Related Links Bootlegs here In 2013, the group began uploading audio files of concerts to the Live Music Archive. The Chris Whitley Collection now hosts over 50 downloadable bootlegs. Blog posts and other goodies here The ATCW blog, a companion to the ATCW FB group, provides "articles" on various CW topics, hosts content (e.g., rare … Continue reading Quick Guide for New ATCW Group Members
Posts
“Mustard”: Chris Whitley’s Iconic National Guitar
For Chris Whitley fans, his seen-better-days National Triolian is the stuff of legends, an icon that immediately elicits images and sounds from Chris' musical career. A handful of fans even have personal memories of this icon; alas, I am not one of these lucky few, but I've been blessed by their sharing those stories. For … Continue reading “Mustard”: Chris Whitley’s Iconic National Guitar
A Chart of Chris Whitley’s Tunings
Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers commented that "[s]ome of the world's coolest music happens when instruments fall into the hands of people who don't know -- or don't care -- what they're supposed to do with them." Chris Whitley didn't know, nor did he especially care, how he was supposed to play a steel guitar. As … Continue reading A Chart of Chris Whitley’s Tunings
In His Own Words: Chris Whitley on Songwriting
One of the questions someone interviewing a songwriter invariably asks is "How do you come up with ideas for songs?" Here, in the master's own words, are some of his responses. "Chris Whitley Interviewed: The Law Man Living with the Lore," Graham Reid, Elsewhere 1991 "I love that rural blues thing, it's like an idea … Continue reading In His Own Words: Chris Whitley on Songwriting
Living with the Law: A brilliant debut, but the kiss of death?
Stories vary regarding how Chris came to meet Daniel Lanois, who was instrumental in getting Chris a recording contract and supported him during the recording process. Did they meet when Chris was playing a NYC gig at Mondo Cane? One Sunday morning when Chris joined a friend on a photo shoot in a NYC park? … Continue reading Living with the Law: A brilliant debut, but the kiss of death?
On Being Baptized in the Church of Chris Whitley
This morning, I began looking for a specific comment Chris Whitley had made about how living in Europe, and specifically Dresden, had shaped his personal/musical philosophy. Because I have amassed what must be hundreds of pages of Whitley interviews, reviews, and articles, this search entailed an hours' long descent into all things Chris Whitley, … Continue reading On Being Baptized in the Church of Chris Whitley
Lost Episode
Heatseekers Part 2: What Chris Achieved (DRAFT)
Note: I've been working on this one forever; still very much a work in progress, but I'm sharing it anyway because LOVE + FAITH. It falls apart toward the end, reflecting my inability to capture why Chris is sui generis imo and why his music should live forever! In Part 1, I analyzed … Continue reading Heatseekers Part 2: What Chris Achieved (DRAFT)
Dirt Floor Tunes at KFOG 1998-03-26
Whoever captured this FM broadcast must have been late to the party. As you listen, you'll hear something I'd forgotten was common 25 years ago: The sound resulting from turning the tuner dial to find a radio station! Unfortunately, the taper may have missed the first part of the broadcast; Metter Booze's tour guide indicates … Continue reading Dirt Floor Tunes at KFOG 1998-03-26
On Air Media
This is my 'desert island' CD. It appeared as if a missive from 'the other side of the world' one month short of 3 years after Chris's passing. And it contains the Chris Whitley track I've probably played most often over the more than a decade since I first purchased it: Chris's cover of JJ … Continue reading On Air Media
The Life and Music of Chris Whitley: A Timeline
In honor of Chris's birthday this year - and in gratitude for the unforgettable music and the prescient insights he gave us, I've compiled this timeline of his truncated but productive life. I 'snagged' the timeline that used to appear at chriswhitley.com and then expanded it with many more moments and a lot of photos … Continue reading The Life and Music of Chris Whitley: A Timeline
Weed & War Crime Blues Media
Because "straight from the horse's mouth" is my preferred way of understanding Chris and his music, I've gathered some of Chris's musings about each of these albums below. I've also included excerpts from some of my favorite reviews. To read the full articles, reviews, and interviews from which these excerpts were taken, go here. War … Continue reading Weed & War Crime Blues Media
Dislocation Blues Media
I've written a separate post examining the songs Chris and Jeff Lang covered on Dislocation Blues. Here, I've compiled the articles, photos, etc. that I've collected over the years. Read over a dozen articles/reviews. Listen to an interview Chris gave while in Australia recording the album. Listen to a podcast from Jeff Lang about the … Continue reading Dislocation Blues Media
White Rider
It's an oversimplification to describe War Crime Blues as Chris's "Make Love, Not War" album. But, originally inspired as a reaction to 9/11, the album does point in that direction. In a NY Times interview, Chris said “There are things on that record that are trying to respond to war or that kind of … Continue reading White Rider
How Bruce Hornsby Came to Play on Rocket House
Chris Whitley made music with a wide variety of musicians; his side work was extensive, ranging from Chocolate Genius to Cassandra Wilson, as shown in this playlist. One musician I was surprised to discover that Chris sometimes jammed with is Bruce Hornsby. Yet, as a review of Chris's gig at Kahootz in Richmond, VA notes, … Continue reading How Bruce Hornsby Came to Play on Rocket House
Chris’s Guest Appearances with Bob Weir
Photo credit: CW by Peter Lorré at Parkpop The Hague in 1992; BW unknown In an interview about Note of Hope. an album that Rob Wasserman produced based on Woody Guthrie writings set to music, Rob briefly discussed Chris's involvement: [W]e had just been playing with Bob Weir back in the day. I introduced … Continue reading Chris’s Guest Appearances with Bob Weir
All Things Chris Whitley 