Jesse Winchester battling cancer

Subject: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: C. Ham
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 10:29 AM

Mike Regenstreif has reported that Jesse Winchester is battling cancer of the esophagus.

I have many memories of beautiful Jesse Winchester concerts in the 1970's and again in the 2000's. I agree with Mike's statement that Jesse is "one of the great singer-songwriters of our time."

I've met Jesse a few times. A shy but very gracious man.

Mike's blog.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 10:39 AM

Wonderful human being. I have a great picture of him and I together when we met at one of the festivals I was involved with. It is something I will cherish for a long time.
Every success in your treatment Jesse.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 10:51 AM

He is not only a good person, he's also a great songwriter and dynamite performer. He's been in my thoughts lots lately.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:11 AM

Danged...

Never met him or heard him live in concert but I've got at least two of his LP's from the 70s... Great music...

Hope he beats it..

B~

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:17 AM

As Bobert said, I hope he beats it. Good Luck, Jesse.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:35 AM

He writes wonderful, insightful songs. I too hope he beats it.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: David C. Carter
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 12:08 PM

I will always remember that haunted face,looking out from the cover of his first album.

Good Luck,Jesse.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 01:46 PM

Every cancer is a very tough hand to be dealt, but for a singer to have esophageal cancer seems an added level of struggle. All best wishes for successful treatment!

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 01:51 PM

best wishes for a full recovery..here is Jessie's page ....

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: maeve
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 01:59 PM

Is this the JW link you wanted to use, mg?

Best wishes for intelligently and appropriately ministered medical treatment.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,In the hills of Old Vermont
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 01:28 PM

Get Well Soon Jesse!

From the decent folk in the hills of Old Vermont

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 01:41 PM

hope that he makes it through okay

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: bobad
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 01:45 PM

We're pulling for him.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: evansakes
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 04:21 AM

Sad to hear this news....

Jesse has written some of my favourite songs. Probably none better than this newish one which brought Neko Case (among others) to tears on the Elvis Costello show.

Sham A Ling Dong Ding

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: David C. Carter
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 04:44 AM

Thanks for that link TwickFolk.

Had my eyes watering too!



David

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 11:27 AM

The world doesn't need to lose either that sweet voice or that gentle spirit. Really hope he comes through this ok.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,masha
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 12:11 AM

My husband wooed me & won me by singing Jesse Winchester songs to me. ...well, that & a few other things... ;-)

Sending warm, loving, healing thoughts his way.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 03:43 PM

Any up date on Jesse. I know it has only been 3 weeks but was wondering.
ad.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: topical tom
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 04:16 PM

A superb songwriter, singer and entertainer.I've had the good fortune of seeing him perform live several times and each time was marvellous.All my wishes for a quick recovery go to you, Jesse.I must also mention that he is a gentle and kind man, a true gentleman in every sense.He is simply a delight to meet and listen to.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,999
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 04:17 PM

I just wrote and passed on good wishes from the folks in Ormstown. FYI.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,John Hawkins, England
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 11:54 AM

Not the news I wanted to read.
Very sorry.
I have five very treasured albums of Jesse's bought mainly in the 70s.
Love them all. Still play them again and again. Wonderful songs, voice and instrumentation.
Top,top writer.
Russell Smith is a great favourite also, and is linked with Jesse from the early days I believe.
Please get well soon Jesse - John, big fan in the UK.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 10:51 PM

sure , Russell was with a band called Stone Feather who Jesse brought to Montreal in the 70s to back him up on an album.... not sure if it was "Learn to Love it'... Russel was featured singing his 'Third Rate Romance' on the LP....    Sammy Kershaw had a country hit with it many years later...

