Thursday, November 26, 2020

Outlaws And Firearms - Jesse Winchester

His name is the perfect Old West combination, and his story is pretty dramatic. He took it on the lam to Canada, figuring it was a better bet than Vietnam. He seemed born to be a Canadian. He looked Canadian. He's modest and "Quiet About It" (a song title) and a fine songwriter who maybe didn't quite sing them at their best - he left that to names more famous than his.

And I have to say - he's a little on the boring side. I can only work up the same amount of enthusiasm for his work as he does, which seems fair.

“I’d rather just hang in there with good music, slow and steady, and share it, rather than set the world on fire all at once.” It's not like he had the choice. 

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16 comments:

  1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIINovember 26, 2020 at 5:04 AM

    Here's what I gots: Jesse Winchester, Let The Rough Side Drag, A Touch On The Rainy Side, 3rd Down 110 To Go.

    You want?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crab DevilNovember 26, 2020 at 8:53 AM

      At the risk of sounding like I'm answering the question: I do wants
      two of those . . . so, yes, please.

      Delete
    2. Farquhar Throckmorton IIINovember 26, 2020 at 9:35 AM

      That's swell, Crab Devil! I'll up them after I finish watching th' wife change th' oil on th' truck ...

      Delete
  2. Eric S.November 26, 2020 at 6:31 AM

    Jesse was born in North Louisiana but raised in Mississippi and while you are not wrong, his "Mississippi You're On My Mind" is a damn fine song....though with all due respect, how anyone in their right mind mind can miss Mississippi eludes me, and I have spent some nice times there with lovely folx.

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    Replies
    1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIINovember 26, 2020 at 6:46 AM

      I can hear the good songs in these albums (I have ears) but I can also hear an unwillingness to do them justice. His performances are modest to the point of being demos. It's not just being "laid back" - JJ Cale showed you could do that and still be weirdly exciting - more like he'd already had his fun in writing them.

      Delete
    2. Eric S.November 26, 2020 at 8:00 AM

      fair and well said, as ever.

      Delete
    3. Farquhar Throckmorton IIINovember 27, 2020 at 11:12 AM

      I'm not sneering at the man, his politics, or his song-writing. Solid throughout.I voiced a subtle doubt about his perfomance, is all, so let's keep that in perspective!

      Delete
  3. iggyNovember 26, 2020 at 7:32 AM

    I enjoy spending a little time down around Biloxi, but when I do I'd rather hear Jesse's last albums than his first ones. And for "Mississippi You're On My Mind" give me Stoney Edwards any time...

    ReplyDelete
  4. BillyMacNovember 26, 2020 at 9:24 AM

    Happy Thanksgiving, Farq. And thank you for the great music and making me laugh during the last 8 months.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hugh CandysideNovember 26, 2020 at 9:57 AM

    He could occasionally do the songs justice. He made Neko Case cry, that's gotta count for something.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKGWpqnS8E

    ReplyDelete
  6. Farquhar Throckmorton IIINovember 26, 2020 at 1:28 PM

    Here ya go, Pals!




    ReplyDelete
  7. festoonicNovember 26, 2020 at 7:31 PM

    Without him there would be no Lyle Lovett. I honestly don't know how I feel about that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. bumppaNovember 27, 2020 at 12:20 AM

    The last time I saw Jesse was in Annapolis in November 2013. Everyone knew he was sick and a quiet reverence filled the room. He did his best laid back songs and all were in awe of his strength. It was very emotional and then Jonathan Edwards came on a ruined the evening.
    But, ya gots to love "Rhumba Man"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dave HeasmanNovember 27, 2020 at 12:34 AM

    Here's "Humour Me" from 1988. Notable for having Edgar Meyer who I have on one record by Joshua Bell and another by Yo Yo Ma, and also Jim Horn who I have on lots of records by Duane Eddy.

    https://workupload.com/file/jATcUbQnzTn

    ReplyDelete

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