Driving east out of Reno in 1991, radio on, about to drive across the Northern Nevada desert for the first time in my life and one of the most hauntingly beautiful tunes I'd ever heard comes on. I pulled off the highway and found a pay phone. {this was before cell phones... and pay phone were still among things to be found in this world} I called the radio station and asked whom it was they had playing on the air {this was also when radio still had dj's and you could call radio stations and make requests.} I was told it was a fellow by the name of Chris Whitley and he was playing his rendition of "Phone Call From Leavenworth. I turned the car around and drove back the 3 or 3 miles to Reno, found a record store {this was befor... awwww forget about it} and bought a cassette tape and then headed east again to Wyoming to see that State, visit a friend and tour the Rocky Mts. for a few weeks. It was my first time seeing the Rocky Mts, other than in Canada or crossing them through southern New Mexico 19 years earlier I had Chris along for the ride the entire time.
Only a couple years before that, I was discovering my own tastes in music and ordered his album from a "music club" on a hunch. Fell in love with him then and have never fallen out. One of the best things I have ever heard, still takes my breath away. I would give, maybe not my soul, but at least my left kidney, to see him live (what a terrible loss that he's gone). Have you seen the documentary "Dirt Floor"?
Saw him live 4 times in Houston. One of his last shows ever and he only played 4 songs and couldn't get it together and walked off stage and never came back. There was only 10 or 15 people there. He was torn up over some German girl that was breaking up with him or so the story goes. The other 3 shows were magical and i actually got to talk to him for a few minutes at the Fabulous Satellite Lounge. An American artistic treasure without any doubt.
I was in s.f. doing my deliv. Job at night.and this song came on and was drivin by this bus stop .there was this old black dude just grovin.to some music in his head.. And itwas as if he was hearing chris also.dancing and grovin to poison girl
Saw him do this in 1991 at a small club in Fort Worth. I was at a table for two directly in front of him. He played solo & as he played the last slide note on this song I involuntarily let out a whispered "wow" which he heard & grinned at.
@@JeffMTX In Fort Worth it was The Caravan of Dreams in downtown, 92, I think. In the late 90s he played a couple of times in Deep Ellum, Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room.
@@BlindWillieJackson YES! That was the place. Drove over there from Garland. It wasn't long after that that I saw the GENITORTURERS there too! hehe. Saw Chris at Trees on Elm St, and twice again at Antones in Austin after moving back south. He was a really nice guy and FLOWED through that guitar (and pointed-toe cowboy boot).
The thing about Chris Whitley, who is still considered a hidden gem IMO, is that he is praised by the few knowledgeable critics for his guitar playing, yet few talked about his vocal range... EPIC VOCALIST!
There was a newspaper music reporter here in my town who was at Chris' last show here like I was. He wrote the most scathing review. I felt the complete opposite, Chris was phenomenal. And I'd waited a long time to see/hear him. One of the best gifs I've ever been to. RIP forever Chris.
I was lucky enough to meet Chris Whitley after a show at Toad's Place in New Haven in May 1997. After being a fan since summer 1991, it was a treat. And he was very kind and welcoming amongst the chaos of that environment. He signed a few things for me but mostly I told him how much I appreciated his music and how it all affected my life. His death really affected me, and that loss is still felt deeply.
i saw him on that tour with Petty, "Big Sky Country" was getting a little bit of airplay and i really liked it but that was all i knew about Chris. then i went to the show, to this day it is still the only time in my entire life that i went out a bought an album based solely on seeing the band live. i was all of 19 or 20 and he blew me away.
Chris has to have the soul of a black Mississippi Delta Blues singer trapped in his body. Such a fierce and raw expression of emotion that rarely surfaces from any man, black or white.
"Now when the sun comes up Mama you should know That now I just don't care no more, alright Three o'clock this morning When I thought I saw Jesus coming down He came through the concrete baby He came through them walls without no sound Now I mean concrete walls that ain't no clay I closed my eyes and he slipped away - alright
I slid snake like into Chris in NY at a local mans drinking bar in the early 90's . I heard this mystical bluesy swampy playing that grabbed my soul and pulled me into this dark and wonderful place where Jesus sent his musical minion to fill the hearts of the fortunate to listen to and hang onto his every word and they all took it in easy like air. I was blown away and since i am a musician had the opportunity to play with him for a couple of hours. I left a different man as nothing ever has filled the air like Chris's Playing. His feel is, lets say perfectly fitting to fill what ails me when i need a little background when im in my own head
I was on a power plant job in 90 -91 in Syracuse,NY,I met a guy there who was sweeping up and emptying trash cans.I got talking to him and after a couple of days of talking music,a major love of mine,I found out he played guitar.I invited him to my house for dinner one night and he brought his guitar and played a while.It was then I said "hey have you ever heard of this guy Chris Whitley",no he said so I threw the CD on and played Big Sky Country,he was so awed by it we played it at least 8 times until he figured out the chords.My wife had left the room,couldn't take it anymore.Now he only got on the job because his brother was the project manager,the next day he didn't show up for work ,so I asked his brother where he was,he said to me"this morning he took his two paychecks he saved and bought a ticket for the big sky country'.True story!
