The Whole Of The Moon - Drummers Perspective

[@paulyjones3966]

Always been and always will be a fan and as a drummer myself, this is just sheer joy

[@en3970]

Can I give more thumbs up? Goosebumps when the drumming starts. One of the best of the 80's. Plus great story, thank you.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

High praise - thanks so much.

[@robday3968]

That sneaky little roll at 3:30 is lush. Missed that one on the record.

[@SongWalker99]

Just found this.....Oh sheer Joy! I've loved this song for years, you're drum sound is still superb, love the precision of your "double hits" on the bass drum and sparsity of your fills, it lets the song work and breath. 11/10

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you so much.

[@Aleiuta75]

How does a drummer like Chris only have 1600 subscribers? the world has truly gone mad... a finesse, a musical support beyond all limits, refined and elegant, one of the most influential drummers for me ever... thanks for everything Chris!!!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you so much for the very kind words.

[@oulandos66]

Great feeling to hear your interpretation of this song 30+ years later. Thank you so much Chris.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@loveiseternity]

Guitarist here but this drum track is one of my all time favourite intros and grooves. Up with the all time great pop songs. Fairy dust on this track for sure ❤️

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@moiseslopez3324]

👏🏻👏🏻 finally I got to see how this beautiful song is played by the original drummer, one of my favorite drummer from the eighties, all the instruments sounds so cool not to mention that bass but frankly Chris sounds so unique those perfect fills made the song perfect I love to watch the vide and play along with my drums , and now I’m gonna play better now that I see Chris playing it🤟🏻 thank so much for the video

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@skrem23]

I was the music director for our college radio station in Minneapolis when "This is the Sea" was released, and having already been a Waterboys fan, I was excited to play songs from that album on our station. From the very first listen, "The Whole of the Moon" became one of my favorite songs of all time. Getting to see The Waterboys play it live back then was a highlight of my life, concert wise. Every time I hear this beautiful song, I feel like it's the first time, and I love it just as much as that first time.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

👍🏻

[@TerryMann-c1f]

I see why the producer made the drums so omnipresent. You move the whole song forward. I like seeing your blogs. They help me to understand a lot of things I take / took for granted.

[@jacktoddy9783]

Perfect groove - simple with soul and expression - I love this drum playing style. It is what is left out that makes it a masterpiece.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you so much

[@ezears]

Love this story on an all-time favorite single. Drum parts can really shape a song. Musically, that bit at 12:38 is one of my favorite parts of the song. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@paulyjones3966]

Beautiful....

[@danieltaylor4728]

A timeless song, such an amazing, solid groove. Mike Scott doesn’t strike me as an easy guy to work with.

[@MsCaleb79]

I believe Prince is still alive, but hiding somewhere. Nobody can die like he died. I hope he will reappear someday. Very nice video thanks

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@ariccardi21]

Hey Chris I just your performance in Basel with the Dire straits '92..My god! You were unbelievable! Even now same energy!

[@jaywyatt3584]

Just perfect. What a feel!! One of the best drummers we've had from the UK without question. Never over plays. Taste deluxe. Go on son!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

😁 Thanks

[@cosmic687]

great song great drums

[@barkingmad7407]

13:14 Uh-huh, with a whole lotta Oh-Yeah.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@dougfinlay7531]

Nice playing Chris! I always enjoy your solid playing with impeccable timing. Well done.

[@brudzool]

Commenters probably don't realise you played on the original.

[@carlosconesa]

Have a happy birthday tomorrow, Chris! 🎂

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@richardmatthews9413]

Tight as a Ducks underparts! 👏 🏆 Fantastic chief! 😎

[@timwingham8952]

The fills on this song are exquisite. Absolutely perfect for the song.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@temurgezaitov4177]

This is what drummer has to do , keeping the groove ! Less is more. Air!

[@rkancepolski]

My name is Roman , drummer from Argentina in Los Angeles, just want to say ; You are a master Chris!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

hi....thanks

[@antonchigurh4125]

Hearing this immediately transported me back to my youth (and all the forgotten memories came flooding back). Brilliant. This was such a big tune for me and my mates. Thanks for posting :)

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@hihat74]

Happy Birthday Chris!

[@markukeley2924]

Beautiful! Just saw interview on Produce Like A Pro. Rim shots! Cheers, mate! :) MU

[@ralphbarnett3322]

Your drumming is the spine of this amazing song that capticvated a generation. A timeless jewel!

[@damomendo8249]

As Punch would say... "That's the way to do it!". Chris, you are a great musician and have exquisite taste in your playing style. Big love ❤

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you very much

[@temurgezaitov4177]

My favourite drummer!

