Richard Buckner [Original recording reissued]

Richard Buckner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 21, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Overcoat Recordings
• ASIN: B00007L7DT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,391 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. On Traveling

2. Boys, The Night Will Bury You

3. Ed's Song

4. A Goodbye Rye

5. Home

6. Song of 27

7. Roll

8. Pull

9. Figure

10. Jewelbomb

11. Lil Wallet Picture

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars buckner at his naked best, January 24, 2003

By 

Matt Patterson (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Buckner (Audio CD)

The songs here will be quite familiar to fans of Buckner's "Devotion + Doubt" and "Since"; all of them appeared on those two albums in different form. It's remarkable, however, to hear the contrast in the different versions of the same songs. All of the tracks on this appropriately self-titled disc (recorded in 1996) are stripped down to acoustic guitar and vocals. As such, these recordings are a perfect expression of the melancholy troubadour spirit that animates Buckner's songwriting.

What is remarkable about this album is how it seems that nothing stands between the song and the listener on these recordings. Buckner's voice is right there, and his guitar playing is dynamic; rarely do you hear an acoustic guitar generate such contrasts between picking and strumming, between wispy lilting and forceful crashing. The absence of a backing band allows him to follow his own varied pace on each song. Listening to this album, you can hear "Goodbye Rye" as a strained but intense anthem and "Jewelbomb" as a mournful ballad, not as the less subtle rockers that they are on Buckner's MCA recordings. On the short story-ish "Boys, the Night Will Bury You," the vocal delivery is less hurried, giving the song a spookier tone. Even the poignancy of "Lil Wallet Picture" seems somehow more pronounced. Buckner has achieved the difficult feat of making an all-acoustic recording interesting, engaging. You wonder if this was the way he originally wanted these songs to be released seven years ago.

This album is sure to be compared to Springsteen's "Nebraska." Besides the sparse arrangements, both albums share the same raw intensity. Like the tracks on "Nebraska," the tracks on "Richard Buckner" could have been demos, but really they sound too good for that. Beyond these considerations, however, Buckner's impressionistic lyrics and his ragged but rich baritone bear little resemblance to Springsteen's work. Both are great albums, though, and deserve an honored place in any singer-songwriter, rock'n'roll, or alt-country fan's collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Devotion with no doubt the best Buckner, March 14, 2003

By 

Susan Francis (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Buckner (Audio CD)

This is the kind of music that keeps you captivated from beginning to end. Richard's lyrics are hypnotic. His guitar work is like nothing I have ever heard before. I was already a devout fan listening to Richard's other CDs-- Bloomed, Devotion + Doubt, The Hill, and loved each one in separate and unique ways. But, I was not ready for this raw performance. He sings these songs in a more consise way than the more arranged versions, but yet there is something so much more intimate listening to just Richard with his guitar. It complements my Buckner collection. Now it's time to get aquainted with Impasse, his lastest installment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Low Light, March 26, 2008

By 

Justin (Stone Mountain, Ga United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Buckner (Audio CD)

I picked this album up not knowing anything more than the fact that I didn't have it. I put it on while cleaning up after dinner and didn't pay much attention to it until I realized that I sorta knew the songs. The songs, however, where quite different than the one's I knew. Needless to say, I turned up the volume and started again from the beginning. For Buckner fans, this really is a great listen. The songs are familiar but their difference gives thema somewhat newer/personal feel. I know this may not be as helpful as some but if you really do like Buckner's stuff you'll really like this album. Trust me.