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.

Everybody Here Wants You

2008- Here we are again at the end of another year. This year we certainly got some mixed reviews music-wise, but from my point of view, I did pretty well…. I discovered some mind-blowing talent, that someone cannot just write-off either if they haven’t listened to his music. He was enough reason why 2008 was a good year to launch a music blog. Not the easiest acts to write about but whatever music he left behind will last us all for decades. However enough of that, the 2008 ship is going to sail out and 2009 will be pulling into the harbor in a few more days.

The song that has made it on today’s post has a mix of uniqueness, substance and addictive appeal which, at the end of the day, means, surviving the new music at EC constantly. If there was a list of Top Discoveries I had to create then Jeff Buckley would settle at first place. That said; let's take a moment to silently pay our respects.........

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Awesome, thanks.

Moving on, I’ve had the most amazing time writing and reviewing Jeff Buckley’s music, but this statement doesn't mean these write ups aren't over-- so, no worries.

This track has the right amount of pleasantness and grit. The intriguing blend of the ethereal and rustic. "Everybody here wants you" takes you to a moment on the brink of something just out of reach, amid wistful moments that fly by like blurred headlights. It exemplifies a certain quality in his music that is so difficult to pinpoint. His lyrical sensibilities with slicker, more stylized instrumentation- This song specifically, is a really great groove plus a good balance of bass and lighter, flickering sounds.

The bass alone is enough to grab anyone by the heart, but then his voice kicks in, the song builds in the chorus and you're just finished. It's a great way to spend five minutes. Loosely retro, just a bit bluesy, but ultimately timeless.

Just Like A Woman

Here we march toward the end of the year. Let this track by Jeff Buckley be the rhythm that guides you. A lot of his music are of the slow burn variety. They’re steady, consistent, and they get better the longer you listen to them. This is one of those tracks that serve as a perfect finish for 2008. The song titled ‘Just Like A Woman’ build into a sort of classic rock and strumming guitar that actually sounds better than that random string of words I just used to describe it.
What I can’t get over with Buckley’s music is that it impresses me with the amount of energy that’s somehow crammed into each and every song. Seriously, go ahead and press play and you’ll be left with your mouth hanging open. Somehow this track proves that you can add even more awesome to a Buckley track. If you’re only going to download, listen, stream or meditate on one song this month this should be it.

It’d be fair to say that this year I’ve been all about Jeff Buckley. And deservedly so. He makes fabulous music and the number of artists that have been influenced by his music are equally impressive. That’s right, I’m posting this track and you’re going to love every second of it. You’re welcome by the way. I like this track because it says so much about this woman he sings about...I wish I was that woman.

I really wish there were as many Jeff Buckley songs to post about each and every day. In the past two weeks since my return I’ve been crazy busy with work which doesn’t really allow me to indulge in pleasures such as writing about music I love.
Due to all this, what with learning a new process and the politics at work, not to mention the lovely December tradition of Christmas, I haven’t been able to sit down and breathe. I’m hoping next year’s pay check will allow me the freedom to do a lot more traveling, snagging a new laptop {Mac or Sony} and getting my game back on track. Until then make sure you check out my sidebar as there are blogs I recommend with all my heart. Seriously. Enjoy the run up to the Christmas season. I’ll bring you musical presents as soon as I can.

‘She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.’

Happy Holidays and wait with bated breath for my return.

Sorry for the slow posting over the last month or so because I had to take a much needed vacation.
While I was in Nagaland I found myself telling my family and friends about Jeff Buckley’s music, almost continually. I had started writing about his music just a over a few months ago and if you are part of the few people which access Days with Buckley then you certainly know by now that I will not lead you astray. I am not a corporate entity seeking to stuff myself full of your hard earned cash. I am a music fan seeking to promote the music- Buckley’s music, that I find to be compelling.

Now that I have stolen your attention with my clever banter and obvious intellectual superiority I must encourage you to listen to the track titled ‘Hallelujah’. After drifting through this track an almost countless number of times I have come to appreciate this song, more and more. The lyrics are stunning, what the mood and the song evoke is simple and elegant, and it might be the best of Buckley’s music on DWB.

I’m not entirely sure how to sum up this song. In short it is a delightful journey through what modern rock should be. This isn’t glam, this isn’t eighties resurgence, this isn’t something that immediately calls to mind some departed period. This is modern music as it was meant to be heard. For those of you still trying to imagine what Buckley sounds like let me take another crack at it. If you took your favorite bits of contemporary music and the vulnerable side of blues and jazz, blended those together with talent from every great artist in the world since evolution then you might be getting close to understanding the complex nature of this artist.

Seriously now dear reader, this track is amazing but it is just a taste of what awaits you when you listen to an entire Buckley album. Every single song sung is worth listening to both for their individual merit as well as what they become when spread over thirty two minutes of glorious music.
That being said I’m posting a brilliant song that should tide you over until I return with another entry on Buckley. Maybe it can serve to save your weekend.

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