His career spanned two decades and included collaborations with some of today’s most cherished musicians, indie and mainstream alike. Vic Chesnutt died on Christmas Day after rumors of his death spread across the blogosphere and Twitter. He was 45. According to the New York Times art blog, Chesnutt was in a coma after overdosing on muscle relaxants and succumbed to the event Friday evening.

Chesnutt had been in a wheelchair since the age of 18, when he was injured in a car accident.

Many considered 2009 a phenomenal and creative year for Chesnutt, who released two albums this year. At The Cut featured collaborations with members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Skitter On Take-Off was a minimal folk release with bouts of sheer brilliance. Musicians and music fans alike have been devastated by the loss of one of the world’s most stunning musicians.

Lucas of Venice Is Sinking wrote “RIP Vic. My best to his family and friends. Just gutted by this.”

Kasey Anderson added: “We lost one of the great ones last night.”

Twitter was abuzz with the news, and I reflected through one of the most vicarious means possible. I think those of us who were moved by his music can all agree with @Ralph85: “Because of [his] music, it’s like you lost someone you know.” A fund has been set up to help Vic’s family with expenses. You can visit and donate here. Kristin Hersh’s letter will bring tears to your eyes.

Rest in peace Chesnutt. Hopefully now you can be free.

Vic Chesnutt is a pretty remarkable musician. His distinctive voice and folk guitar styling is par none, and he is often accompanied by the most notable of artists no matter what the genre. Chesnutt recently released just such an album called At The Cut which featured Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) and members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. While that record may have garnered him a bit of press, he slipped in a sleeper for the die-hard folk fans. Yes, he also released Skitter To Take-Off.

Produced by Jonathan Richman and Tommy Larkin, Skitter To Take-Off is Chesnutt as his most soul-bearing. You can hear it in his voice on high points “Feast In The Time Of Plague”, “Rips In The Fabric” and “Society Sue”. The only accompaniment here is Richman (guitar, harmonium) and Larkin (drums), and their presence, too, is scarce. These somewhat minimal tunes were recorded as such, with no overdubs – yet the power behind them remains. If you thought Chesnutt was good with full accompaniment, just wait ’til you hear him on his own. It takes a true musician to captivate the listener in such an instance, and on Skitter On Take-Off Chesnutt more than succeeds at that.

Vic is heading out on tour in support of Skitter On Take-Off and At The Cut. Head over to Chesnutt’s website for the tour dates.

Vic Chesnutt: Society Sue [mp3]

Vapor Records [CD, 2009]

1. Feast In The Time Of Plague
2. Unpacking My Suitcase
3. Dimples
4. Rips In The Fabric
5. Society Sue
6. My New Life
7. Dick Cheney
8. Worst Friend
9. Sewing Machine

Listening to “Philip Guston”, the latest from Vic Chesnutt off his forthcoming LP At The Cut, one is treated with an array of sounds that break free of the standard folk mold to include some fairly in-your-face rock. From the opening minimal two-chord distorted guitar riff, to the epic crescendo that builds throughout the track, it’s obvious that mastery extends beyond merely Chesnutt.

Yes, “Philip Guston” expands horizons and influence. Chesnutt holds dear the sensibilities he’s built through an empire of releases by adding an array of contributions by artists whose fame is already rooted in rock history, like Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) and members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The summation is the pinnacle of excellence.

At The Cut comes out September 22 on Constellation Records.

Vic Chesnutt: Philip Guston [mp3]