| Tuesday, July 3, 2007 |
| MOTW #18: Jeff Buckley - So Real |
I've been talking about this artist (at least in the cbox and such) for a while now, but Jeff Buckley, in my opinion, is one of the greatest musicians to have ever lived. If you disagree, I will punch you in the face. Sorry, I'm seeing a therapist right now. Anyways...
Jeff Buckley, the son of cult folk singer, Tim Buckley, was like his dad in many ways. He was musically inclined, he had a limited following, and, unfortunately, he died at a very young age. I always tell people that if there was one musician or one person that I wish was still alive, it would have to be Jeff Buckley, one of the greatest talents known to man.
So I boast about him. But why? What's so great about Buckley? Well, for one, the man could sing in eight octaves. For those that aren't musically inclined and have no idea what I'm talking about, Celine Dion sings in about six or so (the more the better). There are songs that Buckley sings where you would easily think that a woman was singing if you didn't know any better. And so what song of his is worth talking about? Well, really every one of his songs is freakin' amazing, but the one that stands out above them all (his cover of 'Hallelujah' excepted) would be 'So Real'.
Not only does this song give you an idea of his vocal range, but it gives the listener an insight into his guitar skills as well. Yeah, that's why I wish he was still around today. And if you delve in further, you see that his lyricism is just as amazing as his musicality:
I love you,
But I'm afraid to love you...
Has anyone other than myself been in the midst of those verses right there? What you feel you can't deny, but you can't help but doubt yourself, and wonder if you're worthy of the love that's on your doorsteps. You feel absolutely hopeless, worthless, but you know what's really true. Buckley talks about being there, about how real both sides of the coin feel, and how he'd rather hold on to the memories than forget them altogether.
Check out this song, and I dare you to say that you don't like it. I'm putting my foot down this time - if you can't appreciate this song, you need to go get your ears checked. Seriously.
Jeff Buckley - So Real
Full lyrics:
Love, let me sleep tonight
On your couch..
And remember the smell
And the fabric
Of your simple city dress..
Oh... That was so real...
We walked around
'Til the moon got full like a plate,
And the wind blew an invocation
And I fell asleep at the gate,
And I never stepped on the cracks
'Cause I thought I'd hurt my mother,
And I couldn't awake from the nightmare
That sucked me in and pulled me under,
It pulled me under...
Oh... That was so real...
I love you,
But I'm afraid to love you...
I'm afraid...
Oh... That was so real...Labels: mp3 of the week |
posted by Arpit Mehta @ 12:25 PM  
 |
|
| 18 Comments: |
-
pullin' out the classics, eh?
-
I don't like it. I would rather use a cheese grater on my eardrums than listen to that again.
Hah. Just kidding. He is pretty good, I'm not gonna lie.
-
His skillz ( he gets a z) are making me jealous
-
JEFF BUCKLEY!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
His version of "Hallelujah" is almost life changing. it runs chills up and down my spine everytime i hear it.
-
I, sadly, had never heard of him, that is, until today. His vocal chops are amazing. I just might go and look into him more. From what era is he? the dates of his life? How sad that he died young. It's not really "me" music, or music that's *my* style, but I cannot and will not say that he doesn't have immense talent and skill. Thanks for the song!
-
@ Vicky - damn right.
@ Shelly - I was about to pull out my knife! :D
@ Mukta - yes, he's got madd (2 d's) skillz!
@ Tina - absolutely - it's hands down my favorite song in the world!
@ Rachel - I know - a lot of people haven't heard of him, and so I wanted to do a post for that purpose.
Btw, people - 126 of you downloaded this track, and about 5 of you left a comment - come on people, don't be afraid to leave a line!
-
Arpit, perhaps no one else left a comment because they didn't like the song and feared for their life. :P
The song is not quite my style, but his vocals are AMAZING. At times I couldn't believe that it was a guy singing. His voice is very unique. :)
I guess I can give you 9/10 on this MOTW. Or should it be 10/10 since you love Jeff Buckley so much? Or should I give 0/10 for those threatening comments you made?
-
Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie are better! Ha. The Jazz greats triumph.
