Jesse Winchester sings his song "Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding" and slays Elvis Costello on "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." - Neko Case/Sheryl Crow/Ron Sexsmith/Jesse Winchester (2009). "Jesse Winchester is a wry man with a stern streak. "Black dog don't believe in sin," he sings on "Black Dog," one of the remarkable songs on his 1971 debut album. "Think of where the black dog's been, think of where he's been today." Winchester grew up in Memphis but moved to Canada to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. His first album was produced by Robbie Robertson of the Band, and engineered by Todd Rundgren (who produced part of his second LP). Even before Robertson added his guitar (and Levon Helm's drums) to the instrumental mix, Winchester's songs possessed an antique charm not unlike the songs of the Band. The jangly rock of "Quiet About It" and "Snow" could've been cut in the basement of Big Pink, while "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" sounds like an old song of the south. The oft-covered "Yankee Lady" possesses similarly nostalgic charms. Songs like these are why, in recent years, Winchester has found his greatest success writing songs for others to sing". (Amazon.com)
