Customer Reviews

Honeyman

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As with Tim Buckley's entire career, this CD will go relatively unnoticed, but that is much more a loss to potential fans of Buckley's work than anyone else. Reuben Dessey's review of the disc for Amazon states that 'Honeyman' is "the least remarkable of [Buckley's] live trilogy", but that is certainly subject to the tastes of the consumer, and I for one am much more enamoured with Buckley's post-'Starsailor' works. There is no question that Buckley became disillusioned with the lack of success his more high-minded, avante-garde folk work had produced in the 1960's. In fact, Buckley took a yearlong sabbatical to rethink and reshape his career, which he resurrected in 1972 with his more commercially successful 'Greetings From L.A.' piece. What Buckley went through is reminiscent of Bob Dylan spurning his folk roots to go electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Both received criticism for pursuing what was viewed by some as a lesser musical genre... but of course many others embraced the change as the next logical step up.

If you enjoy the Tim Buckley of 'Greetings From L.A.', 'Honeyman' is the perfect complement. This live radio broadcast features three songs from that disc, and the live versions are significantly altered from the studio renditions. The most significant change is to the steamy 'Get On Top', whose instrumentation, while still charged, sounds nothing like the original. Buckley's vocals are less intense, and thus clearer, and the track runs about two minutes shorter than the studio track by omitting the coda. 'Sweet Surrender', the closer, runs about a minute and a half longer here. Along with 'Devil Eyes', these tracks are a welcome addition to fans of Tim's 1970's persona.

This performance was recorded around Thanksgiving Day in 1973 at New York's WLIR studio's in support of Buckley's 'Sefronia' album, so it isn't surprising that four of the nine tracks are drawn from that disc, and aside from 'Stone In Love', which has an unusual cadence, they're all winners. The recording of 'Dolphins' is a bit more subdued than the BBC version included on the 'Once I Was' disc, but very nice nonetheless, while 'Honeyman' and 'Sally Go Round the Roses' are solid, funky rock compositions. I don't believe Buckley's bandmates are as talented as the outfits he put together in the 1960's, but Joe Falsia lays down some nice solo's on my favorite instrument, the wah-pedal guitar. I do miss Carter C.C. Collins conga's, but Mark Tieman's keyboards add a previously missing dimension to Buckley's live sound.

There are two tracks drawn from Buckley's pre-sabbatical days, 'Pleasant Street' from 1967's 'Goodbye & Hello' album, and 'Buzzin' Fly' from 1969's 'Happy Sad'. 'Pleasant Street' is a folk-electric blues number that morphs into a pleasant and extended instrumental ending, but it's my least favorite track on the disc after 'Stone In Love'. 'Buzzin' Fly' however has a great beat, so I give it an 85 (anyone too young to remember American Bandstand can ponder that last statement).

Given that this performance took place in a radio station's studio with only a very small audience present helps to insure that this disc is of the highest quality. It runs about an hour in length, and features some interesting liner notes from Randy Bookasta, the Executive Editor of Raygun, including quotes from Buckley himself regarding his career. Many of the CD's I review are quickly returned into the marketplace, but I won't be letting go of this one. It's a keeper.

What a voice........absolutely astounding in it fluidity. Tim Buckley was a true master of the live atmosphere. He takes takes chances and stretches his voice to it's limits. Stand out cuts Pleasant Street and Sweet Surrender are 8 minute plus excursions into euphoria. Emotionally charged, this CD rocks!!!

This live album from 1974 is of remarkably good sound quality. Don't be misled by the one negative review here.
Tim alienated a few fans who wanted him to be a folk singer forever, but he was always ahead of the curve. This cd has some great renditions of songs from that era of funk which he proved he could do as well as anyone in his own distinctive style. It captures a time when he was trying to stay commercially viable after years of no compromising with music industry, and he is letting it loose and enjoying himself.

In the 1970s I bought so many Tim Buckley albums, and was so sad when he died. I am so glad today when I can get his music on CD. This one is certainly amazing. His voice range, the variety of style, the earthy ballads... hear it all. You'll dance, you'll celebrate, you'll wail along with an amazing voice.

Sorry, Buckley fans; this recording only tarnishes Tim's legacy. The whole "funk" period is one of the worst career moves ever made by an artist of Tim's stature. What was he thinking? Or better yet, what were his managers/handlers/friends thinking? The band is godawful and the songs are bad. Maybe it was a case of people more interested in their paycheck than in having Tim's best interests at heart. Or was it that Tim wouldn't listen to anyone? The music business is littered with talented people who were their own worst enemy, and I think Tim probably falls into that category. His mid-period stuff (Blue Afternoon, Lorca and Starsailor) is truly some of the most original and stirring music ever produced; but save your $$$ and avoid this disc or any of the 3 funk discs (Greetings from L.A., Sefronia, and Look At The Fool)........