Grace
R**Y
A great voice silenced too soon
This man did indeed die too young, tragically, he drowned in a swimming accident shortly after this album was released. But, this one work, is so transcendent that it deserves a place in the collection of anyone who truly loves music and understands its ability to move one's soul and emotions beyond the mundane life that one ordinarily lives. Every song on this album is a true gem which becomes more beautiful with each listening, as one is able to hear it more clearly, applying the jewelers loupe of one's ears to catch each nuance.I hardly know where to begin, so I'll start with the song that is my favorite on this album: a song which is rapidly becoming one of my favorites of all the music I've ever listened to - 'Hallelujah', written by Leonerd Cohen some time ago. I first heard this tune as part of the soundtrack of 'The Lord of War' The opening sound one hears is of Jeff sighing deeply before starting to sing with only an unaccompanied acoustic guitar melody that can only be described as haunting in its simplicity. The first words of the song:Well, I heard there was a secret chordThat David played and it pleased the LORDBut, you don't really care for music, do ya?Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifthThe minor fall and the major liftThe baffled King composing, HallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahThe religious references simply drip from this song as the acoustic guitar continues to echo in the background.From its overtly religious beginning the song moves into the story of a broken relationship with a lover who meant more than anyone in the singer's life. The heartbreak is so evident that he who can listen to this song without shedding at least a tear or two has no humanity left within him:Well, baby I've been here beforeI've seen this room and I've walked this floorYa know, I used to live alone before I knew yaAnd I've seen your flag on the marble archOur love is not a victory marchIt's a cold and it's a broken hallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahWell, there was a time when you let me knowWhat's really going on belowBut now you never show that do me. Do ya?But remember when I moved in youAnd the holy dove was moving, tooand every breath we drew was hallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahMaybe there's a God aboveBut, all I've ever learned from lovewas how to shoot somebody who outdrew yaAnd it's not a cry that you hear at nightIt's not somebody who's seen the lightIt's a cold and it's a broken hallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahHallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahThis album is worth the price simply for this one song. But, the thing is that there are no weak songs on this CD, making it a bargain at any price. Beyond that, though, this is the type of thoughtful, caring, and insightful music upon which no price can really be placed: it is priceless, timeless. Jeff Buckley obviously made this album for the sheer love of his art. The craftsmanship and effort of the making shows through every note and line, every word, and every thought.
A**R
Wonderful CD
Awesome CD! Hard to believe you can purchase this brand new for under $8 bucks. How about reissuing the legacy edition?!
G**N
Great album
My kid is obsessed with 90s Indie rock. She loves Jeff Buckley so I knew that she'd enjoy this album. Nice sound quality. Received in perfect condition.
S**E
Great music by a great artist
I love this CD and finally got another copy. It’s timeless
S**A
Questions
What else needs to be said about Jeff Buckley's recording of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"? Compelling lyrics, dramatic melody, outstanding vocal. That territory has been covered. But last year, an American Idol contestant sang it, and the Earth moved. All of a sudden, everyone remembered, or discovered, who Jeff Buckley was. But what about the rest of the album? I wasn't sure, but I got a clue when, this year, Adam Lambert's riveting Idol performance of "Ring Of Fire" was described as how Jeff Buckley would have done it. That was enough for me, so I bought the album.Where to start? Buckley's vocals on this 10-track album range from ethereal and fragile to hard rock, roaming unfettered up and down the scale, all over the place, in every style. The music backing the vocals is just as varied. But more than that, there is the range of emotion expressed. On "Mojo Pin", in a delicate, nearly feminine voice, Jeff is in despair: "...if only you'd come back to me...", he sings, backed by music with, first, a jazz flavor, then, Led Zeppelin rock. The title song has a more straightforward folk-rock feel, and the vocal ends by being raw and intense. "Last Goodbye" is another song about a dying relationship, with a touch of an East Indian influence; and you can hear this more strongly in "Dream Brother" - trance-inducing guitar, droning melody. "Lilac Wine" is a soft, uncomplicated track paradoxically about confusion and uncertainty. With "So Real", we are back to jazz, loaded with chord, tempo and genre changes; and I get the impression that the experience described might have been a little TOO real. "Lover, You Should've Come Over" is a slow, steady folk/blues track, and, as the title suggests, the singer is longing for his lover to appear. On "Corpus Christi Carol", Jeff sounds like a member of the Vienna Boys' Choir as he sings an acoustic-backed, hymn-like song. In a complete reversal, "Eternal Life", despite the title, has killer grunge-rock music with hard-edged lyrics and very earthy delivery.So, why does this album remain so fascinating 15 years after its release, 12 years after Jeff's untimely death? Besides the obvious talent, his fixation on romantic love - the driving force of the album - makes him a very alluring figure. This, coupled with the dreamlike atmosphere of the tracks, gives him an elusive quality. You want to grasp who and what he is, but you can't, not really. Who knew that such a debut would also be the finale? What could this young man have accomplished if he had lived longer? Sudden tragic deaths, like Jeff's and that of actress Natasha Richardson last week, leave me with an uneasy feeling, a feeling that there is unfinished business. Well, maybe in the next life?
A**R
Great Album!
One of the greatest albums of all time.
D**N
Amazing vinyl
Great vinyl
A**R
Quality product
Product received was what was ordered. In good condition
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
4 days ago