[@KeithJFisher]

“We were into Parliament, George Clinton, Funkadelic...” No wonder you were tapped for greatness :) Great story thanks so much!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

🤩

[@mladen2528]

Svaka čast Chris

[@julianpowell5752]

Thank you for sharing your story. You were the reason I started drumming in 1986 and I am still playing to this day it was your style and passion when you play that inspired me. Awesome chris cheers.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@gabrielecovottaformatore7877]

great sound 🔝🔝🔝🔝

[@RhayaderESP]

Thank you Chris. One of my favs.

[@Jeff-rh8mq]

Your tom sound live in Ottawa for OeS inspired me to play better! You killed it with your tom sound to me and play for the song!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@martinlawrence8427]

Thanks Chris….awesome!

[@MrJoDrumz2011]

Thank You, Chris, for the behind-the-scenes story. Love it. Hi! from the Philippines.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you

[@marksimpson2321]

Absolutely brilliant! How cool it must be to have had a career doing what you love AND to drum on a classic ! Ty for uploading your comments and your cover of yourself! :)

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks, much appreciated

[@tomk3420]

Great story about this timeless song! Beautiful drumming!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks Tom

[@shartmann2008]

I love this so much. Fiona has the same musicians passion for this delicious track.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@jonathanwhitbread7652]

Hey Chris, been a big fan of your’s since the McCartney/Dire Straits days. I’ve been trying to get the groove right for The Whole of the Moon, so hearing you talk about it and watching you play it again has been really helpful … Thanks for the channel … also great to see you playing Heavy Fuel again …

[@ErgoZona]

The greatest Chris Whitten , no one like him !

[@jarrahdrum]

So glad I’ve found this channel, actually via a Matt Chamberlin interview which led to looking for Edie Brickell, which mentioned your name recording at Rockfield . And I thought I have not heard of Chris Whitten for years, probably Rythym magazine or something. You know and Noble and Cooley drums , when everything was out of reach for me, Anyway I’m onboard now

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks!

[@thebeatlabmusic749]

Bravo!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

Thanks for posting this. I never got to see you with the Waterboys, but I did see you laying it down with McCartney at night 1 in Detroit in 1990. What a night that was!

[@pjlogan386]

Great Chris,fills are amazing,thanks for the story, pressure is most on us drummers in the studio.🇮🇪

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you 🙏

[@leighbakeruk]

So great ! You were an inspiration to my 17 year old self (I’m 50 now) after I saw you on the tube with julian cope. Then kept finding you on albums I liked that EB and waterboys. Ripped that fill off loads of times! Rock on

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks so much.

[@leighbakeruk]

I was watching the julian Cope tube session on KZbin literally yesterday again. That snare sound on Space Hopper is amazing still!

[@dandooney1312]

Absolutely class ! Thanks for sharing this Chris

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks!

[@davesmith5909]

Brilliant, and wow that Snare sounds amazing!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@StratsRUs]

Maybe your experience with Mike was awkward but I saw The Pagan Place gig, as well as The Tube performance , and at 15 years old I was in bliss.Fantastic Waterboys line up and a legendary sound.You played so great and the band did achieve so much.Thank you, Chris.You made my love of music so enjoyable.

[@sadsazzad12]

LOVE THE SINGLES FROM THE WATERBOYS!! BRING BACK SPECIAL MEMORY😍 LOVE THE DRUMMING PART TOO ITS UNBELIEVABLE & MAGICAL.😊😊

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

😁

[@chapoladummer]

you are an influence for me! i'm your fan !

[@LaVitaInSaletta]

Amazing sounds

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you

[@RoopDaddy86]

Awesome

[@robwilson8953]

Great story Chris. Thanks for sharing. Respect sir. 👌🙏🏻

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@paulEmotionalaudio]

Stunning….. I love this song, (part of my youth!!), and dearly miss being able to record great musicians.. you’re a machine Chris!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Very kind. Thanks

[@PaulBHartzog]

Always loved this song. I'm a drummer and the drums caught me right away. I don't think it was overplayed at all. Some sweet fills in there, fits the music just right. Great job ! And thanks for sharing the story !

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thank you very much

[@mydrumming]

Great video!!! I love all those drum parts and what a magic groove! arguably one if the best!!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@duchessoffunk4490]

Loved the story. Loved the song. Thank You Chris….loved this first time round (yep) so to hear it anew understanding the back story, means so much more now. Stay on the One 😉 🥁❤️ DoF 🙏🏼❤️ xx

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@Tommeehr]

Epic! Great in depth explanation what was going on at the time. And thank you John Darko for sharing the video!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yes, thanks John 🙏🏻

[@poxleno]

I use to live around the corner from the Pork Pie factory, kicking my self for not popping in.The drums sound really nice, heavy groove sir , I really enjoy your feel.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks so much

[@martijnwarren9779]

Love the backbeat feel on this performance. Great sounding pork pie kit too

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I got the Pork Pie kit cheap second hand. It does sound amazing!

