I started my morning off by watching a video of Bob Dylan playing the piano at various points throughout 1965 and 1966. A lot of the footage had an intimate quality, with Dylan playing an older piano with only a few people in the room sharing the moment with him. I came away from that video wanting more, and then I remembered that Cameron Winter finally released his sold-out Carnegie Hall performance on December 11, 2025 as a live album.
Comparing a new talent to Bob Dylan is a worn-out and pretty lazy comparison that many people have made over the years. That is not what I am trying to do, but when a great artist that is usually paired with a band and larger instrumentation decides to strip down and perform solo, a very beautiful performance follows that truly showcases the power and emotion of the artist.
Live at Carnegie Hall accompanied me on my hour-long commute to Nashville for work. Usually, my album reviews are after multiple listens, but with the nature of live music, it is typically experienced once and then lost forever. This record was recorded, however, and distributed via various methods, whether it was the Paul Thomas Anderson film that is currently touring theaters across the United States and other parts of the world, streaming services, or physical releases. I wanted to honor the live aspect of this record and write about my experience after only one listen rather than my typical process.
I grew up in a small church, so anytime I hear a piano played in this way, I am immediately teleported back to my childhood. My mind jumped straight to comparing this performance to the church, and I am comforted by the hymnal-esque quality of Winter’s playing. Cameron has a masterful control of his instrument, voice, and the crowd. I held my breath with an uncomfortable tension whenever Winter implemented a longer pause and breaks in his performance. His playing breathed air into my lungs, and his dynamics gave life to my heart.
I was completely at Winter’s mercy throughout the hour-long performance. At every moment, I was helplessly trying to keep up and find a balance between being hypnotized and violently getting ripped out of my trance. It was as if Cameron treated my attention and emotional reactions as instruments themselves.
Normally I appreciate live performances and live recordings, but I hold studio works in a higher regard as the ultimate display of an artist’s vision. This record shattered that preconceived notion for me. Cameron demonstrated the importance and power of live performance in a way that I don’t give enough credit and attention to in my experience with music.
When people comment on Cameron Winter as an artist, his voice and writing are talked about the most. This live performance showed me how masterful of a musician and performer he is. Yes, his lyrics and voice are amazing, but his instrumentation is equally as powerful.
I was blown away by Cameron’s command of this piano. His playing was a delight to my ears and simply beautiful. I was captivated by his new instrumentation and performances for songs that I have heard hundreds of times.
Alongside his piano playing, Cameron’s thoughtful and brilliant songwriting was equally as engaging. His control over the English language is as inspiring for me as a songwriter as it is humbling. Most of the material on this live album is familiar to me. Seven of the performed songs were featured on his solo debut record, Heavy Metal, and two songs were previously released on his EP, Singles, that I have not spent as much time with.
The new, previously unreleased material was especially captivating for me. The lyrics on “Emperor XIII in Shades” were fun to follow, thought-provoking, and hard-hitting. Of course, Cameron’s vocal performance was captivating as well. His voice is possibly Cameron’s strongest tool as an artist and performer.
The unique use of his voice is what sets Cameron apart from the rest of his contemporaries. This live recording is the best display of Cameron’s vocal control and capabilities that I have heard yet. Everything that I have said about his playing and writing is equally true for his voice.
Truthfully, I have been disconnected from music for the past few months. I have allowed my busy schedule and responsibilities to separate me from what I love. I am the president of the songwriting club at MTSU, and I haven’t written a song in months; I haven’t performed live in months; I haven’t even sat down and played for myself in quite some time.
I propped up my art and creativity to be something that needs to be productive and perfect rather than treating it as fun and self-expression. I have been weighing myself down with expectations, and I have allowed life’s responsibilities to keep me from what I love. I say all this to share how much this live performance has moved me. Cameron has inspired me to get back to writing, get back to performing, and get back to the art form that I love.
This live record is so inspiring and captivating as a performance; it is a beautiful display of the power of music and why music is important. Do yourself a favor and experience Cameron Winter “Live at Carnegie Hall”.
You can listen to Cameron Winter “Live at Carnegie Hall” HERE and you can find the Paul Thomas Anderson film of Cameron Winter “Live at Carnegie Hall” in theaters HERE.
