The Story Behind 'What I Am'.

[@zigwil153]

One of the most recognizable songs ever made... the laid-back shufflin' groove, her voice, the best auto-wah solo EVER... Congrats on being part of music history!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@brians898]

sounds like Jerry Garcia took hold during the solo. Great tune, great drumming, great video!

[@zigwil153]

@@brians898 def Jerry there.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@brians898 Thank you

[@PhpGtr]

holy cow! I was just listening to this album again. I LOVE the drumming on both records.

[@earldrum]

Chris, that song put your drumming on my map! Thanks for sharing how this song was made. It sounded like you played it a one time! Amazing drumming on that album! It’s still a favorite of mine! 👍🏻🥁

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@TerryMann-v1x]

It never occurred to me that you were such a knowledgable student of music. It's amazing to hear you disect parts.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@TerryMann-v1x Well I studied at music college for four years.

[@peterkaufmann4855]

I can't believe it! I've loved the drum part for this song all my life and had no clue who the drummer was. I thought it was Brandon Aly up until now!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@leighbakeruk]

I nearly requested you do this one as was listening to the album yesterday. Love the hi hat part at the beginning of the song.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks 😊

[@victordusovic758]

This is great and perfect timing for me as I am playing this song with a new band next week! Thanks for breaking it down…nice job!

[@MrH77]

Sounded great through my headphones.

[@themiscelettobros.]

Great video, great story, great playing!

[@OliverKnieps]

Chris, THANK YOU!!! I´ve been asking for this video recently, thanks for taking your time to show us this groove! This just made my day! I have a transcription of the drum part and found this groove quite tricky to play, especially the HH pattern, the open HH´s notes with the doubles on the kick....phewwww... you know to get that into "pocket"... Thanks for all the insights and the groove demonstration! Never thought that this was overdubbed, if only for engineering reasons. This song is such a timeless classic, can't believe it's been almost 34 years! This is simply an amazing piece of drumming you can be really proud of!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

So kind! Thank you.

[@douglasmackenzie5265]

I really enjoyed hearing the backstory of this particular recording session. For those of us who are hobbyists and never been in a recording studio, it's interesting to learn how drum parts for songs evolve and eventually come together on the final recording. I would think it would be challenging to have to record the drums and cymbals separately since this is unlike how we as drummers are used to playing live. I hope you do more of these videos in the future.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks. Planning more videos, but it's time consuming.

[@annoncesboncoin1681]

My favorite drummer since P. MC Cartney, Dire straits, J J Goldman, abc etc ...

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@mikemaroney6688]

Thanks so much Chris for breaking this groove down. I love your playing on this album.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yer welcome 🙂

[@dominicbugattiofficial]

Great groove and playing!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@Owl4Hagrid]

Thanks mate for the story. Great groves. Brilliant album!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks!

[@mattbade2001]

Adored these drums since 1988! Thanks for the metadata behind the great groove. 🙏🏼

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@mattbade2001]

Wish an instructional video with backstory existed for every song I love. So thorough. My band is learning this today.

[@danhertlein4540]

Thanks Chris. I also was a huge Lenny White fan and RTF and it was very interesting to hear how you integrated Lenny's Sorcerous part. Drums sound great. Love those PP's!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@jarrahdrum]

I really like your no nonsense, uncluttered, clean and musical approach

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@juana.sanchezvazquez7009]

Thank hoy Chris for your sound!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@dannyboy7715]

I had no idea the high hat pattern was this! Another piece of craftsmanship Mr W!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@robertstrobel7237]

Super.

[@Fededrum71]

Chris thank you for sharing this

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

A pleasure

[@michelecriscimanna7716]

Amazing Chris!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks 🙂

[@michelecriscimanna7716]

♥️

[@cacho100]

Good story! I imagine a lot of drummers trying to replicate the rhythm coming up with different ideas about how to perform/reach the last note of that 8th note stroke roll in unison snare/hihat completly unaware of the request of the soundman or/and producer (which to me was quite bizarre) Good solid playing, and all the rest too!

[@yannyloyer7177]

wow ! never thought those were rec separately. inter story. great drummer mr whitten

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@bradroulston5729]

Awesome mate…great video

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks Brad, much appreciated.

[@HAL-kt2rp]

Great Story of drum composition and amazing camera and editing work. Thank you Chris !

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks so much

[@HEREONOUTBAILEY]

Nice production, Chris!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Like the Purdy Shuffle...this one is a real purty shuffle ❤

[@Player-125]

I love this kind of content, the studio stories. Any thought of doing videos on the other tunes you played on for the sessions for Shooting Rubberbands? Great drumming.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yeah, it just takes me time to get around to shooting the videos.

[@kaybeehymumf1355]

Chris' tom sound has always been legendary. Also sounded like a bit of a nod to Rosanna by Toto

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you

[@alanunseld4942]

cool fills i never knew you played on that song

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yep, the whole album. Thanks.

[@alanunseld4942]

i remember you touring with sir paul in 1990 👍

[@black-and-light]

Great, Chris!

[@PaulinaAngel]

This is so amazing, any chance in doing other Edie songs you played on, like Little Miss S or Love Like We Do?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I was thinking of doing 'Keep Coming back'

[@alessandrosannadrumsschool3684]

Bravo il mio collega ♥️♥️

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@nickdryad]

I'd love to hear what you think about other drummers like Phil Collins, Sheila E, Stewart Copland etc

[@annoncesboncoin1681]

Hello Chris, is it you on the video of ABC "look of love", walking on the bridge with hands in pockets ?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

No, that's the amazing David Palmer

[@annoncesboncoin1681]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic Thanks Chris

[@CrimeScene2Courtroom]

We need some Heavy Fuel 👌🏻

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

It’s so simple, nothing out of the ordinary though.

[@coina-dig-tion6322]

cool story. would they handle that problem with the symbols differently today? I play e-drums but maybe those weren't around yet in the 60s or just not desirable.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Late 80’s!!! You wouldn’t play e-cymbals on a major label album, even now.

[@annoncesboncoin1681]

Question Chris : Why did you play sometimes with gloves ? ( Like you did On every streets tour for exemple) . Thank you Chris

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Only on the DS tour. Very long show and very hot

[@joeabrams]

Rest in PEACE mastah JOHN BRADLEY HOUSER

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Oh no???

[@prhmusic]

I came to your video from a video about the guitar solo and pitching it as a possibility for being added to the setlist for the band that I play drums in. This is the video about the guitar solo kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKKuiGSKidBmj9ksi=1o9ZREdYWpuUQAdF This is a video where we played with a female vocalist that I was hoping would sit in with us to play "WhatI Am" - I would hope that I would be able to make you not cringe if we do cover it someday in the future! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6fOkKCHZcR2oqssi=gYdSlsuAN9HqpNjR

[@drumitify]

So the record producer decides who should play drums on the whole album? Really? Even though Chris thought the drummer was a good player?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Usually, although they sometimes have to persuade the song writer and band leader it is for the best.

[@fishfood300]

I'm surprised the band together with the drummer didn't say get lost mate. Would have still been a bit if you didn't play on it. No offense but yeah nah not cool

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

The band sided with the producer

[@novadrums]

Amazing Chris!!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks!