Hometown: Orange County, CA
First recordings: circa 1992

Personnel:
Jeff Buckley -guitar, vocals
Michael Tighe -guitar
Matt Johnson -drums, percussion
Mick Grondahl -bass

Bands In The Family:
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.

Some people use music as a tool to feel happy. Others use it as an instrument of sorrow. Yet there are some who use music as a way to feel whole. It's through music and nothing else that they're able to feel completely human. We found such a person in Jeff Buckley. Over the years, we listened to him pour out songs with such intensity and integrity that they, along with his tragic legacy, invariably induced tears.

What we have now are the memories, nicely sorted and packaged for Mystery White Boy, a 12-song compilation of live Buckley performances from venues around the world. The album includes classics such as "Mojo Pin" and "Grace," but is also heavily interspersed with unreleased recordings like the transcendental "I Woke Up In A Strange Place," and a cover of Big Star's sadly beautiful "Kanga Roo."

Each song has been hand-selected by the existing band members for its outstanding artistry - an understatement for songs that melt into cries before dissapearing completely. Mystery White Boy is quintessential Jeff Buckley. As he softly sings the final track, "Hallellujah/I Know It's Over (Medley)," it's hard not to feel an ache. Maybe not because we knew him, but because we didn't completely until now, and that makes us miss him all the more.

If you like Tori Amos, check out:
Jeff Buckley Grace
Jeff Buckley Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk
Tori Amos Boys For Pele
Depheche Mode Violator
The Doors Strange Days

-- Johanna Ravich