I was working at Tower records when a promo of 'Living With The Law' came in. I'm a hard rock fan, but like a lot of different stuff, and from many eras. I fell in love with his music immediately, and to this day that record and 'Dirt Floor' are in heavy rotation with me. He is one of the most original and honestly emotional artists we were ever graced with in this world, and I am truly grateful for that.
tomorrow I begin my visit staying with his father Jerry Whitley, my uncle. I'm so blessed to be in the presence of such greatness. Chris, watch over me while I'm in your father's home! I live with your father, you live with my Father.
As I recall, “Dirt Floor” was recorded in a barn with 1 ribbon mic hung from the ceiling. Just Chris, his guitars (and banjo), and foot stomps. Chris at his purest. “Hotel Vast Horizon” is similar with minimal bass and drums. Both outstanding albums.
His music was charged with the most powerful emotion that would stop me in my tracks. I'd just freeze and be lost in the moment. I got to see him play alone on a small stage and Chris just owned the entire crowd. His music meant so much to a young kid searching for the blues. I still cry when I listen to some of his songs. - Show love and share love.. for it can all end so quickly.
Loved his stripped-back soulful music.. played everything from the heart. Saw him live in The Basement, Sydney 1993 and he blew me away.. only recently heard of his passing.. RIP brother
Our sweet burning abandoned angel. Haunted, pure. A twisted flame anchored to a place the rest of us forgot we came from. I feel honored to have been alive while he was. I can say I saw him, I can say I felt it, I can say I recognized it. Rest in deep, beautiful peace, Chris.
to this day i reel when i realize hes gone. PURE! REAL! RAW! no other guitar like his, have yet to hear anything like it elsewhere. when there is no buffer between soul and string, this is what you get-
Saw Chris live,I think it was New Years Eve in NYC,he opened up for the Blues Traveler,fact check that for me if you want because fuck I can't remember it was so long ago
The film soon to released............. Chris Whitley RIP you WILL get the respect and pure appreciation you so deserve/deserved you and your poetry are truly missed but thank you for music left with us.
Agreed...just incredible. All that sound coming from just one guy with a steel guitar in this video. I wish this vid did not have that hissing sound in the background though. .
I saw him in some seriously small venues. It was beautiful. The Texas Union, and Antones in Austin, Tx. Trixie sang a song with him at Antones. Miss him mucho.
. I just got done looking at his discography and noticed something I had never noticed before.......how there was a gap of time between his first album, Living with the Law (1991), and his second album Din of Ecstasy (1995). Anyone know why? The rest of his life it was a two year max period between albums and many one year periods. If anything, I would have expected that big time gap to have happened near the end as he got sicker, not at the beginning. It's peculiar. I do know he was frustrated through his career about not getting attention and making enough money to even feed himself/live humbly, I don't think he was asking for much, but he had a hard time just taking care of the basic necessities in life. He was featured on Dave Letterman in 1991 where he played Big Sky Country from his first album , but I think the album still did not sell a whole lot of copies, even with the exposure, if I recall correctly. Maybe that bummed him out and he initially lost some drive??? He truly lived the life to a "T" exemplifying the ol' cliche "poor artist" -- so incredibly sad. .
LONG TIME - CLASSIC country fan; but I was introduced to Chris in '92...LOVE everything he does, unique and true to his venue - lyrical genius and yes...VERY underrated.
I absolutely LOVE Chris Whitley. I have been obsessed with him for the last 5 months and have got all of his recorded music in this time. I remember hearing Big Sky Country when it came out years ago on an independent radio station and never heard from him again. Completely fallen off my radar. Then I read a great article about him in Classic Rock magazine about 6 months ago and I was curious. Bought the Living WIth the Law CD with big sky on it and went OMG!!! that is the dude... LOVE all of his stuff.. keep uploading any and everything you have.. Gone too soon but lives on forever.. Thanks for sharing!!!
I was BLOWN AWAY when this album came out. Had already loved Living With the Law . . . and this was so different, so new, deeply touching. It reached me at a much-needed time in my life. Whether that is the result of a rare coincidence or of a great artist making everyone feel this same way is quite a question to ponder.
+Kimberly Hays He certainly is. It was 1995. I had just happened to walk through my living room, Chris Whitley was on some television show singing New Machine off of his just released "Din Of Ecstasy" album. That guitar, the voice, It was captivating, his music just spoke to me! I had to hear more! I jumped in my ride, drove to Tower, & bought the CD. Now, many years later, sitting here reminiscing, his music is still so powerful on so many levels that is hard to describe, although after reading so many of these comments from fans here, It seems the creativity, & passion within his music, has touched the souls of many in a very positive way! I wonder why, it seems that those whom have such a powerful, and positive influence to so many, such as Chris, are with us only briefly? Well, I am thankful to have experienced Chris Whitley's Positive, and Creative Vibe... He is missed, yet will not be forgotten.
