Dislocation Blues

Chris Whitley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B000ND91T0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,449 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #56 in Music > Blues > Slide Guitar
  • #74 in Music > Blues > Acoustic Blues

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Blues Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 3-APR-2007

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitley swansong wows a cruel world!, December 7, 2007

By 

Carpe Jugulum "Englishman in Roppongi" (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dislocation Blues (Audio CD)

This last album, a collaboration with Australian Jeff Lang, sees the two of them revisiting some of Chris' earlier compositions, albeit with radically new arrangements, plus some covers, collaborations and Lang originals, as well as a couple of Dylan songs. The playing is exemplary, intimate without being claustrophobic. Obviously kindred spirits, the two share singing and guitar duties to outstanding effect. This really is an album of astounding honesty, grit and feel. And the rhythm section are no slouches, either.
Chris' passing in 2005 at the age 45 robbed music of a major talent. Although frequently categorized as a bluesman, this really doesn't do justice to Chris' vision. Many of his albums could only be called blues in the loosest sense of the genre; capturing the soul of the blues without succumbing to the cliches. Treat yourself to something bitter sweet, but quite special!
P.S. If you don't already have Chris' Living With The Law and Dirt Floor albums I strongly recommend you invest a little of your hard-earned cash and buy them. Hotel Vast Horizon and Terra Incognita are two other personal faves.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Fine Effort, July 9, 2007

By 

The Winged Eel (Churubusco, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dislocation Blues (Audio CD)

I really thought this would be a toss-off effort from the late Chris Whitley, and Australian Jeff Lang, but happily this turned out not to be true.

The two seem to inspire each other, and the result is a fine CD. Whitley is in fine voice despite his impending health problems, and the guitar playing is first rate from them both.

The high points IMO are a very spooky reading of Stagger Lee, the reworked Rocket House and Velocity Girl, and Langs Ravenswood. There are two really great Dylan covers as well. There really isnt a weak cut on the album.

Once again Whitley proved himself to be a true bluesman in every sense of the word, and Lang does the same.

Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This release is a dream come true, June 20, 2009

By 

Nobody important - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dislocation Blues (Audio CD)

When I first heard that this album would be released, I was overjoyed. I first heard Chris Whitley at a South-By-Southwest festival in the 90's. He was playing his beat-up old National with a custom slide while accompanying himself on a stomp box. His unique, bluesy but adventurous phrasing and gut-wrenching voice made me an instant fan, and Dirt Floor remains one of my all-time favorite recordings.

Jeff Lang is not as well-known in the US as he should be, but if you listen to Chris Whitley, you have probably heard some of Lang's disciples. He is the acoustic blues guitar deity of Australia, worshipped by guys like John Butler and Xavier Rudd. Lang is one of the most interesting and virtuosic guitarists around. If you doubt that praise, just know that Bob Brozman decided to record an album with him (track it down, if you can). He is a master of bottleneck and lap-style slide, as well as fingerpicking with lightning-fast fretwork. His style is also completely unique, and ever-evolving, combining his blues roots with Richard Thompson's British folk, and even occasionally Indian sounds, although less overtly than, say, Harry Manx. Lang is just amazing.

So, when I heard that this album would be released, I couldn't believe our collective luck. These two musicians complement each other perfectly. Chris Whitley's voice was always deeply moving. By this point, he was sufficiently ill that it didn't quite have the same power that it did in the 90s, but it still had the evocative spirit. Whitley's guitar style was always unique without being flashy, and Lang is sufficiently adaptable that he can bring his virtuosity to the table in a way that complements rather than detracts from the Chris Whitley vibe. The over-all sound is a bit more rooted in blues than most of either Whitley's or Lang's recordings, but that is probably because they were attempting to meet on common ground, as great collaborations should. If you are a fan of either Lang or Whitley, you should not hesitate to buy this album. If you are a fan of both, you need this album right now. It is everything it should be, and a fitting testament to the legacy of the late, great Chris Whitley.

Since most of those reading this review are probably already fans of Chris Whitley, I recommend that you start tracking down Jeff Lang's recordings. They are all worth-while, although the fact that they are mostly Australian imports makes them sometimes costly.