Jonesing For This One: Chris Whitley – Living with the Law
- Matt Jones
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Hidden gems from Matt Jones’ record collection: "In this column, I want to shine a light on the essential hidden gems in my record collection. Albums that might not always get the spotlight, but have stayed close to me over years of listening."
As Paul Simon sang in ‘Graceland’, “The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National guitar.”
On my gem for this month, that guitar is owned by Chris Whitley.
Sadly, Chris passed away in 2005, at the young age of 45, from cancer, but before that he created some beautiful blues guitar records that will stand the test of time. Today we look at his debut, Living with the Law.
I discovered this as a recommendation from Jeff Buckley, who mentioned him in an interview. Good enough recommendation for me to dive right in.
Released in 1991, it slipped through the cracks of mainstream rock history, overshadowed by the impending grunge explosion. Yet more than three decades later, it remains a truly hidden gem.
From the opening title track, Whitley establishes a mood that is equal parts blues, folk, rock and something altogether more elusive. His voice carries a weary, soulful intensity that feels deeply personal without ever becoming self-indulgent.
The true star of the album is Whitley’s guitar work. His National steel guitar sings, growls and mourns throughout the record, creating a sonic landscape that feels vast and cinematic. Tracks like ‘Big Sky Country’ and ‘Poison Girl’ demonstrate a remarkable ability to blend roots music traditions with modern songwriting sensibilities.
On vinyl, the album truly comes alive. The influence of Daniel Lanois (U2) is unmistakable, and it is around on vinyl for a reasonable price.
What makes Living with the Law such a rewarding discovery is its refusal to fit neatly into a genre. It arrived before Americana became a recognised category, before alternative country found a large audience, and before roots-inspired singer-songwriters became festival staples. In many ways, Whitley was ahead of his time. The album sounds as fresh today as it did in 1991, largely because it never chased trends in the first place.
Highlights include the haunting ‘Dust Radio’, the hypnotic ‘Phone Call from Leavenworth’, and the emotionally charged ‘Look What Love Has Done’. Yet this is not an album built around singles. It works best as a complete journey, unfolding track by track and revealing new detail with each spin.
If your collection includes Tom Waits, Daniel Lanois, Mark Lanegan or early Bonnie Raitt, and you have somehow missed Chris Whitley, make room on your shelf. Living with the Law is not just a forgotten album. It’s one of the great undiscovered treasures of early 1990s American music.
Happy spinning till next time!!
Comments