Customer Reviews

Gentleman of Leisure

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have loved Jesse Winchester ever since seeing him live in Boulder more than 20 years ago and after seeing him perform again, all by himself this time, in davis, ca and repeated listenings of his great new cd, i still don't get it. there is so much crap out there and here is a true original whose voice and songs can make u feel the heat in mississippi or the pain of a love affair gone bad and smart people dont even know who he is. this is a beautiful cd. it rocks and is another fine example of music that is hard to categorize, which after all is what explains his relatively small following. I can categorize it for you: southern rock, folk and gospel-influenced tunes that will rattle round your brain long after you've heard them. jesse is a true original and this cd, his first in about 10 years, reaffirms that in stunning style. get it and you will feel better immediately.

I hadn't been born when Jesse's first album came out, but I grew up listening to him, thanks to my Dad. Only as an adult have I realized what an original Jesse Winchester is. Like all great artists, he creates his own genre. We saw him play a couple of nights ago at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. What a thrill to see him live--he was in great voice, and he put a lot of interpretive power into the songs. I think another reviewer on this page had it right--Jesse's songs aren't obvious enough to be big hits. Guy Clark, who was also playing the other night, served up boring platitudes, received opinions, and easily grasped morals. What a yawn, but he made Jesse shine even brighter. His songs are marked by poeticism and keen intelligence. This new album is great, and shows that Jesse hasn't gone to sleep, even if he is a Gentleman of Leisure.

I've been a fan forever. I have all Jesse's albums and CDs and they are all great. Jesse is a wonderful songwriter and has a terrific voice. His songs cover many emotions; some make you tap your foot while others bring a tear to your eye. The musicianship on all of them is exceptional and "Gentleman of Liesure" is one of the best. Every cut is great. As a musician, I believe that owning a Jesse Winchester collection is essential to being a complete, well-rounded human being.

I discovered Jesse Winchester a couple of weeks ago while traveling from Covington, LA to Tupelo, MS and listening to an obscure radio station. I am thankful that the DJ was kind enough to mention the artist's name and song title "Club Manhatten". Upon my return home I searched the internet for more information, found and ordered this CD. It is a very rare occurrence, but I love every song on this CD--the lyrics, the bluesy guitar, etc. The only disappointment that I have is that I didn't discover Jesse Winchester years ago.

This is one of the most beautiful new CD's I've heard in years. I was a Jesse Winchester fan some 25 years ago, and was happy to rediscover him now. This music is better and more mature than his earlier terrific stuff.

When my 8 year old son starts dancing like a maniac to a song you know it's good (Sweet Little Shoe). Jesse Winchester is in the top eschalon of songwriters of all time. Specifically, this album has it's rockers (Club Manhattan, Sweet Little Shoe) it's Memphis blues tunes (GOL, Just Like New, You Tickle Me) and the sentimental ones (That's What Makes You Strong, No Pride). And the album has no weak songs. The last three could even be the best with Sweet Loving Daddy, I Wave Bye Bye, Wander My Way Home. I had the pleasure to see Jesse with Guy Clark last April the day before Easter and hearing his new stuff inspired me to purchase this recording very shortly after. Steve Cropper adds a touch too and you can see in this one why Jesse is the songwriters songwriter (like Guy Clark). Jesse, DON'T EVER CHANGE!

Seems a long time since Jesse Winchester released new material. This one was worth the wait: beautiful and emotionally charged tunes that get under your skin, a great studio band, and John Cowan, Jonelle Mosser, Vince Gill, and the Fairfield Four singing back up! Cowan (this country's most underated singer) sings with Winchester like they were brothers. Goosebump territory.

The songs are vintage Winchester, production (God bless you Jerry Douglas) is crisp and clean, and the band which includes Bryan Sutton on guitar, Jerry Douglas on lapsteel, and Steve Cropper on electric on a few tunes is tight and grooves. Listen to 'Club Manhattan' and 'Just Like New' and you will be swept away. This is acoustic music with a sweet blues undertone. Man, I love this CD!!!!

This recording is just a wonder. I have owned this cd for about a year, and I cannot get enough of it--and it is rare nowadays for a record to have such an impact on me. I have bought it for at least three other friends and family members already. Take a listen, and you won't be able to stop either.

Jessie Winchester is one of Americas premier singer/songwriters. If you are a person that doesn't always know what you want to hear, but always want to hear what you know, this is not for you. If you do not understand and appreciate true musical craftsmanship, pass it by. If you appreciate only high decibel head banging, you have come to the wrong place. Jessies music is truly in a class by itself. His lyrical abilities are far and above most others of his genre, if you could place anyone in the same class. This collection starts with the funky "Club Manhattan", and Jessies guitar hero Steve Cropper backs him up here. The bluesy "Sweet little shoe" features some of the most searing guitar solos I have heard in a while. "Thats what makes you strong" and "No Pride at all" stand with the best ballads he has ever written, with hauntingly beautiful melodies and lyrics. My favorite cut is the ethereal ballad, "I wave bye bye." If one can listen to this and not feel a bit of chill, I would suggest you check for a pulse This album is not quite the album that Humor me is, but comes close. Any Jessie Winchester Album is world class, and I consider myself fortunate to own them all. I pity those who just don't get Jessie. It says more about them than he. Thanks Jessie for all the good you have shared with the world

There are two songs on this album that are great: "No Pride at All" and "That's What Makes You Strong". The combination of powerful emotion with songwriting craft at its highest level result in stunning songs. I played "No Pride at All" for a friend of mine, a guy with a heavy metal background. (The song is very mellow instrumentally). It totally caught him off-guard; he literally broke down in tears. The next time he came over he said, "I want to hear my song". I put in on and left him alone in the living room.

"No Pride at All" is also very mellow instrumentally, but absolutely devastating emotionally. And "devastating" is the only word I can use to describe it.

The other songs vary from above average to good, but the presence of these two songs makes the album a must-buy, in my opinion.

-rr