He had emerged in New York City's avant-garde club scene in the 1990s as one of the most remarkable musical artists of his generation, acclaimed by audiences, critics, and fellow musicians alike. His first commercial recording, the four-song EP Live At Sin-é, was released in December 1993 on Columbia Records. The EP captured Buckley, accompanying himself on electric guitar, in a tiny coffeehouse in New York's East Village, the neighbourhood he'd made his home.
Buckley made his public singing début at a tribute concert for his father called "Greetings from Tim Buckley". The event, produced by show business veteran Hal Willner, was held at St. Ann's Church in Brooklyn on 26 April 1991.
By the time of the EP's release during the fall of 1993, Buckley had already entered the studio with Mick Grondahl (bass), Matt Johnson (drummer), and producer Andy Wallace and recorded seven original songs (including "Grace" and "Last Goodbye") and three covers (among them Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", Benjamin Britten's "Corpus Christi Carol") that comprised his debut album Grace. Guitarist Michael Tighe became a permanent member of Jeff Buckley's ensemble and went on to co-write and perform on Grace's "So Real" just prior to the release of the album.
In early 1994, not long after Live At Sin-é appeared in stores, Jeff Buckley toured clubs, lounges, and coffeehouses in North America as a solo artist from January 15th to March 5th as well as in Europe from March 11th to 22th. Following extensive rehearsals in April to May of 1994, Buckley's "Peyote Radio Theatre Tour" found him on the road with his band from June 2nd to August 16th. His full-length full-band album, Grace, was released in the United States on August 23rd, 1994, the same day Buckley and band kicked off a European tour in Dublin, Ireland; the 1994 European Tour ran through September 22nd, with Buckley and band performing at the CMJ convention at New York's Supper Club on September 24. The group headed back into America's clublands for a Fall Tour lasting from October 19th until December 18th.
On New Year's Eve 1994-95, Buckley returned to Sin-é to perform a solo set; on New Year's Day, he read an original poem at the annual St. Mark's Church Marathon Poetry Reading. Two weeks later, he and his band were back in Europe for gigs in Dublin, Bristol, and London before launching an extensive tour of Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and the United Kingdom which lasted from January 29th to March 5th. On April 13th 1995, it was announced that Jeff Buckley's Grace had earned him France's prestigious "Gran Prix International Du Disque -- Academie Charles CROS -- 1995"; an award given by a jury of producers, journalists, the president of France Culture, and music industry professionals, it had previously been given to Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Yves Montand, Georges Brassens, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell, among other musical luminaries. France also awarded Buckley a gold record certification for Grace.
From March 5th through April 20th, Buckley and his band rehearsed for an American spring tour with gigs running from April 22th until June 2nd. From June through August, Jeff and company toured the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland. The band took off for Down Under to play six Australian shows between August 28th and September 6th, 1995. In November 1995, Buckley played two unannounced solo shows at Sin-é. He performed songs including the new "Woke Up In A Strange Place" on Vin Scelsa's "Idiot's Delight" show on WXRK-FM on December 17 and celebrated New Year's Eve 1995-96 with performances at New York's Mercury Lounge and Sin-é.
Jeff Buckley and his touring ensemble went back to Australia, where Grace had earned a gold record certification, for the "Hard Luck Tour," which ran from February 9th to March 1st of 1996. Drummer Matt Johnson left the group after the final Australian show. The posthumous album Mystery White Boy brings together some of the high points from Jeff's 1995-1996 live performances. The DVD/home video release Live In Chicago documents, in its entirety, Jeff's concert at The Cabaret Metro in Chicago on May 13th, 1995.
In May of '96, Jeff played four gigs as a bass player with Mind Science of the Mind, a side-project of Buckley's friend, Nathan Larson of Shudder To Think. In September Buckley played another unannounced solo gig at his old favorite haunt Sin-é. December of 1996 found Jeff Buckley embarking on his "phantom solo tour"; designed to experiment with new songs in a live setting (as in his Sin-é days), these unannounced solo gigs throughout the Northeast U.S. were played under a succession of aliases: the Crackrobats, Possessed By Elves, Father Demo, Smackrobiotic, the Halfspeeds, Crit Club, Topless America, Martha & the Nicotines, and A Puppet Show Named Julio.
At midnight on February 9th, 1997, Jeff Buckley debuted his new drummer, Parker Kindred, in a show at Arlene Grocery on New York's Lower East Side. He also played a couple of solo gigs in New York during the first months of 1997: a gig at the Daydream Cafe (featuring band members Mick Grondahl and Michael Tighe as "special guests") and a solo performance February 4th as part of the Knitting Factory's 10-Year Birthday Party.
