Chris Whitley - Chris Whitley Live at Martyrs (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

Difficult listening, but worth the effort

Nobody important | 05/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chris Whitley has undergone many changes as a musician, even if we ignore his experiences before recording Living with the Law. Of his recorded works, my favorite is easily Dirt Floor-- a brilliant set of emotionally intense songs recorded just the way I like it-- alone with acoustic instruments (a National and a banjo). While the arrangements on this live recording are similar, the feel is quite different. Whitley has moved towards a more cerebral approach, heavy on microtonal nuances that are easy to mistake for out-of-tune playing (I still have to reassure myself every time I listen to this one that it had to be intentional given Whitley's skill). This album doesn't have the same power as Dirt Floor, and it may take some time, but it will grow on you. As a warning, though, if you're one of the people who trashed Din of Ecstacy and Terra Incognita, you probably won't like this one."

Revelation made audible

Graham Gibby | New Orleans, LA | 02/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a music review, it's a Why Chris Whitley Is Always In My CD Player story.

I had Din of Ecstasy already, had heard Kick the Stones and Big Sky Country, but had not felt the power.

Living in New Orleans sometimes means Getting The Hell Out. While I was evacuated, I had no idea where my life was headed. Standing in an empty apartment in Buffalo, NY with a fantastic stereo, good bourbon, and Chris Whitley's Live at Martyr's.

There in the dark with Chris, I felt like maybe I was a little less alone. Not that the world would be better, but that, well, he'd been there.

Now he's gone, and we just have his music. But I still think he understands. And for at least 20 minutes of my day, Chris Whitley is there.

Buy it, enjoy it, feel it."

Very intense

jack | Ft Wayne, IN United States | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe after people hear this they will understand "Din Of Ecstasy".If you have been lucky enough to see Chris live recently this is just what you got.Chris,his guitar,a stomping boot and that incredible,haunting voice.This is as intense as anything since Blind Willie Johnson.A must have."

A rough gem!

B. E. MASON | IL, United States | 03/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think "Live at Martyrs" is a great album! To those that don't like the opening cut (Dirt Floor): the way it sounds is what happens when you take an 1930's National guitar which was NEVER EVER meant to be amplified, plug it into a little 1960's tube amp turned up to 9 or 10, and mic'ed with a mic hanging down in front of the amp by the amp's carrying handle. Then you add Chris playing the...whole thing, really digging into the strings. Mix that all together and you get "Dirt Floor." And that's what I like about it. It's SO punk rock! It's SO Nicolai Tesla! It's SO Albert Einstein. It's SO William Gibson! If it sounds a little rough, it's only because he's asking things of his gear that it would rather not do. And yet, he pulls it off with conviction.It's a soundman's worst nightmare, a serious trainwreck!!I like "Din of Ecstasy" for the same reasons I like this CD. Chris just doesn't play nice on that album and that's why it stands out to me. To me, this album is the same way. I like "Law" and "Dirt Floor" for different reasons. Each album of his is carried by a different vision and this one is no exception. I can't wait till "Hotel" comes out so I can hear the latest vision.It takes a very mature musician to craft a totally unique style. It takes even more to do it using equipment in ways other than it was intended. But then to do it without the slightest shred of timidity! This album is a clear showcase of how Chris Whitley has reached this pinnacle of musicianship."

An outstanding live document

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 01/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Live at Martyrs' would be the only live release that the late great Chris Whitley would record during his lifetime. Like his previous release, the excellent Dirt Floor, it just features Chris' voice and guitar. However, while Dirt Floor was subdued for the most part, Live at Martyrs' shows a range of emotions. Unlike most musicians, Chris preferred to take the road less traveled by often altering his songs in a live setting to express a distinctive mood. This trait, along with his explosive performances, led to many fans and critics lauding his shows as legendary and Live at Martyrs proves this statement true.

Over half of the album's tunes come from his first two albums. Stripped down to their core, "Living With The Law", "Poison Girl", and especially "Long Way Around" are stronger than those originally recorded on Living With The Law, showing the emotion that was often harnessed by the production in their original versions. The tunes featured from the noisy Din of Ecstasy album are also impressive as "New Machine" is even more ragged while "Narcotic Prayer" and "God Thing" sound more real, beautiful in fact, in a more intimate setting. "Firefighter", later renamed "Little Torch", and "Serve You" also benefit from their more sparse settings. Other highlights include the upbeat killer country blues of "Home Is Where You Get Across", the haunting "The Model" and "From One Island to Another" and the mostly a capella read on "Big Sky Country" which leads into a wicked version of "Gasket" that closes the set. All told, Live at Martyrs' proves Chris' reputation as a legendary live performer. Highly recommended.

"

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	Chris Whitley Chris Whitley Live at Martyrs Genres: Country, Folk, Pop, Rock Track Listings (14) - Disc #1 Dirt Floor Long Way Around Firefighter God Thing Poison Girl New Machine Living With The Law WPL The Model Home Is Where You Get Across From One Island To Another Serve You Narcotic Prayer Big Sky Country/Gasket
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