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 11:02 PM

Ron, your memory is unbelievable.
ad.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 11:35 PM

Argh. He only remembers the things he didn't forget.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 05:03 AM

Simply one of the best writers - ever! I saw him on what I feel, was his only UK tour at Band On The Wall in Manchester. It was December 1986. He opened wih an a capella Rhumba Man, - all flailing arms and legs, following through with those tender, lyrical songs that are uniquely his and varying things with up-tempo material like Talk Memphis, which was the current release at the time.
When I asked him for his autograph at the end of the night, he seemed genuinely surprised that anyone would want his signature. It's up there now, framed on the study wall. "Be good" he wrote.
I sincerely hope that he makes it through his illness and I wish him and the family the good fortune to ensure this. As others have written, his is a gentle soul, and yes he can be a touch on the rainy side like all sensitive beings, but the world is a better place for his presence in it. Be good Jesse.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 08:16 AM

Well, Adrien, I guess the memory is selective... it's just that I was also doing something at Studio Six in Mtl., maybe I just went to pick up an amp or something... anyway, the band was there and we met casually... I liked their Tennessee accents and attitude.. when Jesse's record came out later, I was knocked out with the musicianship...      I covered "Third Rate" a few times after that...

and 999.... there's lots that I forgot to memorize

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 09:45 AM

Bankley,

You have the name of the band wrong. The band of Tennessee musicians including Russell Smith that Jesse worked with was called the Rhythm Aces. Not too much longer an expanded version of the band emerged as the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 01:44 PM

they could have changed it, or maybe some of them used to be called Stone Feather cuz it was stenciled all over their gear...

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 01:59 PM

Thank you Bruce and Mike Reg. for sharing the following link with me. I think it would be good to share it with the rest who may wish to send a message to Jesse.
Ad.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessewinchester/createorsignin

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 02:08 PM

He wrote A Showman's Life which Buddy Miller sometimes performs - great lyrics with this chorus:

Nobody told me about this part,
They told me all about the pretty girls,
And the wine,
And the money,
And the good times,
There's no mention of,
All the wear and tear,
On an old honky tonker's heart,
Well I might of known it,
But nobody told me about this part

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aGrGv-KH3A

Great version by Gary Allan

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 03:04 PM

According to their Wikipedia article, the original name of the band was Fatback. No mention of Stone Feather.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Rhythm_Aces

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 11:47 AM

For UK viewers - it's enough to justify a Sky subscription!

Sky Arts 1 Tuesday 30 August 10.00pm
Repeated Wednesday 31 August 11.25am and 6.00pm

New! Spectacle: Elvis Costello meets Neko Case, Sheryl Crow, Jesse Winchester and Ron Sexsmith. Elvis Costello chats and duets with these four sensational singers, who also perform some of their greatest hits.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 11:58 AM

Here ya go Guest, henryp.
Ad.


http://youtu.be/5uKGWpqnS8E

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:17 AM

Thank you! So it's only new to Sky Arts 1 - perhaps I'll save my subscription after all.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:01 PM

Here is the latest from Jesse's wife Cindy.
ad.

Jesse met with the surgeon yesterday, whom we like very much. They scheduled the surgery for Tuesday, September 20. We consider this to be Great News since we have been anticipating this for quite some time.


The surgery is an esophagectomy, and it will be done laparoscopically, or as the doctor likes to say, "it is minimally invasive". Praise be, hallelujah. This would be a good time to up the prayer ante. Thank you all; remember, no news is good news and I'll post the minute there is something to report. Love always. . .   Cindy

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: bobad
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:06 PM

Thank you for that Ad, I've been thinking of Jesse and wondering how he is doing.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:08 PM

Ditto.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 11:13 PM

Up date.


IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY!
It has been a most long day, but certainly worth the wait--the surgeon feels confident that they removed all of the cancer, and the pathologist concurs. The pathology report will not be back for several days, but we are happy with what the doctors told us unofficially.


The surgery lasted for six hours, plus recovery time, plus time to get settled in ICU. And in spite of this, the man has enough energy and manners to learn the nurses' names and to crack a few jokes with them.


It will be a long recovery period, but we are up for it. Each day some new understanding reveals itself and we are happy within our "season."


