Search - Jeff Buckley :: Grace

Impressive versatility

Pieter | Johannesburg | 04/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

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First track Mojo Pin is a structurally complex slice of tortured prog rock, whilst Grace, the title track, falls into the same stylistic category. Both of these are infused with the intricate and stirring guitar textures of the great guitar master Gary Lucas, the co-composer.



The minor hit Last Goodbye is a mid-tempo rock ballad with soulful vocals. The style changes for the old song Lilac Wine which gets a soulful interpretation, mournful and tender. The brooding So Real has stunning vocals and awesome guitar parts, whilst Buckley's version of the Leonard Cohen composition Hallelujah is slow and gentle. Although different in style from John Cale's powerful cover, it is on the same level and more appealing than the Cohen original.



Lover You Should Have Come Over starts out like a mainstream pop ballad but increases in vocal intensity and is embellished with lovely organ. A form of spiritual catharsis is reached on the devotional Corpus Christi Carol with Buckley in full falsetto mode. This hymn fits in perfectly with the shifting but cohesive modal pattern of the album.



Then it's back to loud, guitar-driven rock on Eternal Life. According to the track listing, the album ends with Dream Brother, where the memorable guitar patterns and poetic lyrics create an oneiric quality. My copy of the CD has an eleventh track, another slow and tortured rock ballad about lost love and regret.



Most of the songs, especially the rock numbers, have drastic tempo and vocal variations, from a whisper to a soar so to speak. The tunes are not immediately obvious and Grace needs some repeated listening before it can be appreciated for the great and timeless work that it is. Real rating: Four and a half stars.

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