The Best Bluesman You've Never Heard

In most of my conversations about music (that aren't focused on Kings of Leon!) I tend to be discussing bands that a good percentage of the mainstream have at least heard of, some of which have received great critical and commercial success. Although I have many "indie" favorites and pride myself on being rather diverse and objective when it comes to musical taste, I am not afraid to admit I like some of the more popular and radio friendly acts either; it balances out my palate I guess you could say.

In 1991 I recall hearing an artist that had just signed on to a major label record deal and was getting a decent amount of radio airplay, only to find himself less than 10 years later playing tiny, smoke filled blues clubs to a room full of fifty people. At the time, I thought what I was hearing was just a great new southern and folk flavored rock and roller, but it turns out I was listening to a legend in the making...a legend few people have ever heard. No, no I am not talking about Jeff Buckley, although he was certainly a massive talent and an artist that makes me want to cry every time I hear him play, especially knowing I never got to see him live. Jeff lost his life in a brief moment fueled with a bad decision, alcohol (reportedly) and the furious backwater channels of the Mississippi. Chris Whitley, however, died a much slower and deliberate death, but not without leaving as treasure chest of brilliant music behind.

When Chris Whitley hit the scene in 1991, he was riding a wave that included his "Kick the Stones" track being featured in Thelma and Louise. More specifically, the part where Brad Pitt has his way with Geena Davis, in one of his first big on screen parts. Whitley released his stellar debut, "Living With the Law" that same year and it was met with a great deal of critical acclaim and some steady radio play. The first single, "Big Sky Country" was in heavy rotation for awhile, and can still often be heard in everything from supermarket background music to pre-show tracks at various rock and roll shows. The album featured a beautiful blend of high energy, southern-flavored blues rockers to slow tempo, melancholy ballads. "I Forget You Everyday" and "Look What Love Has Done" are surely tunes that any good singer/songwriter, infected with the blues, would have loved to pen. "Poison Girl" and the aforementioned "Kick the Stones" are straightforward rockers that deliver on so many levels, especially vocally, as Chris really showed what great tone and range he had on this debut album. His magic, however, really was in his slower, bluegrassy, even folk-esque tunes like the title track "Living With the Law", which is to this day is in my top 10 songs of all time. Ever. Right along with the CD of the same name...

I was fortunate enough to see Chris Whitley 3 times. The first performance was in 1991 right after "Living With the Law" came out and was a performance that was packed and enthusiastic. I was awestruck with Chris's soulful guitar playing and unique voice, and immediately became a megafan. It was the later performances, after Whitley had released the fantastic CD's "Din of Ecstasy", "Terra Incognita" and the brilliantly simple "Dirt Floor" that really captured my soul, however. Chris had evolved from a talented and slightly off-beat mainstream rock performer to a haunting figure of a bluesman, with cigarette always in hand or mouth, and just belting out emotionally charged folky/bluegrass numbers that chilled to the bone. The show following the release of "Dirt Floor" in particular was really amazing as the CD was recorded with one mic in a barn up in VT, and although it sounded far less "produced" than earlier recordings, it was pure magic in terms of emotional and musical majesty. Hearing songs from the disk like "Wild Country", "Accordingly" and "Loco Girl" live were like being inside the album and experiencing the very heart of the song, just as it had been intended to be heard.

As years passed, Chris continued to release CD's on the the Independent label Messenger 9among others), and performed mainly a set of stripped down tracks from his collection of exceptional music, mostly with just him and his guitar...which was all that he needed. I sadly never made it back to a Chris Whitley show after the few I saw in the 90's, and was truly saddened when I learned he died of Lung Cancer in November of 2005. Chris was a longtime smoker, and also battled other addictions and demons, but it was the lungs, the very things that helped him bring forth such powerful and moving vocals, that finally gave out on him. In his far-too-short career, Chris was praised heavily by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Keith Richards. Dave Matthews, according to a quote on Wikipedia, even went so far to say "I feel more passion for his music than I do for my own. I have a fervent, religious devotion to the magic that Chris Whitley makes". He was an enormous talent, without question and his devotion and perfection of his craft is sorely missed.

If you want to check out a great blend and variety of his music, take a listen to the song suggestions below (and I tagged some of you I thought mike like him) If you're a fan of the blues and great singer/songwriters, then Chris Whitley is sure to be a favorite, as he will certainly always be of mine.

"Living With the Law", "Big Sky Country", "Poison Girl", "Kick the Stones", "I Forget You Every Day", "Look What Love Has Done", "Dust Radio", "Wild Country", "Accordingly", "Loco Girl", "Narcotic Prayer", "Automatic", "Weightless", "Immortal Blues", "Alien", "Cool Wooden Crosses", "O God My Heart Is Ready" & "Hellhound On My Trail" (Cover).