Jeff Buckley Appreciation Thread

Motley Crue

Born in Anaheim, California, Jeff Buckley was the only son of Mary Guibert and Tim Buckley. His mother was a Panama Canal Zonian of mixed Greek, French, American and Panamanian descent, while his father was the descendant of Irish emigrants from Cork.

His father was a songwriter who released a series of highly acclaimed folk and jazz albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s before his own untimely death in 1975. Buckley was raised by his mother and step-father Ron Moorhead (for just a few years) in Southern California, constantly moving in and around Orange County. Additionally he had a half-brother, Corey Moorhead. During his childhood he was known as Scott "Scottie" Moorhead, but at the early age of 8 he chose to go by his birth name after meeting his father for the first (and only) time; to his family he remained Scottie.

Known for his vocal range of 4 octaves and tone quality, Buckley was considered by critics to be one of the most promising artists of his generation after the release of his 1994 debut album Grace. However, at the height of his popularity, Buckley drowned during an evening swim in 1997. His work and style continue to be highly regarded by critics and fellow musicians.

Karl Hungus

I'm not sure that Rock/Metal is the best forum for this thread, so I've trimmed off the trollish posts, and moved it somewhere more suitable.

iFight

Grace is a really good album, I absolutely love Hallelujah and Grace to name a few.

SueL

Jeff was an absolute genius, and is a true loss to music. Imagine all the beautiful material we are all missing out on...

sonic juice

Heard Hallelujah so many times from passive sources that I want the song to have never existed.

Xavi6

Yeah Buckley was class alright. I'm not as big into him as some people but he was a genius.

Expect a long and appreciative post from MrJoeSoap very soon.

John

As much as I love Grace, I can't get into the live CDs, b-sides, etc. Makes me think that he may be a one album wonder to me. Although when he hit it right live, he really hit it.

MrJoeSoap

Xavi6 wrote:

Expect a long and appreciative post from MrJoeSoap very soon.

I'm so drunk i can't begin to explain why Jeff = God.

Just listen to Morning Theft.

bowsie casey

Grace is one of favourite albums of all time. While his unfinished album showed a few moments of greatness, I don't think it was going to re-capture the highlights of Grace.

I loved his version of Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do" on Live at Sin-E album.

Closing Doors

John wrote:

As much as I love Grace, I can't get into the live CDs, b-sides, etc. Makes me think that he may be a one album wonder to me. Although when he hit it right live, he really hit it.

Couldn't agree more. There were flashes of genius but I don't think he came close to realising what he could have achieved. I actually thought Grace was patchy as well but as you say, when he hit it live he really hit it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS5KOCgQDfQ

Motley Crue

Closing Doors wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS5KOCgQDfQ

Thanks for that. Ironic that a man who was supposedly smoking everything he could actually died while taking a peaceful evening swim. Tragic.

R.I.P.
Kurt Cobain = 1994
Shannon Hoon = 1995
Michael Hutchance = 1996
Jeff Buckley = 1997

Garret

Motley Crue wrote:

Thanks for that. Ironic that a man who was supposedly smoking everything he could actually died while taking a peaceful evening swim. Tragic.

R.I.P.
Kurt Cobain = 1994
Shannon Hoon = 1995
Michael Hutchance = 1996
Jeff Buckley = 1997

thats not irony

itd be ironic if he was killed by a nicorette delivery truck, well maybe


yeah he was indeed quite good

John

Motley Crue wrote:

Shannon Hoon = 1995

Who?

JC 2K3

John wrote:

Who?

Please, PLEASE, tell me you're joking.....

John

JC 2K3 wrote:

Please, PLEASE, tell me you're joking.....

Just googled him, still never heard of him nor his band Blind Melon. I see he was involved with Guns'n'Roses too so I have a fair feeling that it's probably for the best I don't know him.

JC 2K3

Never heard of Blind Melon? Dude, you're missing out. He did backing vocals on Don't Cry but that was completely seperate from Blind Melon. You've probably heard the song No Rain at some stage.

