Jeff Buckley was an enigma whose soul burned through his music. Buckley, the only son of legendary sixties folk singer Tim Buckley, who also died tragically at an early age, took a chance trying to make a name for himself in the music industry. Amidst constant critical comparisons to his estranged father, Buckley always felt his approach to music was always his own - and it was. He moved to New York after failed musical attempts in Los Angeles where he quickly gained notoriety for his incredible virtuosity as a singer and songwriter. The control Buckley expressed in his singing is virtually unparalleled in rock music. With a voice that could do cartwheels around Robert Plant and gusto that could walk the walk with Aretha, his career was beginning to soar. Everybody that saw him perform was mesmerized. Everyone wanted an album. So Buckley along with Gary Lucas from Captain Beefhart and Gods and Monsters fame went into record demos of "Grace", the title track, and "Mojo Pin," the albums dreamy opener. Gary and Buckley would later have an amicable split and Buckley would eventually sign with Columbia, hire some like-minded musicians and record Grace, his greatest achievement put on tape.

Review:

Jeff Buckley's Grace is a unique document of an extremely talented singer, songwriter and musician who is sadly missed from the planet. The only full-length studio album released with his approval, it is an often stunning collection of inspired performances. With the whisper to a warzone dynamic of Mojo Pin, the consumate intelligent rock of Grace and So Real, the haunting Dream Brother, and a soulful cover version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, there is a rich diversity of treasures. The album slows down for much of the second half, and some of the songs seem slightly overproduced, but the overall impact is nonetheless profound. A critic's favourite, this album is highly recommended for all serious music fans.

Reviewed by Z. Enderby