Customer Reviews

Tim Buckley

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

That's the way I remember reacting to this recording when I first heard it, back in 1966 - it's as stunning now as it was then. It's incredible that he was only 19 years old when he made it - the voice, the intelligence and emotion, the songwriting, are all what you would expect from a much older, more seasoned artist. Did I mention his voice? Of course I did - but that voice is one thing that set Tim apart from so many of his contemporaries (and from so many current artists as well). He had amazing control and an unbelievable range - he could soar upward and upward, seemingly without limits, without slipping into an obvious falsetto. The songs on this recording are a foreshadowing of the incredible work that was to come - and perhaps of the apogee that his creativity (and his life) attained too soon. Like all of his fans, I was crushed when he died in 1975 at 28.

The songs here - all written by Tim, or co-written with lyricist Larry Beckett - shine like diamonds. Recorded and released during the folk-rock era, the arrangements and instrumentation reflects that influence, but with an individuality and earnestness that raises them above the crowd. The opening lines of `Song of the magician' sum it up nicely: `When I sing, I can bring everything on the wind flying down from dizzy air...' Buckley's voice always had that power - and combined with some of the most beautifully poetic lyrics ever set to music, the songs on this album (and most of his subsequent releases), it's demonstrated again and again.

Highlights? Almost every song is a highlight, but my favorites are `I can't see you', `Wings', `Song of the magician', `Valentine melody', `Song slowly song', and `She is'. The only two here that don't completely work for me are the more straightforward `Understand your man' and, to a lesser extent, `Grief in my soul' - but I can't recall ever listening to this cd and skipping over them. There is magic in this music - a magic that continued to smolder and burn in Tim's work, through all of the stylistic changes he would manifest. It's an incredibly powerful, moving start to a breathtakingly creative career.

I am a Tim Buckley fans and I love "Tim Buckley" most. It's hard to imagine a 19years old guy can offer the world such a passionate, romantic and beautiful record. The lyrics are heart-telling and very poetic. "Wings", "Songs of the magician" and "It happens every time" are my all-time favourite. I would rate this album above "Goodbye and Hello", and this is one of the best record of the era.

Simply put, "Tim Buckley" is a spectacular album. It had an enourmous effect on me when I first bought it, nearly 40 years ago, and seeing it on CD is a joy almost beyond words. In my opinion, none of Tim's follow-up CDs can hold a candle to his first one. And that's not an easy thing to say, being a fan. If you appreciate songs of beauty and romance sung by someone with the voice of an angel, "Tim Buckley" is the record for you!

This is one of the most beautiful cd's ever recorded-- released in one of the must beautiful decades of our history. I have never understood how Tim Buckley managed to miss the breaches of stardom, but throughout his years he was a constant critical success.
Perhaps due to his premature death at the age of 28, his music career never had time to fully develop... but after listening to this debut album, I think you can see this isn't the work of an amateur. This album is timeless.

***** THIS REVIEW IS FOR TIM BUCKLEY'S DELUXE DEBUT 2 CD EDITION *****

Many Congratulations, Rhino Records, this lavishly packaged edition of Tim Buckley's first album is an absolute stunner. The stereo mix is gorgeous but the Mono mix is a revelation. The second disc is also a revelation, showing us where it all started. I believe that Tim's second album, 'Goodbye And Hello' is also going to get the same treatment. Perhaps the incandescent 1970 Starsailor Band Concerts will now also see the light of day, but this Deluxe Edition will do nicely for now. Very nicely! So if you want to hear the best voice of the twentieth century, and to date this century too, then this is a good place to start. I love Music, all kinds of Music, whatever labels we humans care to put on it, it is all Music, and I have never heard anyone sing as great as this guy could sing. So be good to your soul, heart, psyche, ears, and of course your lover, and just listen. Here is a good place to start, but all of his Music will blow you away one way or another. Oh and please stop calling Tim's Music folk or folk rock or jazz rock or avant garde or sex funk, Tim Buckley's Music is all of these and much, much more. Listen with an open heart and an open mind and you will see and hear what I mean. True!

I received this album as a gift a few years ago and it quickly became my favorite. I played it for a few friends and they all went out and bought a Tim Buckley album as a result. I personally like this CD the best - I also think "Goodbye & Hello" is excellant. I love hearing Tim's voice soar. Every song is fantastic.

I have loved Tim Buckley since college and finding such a perfect CD brought back so many memories. His amazing voice would appeal to any age group, though.

That is a wonderful debut.From 1966 to 1970, Tim made six extraordinary records,enough to place him at the top of pop music history;the rest it is not so good(with the exception of Dream letter Live,wich is great)I wonder how long we will have to wait before getting Starsailor and Blue afternoon in cd. They are a must and i need them badly!

This kid sings like a very mature man. Judging by his voice you think he was in his mid-30s. He sings so wonderfully. Truly underrated he was. I wonder how come he didn't become a big star. He was certainly born in the right era. This cd is a elegant gem. My favorite songs on here are "Wings" and "It happens every time".

I saw this in a record store in early 1967. I figure he was crap like THE ROLLING STONES: I was into folk music at that time. Finally, I broke down, and purchased it. After all, it's on Electra with Phil, Judy, and Tom. They would not market garbage. And--I was right. Great singer and song writer, with a strong Far East flavor--popular on the West coast at that time. I was pissed off with the sound. On UNDERSTAND YOUR MAN, I think, you here a sound level change. I wonder if they fixed it on this CD. Anyways, buy this and enjoy.