On Pastures of Plenty this week (July 26, 2023) we delve into the canon of one of America's greatest songwriters - Jesse Winchester. We feature a number of prominent covers, as well as 17 of Jesse's originals. All of this week's material was penned by Jesse Winchester. Bob Dylan said of him, "You can't talk about great songwriters without including Jesse Winchester".
Born in Louisiana in 1944, Winchester moved with his family to Memphis when he was 12 years old. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and graduated in 1966. A year later, he emigrated to Montreal, Quebec rather than be drafted and sent to VietNam. His opposition to war and killing kept him out of the United States until the government offered amnesty some 30 years later. This naturally had a severe effect on his career, as he was unable to tour in support of the numerous albums he was recording on the Bearsville label. Robbie Robertson of The Band helped Winchester get his recording contract.
Jesse Winchester died of cancer on April 11,2014.
We hope you'll appreciate the breadth and scope of the songs presented here.
So tune in and check it out. (Wednesday, July 26th 5:30 am to 7:00 am on KBOO.FM and on the FM dial at 90.7). The show will be available to stream on the KBOO website after airing.
There's folk music every Monday through Friday morning from 5:30 till 7:00 on KBOO 90.7, followed by news Democracy Now. There's also folk music on KBOO Fridays from noon to 1:30 Movin' On.
Track Title Artist
1 Damned If You Do Jesse Winchester
2 Every Word You Say Jesse Winchester
3 If I Were Free Don Williams
4 Yankee Lady Brewer & Shipley
5 Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt Jesse Winchester
6 That's What Makes You Strong Jesse Winchester
7 I Turn To My Guitar Jesse Winchester
8 How About You Jonathan Edwards
9 Defying Gravity Emmylou Harris
10 Do La Lay Jesse Winchester
11 Dangerous Fun Jesse Winchester
12 The Brand New Tennessee Waltz Matthews Southern Comfort
13 Isn't That So? Jesse Winchester
14 God's Own Jukebox Jesse Winchester
15 Rhumba Girl Nicolette Larson
16 Payday James Taylor
17 Gentleman of Leisure Jesse Winchester
18 Midnight Bus Jesse Winchester
19 Everybody Knows But Me Jesse Winchester
20 Blow On Chilly Wind Jonathan Edwards
21 Don't Be Shy Jesse Winchester
22 Silly Heart Jesse Winchester
23 Just 'Cause I'm In Love With You Jesse Winchester
24 Biloxi Jesse Winchester
25 Nothin' But A Breeze Jimmy Buffett
26 Let the Rough Side Drag Jonathan Edwards
27 O What A Thrill Mavericks
28 Just Like New Jesse Winchester
- KBOO