Jeff Buckley

Mystery White Boy (Columbia)
by Tim Den

The mere mention of Jeff Buckley‘s name in an art gallery will cause tear drops, it seems. For good reason too: The man epitomizes this generation’s genius-lost-too-soon (he drowned in ’97), adding to his already drool-inducing reputation as the most cerebral and touching of songsmiths, the myth of “what might have been if he didn’t go for that darn afternoon swim.” Mystery White Boy, a live album recorded on his ’95-’96 tour, won’t help us cope with the loss any better, but fuckin’-A, we can’t get enough of him. Over 70 minutes of material from his only studio album, Grace, a few covers, and plenty of the angelic falsettos he’s known for. Result? Proof that Buckley was everything his legend paints him to be: Sensitive, extremely careful of details and dynamics, a sculptor of atmosphere and emotional manipulation, a melting pot of classic jazz wizardry and avant garde experimentation, a master (and eclectic) songwriter, a master guitarist, and a phenomenal vocalist. If you think I’m full of it, take it from the celebs: Minnie Driver won’t travel anywhere without Grace, Thom Yorke worshiped it during the recording of OK Computer, Muse over-uses Buckley’s falsetto all over their debut, and Travis’ bass player, upon seeing a solo acoustic set of Buckley’s at an art school, went home and cried himself to sleep. I can sympathize with the last example, especially when Buckley whips out a newie, “What Will You Say” (not available on any other recordings), I swear I could see Fate laughing for pulling such a magical talent away from us so early in his life. Jeff Buckley was special. And we will never forget him.
www.jeffbuckley.com