If you Knew

I spent most of the weekend watching television, listening to music and I really didn't get much else done. During my music listening sessions I began to realize that many of artists begin to sound much like each other. And then I got to thinking about Jeff Buckley’s music and how he just stood right out like a sore thumb (in a good way).
He easily sticks out as one of the best lyrical, inspirational and musical geniuses that I’ve heard in a while. Undoubtedly mellow, yet contemplative and calming.

I must say that Jeff’s music succeeded in making me- a very tired worn-out rump- long for his voice and that’s saying a lot. Buckley’s ‘If you knew’, is a plethora of otherworldly beauty with higher meaning and substance. Every time this song plays on, it begs to be turned up loud. I love this singer for no reason other than that! I’m not obsessed with Jeff but he can be very hypnotic. Listen to this track below and I dare you to not appreciate him for his unique sound, clever musical combinations and exquisiteness. There are songs that are better, but this track is still worth listening to just to hear him sing the words-

‘I can't go on without you
Forever and a day
I need you here beside me
Forever and a day
and no-one else betides me
I love you, I love you.’

It's songs like these that make me feel like I’m closer to Him after each listen.

He was a trendsetter in a way, creating the music he wanted, which didn’t have many follow his lead. While some of his songs did gain lots of airplay with hits like “Grace”, which saw his popularity grow until his death, the others were only known for their sound, the music and arrangements by true fans who strived to keep his music alive. I am constantly struck by awe whenever I listen to a Buckley tune because he does such a great job of conveying emotions. Every lyric details the intimacy and ecstasy of love as well as the pain that can be attached to it, but love of what? Like a good works of art his life’s words are open to interpretation.

Eternal Life

This is a song by a person with quite possibly the best name ever. Jeff Buckley. Say that name aloud before listening to the song and you have won a free ticket to my heart. Really. From the first time I heard this song I’ve been in love with both it and the man that crafted it.

It’s just like Mr. Buckley, to make gorgeous music and fitting lyrics to go with it. For some reason this song has always reminded me of the true Jeff Buckley. Such a masterpiece, he was an amazing musician in a class of his own. Maybe it’s the line “You better turn around and blow your kiss hello to life eternal, angel” or maybe it’s this line “All I want to do is love everyone....” Whatever it is, the message of the song is the truth about roads men desire and the contradictions between what we hope and what happens and the social order. Jeff Buckley was able to convey just that. This song feels like truth to me, and I love the lyrics.

‘And tell me where is the love in what your prophet has said?
Man, It sounds to me just like a prison for the walking dead
And I've got a message for you and your twisted hell
You better turn around and blow your kiss goodbye
to life eternal angel...’

I feel if people besides the usual fans ever bought into this white guy then this song would be featured on all the greatest moments of our lives for the rest of time. I mean really, just listen to the man sing. The whole song is a sad and yet strangely hopeful message, after all we really have to do ‘is love’.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Jeff was the overall controlling genius of his music. And I really want his music and legacy to thrive. He’s a great song writer, could easily be signed by the best, and could make a killing if he were alive today. But enough on that, this song is gorgeous.

Dream Brother

Lately I have seen a rash of patients with the general symptoms of early boredom with new bands, searching for new sounds, and junk disguised as music making its appearance in many parties, social gatherings and discussions. After thorough research I have determined this growing deterioration of good music to be brought on by an overdose of bands that are named after something that a madman put together. Luckily a cure for this sickness has been found in the form of a sacrosanct individual from Anaheim, CA who referred to himself as Jeff Buckley. His track ‘Dream Brother’ is the perfect dose of Middle Eastern rock and modern rhythm that is sure to cure any and all music killers from here until the afterlife.
The song ‘Dream Brother’ hits close to Buckley’s personal life. He was deeply disturbed by his father's desertion of his mother that when an almost similar situation happened with his friend, he finds this song a means to convey his feelings.
The track has a power and mystical quality about it that one hardly ever discovers in all music. When I first heard this song, I was completely spellbound. The musical succession along with Jeff’s amazing voice has made me a bigger fan than ever before.
Careful with your dosages, though, as too much of Jeff Buckley has been proven to provoke uncontrollable flights of ecstasy, decreased perception and just beyond any mystical experience.

All nonsense aside I love this track simply for the way it makes me feel. A lighter creature in a very bitter world. In some artists this clever mix of such western and eastern music elements would’ve been much criticized but with ‘Dream Brother’ it feels as if you’re really getting the best of both worlds.

When it comes down to it, a music artist that solely relies on guitars you either get garage based disaster or you find that within this setting true brilliancy shines all the way through. In the case of this artist it’s easy to hear the talent that lies behind his music. From track to track Buckley flips through well written lyrics with a sense of quiet urgency that never leaves your mind, and yet never becomes a frustrating distraction. There is a delicate and faultless poise to be heard.

If I die and go to paradise, this is the tune I want played while I wait in the queue at the pearly gates. I know it’s a sad song about someone who has just parted with a lover. But the idea of consuming lilac wine to bring back memories of love is beautiful, in the most affective sense. You can actually FEEL this song; see it, the whole thing.

Though Jeff Buckley didn’t originally write it, it's quite evident that he was the one accountable for painting this extraordinarily dramatic image for the listener. This is magic contained in a little over six amazing minutes, people.

If you didn’t know this by now, I’m a huge fan of Jeff Buckley and this track illustrates a great point about this artist. He makes every song he ever sang relevant to everyone. And with that he had a gift for making each thought, each emotion, each song apply in some unique way to each and every one of us that has had the pleasure of hearing his music. Here’s to hoping that there will be more artists like him who produce some real music.

Ever since this blog was created I’ve received a lot of email thanking me for the musical introduction. If you are new here and new to Buckley’s music you must hit the player below every post here on DWB and treat yourself to listening to one of the most talented singer songwriters that has ever set foot on this planet. As a reminder, if you can’t view the player that should be visible in each post of ‘Days with Buckley’ please hit the reload/refresh button.

Thinking about it, Jeff Buckley was one of the best kept secrets in the American music scene and I still feel that way today. Do me a favor, do Jeff Buckley a favor, do the music scene a favor, or do your girlfriend a favor and listen to Jeff Buckley. And make sure you tell your friends about him.

And that’s it. The track I’m uploading today is titled ‘Lilac Wine’.

There might be some of you who will disagree with me on my choice of music or artist even going as far as to delete me from your to-read-blog-list}, but in the end you’ll see the wisdom of my good judgment.
Until my next post, so long. I’ll keep posting as long as you all continue to listen to good music. If you’d like to see more write-ups or listen to more of Buckley’s music please feel free to go through the archive.