists who preferred a quieter, acoustic approach to composing and performing. He said that it was “a bit of a lark” when he decided to actually go into a recording studio. In an email interview, Ackerman explained the genesis of the label.
“All I wanted to do was to make a little record for friends. The record pressing plant required a minimum order of 300 albums and I fully expected to have 260 of them in my closet for the rest of my life. It didn’t turn out that way,” he said.
Ackerman was joined in his solo guitar compositions by other artists (Alex De Grassi, Michael Hedges, George Winston, Liz Story, among others) in performing their unique blend of acoustic music with folk, classical and jazz influences at local venues like the Varsity Theater in Palo Alto. All of the artists were united in the desire to offer a contrast to often-frenetic music at the time, offering listeners a chance to, according to a press release, “quiet the mind and soothe the soul.” The music, and the distinctive album covers with their single, seasonal photographs, would become a brand unto itself.
Fast forward to the current day and the question had to be asked – why make a documentary about a decades-old independent record label?
“I grew up listening to the artists and felt a special connection to the sound and ethos of the music. Listening to Will Ackerman, Alex De Grassi and Michael Hedges inspired me to learn finger-style guitar, which led to adventures in my 20s busking on the streets of Europe,” Skloot said.
Skloot, who has won numerous awards for his feature-length documentaries, is on the faculty of the communication and media studies department at Sonoma State University. He noted that he loves music documentaries and felt that the story of Windham Hill had not been told.
“There are so many interesting angles to the story: how the label was born at the same time as Apple and the digital revolution in Palo Alto, how the label went against the grain of what was happening musically at the time, and how the music still resonates with listeners at a time when society seems ever more turbulent and distracted,” he explained.
The documentary will focus on the years when Windham Hill was an independent record label (it would go on to be sold numerous times) and will feature present-day interviews, archival footage, videos and stills, music and behind-the-scenes stories. Skloot said that, fortunately, there is a large archive of video concert recordings from the Varsity Theater as well as some wonderful candid portraits. Many of the artists feature on the label continue to perform and teach.
“The artists we interviewed were all extremely honest and open. I think Windham Hill allowed the musicians the freedom to express their inner voices and stories and they were grateful for this opportunity,” Skloot said.
The film, which is being financed by a Kickstarter campaign, is about halfway through production. Skloot said there will be a feature-length film and an hour-long television version. He plans to distribute the film nationally via film festivals, screenings at concert halls, music venues and schools. He also foresees a digital release through iTunes, Amazon and Netflix.
Ackerman, who, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to perform an annual Windham Hill Winter Solstice Tour, confessed to initially being “skeptical” and only wanted to work with someone who really knew and cared about the subject. “I want to make it clear that Tal convinced me that this would be real and sincere and I trusted him, and I’m glad I did.”
Looking back, it is obvious that Ackerman views the Windham Hill years with special affection. “The experience with Windham Hill Records was simply beyond belief. No one thought you could make money selling records with a guy sitting in a room playing the guitar or a piano. Clearly the world was waiting for something like this and we just stumbled into it at the right time. In summary, we were not chasing stardom, fame or wealth. We were just sitting in our homes writing music because it felt right to us as individuals with musical hearts,” he said.
Skloot noted that the film will explore “the underpinnings of the label’s popularity, why it was so embraced and why its popularity has endured to this day.” He also points out that many acoustic musicians have integrated the Windham Hill sound into their music and their influence can still be heard.
When asked if there was any plan to get the Windham Hill artists together again, he responded, “I sure hope so! We are in discussion for a 50th anniversary reunion concert. It would be amazing and a real treat for fans.”
What does he hope viewers will take away from the documentary?
“I hope people take a moment in their fast-paced, busy lives to stop, look up at a tree or a leaf on the ground and relax. The musicians of Windham Hill Records shared their musical stories and allowed listeners to look inward and experience their own emotions through music. Our society needs these introspective musical moments more than ever.”
 For more information about Windham Hill Records and the Kickstarter campaign, visit tinyurl.com/WindhamHillKickstarter.
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Ah, the memories. Thank you.