Description
धृति Dhriti – Sanskrit for determination, perseverance, patience
I broke my ankle in February, 2025 and the enforced rest, staying off my right foot, was the pause that inspired me to make this album. Drawing on old blues and gospel the theme of perseverance emerged. The result is 12 tracks – seven originals, four classics that speak urgently to today, and one co-write with Eve Goldberg – recorded at Casa Wroxton Studio in Toronto with engineer Nik Tjelios. Keeping going in these troubled times is an expression of powerful determination and survival, tempered by the recognition of earthly transience.
I sing and play acoustic guitar, resophonic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, Hammond organ, piano, mandola, mandocello, harmonica, string bass, electric bass, and washboard across the 12 tracks – joined by a cast of trusted collaborators including vocalist Ciceal Levy, drummer Bucky Berger, my brother Chris Whiteley on harmonica and cornet, and string bassist Gord Mowat. Also joining me is the late Betty Richardson on Reaching Higher and Pat Patrick with co-writer Eve Goldberg on At The End Of The Day.
I draw on my experience watching Mississippi blues great Bukka White (Aberdeen), my early jug band blues days (Going To German), listening to Appalachian banjoist Frank Proffitt (Everybody’s Got To Be Tried) and years making music with Chicago blues piano great Blind John Davis (Pallet On Your Floor). There’s also my first recorded solo guitar instrumental with Benny Goodman’s A Smooth One. The 8 original songs convey a range of powerful emotions and thoughts but ultimately come back to the idea of perseverance. Wherever we are on our journey may we have the patience to rest and reflect when we need to, the firmness of resolve to continue towards our goals and the “dhriti” to keep going.
Song list
Everybody’s Got to Be Tried 3:45 by Ken Whiteley
Aberdeen 4:01 by Bukka White
Keep Going 4:44 by Ken Whiteley
A Smooth One 3:10 by Benny Goodman
Going to German 5:21 by pd, adapt/arr. Ken Whiteley
I Dreamed Last Night 3:44 by Ken Whiteley
I’ll Just Say I’m Fine 2:27 by Ken Whiteley
Reaching Higher 3:33 by Ken Whiteley
It’s Not Over Yet 4:21 by Ken Whiteley
Pallet on Your Floor 4:52 by Ken Whiteley
I Said Goodbye 5:45 by Ken Whiteley
At The End of the Day 2:48 by Ken Whiteley & Eve Goldberg
