Reiter in

Chris Whitley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red Parlor
• ASIN: B000ETR9WO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,397 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

With his 1991 Debut Album Living with the Law Texas-born Singer/Songwriter Chris Whitley Earned Critical and Commercial Success. Widely Admired by Fellow Musicians the Master of the National Guitar Developed his Own Style of Blues, Rock’n’roll and Alternative Rock. A Number of Albums Followed, Each One Different from the Other. He Toured Extensively, Building Up a Strong Cult Following of Devoted Fans. On November 20, 2005 Chris Lost his Battle Against Lung Cancer and Died at Age 45. His Last Record "Reiter In" is a Surprisingly Powerful Rock Album Full of Raw Melancholy and Rough Beauty. Whitley Wanted the Band on the Album Be Called "Chris Whitley and Bastard Club". The Recordings, Analog in One Take, were Done on June 1,2,3 and Fifth 2005 at Old Soul Studios in Catskill, Ny USA. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saving the best for last., April 14, 2006

By 

Necromancing (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reiter in (Audio CD)

What an incredible career. Chris Whitley was a very special man and a musical icon that went largely unnoticed in his lifetime -which was all too short. I've been listening to Chris' music since 1991 and have seen his intense live performances everytime he came to the Los Angeles area.

Without getting overly sappy about this, 'Reiter In' has to be one of CW's greatest records. If only for the Flaming Lips cover, "Mountain Side". It's one of my favorite CW songs (more Chris' song now, than the Flaming Lips, of which he was a huge fan). It's a real treat that on what ended up being his last album, he came full-circle in a way, back to the electric sounds of 1995's 'Din of Ecstacy', while still adding a contemporary touch to his unique and ever-evolving style of music.

It's getting harder for me to write this review, as the album is currently playing in the background and I want to commence to grooving! It's too bad Amazon doesn't make the song samples available, because the visceral quality of the music is immediate. Highlights: "Mountain Side", "Reiter In", "I Go Evil", "Inn", "All Beauty Taken From You In This Life Remains Forever".

If you love Chris, go buy two copies of this album ASAP. Even if you've never heard a note of his music, go buy two copies anyway. Your life will be changed forever.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ASCENDING SCALE, April 13, 2006

By 

Kerry Leimer (Makawao, Hawaii United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reiter in (Audio CD)

For an artist who seemed capable of slipping in and out of a number of styles (though I persist in thinking that all the perceived differences were simply aspects of the same style ) it's hard to imagine a more fitting close to a powerful body of work.

The range of pieces here is broad, wry and eclectic, and the highlight is Whitley's choice to use the words of an anonymous poet. This last embrace of an anonymous work speaks volumes about his artistic and personal character, and underscores the absolute authenticity of everything he accomplished as an artist.

Here he out-stooges the Stooges and takes a neutered-sounding Gary Numan song and brings in all kinds of life. From Detroit punk to untraditional and traditional blues to some experimentation, Whitley's judgments are spot-on, his delivery offering a spontaneous and genuine poignance. He accomplishes something pretty rare, again. As a friend of mine said "I'm liking this a lot, mostly because of who it is. Feels like being right there with them, and having a great time..." Nothing more to ask, nothing better to say than that.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting Finale, May 2, 2006

By 

S. Finefrock (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reiter in (Audio CD)

When Chris Whitley died of lung cancer in November of 2005, the music world lost a restlessly creative soul. People say that the restless spirit will continue to visit the living world in search of release. We are lucky to have Whitley's restless spirit visit us with one last poignant release, REITER IN.

Recorded just months before his untimely demise, REITER IN returns to fiery sound of DIN OF ECSTASY and TERRA INCOGNITA as well as touching base with his more stripped down, earthy styles that marked such classics as LIVING WITH THE LAW, DIRT FLOOR and WAR CRIME BLUES with stunning results.

A stunning guitarist, a great intuitive vocalist and an under appreciated songwriter, Whitley was a true musical pioneer who left few options open in exploring country blues, blistering hard rock, smooth ballads or electronic sounds. No matter what style he played, or whose song he sung, his talent would stamp his signature on each piece of music. The cover versions on this CD show his range, which include the Willie Dixon classic BRING IT ON HOME, New Waver Gary Numan's ARE FRIENDS ELECTRIC, psych rockers Flaming Lip's MOUNTAINSIDE and Iggy and the Stooges proto-punk classic I WANNA BE YOUR DOG. The originals stand tall next to these fine covers, with the eerie/electronic/poetry jam REITER IN, the harsh I GO EVIL and bluesy/jazzy ALL THE BEAUTY standing out. The raw, no frills production is ideal for these songs.

Chris Whitley is gone, but certainly not forgotten. I am thankful that I will be able to re-visit this album as well as the rest of his stunning discography for years to come. I would not go as far to say that REITER IN his best recording (I've only listened to this three times), or even a place for someone just approaching his work to start, but it is a strong work that fits well within his outstanding catalog of music. As an artist, he has made his mark.