Search - :: Anthology

An excellent collection from a truly great artist.

03/21/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jessie Winchester would have to rank as one of the finest singer/songwriters of this century.His ability to write achingly beautiful ballads with simple but elegant melodies put him in a class of his own. Although this collection contains mostly selections from early in his career,all songs stand on thier own. THE BRAND NEW TENNESEE WALTZ is a veiled reference to his exile from the United States during the Vietnam conflict. (He has since been pardoned, but chooses to reside in Canada) SONGBIRD, a beautiful ballad of unreturned love, was also recorded by Emmy Lou Harris. LAY DOWN YOUR BURDEN is another well written ballad asking that his love share her burdens with the writer, that he may relieve them. Jessies music is very spiritual without being preachy. His lyrics are simple yet evocative and at times evoke images of a simpler and sweeter time. Being born and raised in the South give his writing a hint of magnolia blossoms caught in a light rain, and can leave the listener lightly melancholic."