West 86th?? I think that was the name of the club he played. We were so blown away we packed up our shit and headed to Seattle to see his next show. We ended crashing at this not so great motel - and Whitley and the band were staying there as well. A very blow your mind experience - we didn't approach him, we just let the man be.
@@lynnschnekenburger7270 it was the club on West Broadway where there were live bands and Blues I know it wasn't the name you mentioned we also used to watch a band called Incognito there or it was The Rave/rage ? Lol it was 30 years ago holy Wow have I lost my memory! I have something to do with all the weed 😂
I was lucky enough to see him open for Tom Petty. He started with Phone Call from Leavenworth, and I was like , holy sheit this guy is really good. He died way too young.
What a treat to see Chris Whitley again. I saw him in Denver and I'll never forget it. Thanks so much for posting these. He's still my all time favorite artist and Trixie has really carried on his legacy. She's such a talent in her own right.
I will probably post EVERY time I listen to anything on my playlist, he feels so tortured .. he was AMAZING live and an example of an ARTIST that did not get to be heard but he also did not welcome mainstream acceptance... I am really sad he is not here the stuff he made that i Love... omg so delicious !!!
I only got to see him once…here in Detroit…it was stunning to say the least…he was an amazing artist & performer…so sad when he left this world…FUCK CANCER…:-(
+Katie Dewitz Yes, I am. It's a great group and I loved the recent flood of posts. So many people have been affected by Chris even posthumously and I'm glad. His music is the most intense and ferocious blues I think I've ever heard. I am completely overcome in finding out how many people and internet sites link to my videos here on RUclips in order to illustrate his genius. Most searches for specific titles link to my pages, and it is the biggest honor ever. I had no idea of the lack of High Def recordings from Mr. Whitley until recently. Thank you for being there. Your work is not unsung, Katie.
Thanks for this video! I had never heard of Chris Whitley until now, and am loving the music - especially him just singing and playing acoustic by himself. But another cool thing about this video is seeing Much Music, with this presenter, who I recall from those days, and hearing him refer to Chris playing at El Macambo, which I remember from the 90's when I was living in Toronto and went there occasionally. Great times!
We have a bootleg of that El Macambo gig here: archive.org/details/cw1992-01-23.flac16 Also that archive contains oodles of Chris's solo appearances; one of my favorites from 2003: archive.org/details/cw2003-10-09.flac16 Also, if you're on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/allthingschriswhitley
Who would thumb this video down? One poor bastard so far. For more Chris Whitley, please visit my channel. Also, feel the need to go out and drop some money on one of his CDs. Some are very hard to find. Thank you, Katie, for this one.
Jason, you can find more CW goodies on the All Things Chris Whitley group (Facebook) and the Chris Whitley page of the Live Music Archive. Lots of fans have shared lots of gems!
3:33 - "And produced by Daniel Natwalik, that comedian/youtube kind of gentleman", is what I heard. He of coure cannot be mentioning RUclips back in 92'.
Actually, that phrase is at @ 5:30 :) What he says is "and produced by Daniel Lanois, that ... /U2 kind of gentleman." But I enjoyed your RUclips hearing! Also, it's one of those urban-myth kinds of misinformation dealies: The album was produced by Malcolm Burn, an associate of Daniel Lanois, but was recorded at Lanois' Kingway Studio in NOLA.
@@KatieDewitz4ChrisWhitley Cheers Katie.. The passing of time can weave myths into moments that never called for it. I often feel I hear the word "RUclips" on old musican recordings. In fact, I even have flashes of delusion when I see the Dortmund footballer Marco Reus - he seems to be the Deutsche reincarnation of Chris Whitley. Another example, whenever I see Tommy Wiseau I simply see the bleached version of MJ after many macaroons, custard cremes and a touch of kummerspeck (translated "grief bacon"). I'm weird this way.
