Search - Jesse Winchester :: Gentleman of Leisure

Gentleman of Leisure
Jesse Winchester
Gentleman of Leisure
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Jesse Winchester has made such a good living writing songs for the likes of Wynonna Judd, Emmylou Harris, and Reba McEntire that he doesn't really have to make his own albums. In fact, the revealingly titled Gentleman of L...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jesse Winchester
Title: Gentleman of Leisure
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sugarhill
Original Release Date: 6/22/1999
Release Date: 6/22/1999
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 015891106229, 015891106229, 015891106229

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Jesse Winchester has made such a good living writing songs for the likes of Wynonna Judd, Emmylou Harris, and Reba McEntire that he doesn't really have to make his own albums. In fact, the revealingly titled Gentleman of Leisure is only his second album in 18 years. It was worth the wait, for it sounds like one of Lyle Lovett's late-1990s albums. There's the same dry, wry voice; the same weird mix of '40s swing, '60s R&B, and '70s progressive country; and the same conversational lyrics that seem casual at first but contain memorable aphorisms. Lovett's Texas sensibility is replaced, though, by Winchester's Memphis roots, which are reinforced by Steve Cropper's presence on songs about Elvis and a favorite soul-music club. Producer Jerry Douglas has also called in bluegrass guitar whiz Bryan Sutton, blues-guitar virtuoso Mike Henderson, country star Vince Gill, and gospel's Fairfield Four. Winchester's songwriting is the star attraction, though, thanks to music that marries hillbilly tunefulness to swampy Delta grooves and Zen lyrics that explore how love can strip us of pride and power and still make us strong. --Geoffrey Himes

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CD Reviews

I cant understand why more people arent tuned into this guy
Gary Delsohn | Corona del Mar CA | 08/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have loved Jesse Winchester ever since seeing him live in Boulder more than 20 years ago and after seeing him perform again, all by himself this time, in davis, ca and repeated listenings of his great new cd, i still don't get it. there is so much crap out there and here is a true original whose voice and songs can make u feel the heat in mississippi or the pain of a love affair gone bad and smart people dont even know who he is. this is a beautiful cd. it rocks and is another fine example of music that is hard to categorize, which after all is what explains his relatively small following. I can categorize it for you: southern rock, folk and gospel-influenced tunes that will rattle round your brain long after you've heard them. jesse is a true original and this cd, his first in about 10 years, reaffirms that in stunning style. get it and you will feel better immediately."
If it were a just world, Jesse would be a giant star.
Gary Delsohn | 11/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't been born when Jesse's first album came out, but I grew up listening to him, thanks to my Dad. Only as an adult have I realized what an original Jesse Winchester is. Like all great artists, he creates his own genre. We saw him play a couple of nights ago at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. What a thrill to see him live--he was in great voice, and he put a lot of interpretive power into the songs. I think another reviewer on this page had it right--Jesse's songs aren't obvious enough to be big hits. Guy Clark, who was also playing the other night, served up boring platitudes, received opinions, and easily grasped morals. What a yawn, but he made Jesse shine even brighter. His songs are marked by poeticism and keen intelligence. This new album is great, and shows that Jesse hasn't gone to sleep, even if he is a Gentleman of Leisure."
This CD gets better with every listening
Christina L Kirby | Westminster, CO USA | 06/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan forever. I have all Jesse's albums and CDs and they are all great. Jesse is a wonderful songwriter and has a terrific voice. His songs cover many emotions; some make you tap your foot while others bring a tear to your eye. The musicianship on all of them is exceptional and "Gentleman of Liesure" is one of the best. Every cut is great. As a musician, I believe that owning a Jesse Winchester collection is essential to being a complete, well-rounded human being."