Grace
An in-depth look at Jeff Buckley's masterpiece
Many know Jeff Buckley for his triumphant rendition of Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah’, but avid fans will always remember him as the Shakespearean tragedy smothered in his own timeless soundtrack. Since his untimely death in 1997 he has gathered a cult following, growing with every passing day. Ethereal and enchanting, Buckley’s music has proven to stand the test of time. Standing out in his discography, is Buckley’s magnum opus, the pivotal 90’s album Grace. This was the only studio album by the American singer-songwriter. Widely regarded nowadays by critics and listeners as one of the greatest albums of all time, it’s initial reception was mixture of poor sales and conflicting reviews. Here’s all you need to know about Grace.
With passionate, soaring vocals and an array of influences ranging from Nina Simone to Led Zeppelin. Buckley hit several clubs and cafés around Lower Manhattan, most famously Sin-é, with a bang in April, 1992. After quickly earning a Monday night slot, a repertoire was born, containing a diverse range rock, R&B, jazz, folk and blues. During this time period, Buckley was introduced to Van Morrison, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. Performing solo, with a borrowed Fender Telecaster it was here the foundations of Buckley’s intense and mesmerising performances took shape.
It was only months later that the streets outside Sine-é became lined with ecstatic crowds and eager label executives. It was in October, 1992 Columbia records, home of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan approached Buckley with a three album deal. Buckley signed and spent three days in February 1993 in the studio, recording much of his solo repertoire. Live at Sin-é was released on November 23, 1993, capturing the intense vibrance of this chapter in Buckley’s life.
In mid-1993 work began on Grace. Assembling a tight and talented band composed of bassist Mick Grondahl and drummer Matt Johnson, the group spent several weeks rehearsing. When the band heads to Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, ex-bandmate Gary Lucas was invited to play guitar on titular tracks such as Grace and Mojo Pin. When Buckley returned home, he performed numerous takes to capture his signature haunting vocals and experimented around with numerous instruments to add the finishing touches to his songs.
Grace was released on August 23, 1994. Accompanied by seven unique original songs, three covers found their way onto the album; Lilac Wine, based on Nina Simone’s version, Corpus Christi Carol from Benjamin Britten’s A Boy was Born, Op.3 and finally Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. The deeply personal and bare-boned version has been widely regarded as one of Buckley best and is included on Happy Mags list of ‘The 10 best covers of all time’.
Grace received critical acclaim but garnered little radio airplay and such, sales were slow. This did little to stop revered musicians, many of whom were among Buckley’s favourites. David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Bob Dylan and Robert Plant gave the album immense praise and compliments. Even Brad Pitt has proven to be a devote fan, saying ‘I find his stuff absolutely haunting. It just… it’s under my skin.’ The album eventually went on to feature in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The remarkable elasticity of Buckley’s vocals provided him with the means to convey emotion on a scale unprecedented before Grace. Possessing a vocal range spanning around four octaves, Buckley used his voice to its full potential, particularly in songs such as Grace and Corpus Christi Carol. Dream Brother, a heart-touching tale of abandonment, showcased a masculine vulnerability yet to be found elsewhere. Matching his varied vocals, Buckley’s guitar ranged from the thunderous distorted tones found on Eternal Life to the delicate fingerpicking on Hallelujah.
On May 29, 1997 Jeff Buckley walked into the Wolf River channel of the Mississippi River, fully clothed. Buckley drowned, sucked under the wake of a passing boat. Over the years, Buckley’s legacy only grew, comparable to the mythos surrounding Kurt Cobain. A man who made his mark through art drenched in passion, Buckley’s Grace is an album that etches onto ones soul and remains there.
About the Creator
Ciarán Coleman
'There's no time for hatred, only questions
What is love, where is happiness
What is life, where is peace?
When will I find the strength to bring me release?'
- Jeff Buckley
Interested in me writing for you?
Gmail; [email protected]
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