[@ibassnote]

We’re only as good as our last gig. It’s a tough business for a thinking person. Is this what they want? Am I the right player? Should I play simple, or is this too simple? It can be excruciating, deep down we just want it to be right. But I’ll tell you friend, you became 25 years old the second you started playing. Solid, hard-punching time. Love it.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

So kind 🙏🏻

[@ibassnote]

I sub for Trevor in Lunasa a bit. Only much later did I understand the greatness of the Waterboys. Excellent company.

[@BM-ue4dt]

solid drumming!

[@teejay54666]

Hi Chris, Greetings from Australia! (I believe you lived out here for a few years). I first came across your drumming when you played live with Paul McCartney at Knebworth 1990. I was really impressed by your pocket and energy and I've taken inspiration from your style in my own playing. I've always been a huge Dire Straits fan, so I was really pleased to see you in the band line-up during the 1992 tour. 'On The Night' is a terrific recording and your partnership with Danny Cummings on percussion is brilliant. I've since seen you with The Dire Straits experience in Sydney, also a fantastic show! Your backstory and video demos of tracks you've played on a really informative and interesting. I hope to see more of them. One thing I wanted to ask about. There's a particular fill that you play in 'The Whole of the Moon' that I've always really liked and that I heard from you again during 'Comin' Up' with McCartney live at Knebworth. The fill sits at 12:38 during your demo video above and at 4:45 on the link from Knebworth here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYSvkKGAZ8lsqLM I've not heard it in other tracks, or from other drummers. Is that something you came up with yourself, or did you borrow it from another drummer? Anyway, looking forward to seeing more videos from you and hope to see you again live sometime, maybe with The DSE, if COVID ever permits touring overseas again! All the best! PS - I've also got a pair of GK Ultraphones. Absolutely the best isolation headphones on the market, in my opinion.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks.Yeah, it's just dividing a 4/4 bar into 3. So the fill is - 123,123,12 = 8 beats

[@billyhorton]

Thanks for the video Chris

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@peterjohnson1040]

Brilliant groove. Thanks for your inspiration Chris. Can you discuss your work with Julian Cope. I saw you at The Liverpool Riyal Court on the Saint Julian tour. Awesome drummer.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@SammyDurlockJr]

Excelent!!!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@barlypop]

Great stuff Chris, kit sounded fab 👍

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@andym28]

I was just admiring the pocket at the start of the song the other day. Sounds great. Check out gar Samuelson for good pocket.

[@mathewshaw2772]

Great Chris...Where are the Noble and Cooleys? Lovely playing mate.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

The black ones are in a previous video. The yellow Horizon are coming in a forthcoming video.

[@mathewshaw2772]

Very cool mate.

[@1973833]

Beautiful played.I love this song soo much,so uplifting,the sax solo is absolutely gorgeous.I watched the Killers live version,they killed it:)What are your thoughts about another great pop rock drummer from the same era,Neil Conti?I suppose maybe you know him personally.I really love his work with Prefab Sprout,another highly underrated band.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Neil is an all time favourite. I never met him and don’t know him. I think he moved to France?

[@1973833]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic I thought everybody knowed everyone back then in the community(UK),especially at that pro level drummers.Don´t know about him moving to France...just wanted to know your thoughts,thanks🙂

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@1973833 No I don’t usually hang out with drummers

[@vitorryvero]

I’m a DS/MK fan and an attempt of MK style guitar player!!! But i love waterboys and this music. I wonder Why 😀. This videos only add to the appreciation I already have for you. Keep them coming🙏

[@vitorryvero]

Ooh and happy birthday 🎂

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks so much

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

🙏🏻

[@johnfearon6115]

The Waterboys always seemed to support U2 in the 80s saw them 3 times and they were always supporting them its how I got into The Waterboys sure you played a red yamaha 9000. Did you tour with "The Teardrop Explodes" Chris in the early 80s seem to think I saw you with them ?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yes, red Yamaha. No, I worked a lot with Julian Cope, but that was after Teardrop Explodes.

[@johnfearon6115]

Is it true that David Bowie sang the backing vocals on "The whole of the moon" Chris ?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@johnfearon6115 Untrue. It sounds like Karl to me.

