I first became a fan of Jesse Winchester and his music during the time of his exile in the late sixties. It wasn't until the 2006 Boston Folk Festival that I finally had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him in person. On that occasion I was moved to write these words:
"We returned to our stakeout in the main field to hear Jesse Winchester, another favourite of mine. Jesse's laid back demeanor gave the impression, even though we were several thousand strong, sitting in a six or seven acre field, that we were invited for a little chat in his living room. The chat was filled with Jesse's beautiful voice, untarnished by time, singing some of the most accessible melodies ever written, delivering lovely lyrics that touched us all deep inside."
Jesse Winchester's
Facebook Page posted today:
"Friends, our sweet Jesse died peacefully in his sleep this morning. Bless his loving heart."
Bless his loving heart, indeed -- one of the finest gentlemen the folk community has ever known -- God speed, Jesse.
