Music has always been a part of my life -- now welcome to the journey. Just a little blog to reminisce, review, rant and rave about the music in my life. "Music is my mother and my father. It is my work and my rest,my blood, my compass, my love" ~Jeff Buckley
He had a way of playing the most beautiful song you've ever heard and still with the way that he sang, create a bit of an uncomfortable edge to it if he felt like it - mostly with his voice. ~ Chris Cornell
It was during summer classes of my sophomore year at college. During my daily ritual of drinking a diet coke and watching MTV News for breakfast, I heard the news. Kurt Loder was talking about some guy named Jeff Buckley that had gone missing. Erroneously, I first thought he meant Jeff Beck. Who was Jeff Buckley, I kept asking myself while trying to study for an exam on Canterbury Tales ... who the hell is Jeff Buckley. Fast forward three years later and I am in the gym at Macquarie University in Sydney when I hear it. It was a voice I had never heard and he was singing Leonard Cohen. I had not made the connection in my memory yet when they mentioned his name: Jeff Buckley.
I rushed to the mall and right into the record store (God I miss those). I went right to the B's and found a few of his albums and went to the counter. As the lovely lady was scanning my purchases she mentioned how sad it was that he died so young. Heartbroken, I took my purchase back to our flat as I began to listen to Grace for the very first time, clearly marking a moment in my life as before and after I had listened to Grace. Then I finally remembered where I had heard his name before. May 29th marks the anniversary of when Jeff sang Whole Lotta Love while wading into the Wolf River for a swim. Three days previous, he had played his final show at Barristers in his new home city of Memphis. At 30 years of age, he left behind a gaping whole of need. With his first release Grace throttling him into celebrity and into a world where his heroes were praising him, there was now an emptiness of what could have been.
(c) MerriCyrr
Twenty plus years on and Jeff is still somehow not as well known as many would assume. But those who are fans, were quickly caught up in the aura of Jeff and a bit of the mystique of who he was. While he fought those who tried to make the connection to his very absentee father, Tim Buckley, the physical and musical similarities were too obvious. Like many before him, he fought celebrity, playing under fake names just to play a show without being Jeff Buckley. If you listen to Sketches, you quickly realize he was going to be like U2, changing his sound as he went along. Would it have been the one last nail in that red glitter coffin? I doubt it, but companies wanted Grace Part 2 and Jeff was not going to deliver that. Jeff Buckley was a complete package deal: looks, talent, and the equally talented musician father. His death rounded out and solidified what is now his mythic status. As of the music gods gave him back, he was found floating at the end of Beale Street on June 4th.
The community of those who adore Jeff seems to grow slowly, but not at an Elvis level. In truth, it really is his life and not his tragic death that is celebrated. But to truly honor Jeff, we need to celebrate and remember his music. But not just Hallelujah. Listen to Mojo Pin, What Would You Say, or his glorious cover of The Way Young Lovers Do and appreciate Jeff for what he was: an artist.
How do you want to be remembered?
Jeff: As a good friend. I don't really need to be remembered...I hope the music's remembered.
One of the questions always asked of new music fanatics that I meet is: What is your top live music moment? What shows will stay with you forever - and why. Go ahead and take a few to ponder this yourself. What made it so special? Was it your favorite song? A special super group of musicians?
I'll share some of mine and I'd love to hear about yours.
My Morning Jacket Peach Festival August 2017
Blowin' in the Wind ->Melissa->All Things Must Pass->Beautiful Ones
It's safe to say that, except for Madison Square Garden, I've never not seen My Morning Jacket in the rain. This show was no exception. Opting to be the cool kids on the side of the ski slope at Montage Mountain, we donned the rain gear and danced up a storm in the deluge.
Have you ever cried your eyes out in a rainstorm? 2016 was a pretty horrible sad year for loss and 2017 wasn't fairing any better. When Blowin' in the Wind transitioned to Melissa ... all emotions were released. The Peach Festival was pretty much an Allman's festival. With the loss of Greg in May of 2017, we all know there would be a lot of special tributes. This would be one of them. After a beautiful nod to George Harrison, the familiar notes of a song no one expected drifted across the Pennsylvania night, rain soaked sky ... Beautiful Ones by Prince. At this point, the mass memorial for our dearly departed artists was on. It was cathartic, cleansing, and just a beautiful moment in music.
Pearl Jam Bonnaroo 2008
Betterman
It looks like the Milly Way I had just commented as the lighters were flickering in the hot Tennessee evening. Bonnaroo 2008 was the first festival that Pearl Jam had played since the Roskilde Festival in Germany saw eight fans trampled to death. We all knew how special it would be for the band, especially when 70,000 fans could peacefully converge upon a Tennessee farm. It was the 18th song and the first of three encores. The audience took over singing for Eddie and you could feel the energy and you could feel his joy. To quote Eddie, This is fucking beautiful. It was beautiful and so very special. (Use link to watch via YouTube - the video is blocked Pearl Jam - Better Man (Bonnaroo '08) - YouTube)
(c) Jeff Kravitz
U2 - Live Under the Brooklyn Bridge November 2004
I Will Follow
When you get a phone call that one of your all-time favorite bands is playing less than 100 yards from where you sit at work, it's hard to not be excited.
U2 was playing under the Brooklyn Bridge. I could not contain myself. My coworkers had never seen me so excited. Not only did Bono sound incredible, his voice was so strong, I kept thinking that it was also the anniversary of Michael Hutchence's passing. Michael and Bono were friends. The thought stayed in the back of my brain as the hits were played. Out of Control and I Will Follow were magical. The Irish flag was brought out, the crowed danced and jumped, there was such an energy with the backdrop of Manhattan sparkling across the river.
