Customer Reviews

Learn to Love It

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
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Long before the Long Tall Texan copped big league cred as a smart, funny, courtly, intelligent singer-songwriter, Memphis' Jesse Winchester set a really high bar on rootsy Southern music. I still remember soaking up his debut album in my dorm room, and after graduation I eagerly sought each of the succeeding albums from this overlooked master. A conscientious objector who observed life from exile in Montreal, he may have missed the singer-songwriter boom of the '70s, but not for any lack in quality. This was his third album, mixing his own great songs with the first songs from Russell Smith, another neglected Southern master, who made some great, now unavailable records with the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

I have loved Jesse's Winchester's work for years. This is a good example of it, though many of his other albums outshine it.

IMHO this is Jesse Winchester's best work. I first bought it on vinyl, way back in the 70's. Every track here is a perfect gem. The arrangements do not overwhelm the intimacy of his songs as they do on his subsequent releases. This album is not dated and is as viable today as it was the day it was released; his other work does not hold up as well.

Such beautiful songs and wonderful voice. I have been a fan for many years.