Trust Me, Lord

Jesse Winchester was one of several just-missed-the-cut singer-songwriters in the early 1970s that released a series of critically acclaimed albums but never quite achieved the kind of recognition that his talent deserved. In his case, escaping to Canada to beat the draft played a major role in restricting his exposure, since he couldn’t tour in the United States during arguably his most fruitful artistic period. Instead, he became better known as a songwriter, his tunes tackled by artists as diverse as Jimmy Buffett, the Everly Brothers, and the Weather Girls. After relocating to Memphis in 2002, he enjoyed a small late-career renaissance of sorts, resulting in a 2012 tribute album featuring his songs. Sadly, he died of cancer in 2014. 

Elvis Costello’s pick for the Winchester tribute record also gave the collection its title: “Quiet About It.” It’s a track from Winchester’s 1970 debut album, which featured Robbie Robertson as producer and guitarist, and Levon Helm as drummer. That first version fits in with the overall tone of the album itself–loose and fast, sarcastic and sincere depending on how the light catches the lyrics. 

Winchester played “Quiet About It” as a smartass take on religious devotion. Sure, life seems crummy and I can’t quite shake this existential dread, the singer says. But don’t worry, Lord, we’ll keep that between the two of us. 

EC strips away the irony and takes the song at its own word–he interprets it as the whispered, slightly desperate promise to God that the lyrics suggest. Performing all the instruments, Costello helps the song flourish with a grounded, organic approach. Mandolin, ukulele and acoustic guitar weave together over a light bass touch in the verse; as the chorus arrives, drums and piano fill out the sound and bring the gospel to the tune. 

As Costello sings it, the narrator is trying to play it casual, but deep down he knows the real score. He’ll keep the Lord’s dirty secret, but he’s resigned to reality. There are sins that will go unforgiven, blessings that will go undelivered. What good would shouting do? If God’s mercy only goes so far and his presence can fade with the wind, then there isn’t much to be done except be quiet.