See you in Big Sky Country

Many years ago I saw a video on MTV once, maybe twice. It was the first single by Chris Whitley, called Big Sky Country, and it was grand. This sweet and damaged voice had come onto the scene, and while I was not fully sold on the product (it was still a little too country for my tastes then), it intrigued me in its quality. I found out it had been produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Robbie Robertson, Peter Gabriel) and this somewhat explained the soft and clean lushness in the sound. But there was still some real grit in there.

By the time his third album, Terra Incognita made its way into my hands via the bargain bin (it was a promo copy) I was completely on board for the full ride. This guy was the real deal -- a natural progression and also hearty throwback to the days of the quintessential American songwriter and into what possibilites there were ahead. There was Dylan and Waits and Cash in there. Howlin' Wolf and James Blood Ulmer, Stax era soul and a punk DIY aesthetic, the incandescent glow of modern alternative rock and the fading lights of esoteric sounds from anywhere he directed his ear, the brooding drive of a jazz auteur and the natural bent towards self destructive brilliance that made it all work.

On November 20, he left this world for his own Big Sky Country, and the world is a more empty space because of it.

I had wanted to catch him live for years, and the one time I really had the opportunity, I balked atthe last minute. It was to be a one man show at Cafe Du Nord only a few months ago. Ironically, that show was recorded, and is available for free download. The performance is raw, desolate, pure and ragged in that way that only those who sincerely mean every damn note can be.

For those that want to know a little more, there is a good writeup here.

Rest Chris. You will be missed.