Tuning the guitar in the middle of PCFL. Slightly less impressive the SRV guitar change on Austin City Limits, but still a pro move. Really miss this guy. RIP, Chris.
resomony on the southeast coast , the humid weather does that to guitars . It makes them look that way . When it gets foggy especially . Something about the saltwater from the ocean mixing in the air . makes steel guitars finish fucked up and rusted .
Driving east out of Reno in 1991, radio on, about to drive across the Northern Nevada desert for the first time in my life and one of the most hauntingly beautiful tunes I'd ever heard comes on. I pulled off the highway and found a pay phone. {this was before cell phones... and pay phone were still among things to be found in this world} I called the radio station and asked whom it was they had playing on the air {this was also when radio still had dj's and you could call radio stations and make requests.} I was told it was a fellow by the name of Chris Whitley and he was playing his rendition of "Phone Call From Leavenworth. I turned the car around and drove back the 3 or 3 miles to Reno, found a record store {this was befor... awwww forget about it} and bought a cassette tape and then headed east again to Wyoming to see that State, visit a friend and tour the Rocky Mts. for a few weeks. It was my first time seeing the Rocky Mts, other than in Canada or crossing them through southern New Mexico 19 years earlier I had Chris along for the ride the entire time.
Only a couple years before that, I was discovering my own tastes in music and ordered his album from a "music club" on a hunch. Fell in love with him then and have never fallen out. One of the best things I have ever heard, still takes my breath away. I would give, maybe not my soul, but at least my left kidney, to see him live (what a terrible loss that he's gone). Have you seen the documentary "Dirt Floor"?
Saw him live 4 times in Houston. One of his last shows ever and he only played 4 songs and couldn't get it together and walked off stage and never came back. There was only 10 or 15 people there. He was torn up over some German girl that was breaking up with him or so the story goes. The other 3 shows were magical and i actually got to talk to him for a few minutes at the Fabulous Satellite Lounge. An American artistic treasure without any doubt.
great story !
I was in s.f. doing my deliv. Job at night.and this song came on and was drivin by this bus stop .there was this old black dude just grovin.to some music in his head.. And itwas as if he was hearing chris also.dancing and grovin to poison girl
Ready too soon.
Saw him do this in 1991 at a small club in Fort Worth. I was at a table for two directly in front of him. He played solo & as he played the last slide note on this song I involuntarily let out a whispered "wow" which he heard & grinned at.
What a great memory to have!
What was that club called? I think I was there- he signed the back of my blue jean vest and I still have it.
@@JeffMTX In Fort Worth it was The Caravan of Dreams in downtown, 92, I think. In the late 90s he played a couple of times in Deep Ellum, Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room.
@@BlindWillieJackson YES! That was the place. Drove over there from Garland. It wasn't long after that that I saw the GENITORTURERS there too! hehe. Saw Chris at Trees on Elm St, and twice again at Antones in Austin after moving back south. He was a really nice guy and FLOWED through that guitar (and pointed-toe cowboy boot).
@@BlindWillieJackson oh my god what a show that would have been. I forgot about caravan of dreams. Kudos from FW!
The thing about Chris Whitley, who is still considered a hidden gem IMO, is that he is praised by the few knowledgeable critics for his guitar playing, yet few talked about his vocal range... EPIC VOCALIST!
There was a newspaper music reporter here in my town who was at Chris' last show here like I was. He wrote the most scathing review. I felt the complete opposite, Chris was phenomenal. And I'd waited a long time to see/hear him. One of the best gifs I've ever been to. RIP forever Chris.
*gigs
One of the most underappreciated musical losses of all time.
Well said.
I agree 100%. Saw Chris in concert. Just him and his guitar and was one of the best concerts. Amazing musician.
without a doubt, he was so great !
Yes.
I’ve had the CD since it was put on the market. Loved ever since!!
I was lucky enough to meet Chris Whitley after a show at Toad's Place in New Haven in May 1997. After being a fan since summer 1991, it was a treat. And he was very kind and welcoming amongst the chaos of that environment. He signed a few things for me but mostly I told him how much I appreciated his music and how it all affected my life. His death really affected me, and that loss is still felt deeply.
Incredible recording
i saw him on that tour with Petty, "Big Sky Country" was getting a little bit of airplay and i really liked it but that was all i knew about Chris. then i went to the show, to this day it is still the only time in my entire life that i went out a bought an album based solely on seeing the band live. i was all of 19 or 20 and he blew me away.
Lol, bought the CD next day after singing open for Petty.
Same age.
Crazy good.
We all have "the first time I ever heard Chris Whitley" stories...all different yet connected by this common thread of amazement we experienced.
this cat was a bad ass...love him. heavy folks heavy...SOUL
Talent burning so bright it puts itself out....
actually he died of lung cancer, so your comment means what? talent causes lung cancer?