And after everyone left and we took some photos, I went to make my way to the deli before my night shift. And there he was. The man himself walking towards their trailer. I stopped thanked him and simply said You sounded so wonderful. This night was for Hutch. And then yer man Bono hugged me. I'm still looking for anyone who has that photo. I don't care if it's CCTV surveillance footage.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen - Lockn 2015
Space Captain
When anyone says they are going to re-create the infamous Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen at a festival with some of today's phenomenal talent along with some of the original members, you better buckle up. All songs were spectacular, including Susan Tedeschi's version of The Letter and the finale, With a Little Help from My Friends with Leon Russel. But it was Space Captain with Tedeschi and Chris Robinson splitting vocals - reminding us that we are all learning to live together. When you're surrounded by tens of thousands of fans, all gathered for the same purpose, that does sound so easy.
Levon Helm Bonnaroo - 2008
The Weight
Okay, Bonnaroo 2008 was pretty phenomenal. Hearing that Levon Helm was going to play his first of a few shows following cancer treatments was a gift. Standing near Levon with two of your closest drummer friends was a blessing. The excitement to see Levon behind the drums and hear that famous voice was magic. But it was The Weight that we all needed.
So this was definitely a difficult list. There are so many amazing music moments that are honorable mentions. Temple of the Dog at Madison Square Garden in 2016, Boy George at Irving Plaza in 2014, INXS at The Metro in Syndey 2000, Gary Clark Jr and Jimmy Vaughan at the Iridium...so many.
I do have to add though, a magical moment of someone whose name I didn't get but he provided me with the realization that Jeff Buckley would never be forgotten.
Cantab, Cambridge Mass in 2021. He began with a poem that was way too Dylan but it also hinted of Buckley. Then he played.
He began the chords that haunt me, Jeff Buckley's Lover, You Should've Come Over. After crying through the entire song, I was able to tell him not only how wonderful he was, but that Jeff played that very song a few blocks away at The Middle East. It was, and will forever be, a musical highlight.
And then there are the ones that never happened. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Buckley, George Michael, Nina Simone, and on and on. So what's my point here. Go see shows. Go see them all. And on top of everything, remember that when you talk during that one song you don't like, it could be someone's favorite.
Gogol Bordello - City Winery 2021 PMGC
Okay I am cheating. I have a moment not defined by setlist but by a life defining moment:
May 12, 2005
Dark Star Orchestra
Nokia Theatre
Right after Dark Star performed a show by The Warlocks from October 8, 1989 Hampton Beach, my true love asked me to marry him.
I said "absolutely 100% yes!"
The band went into They Love Each Other and then into a jamming Good Lovin' before the house lights went on and Hey, Hey Paula could be heard wafting through the departing crowd.
I
appreciate the absurdities of being a rock star quoting the Scriptures.
Paul
David Hewson was born on May 10, 1960, and has never looked back. The morally
conscience lead singer of U2 has been a shapeshifter through the years,
adapting to sounds and style. He is a humanitarian, a philanthropist, a family
man, a brilliant lyricist, and a perfect lead singer for one of the world’s
most renowned rock and roll bands.
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Many
don’t realize the amount of times Scriptures or Psalms help to shape the
stories or message of their songs. The band has deep religious roots, so deep
it almost drove the band apart at one point. A favorite attribute, and also sticking point
for many, is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Modern day psalm writer? He
may disagree but he does practice what he preaches:
We
don't have to please God in any other way really other than to be brutally
honest - that is the root not just to a relationship with God but is the root
to a great song … I want to hear a song about the breakdown in your marriage, I
want to hear songs of justice, I want to hear rage at injustice and I want to
hear a song so good that it makes people want to do something about the
subject.
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He does not shy to speak the truth for justice and equality. His honesty is both his strength
and his weakness. It’s probably what makes him the perfect lead singer and rock
star. In the past, particularly the ZOO TV years, there was a gray area of humbleness
and hedonism that aligned into characters such as The Fly and MacPhisto. Who can
forget the dance with the woman at the front of the crowd during Live Aid? The
Super Bowl Sunday performance after September 11th? Or his daring
political rant on the night of the Enniskillen Bombing before going into one of
the best versions of Bloody Sunday? He is also very honest about himself:
Taylor
asked: "What's one thing that you've learned about God through your
reading of the psalms?"
Bono
answered: "He listens."
Next
up from Taylor: "What's one thing that you've learned about yourself
through your reading of the psalms?"
Bono
said: "I don't listen enough." All
Art if Prophetic – David Fuller and Bono Interview
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Sending lots of love
and thanks for the words to contemplate, displays of kindness, and moments of inspiration.
Happy Birthday Bono! xoxoxo
Dressing like your sister
Living like a tart
They don't know what you're doing
Babe, it must be art
You're a headache, in a suitcase
You're a star
Someone has likened prayer to being on a rough sea in a small boat with no oars. All you have is a rope that, somewhere in the distance, is attached to the port. With that rope you can pull yourself closer to God. Songs are my prayers.
― Bono, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story
Excellent Bono/U2 reads:
Surrender - 40 Songs, One Story - Bono Walk On Spiritual Journey of U2 - Steve Stockman U2 At the End of the World - Bill Flanagan Into the Heart - Niall Stokes