One of my regrets is I never got to see him live ..... he made a deep impact on my taste in music ..... When I meet new people and we discuss musical interests, Chris always gets mentioned 🎸🎸🎸🎼🎼🎼🎼
Got to be the one of the most beautifuly raw albums ive ever heard. A masterpiece. Look up the the tube on its recording in chris grandfather's Shack in Montana. I never tire of listening to this.
Thank you for uploading this video, Chris Whitley's music carries so much weight behind it, the album this song comes from dirt floor was a one microphone one voice and one guitar record, simply produced, live recordings. a collection of earthy songs that should be part of anyones music collection. A truly great artist, Time will tell...
CHRIS WHITLEY Scrapyard Lullaby Lyrics Wake up running on the sacred ground Searching the scrapyard for my dirty crown I been walking a very long time Baby child up on your momma's knee Thirty-five angels looking after me They been watching with eyes so wide In a sea of steel I seen a golden glow Screaming the message anyone could know Like a walking translation on a street of lies Singing this scrapyard lullaby I'm gonna' take my time for her riches Wait for the diamonds to ripen in the ditches of love around here Things are never as they appear Got a natural pearl in my calloused hand Saved for the girl who could really understand what it takes to see The gold from the alchemy From a rusted hood I seen the stars fall about Screaming the message anyone could find out Like a walking translation down a street of lies Singing this scrapyard lullaby Hush now baby dream sweet things Mama gonna' bring your anvil some wings She will let it go, you won't even know Cause the chrome do rust and the dust do shine Broken could be golden in it's very own time You can be sure, you won't even know what for Now I'm down in the junk on a darkened day Searching through the prizes others throw away Like a walking translation on a street of lies Singing this scrapyard lullaby Wake up running on the sacred ground Thirty-five angels leading her around Like a walking translation down a street of lies Singing the scrapyard lullaby Singing the scrapyard lullaby
rubberrecords Could you please do it as it’s out of print and it costs $250! You could put out an audiophile version and charge $50-$75 deluxe addition and it would sell like hot cakes. He’s the best
lol I saw him live about a dozen times and I think he wore sleeves once or twice. Usually it was just the wife-beater. Once at Bimbo’s he played the whole set shoeless. On the Perfect Day tour, with the two guys from Soul Coughing. I think he must have run hot
Truly one of the great musicians of our times. A street poet and a monster guitar player. One of The Greats.
It is comments like these that brighten everything up.
I know I'm not alone when I say that I miss him terribly!! It's a heartache that doesn't go away!!!!😔😔💔💔
Keith Richards sang his praises. I saw Chris every chance I got when he came to DFW.
I was working at Tower records when a promo of 'Living With The Law' came in. I'm a hard rock fan, but like a lot of different stuff, and from many eras. I fell in love with his music immediately, and to this day that record and 'Dirt Floor' are in heavy rotation with me. He is one of the most original and honestly emotional artists we were ever graced with in this world, and I am truly grateful for that.
I also discovered him at Tower Records in '91 and I'm still a fan today.
tomorrow I begin my visit staying with his father Jerry Whitley, my uncle. I'm so blessed to be in the presence of such greatness. Chris, watch over me while I'm in your father's home!
I live with your father, you live with my Father.
Just found him. Ffffing brilliant
As I recall, “Dirt Floor” was recorded in a barn with 1 ribbon mic hung from the ceiling. Just Chris, his guitars (and banjo), and foot stomps. Chris at his purest. “Hotel Vast Horizon” is similar with minimal bass and drums. Both outstanding albums.
The music that flowed through him was special
thankful for the brief moment we had him... i recognized his gift the first time I heard him...
Jamais sans sa guitare, Chris Whistley, inclassable songwriter d'une fin de siècle mélancolique ...
Sublime music and lyrics.
Way underrated Musician!!
Chris Whitley is a legend and I love him infinitely
Wonderful Honesty!
Living with the law his debut is for me the most under rated album ever. So good.
His music was charged with the most powerful emotion that would stop me in my tracks. I'd just freeze and be lost in the moment. I got to see him play alone on a small stage and Chris just owned the entire crowd. His music meant so much to a young kid searching for the blues. I still cry when I listen to some of his songs.
