Jesse Winchester – Gentleman Of Leisure
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Posted On September 1, 1999
Born into a Memphis family of prominent heritage, young Jesse James Winchester hightailed it to Canada when he received his Vietnam draft notice. Filled with the sounds of Memphis music in his head, he started writing the songs for his self-titled debut album, which wound up being produced by Robbie Robertson on the heels of The Band’s second album. Winchester’s record, released in 1970, became a lost coda to Robertson’s own musical tour through the American South; now, almost 30 years later, Winchester may have finally, to paraphrase the album’s centerpiece, wandered his way home.
On Gentleman Of Leisure, Winchester is older and wiser, no longer the lost boy. Gone is the sense of doubt that permeated his songwriting on the records he made after his first masterpiece. In fact, the perspective from his Montreal home has further crystallized his Southern roots. Showing that Memphis truly stays in the blood, Winchester’s funky keyboard work and distinct voice shine; imagine the best of Lyle Lovett without the sarcasm and emotional distance. Winchester weaves soul, folk, country and gospel as only one who has been weaned on it can. His vocals range from a comforting lilt to an Orbison-like drama depending on the needs of the song.
The only problem might be the sporadic inability of the Nashville session pros to keep up with the stylistic flux. There are a few times when the arrangements veer into sterile territory. However, the contributions of Steve Cropper and the Fairfield Four let true soul radiate.
