We take today to remember Jeff Buckley and his only album ever released, his magnificent debut, Grace.
August 23, 1994, Jeff Buckley releases his debut album Grace. This would become the first and only studio album released during the artist’s lifetime. Grace came out smack-bang in the middle of the grunge era, four months after the inimitable Kurt Cobain, the genres patron saint, had passed away. In comes Buckley, an alternative rock artist who sounds like no one else at the time. His voice was sweet and tender, and lacked all the harsh raspy tones and growls that people had come to expect from musicians at the time. Jeff was something else entirely.
Buckley possessed a four-octave voice, which he wasn’t shy about using on the cover songs that made up his live repertoire before the album, and which he demonstrates quite beautifully on album singles ‘Grace’ and ‘Last Goodbye’. Unfortunately Buckley passed away at the age of 30 after going for a spontaneous swim in a Memphis river, which lead to his body coming up on the shore some time after.
We remember ‘Grace’ as it was released 25 years ago today, highlighting five of our favourite tunes from the record.
1. ‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’
Coming in at nearly 7 minutes, this song is the epitome of Buckley’s sweet-sounding voice, as it yearns for something intense and emotional. An absolute highlight of the album that we can never forget.
2. ‘Lilac Wine’
This 1950’s song has been covered multiple times my multiple talented artists, but no one really sets the mood of ‘Lilac Wine’ like Jeff Buckley did.
3. ‘Last Goodbye’
An absolute staple in Jeff Buckley’s discography, and the song that everyone knows and loves apart from the classic ‘Hallelujah’. The song is absolutely incredible.
4. ‘Grace’
Look, ‘Grace’ is something else entirely. The song sounds like it was made in another galaxy, and was gifted to us from the heavens. Definitely the most incredible track from the album.
5. ‘Hallelujah’
No words needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YjbJTS5C_I
