 "That wondrous voice" | 2009-10-13 |
| - Reviewed By jpcii |
The first thing that hit me is the voice. It's transcendent in its beauty and range. Even long wandering notes can hold me transfixed, amazed at the sheer wonder of it. As time goes on and the content starts to seep in, I begin to find myself dissatisfied with the songs themselves, like "Mojo Pin's" shift from soft melody to jarring loudness, a technique that can be dramatic but here just falls flat or "Grace's" harmonies that just don't hold up against Buckley's solo voice and music that sounds almost like early ELP with Greg Lake strumming away amidst a lot of other distractions. But regardless of these flaws, that voice keeps drawing my back in for multiple listenings of songs that might normally find a quiet place on the shelf. And there are wonderful songs here, like "So Real" where the move from gentle to forceful is much more organic than on "Grace," or my favorite Cohen interpretation ever "Hallelujah" where Buckley takes a simply wonderful song and makes it something unforgettable. Buckley's talent cannot be denied and the idea that this was just the beginning is tragic. GRACE is not perfect, but it is wonderful in its own special way.
An aside to fellow fans of Cohen's "Hallelujah": If you know of a version that is on par with Buckley's incredible interpretation (or just intriguing in its own way, drop me a line. I`ve heard a number of different takes, but Buckley's remains, by far, my favorite.
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 "My Favorite CD Of All Time" | 2009-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2Y0MOYTICL2GZ |
Ethereal, haunting, beautiful, grace-infused.....almost spiritual. Those are the words I would use to describe Jeff Buckley's music.
I still remember the very first time I heard Jeff Buckley.... I literally stopped in my tracks because I was so transfixed by his voice and his music. "Grace" is an absolute masterpiece: each of the 10 songs is flawless. I've worn out 2 copies of this CD and now have purchased my 3rd copy.
The ONLY negative thing I have to say about Buckley is that his star burned out way too soon due to his untimely death.... this one perfect diamond is all we'll ever have (other than the unfinished "sketches" which came later, and varioius live EP's, etc.)
Do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of "Grace". You'll be transported. |
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| "Jeff Buckley Changed My Life!!" | 2009-10-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1J3UVSRFUBUB3 |
Have you ever been so inspired by someone, a song, event, place, performance and you couldn't explain it? Well that is exactly what happened to me the first weekend of Aug. of 2008.
I was online looking up some Leonard Cohen music to add to my ipod I went to [...] to see what I could find.
I typed in his name and a video of him performing Hallelujah came on. I had no idea that it was a Leonard Cohen song, I had always thought it was a Jeff Buckley song. I clicked on it, and had a chuckle it was a cheesy 70's performance but a beautiful song nonetheless.
Then I saw a video of Jeff Buckley performing Hallelujah live in Japan.
So I clicked on it an in that instant my life had changed. There is only him on the stage w/ his guitar and a mic.~ wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt (that is now so familiar of him wearing in his performances). The minute he opened his mouth to sing, I absolutely died. I had never heard anything like his voice before and I doubt I will ever again.
I just sat in my chair hypnotized by him, his voice which could've only been given to him as a gift personally from the angels in Heaven. Every note he sang and every chord he played on his guitar just washed over me. Everything about him permiated me. His voice, a voice from the angels ( a true belssing) his guitar playing his fingers playing each note just washed over me. I let the whole performamce so simple, passionate and pure washover me.
I had no idea what was happening to me. I had never been affected by anyone's music in my life EVER!! Each time I watched the video I took it all in, let it sink in. With each note sung with a voice which held tidal waves of vocal acrobatic bliss a fire was lit inside of me.
Something, a feeling, a connection, a hunger a need had been unearthed from the deepest reccess of my soul. In that moment his voice reached my ears it all exploded in a visceral fire bomb in my veins.
Create, create, create is now all I want to do. Any way possible~ dance, sing, paint, draw anything to feed this monster that he and his music that has uncaged inside of me.
