Jeff BuckleyCountry of origin:U.S. Type of music generally:Beautiful & fierce alternative pop, contemporary folk and folk/rock drawn from evocative/eclectic sources, including torch songs. Status:Died on May 29, 1997, in an accidental drowning at the age of 30. Most recent posthumous release, You and I (2016); various compilations, live releases, rarities, etc., have appeared. See also:The Official Jeff Buckley site Comparisons:He brings to bear a far wider array of influences than any other artist as firmly grounded in the rock context: Edith Piaf, Robert Plant, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Diamanda Galas, Billie Holiday, Prince, Jane Siberry, Nusrat Fateh Ali-Khan, and on and on and on. He covers Alex Chilton, Nina Simone, and Benjamin Britten, and does Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" so it stays done.... (lissener@wwa.com) Covers/own material:Writes his own, some covers General comments:Jeff was heavily influenced by the great female jazz vocalists like Nina Simone and Edith Piaf. His music was an entirely unique blending of bombastic, operatic rock and smoky champagne jazz. Recommended first album:Grace Recordings:See The Official Jeff Buckley site for a complete discography
Live at the Sin-E (ep)Release info:1993—Columbia Records—44K 77296) Availability:Somewhat difficult, but most good record stores will have it. Can order as an import online Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans Group members:Jeff Buckley—voice and guitar Comments:i thought live at sin-e ep was pretty tedious. (woj@smoe.org) GraceRelease info:1994—Columbia Records (Sony)—CK 57528 Availability:Widely available Ecto priority:Essential—a must buy Group members:Jeff Buckley—voice, guitars, harmonium, organ, dulcimer, additional tabla on"Dream Brother" Guest artists:Mick Grondahl—bass Produced by:Andy Wallace Comments:Sublime. Edith Piaf meets Robert Plant, with shades of Kate, Mary Margaret, Nusrat, and Diamanda. Jeff Buckley is one of my mostest favoritest recent developments on this planet (and not just because he's such a dreamboat [throb]). Grace is one of the most impressive debut albums ever. Everevereverever; it's right up there with The Kick Inside. And then, on top of all of that, he _r_o_c_k_s___o_u_t_. Lifetime top ten. Top five, easy. (lissener@wwa.com) Sketches (For My Sweetheart, the Drunk)Release info:1998—Columbia Records—C2K 67228 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Produced by:Tom Verlaine, Nicholas Hill Comments:This is the best album of 1998. Easily. It's a double-cd posthumous release, but no mixing, producing, or voiceovers were done posthumously. The music is exactly how Buckley left it. Therefore, it's a fascinating journey into an artist's mind, a musical documentary of sorts. The first album was the nearly completed material. They all have an urgent, demo-sort of quality that leaves you feeling overwrought with emotion. The vocals are superb, the rock is gritty and raw, and the lyrics are heartbreaking and prescient (like "Nightmares by the Sea", which contains the lyric "Wait for me / Under these waves"). The second CD is even better. Most of it is very unfinished, but this makes it fascinating and raw. "Jewel Box" the horny "Your Flex is so Nice"—tracks recorded solo by Jeff on his four-track at home—are compelling and urgent. Still, I've never heard anything as relentlessly moving and beautiful as the final track. Called "Satisfied Mind," the six-minute gem was played at Buckley's funeral. It's the best testament yet at what the music world lost with Buckley's death, and the entire double-CD displays his loads of talent very well. (miazgama@pilot.msu.edu) Mystery White Boy: Live '95-'96Release info:2000—Columbia Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for Jeff Buckley fans Group members:Jeff Buckley—guitar, vocals Guest artists:Mick Grondahl—bass Produced by:Mary Guibert and Michael Tighe Comments:i wonder why they chose some of the versions of the songs they put on here, but i'm glad the album was released. and while i wasn't thrilled with the version of 'woke up in a strange place' (he's fubbing the lyrics repeatedly. i mean, c'mon...), the version of 'what will you say' is Perfect. the guitar is just stunning. and if nothing else, the album shows that besides just a really great voice, jeff was an amazing guitar player as well. i look forward to the coming live releases. (sketches@earthlink.net) Further info:Jeff's father, Tim Buckley, was a folky recording artist in the late seventies. He died at a young age like his son, and Jeff barely knew him. Thanks to Mark Miazga for work on this entry.
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