Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)
March 11, 2008 · Print This Article
Last week, when Jason Castro sang “Hallelujah” on American Idol, I was astounded by the beauty of his performance, but also inspired by the beauty of the song. Frankly, the whole thing was a little raw compared to what Idol normally serves up. Fortunately, I have a huge appetite for music: I like it raw, rugged, processed, whatever. I’m a junkie.
I knew I’d heard the song before, and I was surprised that the singer didn’t come to mind immediately, because I’m a walking music encyclopedia. So, when Simon let it slip that the song was by Jeff Buckley, a bell went off in my head. “Hey, that’s my friend Jaden’s favorite singer!” Despite that fact that Buckley is so beloved by my good friend, I really haven’t been exposed to much of his music, so I hopped online and read about him. It turns out that the song Jason Castro performed, “Hallelujah,” was actually a Leonard Cohen original, but I was intrigued by Buckley’s biography, and what the critics had to say about him. I listened to a snippet of Cohen’s version and a snippet of Buckley’s and determined that Buckley’s was the one I was familiar with, and the artist I wanted to explore in greater depth.
Nowadays, we live in a 99ยข song culture. Over the last few years, it’s been rare for me to purchase an entire album versus just downloading a song or two. But I splurged because Buckley seemed worth it. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Grace
Buckley gave us music that manages to be classy yet unclassifiable, for this album defies genre or label. Is it rock? Folk? Classical? I’d say it’s musical magic, but that’s too cheesy a description for work of this caliber. Buckley makes an electric guitar sound like an angel’s harp and it’s heartbreaking that we lost this young artist, who surely would have filled our ears with his sweet refrains for years to come. I will continue to listen to this album and hope that Jeff Buckley’s music reaches out and inspires a new generation of songsters, and I’m grateful that Idol (however lame you think that show is) has brought attention to Jeff Buckley and his awe-inspiring work.
content rss
This was a fun one so feel free to try it. Oh and try dancing on a bar sometimes too....
Favorite album of all time! GRACE.
I was so sad when he died while recording his second album. One of the worst and earliest losses of a musical genius.
If you enjoy Jeff’s voice and music (despite Hallelujah being penned by Leonard Cohen), try listening to his dad, Tim’s songs.
The album ‘Sefronia’ — and particularly the song ‘Dolphins’ — is one of my favourites, so beautiful it makes your spirit soar. Do check it out.
Neither father nor son are with us any longer, but their soul searching lyrics and haunting melodies linger on for us to enjoy;-)
@Jaden, I completely agree.
@Layne, I’ll have to look for some music by Jeff’s dad. I’m grateful that music can live on, though sad that we’ve lost so many incredible musicians.
Buckley does a great job with the song. Cohen is a brilliant songwriter, though. The song is amazing.
@Scott, I completely agree. It’s an enchanting piece of music.
And I don’t know if you are/were a “West Wing” fan, but they used that song in a scene in the show once and it fit so perfectly. It only enhances the song in my mind.
I absolutely love the song Hallelujah. I must admit, I’m more a fan of Leonard Cohen’s songwriting, than of his singing. Melissa, I too really liked Idol, Jason Castro’s version. He did a very good job.
There have been quite a few artists who have covered this song, and even though I had heard how great Jeff Buckley’s version was, I heard it for the first time tonight and it is quite a mesmerizing and haunting version that he gives indeed. Out of many different versions, I have heard from many that their favorite was Jeff Buckley’s version as well.
I was also a bit taken aback seeing your pic up above of Jeff Buckley’s music cover….its eerie how he looks like actor Heath Ledger I find.
Even though I wasen’t what you would call familiar with Tim Buckley’s music (Jeff’s dad), one song that I did hear and is quite a pretty song as well is called, Song to the Siren. It so happens to be used in Heath Ledger’s small indie film, Candy. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.
A few other Hallelujah versions I really like as well is by Rufus Wainwright, World Idol singer Kurt Nilsen who is accompanied by 2 other sings on the song, and K.D. Lang also gives a nice version. Take a listen for yourself and see what you think:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mmbQEQltOwM
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NEU6Xf7lM&feature=related
Hope its OK for me to post the youtube vids here.
@Scott, I think I saw one episode of West Wing, and just didn’t take to it. I’m a huge fan of Law and Order, and more recently, Without a Trace.
@Jan, Interesting to see those other performances of Hallelujah. I think Buckley does it best though. I’ll definitely look into Tim Buckley some more (when I have time). Actually, I’d like to explore more of Leonard Cohen’s work as well. Thanks for sharing those links!
A band called This Mortal Coil did an incredible cover of Song to the Siren by Tim Buckley back in the early ’80’s. The singer on the track is Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins and it was released on 4AD Records. I have been listening to this track, which I knew to be written by Tim Buckley for nearly 25 years, but had never heard the Tim Buckley version until tonight, when I heard it in the final scene of Candy, starring Heath Ledger. I am now convinced that the song is about heroin, as Tim Buckley died of an accidental heroin overdose in 1975 at the age of 28. Consequently, this is the same age that Heath Ledger was when he died from an accidental overdose. Coincidence?
@Brooke, Jan earlier commented and mentioned the same thing about the parallels with Heath Ledger. However, I thought Heath’s death was ruled as not an overdose but heart problems from complications from medication. That was the last I heard. I don’t know, I don’t see the resemblance but maybe I need to learn more about the Buckleys — and watch the film Candy!
Hi Melissa, I just found your writing blog and then clicked over here… I like both of them, and will check back. There is wonderful dvd of Jeff performing called Jeff Buckley Live in Chicago, you can get it from Netflix. It’s awesome, really shows his quick wit as well as his artistry. He was an incredible live performer on top of everything else. Best to you!!
Hi Greer! Welcome! I have been thinking about signing up for a Netflix account, so I’ll keep the Jeff Buckley DVD in mind for when I do that. I’ve watched some videos on YouTube but I’d like to see a live concert — well, live on DVD anyway… Thanks!
I was Blown Away the 1st time I heard that Amazing Album*
;))
Cheers Everybody!! Billy ;)) Peace*
@BillyWarhol, Thanks for stopping by. This album blew me away too. Feel free to share your links if they are relevant, otherwise they will get edited out
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