Actually, I have his album 'Grace', I've listened to it twice. I have been meaning to listen to it again, because those listens didn't intrigue me too much, which was due to the reason that I had bought other cd's at the same time and another one garnered the more listening. So I shall withhold full opinion.
But, his version of Hallelujah, it doesn't enthrall me. My favourite version is the Rufus Wainwright version. Beautiful and excellent. Also a thing of mine, when solo, I prefer piano and voice, rather than guitar and voice. *Insert cool smiley*
Let the criticism roll in, baby.
-
Also if some people want to check out some tunes...
Check out these tracks:
So What - Miles Davis
Mystery - Miles Davis (From his last album before his death... Jazz and Hip Hop meet).
Epistrophy - Thelonious Monk
A Night In Tunisia - Dizzy Gillespie
The whole Oceans 13 Soundtrack.
MTV Unplugged - Tony Bennett (the whole disc, man)
Just in case people are thirsting for some extra noise... These are a few of my favourite things...
-
@ Faye - it's possible - I did threaten a couple of times :p
And I'll take a 9/10 thank you.
@ Anthony - vocally, I think he's probably in the top 5-10 vocalists ever (the best I ever heard for sure). On guitar, he might not have been that high on the list, but he was still pretty damn good - anyone that can play like that and sing like that at the same time is amazing in my book.
Miles Davis is okay - a little overrated - alright, just kidding. I had to say something in return :p
But seriously, go listen to that album again, and then recommend me an album that's better than that overall, and I'll do an MOTW on it if it's better. How bout it?
-
Oh of course. Vocally that man is brilliant.
And I will deffinately listen to the album again... probably tonight.
oh, and that previous post of mine... If I came across too giddy it's because I just bought a lot of new music this week and needed somewhere to mention it... and since I was on the topic of music... Ha.
-
Haha - nice. Yeah, I've had those weeks - there was one week I bought 12-15 albums, and made a myspace blog post out of it :D
-
hooray, arpit! *applauds wildly* spectacular as usual! so are you excited for the new eisley cd or what?*jumps up and down* maybe JUST maybe we can have them for the MOTW one time. wait a sec, i'm a newbie, haha, have you already done them? what about meese(?) i really like meese. ; ) *sighs, wishes she had been here for birth of MOTW*
-
Haha - no we've covered neither Eisley nor Meese, but now that you mention Meese, I just might have to do a post on them. We'll see - I still have to get their cd.
-
i haven't heard much of jeff buckley's songs... i guess i can't get past last goodbye. it's in my top 5 favorite songs, ever. so, yeah, i'm downloading this one.
-
Haha - nice Emmerdale - Last Goodby is amazing as is Eternal Life, Mojo Pin, New Years Prayer, etc., etc. :D
Pretty much, they all rock!
-
Oh finally! Someone who appreciates good talent, with taste! Hee
I've heard 'So Real' before and it was love at first 'listening'.
No one seemed to care about how awesome the song was... until you did =)
-
Jeff Buckley is my all time favourite... although i write and sing neo-soul and jazz songs, he has been one of the biggest influences in my music and i love him for it... no one else has managed to move me in the way that he has through music...
But I have to disagree... not that 'So Real' isn't one of the most amazing and yet simplistically lyric-ed and beautifully delicate songs I have ever heard (even towards the end there is this magical tenderness)... it's that I wouldn't agree that 'So Real' is his best song... What about 'Lover, You Should Have Come Over'? yes, maybe more commercial but that can't deny the greatly deserved credit it pulls in...
The lyrics are soo beautiful and meaningful and overempowering... then to hear Buckley's ethereal voice creating the entire choir (yes he overdubbed each vocal, at first i had thought it to be female choir singers) i was moved to say in the least...
If you really wanna hear the legendary Jeff Buckley at his finest, this is what I would call a perfect example, also off the Album 'Grace'
Also... does anyone else think that Jeff was talking about the effects Bipolar Disorder was having on him in 'So Real'?
xx
|
| |
| << Home |
| |
|
|
|
pullin' out the classics, eh?