- Show love and share love.. for it can all end so quickly.
***** LIkewise Paw.. I bawl like a baby on some of his stuff..
That's what great music does,it wrings out your soul and hands it back to you and asks what are you gonna do with it ?
May his work echo forever.
Loved his stripped-back soulful music.. played everything from the heart. Saw him live in The Basement, Sydney 1993 and he blew me away.. only recently heard of his passing.. RIP brother
I was at that gig
Oh had him for a bit of time but that time was pure grace my brothers
Our sweet burning abandoned angel. Haunted, pure. A twisted flame anchored to a place the rest of us forgot we came from. I feel honored to have been alive while he was. I can say I saw him, I can say I felt it, I can say I recognized it. Rest in deep, beautiful peace, Chris.
to this day i reel when i realize hes gone. PURE! REAL! RAW! no other guitar like his, have yet to hear anything like it elsewhere. when there is no buffer between soul and string, this is what you get-
Then you have not heard much blues then.
Saw Chris live,I think it was New Years Eve in NYC,he opened up for the Blues Traveler,fact check that for me if you want because fuck I can't remember it was so long ago
How in the world did I miss this artist? My goodness, he's just magnetic. And utterly real.
I weep.
Genius. I listen to Chris all the time.
That was beautiful.
The film soon to released............. Chris Whitley RIP you WILL get the respect and pure appreciation you so deserve/deserved you and your poetry are truly missed but thank you for music left with us.
Not a single bad word can be said of the music he created
Agreed...just incredible. All that sound coming from just one guy with a steel guitar in this video. I wish this vid did not have that hissing sound in the background though.
.
I saw him in some seriously small venues. It was beautiful. The Texas Union, and Antones in Austin, Tx. Trixie sang a song with him at Antones. Miss him mucho.
I saw him at the union and at antones too! Twice at antones on 5th…
What a bummer he has left us incredible musician never stop playing his music RIP Chris
So glad Joe Bonamassa mentioned this mans name, awesome!
. I just got done looking at his discography and noticed something I had never noticed before.......how there was a gap of time between his first album, Living with the Law (1991), and his second album Din of Ecstasy (1995). Anyone know why? The rest of his life it was a two year max period between albums and many one year periods. If anything, I would have expected that big time gap to have happened near the end as he got sicker, not at the beginning. It's peculiar.
I do know he was frustrated through his career about not getting attention and making enough money to even feed himself/live humbly, I don't think he was asking for much, but he had a hard time just taking care of the basic necessities in life. He was featured on Dave Letterman in 1991 where he played Big Sky Country from his first album , but I think the album still did not sell a whole lot of copies, even with the exposure, if I recall correctly. Maybe that bummed him out and he initially lost some drive???
He truly lived the life to a "T" exemplifying the ol' cliche "poor artist" -- so incredibly sad.
.
This is, ladies and gentlemen, music.
After these years, he's proved himself.
Amazing Man. RIP...❤
Christopher Bako Just too beautiful man
Chris-may u wear that dirty crown with pride, until the end of days.
LONG TIME - CLASSIC country fan; but I was introduced to Chris in '92...LOVE everything he does, unique and true to his venue - lyrical genius and yes...VERY underrated.
One of the best shows I ever attended: Chris Whitley w/ Sixteen Horsepower opening.
Great talent for sure!!!! I love how he bends the strings just for the right effect to get in between the notes.
Man was a real artist. this album is just incredible, a feeling of melancholy throughout though. sad how he left so early in life
This is so pure and beautiful.
Chris Whitley you legend, I love the tunes and tunings. Raw energy
Chris was so great! Love!
Woof!!
I absolutely LOVE Chris Whitley. I have been obsessed with him for the last 5 months and have got all of his recorded music in this time. I remember hearing Big Sky Country when it came out years ago on an independent radio station and never heard from him again. Completely fallen off my radar. Then I read a great article about him in Classic Rock magazine about 6 months ago and I was curious. Bought the Living WIth the Law CD with big sky on it and went OMG!!! that is the dude... LOVE all of his stuff.. keep uploading any and everything you have.. Gone too soon but lives on forever.. Thanks for sharing!!!
Amazing...
I was BLOWN AWAY when this album came out. Had already loved Living With the Law . . . and this was so different, so new, deeply touching. It reached me at a much-needed time in my life. Whether that is the result of a rare coincidence or of a great artist making everyone feel this same way is quite a question to ponder.
Lyrical Genius
He always give me the chills.
Woh! Gritty and unique.
so missed
+Kimberly Hays He certainly is.