I once described him as "an anchored, twisting flame". Yes.
Circle back to his music as a treat. Miss his potential, hope he is soaring in his eternal journey.
Chris has to have the soul of a black Mississippi Delta Blues singer trapped in his body. Such a fierce and raw expression of emotion that rarely surfaces from any man, black or white.
This man's lyrics are absolutely stunning I can't get over how talented he was and his music will live on
"Now when the sun comes up
Mama you should know
That now I just don't care no more, alright
Three o'clock this morning
When I thought I saw Jesus coming down
He came through the concrete baby
He came through them walls without no sound
Now I mean concrete walls that ain't no clay
I closed my eyes and he slipped away - alright
I keep coming back to this video. Chris had a huge soul.
Had the pleasure of seeing him live in Vancouver.This man was talented and such a loss
I slid snake like into Chris in NY at a local mans drinking bar in the early 90's . I heard this mystical bluesy swampy playing that grabbed my soul and pulled me into this dark and wonderful place where Jesus sent his musical minion to fill the hearts of the fortunate to listen to and hang onto his every word and they all took it in easy like air. I was blown away and since i am a musician had the opportunity to play with him for a couple of hours. I left a different man as nothing ever has filled the air like Chris's Playing. His feel is, lets say perfectly fitting to fill what ails me when i need a little background when im in my own head
Chris occupies a space hard to define.its personal its beautiful and unlike any other artist i can think of.
well said.
I was on a power plant job in 90 -91 in Syracuse,NY,I met a guy there who was sweeping up and emptying trash cans.I got talking to him and after a couple of days of talking music,a major love of mine,I found out he played guitar.I invited him to my house for dinner one night and he brought his guitar and played a while.It was then I said "hey have you ever heard of this guy Chris Whitley",no he said so I threw the CD on and played Big Sky Country,he was so awed by it we played it at least 8 times until he figured out the chords.My wife had left the room,couldn't take it anymore.Now he only got on the job because his brother was the project manager,the next day he didn't show up for work ,so I asked his brother where he was,he said to me"this morning he took his two paychecks he saved and bought a ticket for the big sky country'.True story!
Had the privilege of seeing him live at a club in Vancouver
Very few new who he was...I was/am a Fan!
Such a loss
West 86th?? I think that was the name of the club he played.
We were so blown away we packed up our shit and headed to Seattle to see his next show.
We ended crashing at this not so great motel - and Whitley and the band were staying there as well. A very blow your mind experience - we didn't approach him, we just let the man be.
@@lynnschnekenburger7270 it was the club on West Broadway where there were live bands and Blues I know it wasn't the name you mentioned we also used to watch a band called Incognito there or it was The Rave/rage ? Lol it was 30 years ago holy Wow have I lost my memory! I have something to do with all the weed 😂
@@Bugzysmom LOL!!!🤣And damn, missed that show!!!
"If they hold me here much longer, probably go mad all by my......self" RIP Chris
that line always hits me.
i never got to see this gem live. i can only imagine what that emotion and power felt like. i really wish i could have met you chris❤
I was lucky enough to see him open for Tom Petty. He started with Phone Call from Leavenworth, and I was like , holy sheit this guy is really good. He died way too young.
Poison Girl has always been my fave!!!
He just blew that guys mind ... amazing post.
Chris was so handsome beautiful in body and soul, just realised who he reminds me of... Wyatt in ozarks 💗
What a treat to see Chris Whitley again. I saw him in Denver and I'll never forget it. Thanks so much for posting these. He's still my all time favorite artist and Trixie has really carried on his legacy. She's such a talent in her own right.
i saw him on letterman and bought his cassette and played it over and over for about a month
great version of Leavenworth
Chris, your light will shine brightly forever.
Underappreciated genius.What a loss
I will probably post EVERY time I listen to anything on my playlist, he feels so tortured .. he was AMAZING live and an example of an ARTIST that did not get to be heard but he also did not welcome mainstream acceptance... I am really sad he is not here the stuff he made that i Love... omg so delicious !!!
wow! first time seeing this one. dying. love him so much!
A talent that has gone on much too fucking soon.
I only got to see him once…here in Detroit…it was stunning to say the least…he was an amazing artist & performer…so sad when he left this world…FUCK CANCER…:-(
great host, they really vibed
I love you for all your rare Chris Whitley performances.
ApollonianKing Thanks, AK, and I love you and all the fans who continue to keep and to share the light that Chris brought to all our lives.
