What I like first and foremost about Jeff Buckley is the fact that he seems to be the only musician with a cult following who doesn't have around eight thousand books published discussing conspiracies and that really, Mr. Buckley is alive and well, and working in a Mr. Whippy Van in Sleaford. For those of you not in the know, Jeff Buckley drowned tragically around 10 years ago, and music lost someone who didn't even begin to make the impact he should have done.
Vocally, Jeff was often compared to his father, the legendary Tim Buckley, and vocal comparisons are justified (much to Jeff's protestation; he hated being compared to his father). But all similarities begin and end in the voice box, and the album Grace proves it. From the very first note of the very first song, Jeff Buckley has you hooked, leaving you wanting to know where he will take each song. Mojo Pin starts and stops, grows and shrinks, and it does genuinely feel like the rest of the instruments are simply there to follow Jeff's voice, wherever he makes it go. Grace introduces the listener to the savage side of his vocals; so savage in fact, that it can make you feel uncomfortable. From there on, it is pretty much a 50/50 mix of covers and original material, the biggest standout track of all being Jeff's cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. This reviewer, to those of you who know him/her, is not exactly known for having little to say. However - for the love of all that is righteous - please listen to this song. I don't care who you are, old, young, deaf, blind, whatever, just listen to it. There is no possible way of doing this song justice, it does literally make your hairs stand on end. If you are bald, just by a wig so I can prove my point.
Finding fault in this album is immeasurably difficult, but I'm a cynic, so I can find fault. Oh yes. This, albeit not one of a multitude of Jeff Buckley albums, is easily the best one. But it comes across as something of a hollow victory, as half the album is covers. Don't see that as a reason to not listen to the album - Jeff Buckley has a knack for making average songs sound incredible, and that is difficult to do. But at the same time, this album doesn't really show off the full range of his abilities.
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This is one of my favourite albums - very cutting in places but utterly beautiful.
mental_infestation 18.01.2006 20:36
I love this album, it's one of my favourites. Jeff has certainly got a beautiful voice and the music is equally as good. An album everyone should have in their collection!
Tha-Flash 22.12.2005 15:52
Probably not my thing but still Good review. Chris
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say it: ... more
Grace is simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Buckley's versatility and vocal mastery; the haunting lyrics; the emotive appeal of the music Disadvantages: To a true music conoisseur, none.
salar15 11.11.2007 (11.11.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Grace - Jeff Buckley
Advantages: Extreme beauty, grace, charm. Lovingly crafted music, with a well-deserved cult following of those with enlightened souls. Disadvantages: A moment or two when he tries to be a bit of a rock god, and doesn't come off too well.
Dec 22nd, 2005
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