Shannon Hoon was one of the most talented people never to realise his full potential. Although what he did do with Blind Melon was fantastic. Great Voice.

"I know I can't stay here forever, so I'm gonna write my words on the face of today - and then they'll paint it"

RIP

MrJoeSoap

Motley Crue wrote:

a peaceful evening swim.

It wasn't quite a peaceful evening swim but anyway...

Where did you hear he was "supposedly smoking everything"?

kinaldo

It's amazing the amount of posthumous releases he's had for someone only around such a short space of time. I used to really love Grace but think I more than wore it out and haven't listened to it now in probably over 5 years. I still ended up buying the Grace EPs though, mostly to hear more versions of Kanga-Roo and because they looked cool. I really dug Mystery White Boy as well, might give it another listen later. I wasn't a fan of his unfinished second album but maybe later I'll give that another listen too.

Attractive Nun

Apparently, at the time, record companies regarded the progression of great male art solo artists as Bob Dylan -> Bruce Springsteen -> Jeff Buckley. I don't know about that, but with his voice and lyrical ability it's a damn shame that he died. Grace continues to be one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard.

kinaldo

Article from Sunday's New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/movies/29brow.html?ref=movies

Lunar Junkie

It's unfortunate that Grace has to be Jeff Buckley's 'masterpiece' by default because I'm certain that he would have made much better things, if he'd lived. I don't really enjoy listening to Grace all that much, too much rock histrionics.. He was only starting to find his feet as a songwriter, I reckon the second album would have been something special if he'd got to make it. My favourite release of his is actually the multi-disc Live at Sin E set, just an amazing journey of him following his many influences.

Timans

They aren't sure that he was going for a "peaceful evening swim" Quite the contrary, some say he killed himself.

Although, there was reports that cries for help were heard. Some people are dubious that it was just a swim. As it was a river.

MrJoeSoap

Timans wrote:

They aren't sure that he was going for a "peaceful evening swim" Quite the contrary, some say he killed himself.

Although, there was reports that cries for help were heard. Some people are dubious that it was just a swim. As it was a river.

Have you read Dream Brother by David Browne?

Timans

No I haven't, Why?

angiedude

Jeff is my hero! Look up despite the tears it's class...it's a kind of a cross between bob marley and stevie wonder with the customary jeff magic thrown in for good measure.

MrJoeSoap

angiedude wrote:

Jeff is my hero! Look up despite the tears it's class...it's a kind of a cross between bob marley and stevie wonder with the customary jeff magic thrown in for good measure.

Thats the one he wrote for Chris Dowd isn't it? Think he played guitar on it too yeah?

Charcoal

I think I have every album released. I am a huge fan, have been for the past 15 years. A lot of people are only into Hallelujah, but I rarely listen to it at this stage, and I've even left Grace behind a lot and listen more to Sketches and Live at Sin E now.

PiE

Over-rated 'cos he's marbh.

Never really understood the fuss.

MrJoeSoap

PiE wrote:

Over-rated 'cos he's marbh.

Never really understood the fuss.

Have a listen to most of the stuff off the Live at Sin-é CD.

Jimmy Page: "Technically he was the best singer that appeared, that had appeared, probably, I'm not being too liberal about this if I say in two decades. I started to play Grace constantly, constantly and the more, the more I listened to the album, the more, the more I heard -- the more I appreciated of Jeff and Jeff's talents and Jeff's total ability to which he was just a wizard and it was close to being my favorite album of the decade. We actually made a point of going to hear him play and seeing and it was absolutely scary. One of the things is a little frightening was that I was convinced that he probably did things in tunings and he didn't. He was doing things in standard tuning. I thought, oh gee he really is clever isn't he ? He quite clearly had his feet on the ground and he said his imagination was flying, flying way, way out there, beyond, beyond. Jeff Buckley was one of the greatest losses of all."

