IN THE BLACK & WHITE: 016 - Vic Chesnutt

Like many people, I first heard of Vic Chesnutt in 1996 when I purchased "Sweet Relief Two," a charity compilation that raised money to help musicians pay medical bills. The disc features Vic's songs covered by mid 90s alternative bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Soul Asylum, Garbage, Indigo Girls, and even Madonna. Unfortunately it took me another eleven years to officially become a Chesnutt fan, during which Vic toured with Bob Mould, LIVE and Goo Goo Dolls and recorded albums with Lambchop and Bill Frisell.

Vic learned to play music very early in life, playing the guitar and trumpet in cover bands as a teenager. When he was 18 he became paralyzed in a car accident, after which he could no longer play guitar or trumpet but started to discover a whole new understanding of music. Since then he has found new ways of performing around his disability.

During the performance Vic's energy filled the room. His voice and songs were powerful and intimate despite the large backing band. Guy Picciotto's arrangements filled out the songs beautifully, enhancing the feeling of each lyric. The Constellation Records members brought a nice warm darker tone to the songs. Last January Vic was backed by Elf Power, who added more of a psychedelic feel to some of the same songs. It's refreshing to hear the different interpretations, and as much as I loved both tours, I hope to see Vic backed by someone different each time.

Vic Chesnutt
Constellation Records
Guy Picciotto
God Speed You! Black Emperor
Thee Silver Mt Zion
Witchies

more IN THE BLACK & WHITE

words & photos: PJ Sykes

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