Jesse Winchester [Original recording remastered]

Jesse Winchester | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 17, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B000CC3S4Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jesse Winchester is a wry man with a stern streak. "Black dog don't believe in sin," he sings on "Black Dog," one of the remarkable songs on his 1971 debut album. "Think of where the black dog's been, think of where he's been today." Winchester grew up in Memphis but moved to Canada to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. His first album was produced by Robbie Robertson of the Band, and engineered by Todd Rundgren (who produced part of his second LP). Even before Robertson added his guitar (and Levon Helm's drums) to the instrumental mix, Winchester's songs possessed an antique charm not unlike the songs of the Band. The jangly rock of "Quiet About It" and "Snow" could've been cut in the basement of Big Pink, while "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" sounds like an old song of the south. The oft-covered "Yankee Lady" possesses similarly nostalgic charms. Songs like these are why, in recent years, Winchester has found his greatest success writing songs for others to sing. --John Milward

Product Description

Jesse Winchester is a sort of folk/rock singer/songwriter who issued numerous albums for the Bearsville label throughout the 70s & early 80s. Wounded Bird Records will be issuing his entire Bearsville output on CD start with his very first album, Jesse Winchester, and Live At The Bijou Cafe, which when originally released in 1976, was a radio-station-only album. This entire catalog will be digitally remastered. Jesse Winchester features Levon Helm & Robbie Roberson from The Band. Wounded Bird Records. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winchester's Best, August 31, 2000

By 

Garth Henkins (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesse Winchester (Audio CD)

Jesse Winchester is one of those people the whole world should know about but sadly many people aren't familiar with him. Many have heard his songs recorded by other artists, never realizing this is the guy who came up with so many great tunes. This is his best work, the purest record he ever made. Songs range over a broad spectrum, from the light-hearted "Snow" to the dark, ominous "Black Dog". If you want an introduction to this songwriting genius, start here.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depth of Feeling, June 13, 2006

By 

T. Ferring - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesse Winchester (Audio CD)

The Band backs up Winchester on his first release. (That alone is enough to earn at least one listen.) The breadth and depth of emotion on this work is broader and deeper than on his others. The music and lyrics can be haunting, dark, and unsettling on "Black Dog". And "Quiet About it": "I have this notion--call it my fear--that I will die alone--and even He won't be there".

He balances this with the joy of a working man's night-on-the- town, "Pay Day": "You make me feel like dancing the night a away!" or the sensual and upbeat "Touch I Like", "The air of flowers when you're near, your eyes are bright and wide and clear, and that's the touch I like".

This could be his best work. Certainly, Winchester has a knack for penning lyrics and combining them with a musical ability that keeps me hopin' for more.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent rootsy rock debut from draft-dodging songwriter, October 30, 2007

By 

Elliot Knapp (Seattle, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jesse Winchester (Audio CD)

Jesse Winchester isn't a household name, by any means. I hunt down good but lesser-known music as a personal hobby, but many people don't have the time to put toward searching for the good music that didn't get big radio play (like Jesse Winchester). On this, his 1970 debut, Winchester proves that a lack of commercial success doesn't always correspond with poor material; this album is typified by superbly-crafted songs, heartfelt singing, and some really enjoyable playing.

Though Winchester's name isn't well-known, two of his collaborators' are: Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, both of The Band, the flagship band and king of this kind of music back in the early 70's. Winchester was befriended by Robbie Robertson in Canada, where he was living after fleeing the USA to avoid draft into the Vietnam War, which he opposed. Robbie helped Winchester get his music career going (while the Tennessee-born Winchester fed Robertson's obsession with the American South), most especially on this album. Though Robertson lends some of his gnarly, ear-candy lead electric guitar to many of these songs, other than on the co-written "Snow," the songwriting voice is all Winchester.

"Payday," the rocking bluesy opener, kicks the album off with a crash--Robertson's guitar cuts and slices, and Winchester's overdriven vocals really lay out the playfully reckless vibe that the song puts out. This loose, fun attitude returns on a number of other cuts, like the upbeat "That's A Touch I Like" and the tongue-in-cheek innuendo of the album-closing "The Nudge."

There's a far-from-home melancholy feel on many of the songs, perhaps from Winchester's expatriate status; "Biloxi" wistfully recalls the natural beauty and memories of the South. "Yankee Lady" is one of the album's finest cuts, recalling a life-changing love from the past that ended because of the singer's urge to roam, backed with especially appropriate mandolin played by Levon Helm. Like the best songs on the album, Winchester's lyrics merge perfectly with his emotive voice, making the emotional message direct and effective. "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" is another quality ballad, covered by numerous more famous artists. "Skip Rope Song" is an interesting experiment and change of pace, and the passionate spiritual call of "Quiet About It" is augmented by some of Robertson's most wicked shredding. "Black Dog" is one of the album's most interesting songs, an ominous meditation on the moral separation between man and animal. As the song builds to its peak, the pounding drums sound more like Led Zeppelin than the Band.

In all, Jesse Winchester is a sparkling debut, full of good, idiosyncratic songwriting sung by a unique voice. Robertson's guitar and the rest of the production do make the music sound similar to the Band, so if you're a fan of the Band looking for similar music by other artists, this is a great place to look. Winchester's second album, Third Down, 110 to Go, is equally as good, sounding much more unique due to Robertson's absence, but with the same quality of songwriting and performance. If you're looking to other Band-esqe material with participation by members, check out Bobby Charles, which is similar in style and quality to Jesse Winchester and the Band.