Oh, Death, We Are Not Ready: Thoughts on Vic Chesnutt’s Passing

Commentary • Friday January 1st, 2010 • 9:22 pm

Some will take him at his word. I, for one, refuse to acknowledge such a description.

The muscular lion that enters the sonic jungle opening up Vic Chesnutt’s At The Cut – the opening track, “Coward” – features the repeated refrain/confession, “I am a coward.” In the same year in which Chesnutt bestowed two gifts of true beauty upon his listening audience, his final bow leaves a somber cloud of sorrow for those coping with his loss. After his recent death (apparent suicide), some will nod in agreement with the description. But for those who’ve listened, Chesnutt was anything but.

There was no cowardice in Chesnutt’s artistry. Clearly the man behind the mic wrestled with untold (and told) demons, but his willingness to confront those publicly became a calling card of sorts – the morose subject matter lending a rare depth and beauty to his songs. Vulnerable grapplings with something so powerful and overwhelming gave lyrical resonance that we all could respond to. His battle was our battle. His curses, our curses. His art became our art. And now his death becomes our death, the loss of someone who could tap into our deepest recesses in a way no one else could.

In the eerily prophetic “Flirted With You All My Life,” Chesnutt recently sang of such a moment that came on December 26th: “Oh death… you tease with me your sweet relief/You’re cruel and you are constant… Oh, death, I am not ready.” In earlier interviews Chesnutt revealed previous suicide attempts and bouts of depression, signs that a song such as this was more than mere ruminations. Yet in showing his cards, the Athens native opened up for us a rare part of the human experience that longs for something beyond, something more.

“When the bottom fell out/observers heard me shout/so long, it’s been good to know ye,” sings Chesnutt on “When The Bottom Fell Out.” Clearly we were not ready for this. We would have never been. But as we wrestle with these circumstances in the same way you displayed for us, Vic, all I know to say is that I don’t believe you were who you said you were. And, oh yeah, so long, it’s been good to know ye. In fact, we’re all the better for it.

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By Matt Conner

gregorybrown

Over a month later this news is still massively disheartening. We have all lost a great artist and man.

w.willis.w

Surprisingly, this is the first I've heard of Vic's passing. I'm incredibly saddened by the news.
I interview him back in October for TIny Mix Tapes (http://www.tinymixtapes.com/features/vic-chesnutt) and he seemed particularly upbeat and generous with his time. We'll always treasure what he gave us: some of the most honest and beautiful music of his generation.

RIP