Buckley and his band had recorded intermittently — with Tom Verlaine as producer — during Summer/Fall 1996 and early winter 1997 in New York and in February 1997 in Memphis. After the conclusion of those sessions, Jeff sent the band back to New York while, during March and April 1997, he remained in Memphis and continued to craft his work-in-progress, making various four-track home recordings of songs to present to his bandmates. Some of these were revisions of the songs recorded with Verlaine, some were brand new compositions, and some were surprising cover versions. The new lineup debuted Buckley's new songs at Barrister's in Memphis on February 12th and 13th. Beginning March 31st, Jeff began a series of regularly scheduled Monday night solo performances at Barrister's. His last show there was on Monday, May 26th, 1997.
Buckley passed away in a drowning accident in the Wolf River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, on May 29th, 1997. The night Buckley died, he was on his way to meet his band to begin three weeks of rehearsals for My Sweetheart, the Drunk; producer Andy Wallace, who'd helmed the boards on Grace, was to join them in Memphis in late June to record his new album.
In addition to his Columbia Records releases, Live At Sin-é and Grace, Jeff Buckley has appeared as a guest artist on several other recordings. He can be heard singing "Jolly Street," a track on the Jazz Passengers 1994 album In Love. He contributed tenor vocals to "Taipan" and "D. Popylepis," two recordings on John Zorn's Cobra Live At The Knitting Factory (1995). On Rebecca Moore's Admiral Charcoal's Song, Buckley plays electric six-string bass on "If You Please Me," "Outdoor Elevator," and "Needle Men" (on which he also plays drums). He both plays guitar and sings backup vocals on Brenda Kahn's "Faith Salons," a key track on her Destination Anywhere album (released 1996). Patti Smith's critically acclaimed Gone Again album features Buckley adding "voice" to the song "Beneath the Southern Cross" and "essrage" (a small fretless Indian stringed instrument) to "Fireflies." On Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness, a various artists' spoken word tribute to beat poet Jack Kerouac, Jeff Buckley performed on "Angel Mine"; Jeff plays guitar, sitar, and mouth sax (adding words at the poem's conclusion) on the track. Buckley can be heard reading Edgar Allan Poe's "Ulallume - A Ballad," on Closed on Account of Rabies: Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe (disc 2: The Devil's Brew) (Poems & Tales by Edgar Allan Poe) on Mouth Almighty/Mercury Records. He sang "I Want Someone Badly" (Epic) for Shudder To Think's soundtrack to First Love, Last Rites. Sandy Bell, a friend of Buckley's during his L.A. days, released the resurrected track "Hollywould" in 2000, which she co-wrote and recorded with Buckley.
An ardent enthusiast for a myriad of musical forms, Jeff Buckley was an early champion among young American musicians for the work of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the world's foremost Qawwali (the music of the Sufis) singer. Buckley conducted an extensive interview with Nusrat in Interview magazine (January 1996) and wrote the liner notes Nusrat's The Supreme Collection album, released on Mercator/Caroline records in August 1997. On May 9th, 2000, Columbia Records released Mystery White Boy, an album of live performances, and Live In Chicago, a full-length concert (available on DVD or VHS) recorded live at The Cabaret Metro in Chicago on May 13, 1995, in the middle of Jeff's "Mystery White Boy" tour.
Following the release of Grace on August 23rd, 1994, Jeff and his group spent much of 1994-1996 performing around the world on the Unknown, Mystery White Boy, and Hard Luck tours. Mystery White Boy brings together, for the first time, some of the high points of those shows. Produced by Michael Tighe (guitarist for Jeff's band throughout their international touring and the recording of Grace) and Mary Guibert (Jeff's mother) and Mystery White Boy provides an evocative cross-section of Jeff's repertoire: previously-unreleased Buckley compositions, electrifying live interpretations of songs from Grace, and obscure and marvelous cover choices. The recordings heard on Mystery White Boy have been hand-picked from scores of concert tapes by Mary Guibert and the members of Jeff's band who played such a large role in helping Jeff realize his musical vision.
According to Mary, the tracks on Mystery White Boy are "the individual performances that represented transcendent moments from each of the concerts we'd identified as being in the 'overall outstanding' category."
"It was obvious which performances were contenders for the record," concurs Michael Tighe, "and in some cases a performance would be so supreme and unpredictable that I knew it had to be brought to the public."
