Jesse Winchester Interview

[verbaud]

I bought Jesse's 1st album without having heard it. It was the lost outlaw picture on the cover. Sang many of his songs thru the years. Always loved this beautiful gentle man. 3 chords and the Truth.

[dyskover]

A beautiful human being. Thank you my brother! YOU have managed to communicate a wonderful understanding of the world and your love for it.

[gat569]

The writer Tim O'Brien says of the main character in his book "the things they carried," that he ended up responding to his draft call and going to Vietnam because he was "too much of a coward not too." I think that's an interesting way of looking at it. What courage does it take to stand in a line with hundreds of other young men and do exactly what they are all told/expected to do. It takes more courage to step out of that line and walk away.

[betweendakeys]

Guess what, you can appreciate someones artistry without agreeing with their politics... I know that is earth shattering for some.. but it's true. Open your minds.

[pbgLompoc]

He's one of my heroes. Between his anti-war stance and his song about SNOW, he lived his truth.

[mario72342]

Saw Jessie open for Jimmy Buffett back in 75.

When he got thru with us we were all fans.

[patf1i1t]

If Jesse hadn't went to Canada when he did, and a radio called WIGS out of Gouverneur, NY right across the border, I may have never discovered him (and Tom Waits as well) and I would not have all that beautiful material to sing for the last 30 years.

As for Vietnam, I worship the ground all the men who served there as I do Korea, Iraq, Afiganstan and probably next Iran. That doesn't mean I believe we should be in any of those places.

[redsfanstu]

@patf1i1t Amen and very well stated on all accounts!

[CommentsSurvey]

I agree that soldiers who protect our country deserve respect, but as @patf1i1t who wrote: "That doesn't mean I believe we should be in any of those places."

Best way to put it yet.

[dtpixel]

I have been listening to Jesse for years. So very many of his songs are brilliantly crafted, perceptive, articulate, and imbued with warmth and humanity. His albums bear up to repeated playing over time. A true songwriter like Jesse, for me, is one who captures perfectly in words and music something we all feel but can't express. The video just confirms what I have always felt about him. A fine soul, a truly gifted yet modest person, above all a man of immense integrity and depth.

[catherinetodd]

Jesse says the best thing about songwriting I've ever heard: "Three chords and the truth."

Amen. What more is there to say?

[oldcarliol]

Nice to see Jesse being interviewed, great guy. nicefrog45, I have all of his albums and though I'm not a huge fan of 'best ofs' Anthology is a mighty fine way to introduce yourself to the great mans music.

[tulagKY]

pretty good writer, but I'd never buy anything from a draft dodger.

[catherinetodd]

tulagKY2, Winchester is a hero not for being a "draft dodger" but for protesting the Vietnam War and refusing to kill other people for wrong-headed political actions. Surely you can understand that. It's been many years now and Winchester, by his actions and going to Canada, helped to turn the tide and bring about an end to the Vietnam War. Winchester is a hero to many, and a hero to me. We need more people to stand up for principals and peace instead of greed and war.

[highnrising]

Did he ever pick up a Winchester?

[tulagKY]

@highnrising No, he is too much of a pussy.

[knoxunflower1]

@tulagKY So if someone chooses not to pick up a gun, that makes them a 'pussy'? Typical right-wing pretzel logic, which comes as no surprise.

Maybe it takes being more of a man to NOT pick up a gun, but you didn't think about it that way. Of course, I doubt you ever will. I just checked out your big 'n tough gung-ho 'can't get it up without a gun' channel, and I'm not one bit surprised.

[MsCentrum04]

I totally believe he has a centered soul,and like my mentor, William Stafford, poet,stood up for what he believed. I just got back from Spokane's last summer 2011(Sept 24th)

summer concert. They played Jesse...and I remembered: "Three chords and the truth," and the beauty of his 80's music.Surprise!"Sham-A Ling-Dong-Ding" is now one of his finest-like a magical wine.Happy music, all! Bless J.W & his love of music xooxox ms.Centrum 04

[CommentsSurvey]

@MsCentrum04 : what a beautiful way to put it: "I totally believe he has a centered soul,and like my mentor, William Stafford, poet,stood up for what he believed."

Plus "Three chords and the truth."

What more do we have, and what more can we ask for in this world? Amen. Thanks for posting.

[489177]

Amen.

[knoxunflower1]

@tulagKY Hope that includes Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh, seeing that Cheney dodged it 5 times, and Limbaugh once.

[tulagKY]

@knoxunflower1 That comment shows how little you know. Neither Limbaugh nor Cheney has ever fled to Canada to avoid serving our country. Mr Cheney served admirably in Congress as well as Vice-President. Limbaugh was made an honorary Member of Congress in 1995. Honor! There's something you probably know nothing about.

[knoxunflower1]

@tulagKY Define 'Admirably' (I'll wait with baited breath). So, was the ability to self-serve on capitol hill after dodging the draft 5 times a reward from Nixon? Oh and let's not forget his latest stunt: bribing Nigeria to ignore a bribe.

Yeah, 1995 after the republicans took control of congress. LMAO!

Honor.....Yes, I know plenty about it. Your comment shows how little you know about me, and how deep you've got your head in the sand. But please, do continue with your right-wing nut cracking.

[loub54]

Love the man,he soothes my soul.

[RickHempy]

Great interview Jessie. Wonderful insight into Jesse Winchester's songwriting process and approach.

Rick

[nicefrog45]

I have only just discovered Jesse as a person as prior I had only known of him through his many songs. My favourite song by him has to be ' My Songbird ' and I know it through Emmylou Harris's excellent version. I have now ordered two albums by Jesse ' Humour Me ' and ' Live From Mountain Stage ' so I am anticipating them being a good introduction to him for me. It is a shame I missed seeing him here in the UK when he was in forced exile from the USA,so I hope he comes back to the UK sometime.

[rudyvandam]

Thanks Nancy for sending

[oldnrone]

Great songwriter, and as it seems a nice Man!

[nllleonard]

Oh, thank you so much for this! I am so excited that Jesse is writing and touring. Love Filling Station is a wonderful CD. Already one of my favorites! Jesse is surely one of the great songwriters of our time. This is lovely! Thank you!!!