Sorry to be so brief, but I am just plain tired! Jesse asked me to thank you for such beautiful messages of love and support. Love, Cindy

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: judyac
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 03:24 PM

Just a few days ago I found a song of Jesse's that I had never heard before. It is called "A Fool For The Look (In Your Eye)". It is on Jennifer Warnes' "The Well (Remastered)".

You can hear a 90 second clip of it on iTunes. I like it a lot and bought it.

I got the information that Jesse had written the song from his page on allmusic.com. It is listed with songs beginning with "F".

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jesse-winchester-p5847/songs/songs-composed-by

Jennifer Warnes' page on Wikipedia says that it is a bonus track released in September 2010 and that it was recorded during the original sessions for the 2001 release.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,adacsys
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 11:54 PM

go jesse

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 07:04 PM

Been away since last Thursday and received the following e-mail which you will all be happy to read.
Ad.

the best news possible
Jesse is cancer free!!!!!    The surgeon just received the pathology report--Jesse had a complete pathological response. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

They moved him out of ICU in the middle of the night and into the post-surgery recovery unit. Jesse is way ahead on the recovery schedule. Thank you, thank you, thank you.   With deep love and gratitude, Cindy

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: bobad
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 07:52 PM

Great news!!

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 07:52 PM

Indeed.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 05:46 AM

...and there was Much Rejoicing!
I remember hearing Jesse at the Ark in Ann Arbor (I used to volunteer there). I was impressed with his gentle, thoughtful, sensitive (but not self-absorbed) style. A songwriter's songwriter.
Hope the recovery -- like the surgery -- is 100% successful!

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 12 Oct 11 - 03:41 PM

Received the following e-mail this morning.
ad.


all is well
Jesse has been home from the hospital for ten days already, and is continuing with his amazing progress. We were prepared for something so much worse than this, so we are very grateful for and awed by each comfortable day. Certainly words to live by, as the events over the last several months have altered our life views. We are calm. We are happy.


Jesse has a message for you,
"Regarding my health: I have finished my treatment and surgery, and the doctors have sounded the 'all clear.' I expect to be performing early in the coming year. I want to thank precious Cindy and my children, the doctors and nurses who cared for me so lovingly and skillfully, and you, dear ones, for your prayers and good wishes. I can't wait to see you again."


Today we will drive up the mountain to our local apple orchard and indulge in apple donuts and hot apple cider. It is sunny and crisp. I wish you could join us! Love to all of you, Cindy (and Jesse)

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Oct 11 - 03:45 PM

Great news, continue well, Jesse.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: judyac
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 11:26 AM

I thought some of you might have missed this interview with Jesse that was posted to YouTube yesterday. It is part of the Rhodes College Crossroads to Freedom Digital Archive.

He had a concert at Rhodes College in Memphis on November 20 2010. I found a record on the Rhodes College Digital Archive Systems that says that the date of this interview is November 19 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhyRETi9sFw

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 11:59 AM

What a wonderful find. Thank you so much for posting it.
adrien

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: open mike
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 12:54 PM

Let's all have an apple donut for Jesse and Cindy!

(blicky for recipe here)

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: judyac
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:14 PM

Here's another interview with Jesse, from August 16 1978. There are also two concerts from 1977.

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/jesse-winchester/concerts/interview-august-16-1978.html

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Beer
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:55 PM

Just finished listening to the interview.
Loved it.
ad.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: judyac
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 09:04 AM

There is a lot more to the Rhodes College interview with Jesse than is posted on YouTube. The site was not available yesterday.

http://www.crossroadstofreedom.org/detail.collection?oid=56

I haven't gotten into it yet.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: gnu
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 01:05 PM

Thanks judyac!

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: open mike
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 12:54 PM

Looking on Mudcat for mention of Jesse...and his recent passing -- this was the most recent i found....perhaps the search feature did not find new posts? In case this has not been posted....he passed away after a stay in hospice care. I will make some apple dough nuts and think of him!

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 12:58 PM

There was an obit thread. Search back seven days.

Subject: RE: Jesse Winchester battling cancer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 12:59 PM

There is an obit thread. Here it is.