Elvis Costello: "I hope that people who liked him resist the temptation to turn his life and death into some dumb romantic fantasy--he was so much better than that. Not everyone can get up and sing something they take a liking to and make it their own, sing true to their heart and be curious about all different strains of music. Corpus Christi Carol was a completely conceived interpretation. I'd never heard the piece before and when I heard the original I realised what Jeff had done was even more amazing. He'd taken it into his own world. That's something my favorite classical musicians can do, be themselves but use all that expertise to make the music more beautiful. Jeff did that naturally. Only a handful of people are capable of that. I was amazed when he did meltdown. I asked him what he wanted to sing and he said he'd like to do one of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder in the original German! Absolutely ****ing fearless. He was convinced he could sing it without rehearsal, just because he liked it. In the end he did a Purcell song, Dido's Lament, which is in danger of sounding incredibly poignant in retrospect: 'Remember me but forget my fate'. But he also sang Boy With the Thorn In His Side because he liked it, and Grace to show something of himself. When he started singing Dido's Lament at the rehearsal, there were all these classical musicians who could not believe it. Here's a guy shuffling up on-stage and singing a piece of music normally thought to be the property of certain types of specifically developed voice, and he's just singing, not doing it like a party piece, but doing something with it. My last memory of him was at the little party in the green room afterwards. There were all these people sitting round Jeff who'd never met before - Fretwork, the viol group, a classical pianist and some jazz player --all talking and laughing about music. He'd charmed everybody. I'd much rather remember that than anything."

Chris Cornell: "Jeff was somebody who would have been one of those people that influenced other singers. He was an amazing singer. I had an idea of what his music meant to people, because he did this amazing thing in such a short period of time. He's going to be the most important artist to so many people throughout their lives. We were really good friends, and as an individual he was different from any other friend I've had. I was looking forward to a long friendship with him. As an artist he was one of the few people, that really inspired me. I was counting on him, to be one of the persons, who would pressure me to move my limits, in many years to come. It's very important to have this kind of challenge, someone, who inspires you to grow with the challenge. That push, to get you to do new things, is very healthy, and Jeff was one of those people, who inspired you to expand your way of thinking, about yourself and music."

Steve Vai: "The last few records that I bought that I really enjoyed... Jeff Buckley. It wailed me. I was, like, walking around in tears, just so grateful that I discovered this record."

Thom Yorke also wrote Fake Plastic Tree's after seeing a Buckley gig.

meditraitor

Just came across this dude and for anyone who loved Jeff buckleys music this guy will also pull some strings.
Playing in the Jeff Buckley Tribute In May in Sin-e
Vijay Kishore is his name

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=40776695

lordgoat

Jeff Buckley was simply an amazing musician. He loss to music was immesnse. Lyrically and vocally he was possibly unmatched. I love Grace and Sketches... both are masterpieces. The reason for so may releases after his death was down to his mother who wanted to make a lot of money. Which she did. Sketches was never ment to be released or so the story goes. The only person i love more than Jeff is Elliott Smith. But i suppsoe he deserves his own appreciation thread.


Too young to hold on and too old to just break free and run.

Blackpitts

I'm listening Grace just now because yesterday I tried to play for the 1st time in my life a JB's song (lover u should've come over)..
and I see this post...

well...JB is (was) one of the best singer I've ever heard (his voice can do everything) plus he was an amazing musician, Grace is the best debut album ever IMHO...

that's why i'm so upset with him!!!:mad: :mad: :mad:

why did u take that bloody swim you dumbass?!?¬?!?
I hate u for that, u were a star and your music was so great, you could have been better than B. Dylan!
why did u waste everything!!!

TelePaul

Lunar Junkie wrote:

. My favourite release of his is actually the multi-disc Live at Sin E set, just an amazing journey of him following his many influences.

One of my favourite albums ever. Roll on 'If you see her....'. He's a hugely underrated guitarist.

