Jesse Winchester "Jesse Winchester" (1970)**** "Third Down, 110 to Go" (1972)****

I first became aware of Jesse Winchester through the TV series "The Wire". One of his songs soundtracked the closing of the 1st season and while I watched I made a mental note to seek out the artist. It's not included here, but I did some digging and I was convinced this is the place to start. This CD gathers his first 2 albums, recorded in Canada to which he fled to avoid the draft and the Vietnam war. His exile from the U.S. meant he remained a cult artist whose songs were to become famous by other performers. Some songs from his debut have graced the country charts covered by other artists, but the one I knew and loved forever (without knowing it was his) was "Black Dog", in its unlikely hard rock version by Babe Ruth. Anyway, country was only one of the elements of is sound, which also embraced blues and rock and roll. His same-named debut from 1970 was produced by The Band's Robbie Robertson who also plays guitar in the album alongside another Band alumni, Levon Helm (on drums and mandolin). Opener "Payday" is a potent blues rocker with rolling boogie woogie piano. "Biloxi" and "Skip Rope Song" are introspective folk, while "Snow", "That's A Touch I Like" and "Rosy Shy" are mid-tempo country rock. The Band's influence is evident in the music, just as the nostalgia for his Southern homeland is evident in the lyrics - for instance in "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" with its old timey country fiddle and the Byrds-y ballad "Yankee Lady" which earned him some radio play and was covered by many of his peers. "Quiet About It" and "The Nudge" are rootsy Southern rock and "Black Dog" is the odd song out. Its funereal beat and creepy organ go well with the dark lyrics and it gives off a vibe I can only compare to Dr John's voodoo Gris-gris stuff. Much as I like Jesse's soft delivery, though, Babe Ruth's Jenny Haan wins this contest - if only by sheer volume and vocal power.

***** for Black Dog

**** for Payday, Biloxi, Snow, The Brand New Tennessee Waltz, Yankee Lady, Quiet About It, Skip Rope Song, The Nudge 

*** for That's A Touch I Like, Rosy Shy

The second album (from 1972) is noticeably less rock and I was prepared to like it less, but after a few listens it stuck by me. The sound is more laid-back and acoustic. Opener "Isn't That So?" and "Full Moon" mix blues and country in a relaxed way that reminds me of J.J. Cale. The album consists mainly of acoustic folk ballads, and most songs are around (or less than) 2 minutes - with the exception of the beautiful "Glory To The Day". Together with country ballad "Silly Heart" and the Creedence-like "Midnight Bus", these are the 3 songs that survived an earlier recording session with Full Tilt Boogie (Joplin's last band) and producer Todd Rundgren. Interspersed among the ballads are country ditties "Do It" and "The Easy Way" and the curious rockabilly rhumba "God's Own Jukebox". Many of Winchester's songs reference religion, but they're always good-natured and never preachy. The album also includes a couple of lullabies written for his baby, the sweet "Do La Lay" and "Lullaby For The First Born" which reminded me of early Tim Buckley. It sports acoustic percussion, flute, violin and wordless vocals. Beautiful songwriting and singing on this second album, but I'm kind of conflicted about the sparse instrumentation and short duration of the songs: on the one hand it makes them sound like underdeveloped song sketches (which they aren't)  but on the other it gives them a more direct, homey feel, like he's singing at a small friendly gathering. In any case, both albums are terrific - coupled together they make an irresistible package! 

**** for Isn't That So?, Dangerous Fun, Full Moon, Lullaby For The First Born,Glory To The Day, Do La Lay, God's Own Jukebox

*** for North Star, Do It, Midnight Bus, The Easy Way, Silly Heart, All Of Your Stories