After watching the video of that life changing performance for about the 10th time, (His face, mouth, fingers, eyes.
) I had to find out WHO was/ is this man who posessed such a soul stealing, heart rushing voice?
Who is the man who can sing in such a way to affect me like this??
What I didn't understand was why? Is this affecting me now?? I had heard him sing Hallelujah many times, and ofcourse I loved it and I had/have it on my ipod.
I had always known who he was, I remember when he passed away. I was 18 or 17 and I saw it on MTV news. I thought it was sad and a loss of such great talent but it didn't really affect me beyond that.
Fastforward 11 years and now a song I had heard tons of times by a man who I knew of already had gotten under my skin.
Why and how could this affect me so deeply, now in my life??
I couldn't explain it?? What happened to me. How hungry I felt, how blessed I was to have found him and that particular performance. How uncomfortable and amazed I was that he had been able to reach me so many years after his passing (via youtube no less).
For a week afterwards i had been trying to figure out what was going on inside of me? How can I put it into words? How can I describe Jeff Buckley and his music to anyone?? I couldn't even do it in my own mind to myself.
Words started flashing in my mind to describe him-
Talented yes. Passionate yes. Beautiful yes. Blessed yes. Gifted yes. But these words were all too common to describe someone as uncommon and extraordinary as Jeff Buckley.
I had no way to pinpoint the words to describe what he stirred inside of me w/ his fierce ability to stand on a stage by himself and give so much of himself through just one performace.
Again words were flashing through my mind about how I was feeling~
Excited yes. Hungry yes. Amazed yes. But again words all too common to describe such unexplainable feelings that I hadn't felt in years.
I couldn't really think rationalize it in my mind, heart or soul until I started to think about how much music meant/means to me. This is the only explanation that I have been comfortable to give myself as well as others and I hope it is as clear to you as it is to me.
Music like like water to me, I need it to survive in no way am I musically inclined.
I But I love music, I have it in my life everyday like I said I need it to survive.
And do know the water in the Alps?? Or the water deep in the glaciers??
The water so pure, so sweet, so delicious? That is Jeff Buckley to me.
Jeff Buckley is the purest, sweetest, crispest water in nature The water so high in the mountains that no one can even imagine climbing that high to try and taste it
Jeff Buckley- his talent his everything is the water that is so deep in the glaciers that you or I or anyone else couldn't even begin to dig deep enough to reach its purity.
He is the water in nature that is so high up or deep down it is untouchable.
Jeff Buckley is the best water in the world!
***Yes I am quite aware of the irony of this post*** |
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| "Just Lovely" | 2009-08-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2BBJRZJM5X0KB |
I heard Hallulujah years ago when I saw the German movie "The Edukators." I was in search of the song for a long time, and it was not available until recently as a downloadable song after it was sung by an American Idol contestant.
What can I say? The album is just beautiful. |
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| "Greatest album ever recorded" | 2009-06-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1JSMDKBOCL1UB |
| Jeff Buckley's "Grace" is, in fact, the best album ever recorded. It's moving, emotional, authentic, and turned my religion into Jeff Buckley. I've never in my life felt so strongly about an album. Sure, there are plenty of great albums that you can listen to without skipping over a song, and you can listen to them a million times without ever growing tired of them. But none evoke the kinds of feelings that "Grace" does. Listening to this album is like being in a perfect, alternate reality where everything is in it's right place, and nothing can go wrong. Not only is Buckley's songwriting at it's absolute best, his vocals are unmatched by anyone, ever. "Grace" is, in fact, the best album ever recorded. |
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| "Almost too beautiful to listen to" | 2009-06-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1AB92J2UYW83 |
| In my 10 desert island discs, this would be number 1....this man was an angel sent from heaven to give us "Grace". You simply can not listen to the song "Hallelujah" without being completely shattered and blown away. The single most beautiful song I've ever heard and I've been listening to music for over 45 years......forget about 5 stars, this album represents 50 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greatest male singer ever........ |
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