|
A talent, but no match for his father, Tim Buckley, who simply has to be heard to be believed.
I just don't know what album bumps this out of the top 5. Despite a short-lived life and career, this young man was one of the great musicians (and performers) in modern times.
He left behind quite an impression in the music world that will be greatly missed. The thing that astonished me was his voice. I had a promo CD of various live performances Jeff did while in New York. If you've never heard of Jeff Buckley please get a copy of his debut album and also the album he was working on when he died called Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk. I also felt a deep sense that he wasn't going to be around long either. This crap on the radio nowadays is absolutely horrible.
After listening to the promo I wondered if he would ever be signed to a major label or just be a cult musician like Scott Walker and a few others. His musicianship was nothing to sneeze at either. A few years passed and I was in Los Angeles driving up the coast to San Francisco when I heard a chime of guitars and a throbbing bass and a familiar voice. It was Buckley and the song was the " Last Goodbye ". I had the great fortune of being hip to Jeff Buckley in the early 90's before Grace was released. From the mountains to the desert to seaside resorts the music was hypnotic and poignant. I wanted to know more about Buckley but the few interviews he gave, I found him to be cryptic and even a touch melancholic.
But, with that being said, let me just say the songs " Last Goodbye, Lilac Wine, So Real, Lover Should Have Come Over and a the remake of Leonard Cohen's Halleljah" are the best songs on this album. It's a damn shame that Jeff is no longer with us. I wasn't disappointed. I never heard a male voice that carried so much weight and at times was as light as a feather. He was a geniune singer/songwriter/musician.
I must admit that when I got to Frisco I found a record store and purchased Grace. In fact, that was the only CD I played during my travels around California. There will never be another American male artist of his caliber again. There is nothing more I can say about this man without getting depressed myself.
Over ten years later, now close to 40, I continue to be brought to near-tears by the emotion and tragedy of Jeff's short life. Probably around 1999, my sister introduced me to this album. Perhaps not others' taste, but Jeff's achingly sensual vocals in 'Hallelujah' had me at the first verse. If I could have chosen to see one of my contemporaries in concert, it would have been Jeff. May he rest in peace.
I bought this from moviemars used.I have no complaints it was in excellent condition.Best version of Hallelujah I have ever heard.
|
