Search - Chris Whitley :: Soft Dangerous Shores

Chris challenged himself right to the end

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 10/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Soft Dangerous Shores would be the last album that Chris Whitley would release during his brief lifetime. A true visionary, Chris challenged himself musically throughout his career, releasing albums that experimented in rock, grunge, jazz, folk, electronica, and especially the blues. Like his 2001 release, Rocket House, Soft Dangerous Shores mixes Whitley's stellar guitar work with elements of electronica. However, while Rocket House would dabble with various genres throughout the disc, Soft Dangerous Shores is more of a mood piece. The haunting keyboards and electronic drums are designed to provide a backdrop rather than be an equal part of the songs. Listening to this now, you can hear that Chris was suffering as his voice had lost most of its range. However, his voice still retained its soul and that's very apparent on Soft Dangerous Shores. Tracks like "Fireroad (For Two)", "City of Women", and especially the title track show Chris at his most sensual and the mood for each track fits perfectly. "As Day Is Long" and "Last Million Miles" return to the passionate fury of his previous work in both the guitar work and arrangements while "Medicine Wheel" gives the vision of how most of us go through the motions throughout our lives, just hoping to move a little further ahead. Well, that's what I get out of it. The version of "Her Furious Angels" recalls the track originally recorded on War Crime Blues, only with sparse guitar work and the drums and keyboards providing color. In retrospect, the last two tracks "End Game Holiday" and "Breath of Shadows" as well as the unlisted brief reprise of "End Game Holiday" at the album's closing sound as though Chris was saying goodbye. Hearing Chris sing 'too late to find a way' during "End Game Holiday" can't help but bring strong emotions after learning what he was going through. All told, Soft Dangerous Shores is a piece to be listened as a whole on several occasions to be appreciated. New fans may want to pick up Living With the Law, Dirt Floor, and Din of Ecstasy before diving into this."

A Compelling Recording

Stephen M. Turpin | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In addition to being a riveting performer, Chris Whitley was one of the most compelling and unique musical artists that I've ever heard. Chris always seemed to be searching and breaking new ground stylistically. Soft Dangerouse Shores continued this trend as he successfully blended the organic feel of blues and folk music with the coolness of techno pop. The end product is a very adult record with overt references to death, sex, & love. I had read Chris described this album as a collection of individual movies, seperate and distinct in the story they tell. This is as fine a description of the record that I could think of. However, the record was not immediatley appealing to me, as alot of Chris's music could be at first. Like all intelligent music some effort from the listener is required to discern it's virtue. The music on Soft Dangerous Shores is sometimes etherial and distorted, and conjures feelings of fear,lust,and longing. Chris Whitely was in a league of his own and I for one will miss his music, and feel lucky to have known the legacy he left behind."