Jump to content

Tim Buckley


sterling

Recommended Posts

I recently heard my first Tim Buckley song at a friend's home. He is an avid vinyl fan who is still purchasing vinyl. He put on a cut called "Goodbye and Hello". The lyrics of that song were the most fantastic I have heard in a long time. They were complex but different from Dylan or Morrison. I grew up in the sixties and had heard of him but never had actually listened to his recordings. This song was recorded in 1967. Does anyone out there know anything about Tim and his music that can share more light on his work?

Phil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was one of my favorite singer/songwriters in the late 60's. IMO, his best work was on his first 3 LPs, Tim Buckley, Goodbye & Hello, and Happy Sad, all released on Elektra between '66 and '69. He put out a slew of later albums, many posthumous (died of a heroin OD in '75), on a variety of labels. There's an excellent website, www.timbuckley.net, that has a ton of info. His son Jeff, BTW, clearly inherited his voice and songwriting skills, although I still prefer the father's work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm pretty sure drugs and foul play were ruled out in the case of Jeff's drowning. On the other hand, as he went swimming wearing heavy work boots, rumors have persisted that he may have committed suicide. Jeff told several of his friends that he was bipolar just before his death, although it was never confirmed. He has just gotten into Memphis with his band to record his 2nd album the day he drowned. A big mystery, and an even bigger tragedy.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd like to hear some of his best work, though I know the production values would be dated.

Tony... u need to get over this "dated" bias-- yes some recordings before 1972 aren't as sonically "wow" as those after.... BUT a lot of recordings made after 1975 LOSE charm & magic from sterile technology... if anything, ROCK reached it's height of studio greatness (i.e. BEST sonic impact) from 1971-1974.... after that rock bands never sounded as sharp & fresh...

Buckley's records cover the late 66 to late 74 era-- a classic time for music & usually a time when most artists were allowed to create w/ a lot of freedom, as Buckley did.. absolutely prime real estate: the same era that gave us the greatest work of the Beatles, & songwriters like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tom Rush, Nick Drake, Van Morrison, Todd Rundgren etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tim Buckley's "Song of the Siren" is one of my all-time favorites, and apparently one of Robert Plant's too. He recorded it on his "Dreamland" album. Both Buckley's and Plant's versions are worth a listen.

I agree, I love this song. Remember when he sang it on an episode of The Monkees? psych
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Song Of The Siren" first appeared on TB's 6th album, "Starsailor"....1970 or 71, if I recall. "Greetings From LA" was his 7th LP, came out in '72. "Starsailor" is my favorite Tim B. LP after his first 3. I thought it was a huge comeback after his 4th & 5th LPs, "Blue Afternoon" and "Lorca".....both of which were very downbeat, depressing music.

I thought V.D. Parks just played keys on his Elektra debut, but you may be right about "Goodbye & Hello"....will check the LP when I get home...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...