at a glance...

Hometown: Orange County, CA
First Recordings: circa 1992

Personnel:
Jeff Buckley
Mick Grondahl
Matt Johnson
Michael Tighe
Gary Lucas

Related artists:
The Seedy Arkestra

Notes:
Jeff Buckley was an enigma whose soul burned through his music. A soul that reached and passionately kissed millions around the world. A burning soul that was also snuffed out way before its time. Jeff Buckley was found drowned in the Mississippi river on June 4th 1997. Grace would be the only full length studio album we would have of his brilliance. Buckley, the only son of legendary sixties folk singer Tim Buckley, who also died tragically at an early age, took a chance trying to make a name for himself in the music industry. Amidst constant critical comparisons to his estranged father, Buckley always felt his approach to music was always his own - and it was. He moved to New York after failed musical attempts in Los Angeles where he quickly gained notoriety for his incredible virtuosity as a singer and songwriter. The control Buckley expressed in his singing is virtually unparalleled in rock music. With a voice that could do cartwheels around Robert Plant and gusto that could walk the walk with Aretha, his career was beginning to soar. Everybody that saw him perform was mesmerized. Everyone wanted an album. So Buckley along with Gary Lucas from Captain Beefhart and Gods and Monsters fame went into record demos of "Grace", the title track, and "Mojo Pin," the albums dreamy opener. Gary and Buckley would later have an amicable split and Buckley would eventually sign with Columbia, hire some like-minded musicians and record Grace, his greatest achievement put on tape. Other posthumously released albums include, Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk, and Mystery White Boy.

Yes, Grace is the definitive Jeff Buckley album. It all begins as "Mojo Pin" creeps into the air with swirling ambient guitars and Buckley's angelic, breathy vibrato seduces the listener and cascades over the odd time signature. Before the first minute of this album is over, you're enveloped in the most ethereal and achingly lovelorn album to come out in the past decade. "Grace" is one of the darker, moodier songs on the album. With Gary Lucas making a special appearance on guitar, this song marks Buckley's penchant for writing and singing about death and sorrow: "And the rain is falling/and I believe my time has come/it reminds me of the pain I might leave behind." The third song on the album,"Last Goodbye," was Buckley's only US single for Grace and even though it's the obligatory power love ballad on the album, it's damn good. Backed by acoustic guitars, Mike Johnson's solid drumming and some lush violins toward the end, it reminds you of that last time you left your lovers house knowing you could never go back no matter how badly you wanted to.

Every song on Grace touches you this way. The fourth song, "Lilac Wine," is a stunning achievement by Buckley as he plays troubadour and croons out an old James Shelton song. This is only upstaged by Buckley's emotionally jarring version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." As tender as the heart that broke to write this song, he confesses to us: "Well maybe there's a God above/but all I've ever learned from love-was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya." Jeff Buckley surprises you over and over again on this record. He can be as edgy and loud as old Zeppelin on "Eternal Life," and make you feel more emotionally naked than during your first sexual experience on "Lover, You Should've Come Over."

Jeff Buckley was a musical tidal wave. As a person and performer he left his fans feeling like his personal friends awash in romance and intrigue, a connection very few artists ever give to their audience. His extreme intensity and emotional sincerity make Grace what it is - a flourishing achievement in every conceivable way. Steal this album.

If you like Jeff Buckley, check out:
Jeff Buckley Mystery White Boy
Radiohead The Bends
Sunny Day Real Estate How It Feels To Be Something On
Tim Buckley Happy Sad