With his blend of folk, blues and country, Jesse Winchester embodies the spirit of American music. He celebrates Love Filling Station, his first album in a decade, with a visit to the World Cafe. In the early '70s, Winchester was on track for a successful performing career, but his status as a Vietnam War draft-evader prevented him from touring and gaining a footing in the U.S. He opted to move north to Montreal in 1967, and developed a strong Canadian following while touring there. Winchester released seven albums in the 1970s and early 80s, culminating with the Top 40 hit, "Say What" in 1981.
He's become known as one of the premier songwriters of the past thirty years, though his songbook has been made famous mostly by other artists, including Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Costello. His new album is filled with songs of love lost, and love found, delivered from his distinctly Southern perspective. In this interview, Winchester talks about his Memphis upbringing and its backdrop of gospel music, and recounts some of the more theatrical concert experiences from his Canadian exile.
This segment originally ran June 30, 2009.
Copyright 2009 XPN
