goodbye, farewell.
chris whitley. photo taken from website
chris whitley died of lung cancer on sunday night. i never really know how to write about death (does anyone?) but it upset me quite a bit. in some sense we are always distanced from someone who dies, and the degree to which we are distanced greatly impacts our sadness, sorrow, compassion, etc. in this case, i really only knew this man through his music, some of which is just amazing, but also because christian kiefer was friend's with him. there is a download on chris' site of one of his last live performances at cafe du nord in san francisco, where he thanks christian for opening the evening. needless to say, as death does, especially the passing of someone who is at least a touch closer to my life, it begs of me to live.
so last night, keri and i turned up "dirt floor," my favorite record of his, drank wine, and cuddled on the couch. in some way, whenever someone else dies, i feel like my job is to be present and appreciate this life as much as i can. the goal i suppose, is to try to live with that much awareness all of the time.
anyway, keri and i presently prepare to head up to my folk's for thanksgiving, and enjoy the simple fact that indeed we are all here and all healthy. we will again listen to dirt floor, and we will sing along. the fourth track on the record, "wild country," happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time to sing along with. this, dear reader, is truly beautiful. so, i recommend to all of you, that you go to his website and download one of the shows. or buy a disc. turn it up, and hit the road. or dance. or do whatever it is that you do. what a gift he left.
and, while i might feel absurd adding this to the end of a post in which anyone else has died, it somehow seems fitting: christian has begun a podcast, and four of them consist of he and i talking about my half of a split record we did called "the inexplicable falling." the podcasts are labeled thusly: Crowtown Podcast Episode 2A (11-11-05) and the discussion carries on through episode 2D. you can find them here. perhaps mr. whitley would like to listen in to two other guys (one old friend) talk about how much they love music. who knows?
Posted by jeff pitcher at November 23, 2005 12:17 PM
....................................
Listened to the xian podcasts...I'd forgotten about the creepiness surrounding the MD recording of I am Nowhere. Fucking classic, though oddly voyueristic hearing the podcast. So xian, yes, all 4 episodes were ingested by at least one person :) And my god jefferson, how the hell did we think putting that much reverb on those mixes was a good idea? You'd think I'd just gotten done mixing with Chris or something. I suppose that's just the auditory version of laughing at bell-bottoms or hypercolor t-shirts...
gobble, gobble,
r
Posted by: ron at November 23, 2005 03:20 PM
I, too, was very saddened to learn of Chris Whitley's passing. His first album was the soundtrack for a particularly vivid time in my life...I can't hear any of those songs without instantly being transported back to another place...and time. I'd heard over the years from musician pals that he was battling some demons...maybe he no longer was...hope wherever he is now, he's at peace...
Posted by: Marilyn at November 24, 2005 07:58 AM
Advertising in the face of death...
...and so we must consume to affirm life...
...Just in time for Black Friday.
I think I'll buy some CDs and a new pair of Levi's
Posted by: bob roberts at November 24, 2005 08:30 AM
wow bob, i don't think you could have missed the point any more drastically. you people never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: jeff pitcher at November 24, 2005 12:00 PM