It was 1995. I had just happened to walk through my living room, Chris Whitley was on some television show singing New Machine off of his just released "Din Of Ecstasy" album.
That guitar, the voice, It was captivating, his music just spoke to me!
I had to hear more! I jumped in my ride, drove to Tower, & bought the CD.
Now, many years later, sitting here reminiscing, his music is still so powerful on so many levels that is hard to describe, although after reading so many of these comments from fans here, It seems the creativity, & passion within his music, has touched the souls of many in a very positive way! I wonder why, it seems that those whom have such a powerful, and positive influence to so many, such as Chris, are with us only briefly? Well, I am thankful to have experienced Chris Whitley's Positive, and Creative Vibe... He is missed, yet will not be forgotten.
One of my regrets is I never got to see him live ..... he made a deep impact on my taste in music ..... When I meet new people and we discuss musical interests, Chris always gets mentioned 🎸🎸🎸🎼🎼🎼🎼
Got to be the one of the most beautifuly raw albums ive ever heard. A masterpiece.
Look up the the tube on its recording in chris grandfather's Shack in Montana.
I never tire of listening to this.
Loveee this song
Thank you for this
i was searching for a video over how to prepare a hookah this is what happens 2 hours later, thanks you tube!!!!!
another bright light extinguished
Genius!
This music is sacred
Thank you for uploading this video,
Chris Whitley's music carries so much weight behind it,
the album this song comes from dirt floor was a one microphone one voice and one guitar record,
simply produced, live recordings.
a collection of earthy songs that should be part of anyones music collection.
A truly great artist,
Time will tell...
Lost too soon.... He was the real deal
Yes, yes, yes.....the real deal, indeed.
.
he actually has a great classic country sort of voice.
Nice!
I met him in Rochester NY...easy to talk to.
I met Metallica when they were recording "Kill 'em All" in Rochester, and would trade you in a Chris Whitley heartbeat...sweeeet
"searching through the prizes that others throw away..."
CW was a walking translation.
CHRIS WHITLEY
Scrapyard Lullaby Lyrics
Wake up running on the sacred ground
Searching the scrapyard for my dirty crown
I been walking a very long time
Baby child up on your momma's knee
Thirty-five angels looking after me
They been watching with eyes so wide
In a sea of steel I seen a golden glow
Screaming the message anyone could know
Like a walking translation on a street of lies
Singing this scrapyard lullaby
I'm gonna' take my time for her riches
Wait for the diamonds to ripen in the ditches of love around here
Things are never as they appear
Got a natural pearl in my calloused hand
Saved for the girl who could really understand what it takes to see
The gold from the alchemy
From a rusted hood I seen the stars fall about
Screaming the message anyone could find out
Like a walking translation down a street of lies
Singing this scrapyard lullaby
Hush now baby dream sweet things
Mama gonna' bring your anvil some wings
She will let it go, you won't even know
Cause the chrome do rust and the dust do shine
Broken could be golden in it's very own time
You can be sure, you won't even know what for
Now I'm down in the junk on a darkened day
Searching through the prizes others throw away
Like a walking translation on a street of lies
Singing this scrapyard lullaby
Wake up running on the sacred ground
Thirty-five angels leading her around
Like a walking translation down a street of lies
Singing the scrapyard lullaby
Singing the scrapyard lullaby
Very 70's kind of sound. Similar to Nick Drake. Didn't know about this artist. Sad to hear he passed away 20 years ago.
I don't really know what to say as Chris so eloquently speaks for himself...
@tjslayd69 totally agree with you!
Such a sad loss. I hope your daughter Trixie carried on the talent.Alien!
#lovelovelove
For those who love him, check out his talented daughter, Trixie Whitley!
A fret board was his breath and pulse. No one else comes close in my opinion
Gawd AF
deep.
same:P
Hey! Rubberrecords did you re-release the vinyl of Dirt?
No we haven’t but it’s a great idea
rubberrecords
Could you please do it as it’s out of print and it costs $250!
You could put out an audiophile version and charge $50-$75 deluxe addition and it would sell like hot cakes. He’s the best
He just needed to wear a shirt now and then.... but he was great, for sure.
:-)
this isnt country music. Chris has talent.
I'm a big fan of his music, but I have to wonder, did the guy ever wear an actual shirt? Based on these videos, I would say no.
lol I saw him live about a dozen times and I think he wore sleeves once or twice. Usually it was just the wife-beater. Once at Bimbo’s he played the whole set shoeless. On the Perfect Day tour, with the two guys from Soul Coughing.
I think he must have run hot
Christina Vane sent me...
ghost