[@anthonylesurf7885]

Love that snare sound Chris, the hole kit sounds beautiful. So great to hear the back stories a bit of playing, looking forward to seeing the much more!*!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@anthonylesurf7885]

Chris, thanks again for loading up your videos, we all take away loads from them, i don't expect your tutorial on your 92 sultans of swing anytime soon, some performances are best left alone and appreciated. i wanted to ask you, what do you do with all your kits? do you store them and use them for different projects, mix and match or simply get sold on and always play new gear. Your noble Cooley 6 and 4 piece surely have to be keepers!? anyway, thanks for reading if you do. Regards, aNT Le Surf.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@anthonylesurf7885 I have kits in storage and use them on appropriate projects. I wouldn't play either of my N&C kits live as they are too precious to me. I really only have four kits now, 2 x N&C, the Pork Pie and a vintage Camco.

[@anthonylesurf7885]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic thanks for getting back to me, Im deeply pleased you cherish your noble and coolies, as a fellow drummer and a massive straits fan, what an epic opportunity to play in that band, with Marks style and the material with such power and groove, I've never tired from the on every street album and the whole period you played with them. Supper cool you still have the kits, it proves you love the music as much as we do as fans. really cool chris! and thanks again for your responses :).

[@tonymack66]

Chris, can you do a drummer's perspective for 'Reynard The Fox', which you fantastically played on Copey's 'Fried' album?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

That would be a big ask….so long ago!

[@HEREONOUTBAILEY]

Great videos, Chris! I can't help but think Tom Odell has been massively influenced by the song. Happy birthday, I hope you have a nice day :D

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@OliverKnieps]

Another great video!! Thanks for the insights of the production and the great performance video!! Exactly what we need to see in times like these!! Chris, this may be a bit-off topic, but can you do a video about "What I Am" by Edie Brickell? I constantly get back practicing the drum part... and it still makes me sweatin´ bullets! ;-) That would be such a great thing to see you talking about this great track and watching you perform it! It's really one of the greatest drum performances I know of!!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks. Yes, no problem making that video.

[@GaryGrace-pl6si]

👍

[@ealingschoolofdrums3692]

Chris, did you study Classical percussion at College ? Such a great drummer, Just the way you played C Moon with Paul and Linda. Just brilliant.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Yes, I played in youth orchestras from about 12 years old

[@ealingschoolofdrums3692]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic Thank you :)

[@AsylumReading]

Hi Chris. Did you play along with the original drum machine part when you tracked the song or just a click?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I'm sure it was the machine drum (Linn?)

[@AsylumReading]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic Wow! it must have sounded weird with just a Linn Drum on the track. Love your drumming and I'm sure I'm not the only drummer who air drums that last tom fill everytime!! Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@AsylumReading No problem

[@stefanmadru4438]

Excellent, as usual. Great story and even better drumming. Can I ask, how did you record it, did you mute the drum track and then played the exact part as 30 years ago, or did you just record it on top of the original track, which would be uncanny and a masterclass in precision and synchronization? It probably is a silly question but it's been bugging me.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I couldn't remove the original drums, so I just mixed my new drums a bit louder. Yes, that was the hardest part, repeating what I played over 30 years ago.

[@stefanmadru4438]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic Well then, hats off. As I said, uncanny precision, very well done.

[@ericgardner5548]

The fills were perfect on the original.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@derekpink]

Locked solid in the pocket. Hard to teach feel like that.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks so much.

[@marksimpson2321]

Just a question having listened to this anazing track again and the background. Wouldht it have been easier to listen to your original track and write out the drum music for it then just play along to that? That way you'd only have to listen once or twice. Of c, if you can't sight read my suggestion is silly. No offence meant I just started wondering.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I haven't been able to eliminate the original drums from the backing track, so had to match the fills exactly. They also represent a part of the history of the track. I could have written out the parts, but I don't think people want to watch a video of someone reading a drum chart.

[@TerryMann-v1x]

Funny how it carries the song along.

[@franciscotorres8820]

Any reason why the spoken intro was removed?

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

After Karl died I just didn't feel like any more conflict was needed.

[@nickdryad]

A drummer without a driving licence, who actually made it. That is remarkable. lol

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

'twas a bit of a nightmare I have to say. I passed my driving test in 1989, aged 30.

[@Aleiuta75]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/boWyf2aGhLeFerM Master Chris at work 39 years a go.....what a awesome drummer!!!!!

[@TerryMann-v1x]

Weird how you tastefully drive the whole track.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@TerryMann-v1x Weird?

[@TerryMann-c1f]

@@ChrisWhittenMusic The producer used your track to move the whole thing forward.

[@jamesliguori8783]

Loved this track

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks