Customer Reviews

Live in Chicago

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Jeff Buckley fans are very lucky to have this sort of a DVD release. It took me a while to really become a Jeff Buckley fan (and now there is no turning back). I remember first borrowing an advance copy of Grace back in 1994 and being seduced by the easily loved Hallelujah (who didn't?) and also So Real, but the rest of that album proved I was unready for such a unique singer. Later on, after Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk came out, I became much more interested. Mystery White Boy further solidified my fascination for his way of doing things, and now, with this Live In Chicago DVD, I am completely convinced. A little late, I admit.

I wonder, while writing this review, if this is the best place to start, for the new-comer. I think it is. Some might initially be turned off by his fluctuating vocals, but later, I guarantee, that will be precisely what you love about him. His compassionate yodels range from a pigeons coo, to a hyena's laugh, to a goldfish burble, to a puma's roar. And his guitar playing can trigger memories of This Mortal Coil, The Mission, and Johnny Marr (he makes two Smiths references on this DVD, one of which is a parody of a Morrissey-style song about policemen! And on Mystery White Boy he welds I Know It's Over to Hallelujah). Whatever hints of influences glisten through his songs, they are undoubtedly his, meaning: It sounds like Jeff Buckley. He and his band bleed through their instruments to produce a dizzying sonic sweep through the central nervous system. And to see this is amazing. His lyrics are the type that take you a while to realize he is lamenting a certain part of your own life (or at least that's how it feels). Lines like, "My Kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder" are so intimate and so precise, you wonder why nobody has come up with it before. And I can't help but wonder when he sings "Father do you hear me, do you know me, do you even care?" (What Will You Say) if he is singing to his father, Tim Buckley, who he did not know.

If you are like me and you enjoy hearing different interpretations to songs you already like, then you will love this film. Notable spots are the strange and hypnotic rendering of Big Star's 1975 hit Kangaroo where he ferociously barks, "You're just like Saint Joan..." with sweat dripping from his hair (on Mystery White Boy he barely whispers the same line, mind you), then after the song is pretty much over, he jams wildly unlike any way you can imaging being appropriate for such a song and does this for some time, ending up by the speakers, playing to them creating the type of feedback you'd expect at a Crazy Horse audition. Then there is the surprise Kick Out The Jams, featuring a goofy guy named Crazy Dave (or something) sharing the vocals then doing the un-Grace-ful bellyflop into the front three rows (I think that sort of stunt is always better witnessed on film than in real life, for obvious reasons). Then again, the audience deserved that sort of hurl. They spend most of the time between songs begging for Jeff to play Hallelujah, and he seems bothered by it. He eventually gives them a piece of his mind (which I will not describe) and seems to play most of the remaining set behind closed eyes, as if, for himself.

The DVD is coupled with a documentary/interview that is captivating. He speaks so tenderly about music, like some do about love. And throughout are performances that are equally haunting. Not to mention the two acoustic versions.

It's good, get it.

Jeff Buckley was a consumate improviser, reknowned for his inspired and wayward explorations onstage - a habit which might have swamped a band comprised of lesser musicians. Buckley was blessed by the presence of Michael Tighe, Matt Johnson, and Mick Grondahl, who not only possessed the considerable gifts needed to follow him around every twist and turn, but whose intuitive and symbiotic playing helped push the music and the moment to dizzying heights.

Those already "converted" Buckley fans will find this live-in-its-entirety concert film a breath-taking and jaw-dropping ride from start to finish. It will leave the "uninitiated" transfixed, and give pause for reconsideration to those who may have already assessed and dismissed Buckley's music.

Recorded in Chicago during the support tour for "Grace," the film captures Buckley and Band near the apex of their creativity, and the DVD format lends the sound an incredible richness and resonance. The music is potent, immediate, and compelling. The subtle and complex interplay between the band members is impressive to witness. Watching Jeff lose himself to the music is awe-inspiring and humbling; watching Jeff crack jokes and goof around with the audience dispells the notion that he was some sort of moody, wounded angel. I was lucky enough to catch Jeff and the Boys in concert twice; while this film can't quite capture the essence of being present and participant in the feedback groove between performers and audience, it's a close second. It raises memories of what was, leaves questions about what could have been, and above all pays testament to the tremendous technical prowess and artistry these men possessed.

Jeff often spoke of music as a spiritual pursuit. This film is a document of a man, his peers, and his supplicants communing with and channeling God - and it is a powerful moment.

Where to start? I'm sure most of you know the Jeff Buckley story. In short, Buckley was an amazing singer and musician who only had the opportunity to release one full-length album before his life was taken away. But fans, followers, and mourners rejoice - Live In Chicago captures him at his peak, and shines like a beacon of light into our darkened souls. Yes, that's right - this concert is magical, transcendent, and just absolutely gorgeous.

Jeff Buckley had a penchant for writing amazing songs, and they are on display full-force here. It is just magical to hear (and see!) him sing these songs that I thought were inhuman and impossible to sing outside of the recording studio. The ethereal beauty of "Hallelujah" had the live crowd, as well as me, sitting in a stunned silence at the perfectness they were witnessing. But this magnificent display is somehow outshined by some of Buckley's other songs.

The song "Grace" stands as a milestone in my music listening experience. Jeff's voice is just perfectly original and absolutely BEYOND COMPREHENSION. I really can't describe it, and I literally sat in awe for minutes after seeing this. Let's make this simple on you (and me, since I honestly cannot describe this up to the standards it deserves) - if you are a Jeff Buckley, fan, this is a no-braier: Buy it now. If you are a singer, and want to see and hear something amazing, definitely buy this. If you simply want to hear the most amazing thing ever, buy this. Jeff Buckley may be gone from Earth, but his music, spirit, and beauty will live on forever with this DVD.

Well, where should I start... This DVD (or video i presume) has literally changed my life. I bought it a couple of months ago and haven't stopped watching...
If you're looking for pure music and passion - this is it.
I'm quite a music & movie fanatic - you name it, I saw it or heard it, but this concert beats everything hands down.

It is truly the most exciting, moving, genuine thing I have ever experienced in music. It is far, far better than any live concert or studio-recording I have ever heard or seen.
You - reading this - must know 'Grace' and probably like it a lot. Well - This concert will KNOCK YOU DOWN !!! It's really too good to be true - yet it is (True).

GO SEE IT - NO WAY YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED !!!

PS: I am not drunk, not on drugs, in no way affiliated to Jeff Buckley and will not benefit from increased sales of his works.
This is simply so good I want too share it with everybody !

greets, Vik

I was a big Jeff Buckley fan before Grace was released, the Live at Sine' EP CD was so great i was primed and ready when Grace hit the shelves. I turned at least several friends on to Jeff and for a while felt I was the only one who had even heard of him. When Last Goodbye hit the radio I was ecstatic. After all this i passed up at least 2 opportunities to see him live during his tours in 1995 and 1996. This DVD made me regret those decisions even more. As has been stated, THIS IS THE WAY A CONCERT DVD SHOULD BE. Live in Chicago blew me away. I thought I knew what to expect. I knew it would be a good concert. I bought the Mystery White Boy CD that was recently released, and thought THAT was an eye opener. This DVD leaves the CD WAY behind. All i can say is if you never saw Jeff in concert, you owe it to yourself to experience something like this. He was not a "star" or an "icon". Jeff Buckley was a life. So Real.

I haven't actually seen the DVD - BUT I WAS AT THIS SHOW, sitting next to one of the cameramen who filmed it. It was the single most incredible live musical experience I have ever had - I thought the concert was being taped for a TV program - had no idea about the DVD - I'm going to purchase it RIGHT NOW, and would recommend anyone else do the same - the only thing is, if you have never seen Jeff live, you will be filled with longing and regret that you did not.

I have been waiting anxiously for this DVD to come out for a very long time, and was not let down by it at all. From the amazing full concert footage, to the haunting Grace Electronic Press Kit, this DVD is a must have for all Buckley fans. We get to see a glimpse of Jeff in an intimate club setting and it's really nice to have captured that moment and to be able to go back to it, and be amazed over and over. It is truly a sad and beautiful thing all at once. I urge all music lovers to give Jeff Buckley a listen, and try not to be impressed. The only thing that I would have also included, would have been all of Jeff's videos. Other than that, this is perfect. Thanks Mary, for leaving the light on.

This is -hands down- the most emotional and touching concert I've ever seen in my life. I'm not gonna tell you how incredible Jeff Buckley's music because you probably know that already. If this performance doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then I don't know what will. Do not miss this only chance of seeing Jeff playing live, you'll definitely regret it.

"Compelling" is the best word to describe this concert dvd. Filmed with a minimum of cameras, edits, production - allowing the viewer to focus on the artist and his music - the way it should be. Combine that with Buckley's power, passion, presence, terrific band, great sound mix and magnificent songs makes this a true gift to Buckley fans. Not ever seeing Jeff Buckley live has always been a big disappointment for me - this dvd fills that void.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this is indeed a stellar concert, but there are two problems that plague it:

1. Camera Angles : The entire video recording is very 'amateur', to say the least. Most of Jeff is captured with very bad lighting, sometimes he is obscured in the dark completely. Also, the camera sometimes lingers on the same spot for too long with no other angles to speak of (possibly because there were no other cameras?) and even if you're a huge Jeff fan (as I am), this could be tiresome.

2. The Sound : I was not entirely happy with the audio of this recording. Most of it is obscured by the audience screaming and there is a perceptible hiss that runs through the background permanently. This is not a good thing at all. In fact, some songs that require a delicate rendition such as 'Lilac Wine' have possibly been ruined by the weak transfer of audio. I suspect the original recording itself wasn't that clear, which is why.

3. Special Features : Now, heres the thing. When Jeff had only one actual studio album in his lifetime, how on earth would a 'Discography' section benefit a true fan of his? It does not make any sense. Of course you get listings of everything he's ever worked on (such as 'Sketches' and his earlier collaboration album) but I would hardly call this a special feature.

The good part of this is that this remains the only officially commissioned Jeff Buckley video recording out there. Under Mary, his mother, much more archived video has been promised to us, his fans. As a starter kit, this works fine. Jeff was ON this night, and brought a lot of tenderness to his performance. Watching this more than ten years since his death, its very nostalgic and inspiring. Then you think of whats on the radio these days and miss the time when you could actually listen to Jeff Buckley on radio. Where have those days gone?

I consider Jeff Buckley to be the closest thing to a perfect male musician. Apart from his obvious ethereal beauty, his voice remains truly a divine gift that hasn't diminished in its' resonance through the years. I think that had he lived, he would certainly be regarded as some sort of pioneer. Sadly, all we have are remnants such as this DVD release. Get this today. Like I said, its not great, but its all we have of Jeff.

Five Stars for the man and his music. Three Stars for the DVD. I'm rounding the rating out to a total of four Stars.