Vic has been making albums since around 1990 but i first heard of him when he used Lambchop as his backing band for the album ‘The salesman and bernadette’ in 1998.
Have just got his new album ‘North star deserter’. for me his best work to date. The first song ‘Warm’ is enough to bring a tear to a glass eye but the whole album is just superb !
For those who don’t know Of the genius who is Vic Chesnutt he has been wheelchair bound since a car accident when he was drink driving back in 83. Has had all sorts of drug/drink/mental health problems and admittedly some of this has come through in his writing throughout his career especially in the album ‘drunk’ when he was exactly that when he made it.But often his songs are very witty too and quite dark at the same time.
He is one of todays most ambitious,heartfelt,witty and certainly challenging songwriters but if you don’t want to go through his back catalogue then get his latest album, his finest i think.
Brilliant !!
Saw him perform on Saturday night and what a fantastic night it was.Started off with the brilliant ‘Everything i say’ from his latest album ;North star deserter’.His backing band included members of God speed you black emperor, fugazi and The silver Mt Zion !! I mean, How good?
At times he would be grabbing the wheel of his wheelchair as if trying to get out of it and stand up to scream his lyrics !!
Also he is a very funny man, bantering with the audience as well as thanking us all for coming and how appreciative he was. If you get the chance to see him play, do it. You wil not be disappointed i assure you. At times screaming guitars,Heavy bass lines, screaming out lyrics as if his life depended on it and other times the mosy subtle smooth sound of just himself,his lil acouistic guitar and a double bass and his sweet voice. His version of ‘warm’ done in that style was just amazing. I managed to capture ‘warm’ and below is the evidence.
It was like listening to the Brilliant Lambchop with a mixture of Vics current band members, God speed etc.Just an amazing live performance.
One of the gigs of my life.
It’s very difficult to give you an impression of his ’sound’ with just two mp3’s so i urge you just to buy his albums. However, here is a superb track form his latest album called ‘everything i say’ a song they opened with on Saturday, a song that probably deserves a few listens to really appreciate it and then to show his softer side a song from his album ‘Drunk’ called ‘Dodge’
Enjoy
Peace.
If Geordie’s wishes aren’t enough, check la Blogotheque Take-Aways show with Vic Chesnutt before his performance @ la Cigale !
Huge & rare talent !