I've always loved Vic Chestnut. His songs are so direct and just cut me to the bone.

His performances are often aechingly personal. And he feels his music as he's performing them.

I remember tripping out on his songs back in the 90s with some friends of mine, high off our asses and just sitting in a room listening to his music in darkness. It was emotional and almost spiritual. It was one of those few times that music absolutely sent shivers down my spine.


If anyone can find it, get ahold of 'Sweet Relief II' , a remake album of some of his songs. Madonna actually does a great rendition of 'Guilty By Association', one of the few times I didn't cringe at the idea of Madonna remaking a song. The Band, LIVE, also did a live rendition of supernatural (you can find it on youtube), which packs more of a punch than this live recording you'll see here.... But I just adore Vic Chestnutt, so I'm picking this track and version to post here.



He's really a tremendously talented songwriter and deserves to be more widly heard.

Imago said:

have it. or had it. yeah, it's a really good charity/tribute album. and yeah, she does a really good job with her part (semi-background vocals).

errant said:

Thanks for supporting my threads

If not for you my Vic Chestnut and Elvis threads would be doomed.

Imago said:

no problem i liked that disc. i've always meant to check him out since, but never have.

is he still alive? i remember Sweet Relief II being a charity album for him.

errant said:

Yup.
And he lives in Athens Georgia. I believe that the members of R.E.M, who also come from Georgia are huge fans of his.


He has a myspace page too.


Vic is just uber everything. I bleed for him.

Here's Madonna's remake of Vic Chestnutt's "Guilty by Association"

Shirley Manson's incredibly fuckable self singing "Kick My Ass" by Vic chestnutt

Imago said:

they did NOT set that to Body of Evidence. no.