TelePaul

Blackpitts wrote:

I hate u for that, u were a star and your music was so great, you could have been better than B. Dylan!

Lets not go crazy...I have to be honest and say that my favourite Jeff material is his covers. Sadly, we'll never know if he would have made the impact those he modelled himself after did. It;s starnge to see a debut like Grace with so many covers.

Amy Elliott

It;s starnge to see a debut like Grace with so many covers.[/QUOTE]

But what incredible covers though , eh!! especially the sublime Lilac Wine, which is possibly my one of my favourite covers by a musician ever .
Last goodbye was the first song I ever hear from him though , and that's what drew me to him in the first place. I just love him sooo much , yep , such a pity that all the good ones , seem to to be taken so soon !

now if only , the likes Christina Aguilera or or James Blunt would decide to take a swim in a river and........

TelePaul

Amy Elliott wrote:

It;s starnge to see a debut like Grace with so many covers.

But what incredible covers though , eh!! especially the sublime Lilac Wine, which is possibly my one of my favourite covers by a musician ever .
Last goodbye was the first song I ever hear from him though , and that's what drew me to him in the first place. I just love him sooo much , yep , such a pity that all the good ones , seem to to be taken so soon !

now if only , the likes Christina Aguilera or or James Blunt would decide to take a swim in a river and........[/QUOTE]

Yes they are exceptional. My favourite Jeff song is Corpus Christi Carol. I just feel his caliber as a songwriter will remain unmeasurable.

0ubliette

TelePaul wrote:

One of my favourite albums ever. Roll on 'If you see her....'. He's a hugely underrated guitarist.

yep, he was an amazing guitarist, something alot of people overlook because of his even more amazing vocals. His guitar palying was incredible in a very subtle way tho, something picked up on in the Jimmy Page quote a few posts up there.

Backtoblack

RIP
Amazing & beautiful voice.

The_Op

Made enjoyable emotional music that can tear your heart out stomp on it lovingly. Had a tendancy to get his head half way stuck up his own *rse. The only thing he seems to have inspired in other people is that trate

lordgoat

The_Op wrote:

Made enjoyable emotional music that can tear your heart out stomp on it lovingly. Had a tendancy to get his head half way stuck up his own *rse. The only thing he seems to have inspired in other people is that **trait**

what a thoroughly useless post. Could you name some of these other people he's inspired then to get their head half way stuck up his/their own arse(s).

The_Op

Off the top of my head Rufus Wainwright would be my prime example also Scott Matthews. And as much as Fake Plastic trees is godlike genius, it was inspired by Jeff and Thom Yorke does have his head stuck up his own *rse:- so that would be another example. Every teen whose attempted to cover leonard cohen and accredicts Buckley. I don't think it's a useless point. It doesn't mean the music doesnt make my spine shiver. I've heard numerous people say that Jeff Buckley is an influence, i can think of anyone of those people who isn't pretensious. Yeah the point was made a little over the top, i just get annoyed with people who hear really good music and then assume everything about the music maker is legendary, and without question coolness personified....especially if they died young. In most cases it's not. Any documentary of Jeff I've seen, I've thought what a genius but also what a pretensious gobsheen.

TelePaul

lordgoat wrote:

what a thoroughly useless post. Could you name some of these other people he's inspired then to get their head half way stuck up his/their own arse(s).

Matt Bellamy?

TelePaul

The_Op wrote:

Off the top of my head Rufus Wainwright would be my prime example

Ah tis true!! Hate that guy.

I like Jeff but you always got the impression he was still living in his fathers mystique.

lordgoat

For a start Rufus Wainwright has never cited Jeff Buckley as an influence. He never listened to Jeff Buckley until after he covered Hallelujah. So unless he cites him as an influence on his next record i think you're wrong. Scott MAtthews i don't really know, i know he has been likened to Buckley in style which is a completely different thing.