+Katie Dewitz You are so gracious. I hope you are in his movie.
+ApollonianKing No, sir - never met the man or saw him play. Are you a member of the All Things Chris Whitley group on Facebook? I admin that group.
+Katie Dewitz Yes, I am. It's a great group and I loved the recent flood of posts. So many people have been affected by Chris even posthumously and I'm glad. His music is the most intense and ferocious blues I think I've ever heard. I am completely overcome in finding out how many people and internet sites link to my videos here on RUclips in order to illustrate his genius. Most searches for specific titles link to my pages, and it is the biggest honor ever. I had no idea of the lack of High Def recordings from Mr. Whitley until recently. Thank you for being there. Your work is not unsung, Katie.
WOW, missin the whitley, gonna see you on the other side !
wow! its great!
Thanks for this video! I had never heard of Chris Whitley until now, and am loving the music - especially him just singing and playing acoustic by himself. But another cool thing about this video is seeing Much Music, with this presenter, who I recall from those days, and hearing him refer to Chris playing at El Macambo, which I remember from the 90's when I was living in Toronto and went there occasionally. Great times!
We have a bootleg of that El Macambo gig here: archive.org/details/cw1992-01-23.flac16 Also that archive contains oodles of Chris's solo appearances; one of my favorites from 2003: archive.org/details/cw2003-10-09.flac16 Also, if you're on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/allthingschriswhitley
Beautiful. Thank you.
K... This is such a wicked vid.... Recently discovered Chris.... What a rare talent.... Thanks so much for finding these... A gift😊
You're welcome, David. Check out the All Things Chris Whitley group on Facebook for more about your new discovery.
Incredible....
Who would thumb this video down? One poor bastard so far. For more Chris Whitley, please visit my channel. Also, feel the need to go out and drop some money on one of his CDs. Some are very hard to find. Thank you, Katie, for this one.
BRILLIANT ...
Thank you
Love that stripped down live versions !!!
A dobro and a cowboy boot
Kerry Pihulak.... what is this sound.... reminds me of Santers-Shot down in flames
+jason johnston shit sorry wrong tune
youll know it when you hear it
This performance or phone call from leavenworht just STANK
I miss this man soooo much
Wtf?
awesome katie thank you thank you !!! i forget ya everyday
Jason, you can find more CW goodies on the All Things Chris Whitley group (Facebook) and the Chris Whitley page of the Live Music Archive. Lots of fans have shared lots of gems!
Thanks again love
Music just flowed out of this man. Gone way too soon.
This dude was great, let him rest in peace
3:33 - "And produced by Daniel Natwalik, that comedian/youtube kind of gentleman", is what I heard. He of coure cannot be mentioning RUclips back in 92'.
Actually, that phrase is at @ 5:30 :) What he says is "and produced by Daniel Lanois, that ... /U2 kind of gentleman." But I enjoyed your RUclips hearing! Also, it's one of those urban-myth kinds of misinformation dealies: The album was produced by Malcolm Burn, an associate of Daniel Lanois, but was recorded at Lanois' Kingway Studio in NOLA.
@@KatieDewitz4ChrisWhitley Cheers Katie.. The passing of time can weave myths into moments that never called for it. I often feel I hear the word "RUclips" on old musican recordings.
In fact, I even have flashes of delusion when I see the Dortmund footballer Marco Reus - he seems to be the Deutsche reincarnation of Chris Whitley.
Another example, whenever I see Tommy Wiseau I simply see the bleached version of MJ after many macaroons, custard cremes and a touch of kummerspeck (translated "grief bacon"). I'm weird this way.
❤
Tuning the guitar in the middle of PCFL. Slightly less impressive the SRV guitar change on Austin City Limits, but still a pro move. Really miss this guy. RIP, Chris.
8:32 ..... whoa....there's something going on here
You damn right there is.
Poison ...GIRL....mmmmm???
😢
Concrete wall's
Ain't no clay
Down in Leavenworth prison bro I do not count the day's
Such a beatiful man oozing with talent. Tittilating torture.
He was saturated with authenticity
plays an old National---the only real attraction for me
resomony on the southeast coast , the humid weather does that to guitars . It makes them look that way . When it gets foggy especially . Something about the saltwater from the ocean mixing in the air . makes steel guitars finish fucked up and rusted .
Couldn't afford a shirt?
Chris was never a materialist.......he was spiritualist. I'm not being demeaning but sadly for you, you haven't understood what you have watched here.
gets hot bearing your soul.
Thnx Chris. Always remember you as the hobo playing in 't trefpunt.