Personally i couldn't give a **** what Jeff Buckley was like as a person, i never wanted to be his friend. The point of the thread is to appreciate his music. Fact is he made amazing music.

The_Op

Well the fact of the matter is, Rufus Wainwright's cover of Hallelujah couldn't be more of rip off the Jeff Buckley cover, when someone hasn't cited an influence as obvious as that it's most probably due to the fact that theyve been caught red handed ripping something off and their degree of self importance makes them deny the undeniable.

Anyway my tongue in cheek original comment has brought it off the point at this stage,I agree it is an appreciation thread I appreciate his music....i just think he was a bit of an gobsheen. Was all.

Let that be my last comment on the matter.

lordgoat

The_Op wrote:

Well the fact of the matter is, Rufus Wainwright's cover of Hallelujah couldn't be more of rip off the Jeff Buckley cover, when someone hasn't cited an influence as obvious as that it's most probably due to the fact that theyve been caught red handed ripping something off and their degree of self importance makes them deny the undeniable.

Yes some people's opinions and self importance does get very annoying.

I've went to a few rufus concerts and there's an interview with him somewhere (possibly other voices) where he says he'd never heard Jeff Buckleys version until after he had recorded his. This may well be a lie but i'd listen to the singer miles before some randoms' specualtions on the internet. Particularly when most of the comments are generally negative or have some damning aspect to them.
Yawn...

Blackpitts

lordgoat wrote:

For a start Rufus Wainwright has never cited Jeff Buckley as an influence. He never listened to Jeff Buckley until after he covered Hallelujah. So unless he cites him as an influence on his next record i think you're wrong. Scott MAtthews i don't really know, i know he has been likened to Buckley in style which is a completely different thing.

Personally i couldn't give a **** what Jeff Buckley was like as a person, i never wanted to be his friend. The point of the thread is to appreciate his music. Fact is he made amazing music.

well, I personally watched an interview on Channel 4 a couple of years ago where he said that J Buckley had a great influence on him.
Plus, I copy this from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Wainwright

The song "Memphis Skyline" is a tribute to the late singer Jeff Buckley, who drowned in Memphis in the Wolf River, a tributary of the Mississippi, on May 29, 1997. The two met each other briefly in the '90s when Wainwright was an up-and-coming act. By this time, Buckley had already released his first album (Grace), and was well on his way to stardom. He has said that he had been irritated that Buckley played at Siné, a café on the Lower East Side, as he [Wainwright] was rejected three times by the club. The two met several months prior to Buckley's drowning, during a gig Wainwright was playing. Buckley supposedly helped out with some technical problems, and the two chatted over beers for a few hours. The song references "Hallelujah," a Leonard Cohen song which Buckley notably covered, and which Wainwright later did likewise.

Another artist who really aprreciate J Buckley is Chris Cornell, he contributed to the "composition" of My Sweetheart the Drunk, then Euphoria Morning includes his own tribute to Jeff Buckley entitled "Wave Goodbye" and I quote again: "It has been noted that Euphoria Morning is influenced by Buckley's songwriting and distinctive vocal style."

lordgoat

Yes he had an influence on him personally but not on his music. As in how he booked gigs and how to get your name out there and how he sorted some of his personal issues out. I have the same interview and i just watched it.
Rufus admitted he was jealous of Buckley for a long time before he met him and also says they were never really friends at any point.

Yeah he wrote a song for him but as a tribute and anyone who says rufus is like jeff buckley i think is a good bit of the mark. There's a huge Cabaret style to rufus

TelePaul

lordgoat wrote:

He never listened to Jeff Buckley until after he covered Hallelujah.

Think everyone in the world has listened to Jeff Buckley.

Drumpot

What a hero . .

Was about to write that i only heard about him in 99, then realised it showed my age !

A true artist . .

Dizraeligears

Been to many,many gigs over the years.
But Jeff Buckley in Whelans in 94 was one of the most intense and memorable.Spine tingling stuff