The posthumous album Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk was released in 1998 and included songs Buckley was working on while in Memphis for his upcoming release.
Tribute songs:
PJ Harvey - Memphis
Rufus Wainwright- Memphis Skyline
Mark Eitzel - To the Sea
Zita Swoon - Song for a Dead Singer
Amy Correia - Blind River Boy
Duncan Sheik - A Body Goes Down
Chris Cornell - Wave Goodbye
Katatonia - Nightmares by the Sea
Willie Nile - On the Road to Calvary
Rachael Sage - Grace
Aimee Mann - Just Like Anyone
Cocteau Twins - Rilkean Heart
Jim Major - Angels Fall (Song for Jeff Buckley)
A film about Buckley's life, a biopic called "Mystery White Boy", is currently in pre-production. Actors have not yet been cast, according to IMDB.
People's Parties
Jeff Buckley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they've got a lot of style
they've got stamps of many countries
they've got passport smiles
some are friendly
some are cutting
some are watching it from the wings
some are standing in the centre
photo beauty gets attention
then her eye paint's running down
she's got a rose in her teeth
and a lampshade crown
one minute she's so happy
then she's crying on someone's knee
saying laughing and crying
you know it's the same release
i told you when i met you
i was crazy
cry for us all beauty
cry for eddie in the corner
thinking he's nobody
and jack behind his joker
and stone-cold grace behind her fan
and me in my frightened silence
thinking i don't understand
i feel like i'm sleeping
can you wake me
you seem to have a broader sensibility
i'm just living on nerves and feelings
with a weak and a lazy mind
and coming to peoples parties
fumbling deaf dumb and blind
i wish i had more sense of humor
keeping the sadness at bay
throwing the lightness on these things
laughing it all away
laughing it all away
laughing it all away
In Jeff Buckley's song "People's Parties," he describes the eclectic mix of people at a party. While some are friendly, others are cutting or watching from the sidelines. The party-goers all have their unique styles, with stamps from different countries and passport smiles to boot. The photo beauty is the center of attention, with her eye paint running down and a rose in her teeth, wearing a lampshade crown. She's emotional, crying on someone's knee one minute and laughing the next. Buckley empathizes with the people at the party, particularly Eddie in the corner, who thinks he's a nobody, and Stone-cold Grace, who hides behind her fan.
Buckley then turns to himself, admitting that he's just fumbling through life with a weak and lazy mind. He wishes he had more of a sense of humor to keep the sadness at bay and laugh away his problems. The final lines of the song repeat the sentiment of laughter being the best medicine.
The song is a poignant commentary on the superficiality and complexity of human relationships. It's a reminder that, just like the people at the party, we're all struggling with our own issues and insecurities. However, it's also a hopeful message that we can find solace in laughter and shared experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
all the people at this party
The individuals gathered at this particular soiree
they've got a lot of style
These aforementioned persons possess a great deal of panache and aesthetic appeal
they've got stamps of many countries
This group of revelers contains members who have traveled extensively and have the corresponding markings in their passports
they've got passport smiles
Some of the people at this function are capable of leveraging the power of their smiles to circumvent obstacles, such as border security checkpoints
some are friendly
Certain individuals in attendance are amicable and approachable
some are cutting
Others have a more acerbic or sarcastic demeanor
some are watching it from the wings
A few of the guests are not actively participating in the festivities and are instead content to observe from a distance
some are standing in the centre
A number of partygoers have positioned themselves in the nucleus of the room
giving to get something
These central figures are engaged in a type of quid pro quo, exchanging social capital and favors for their own benefit
photo beauty gets attention
Individuals who are especially photogenic or attractive are receiving a lot of notice
then her eye paint's running down
Although one such person was initially captivating, her eye makeup is beginning to smudge and run
she's got a rose in her teeth
Despite this cosmetic issue, this woman still manages to put on a bold, ostentatious display, holding a rose firmly between her pearly whites
and a lampshade crown
Further enhancing her unusual appearance, she has adorned her head with a makeshift crown consisting of a lampshade
one minute she's so happy
This woman's emotional state appears to shift rapidly; at one moment she is gregarious and ebullient
then she's crying on someone's knee
However, shortly thereafter she breaks down in tears and seeks solace from one of her fellow revelers
saying laughing and crying
Despite these fluctuations in mood, she realizes that both forms of emotional expression serve the same purpose and release the same feelings
you know it's the same release
She communicates this idea to the person trying to console her
i told you when i met you
The singer addresses someone directly, referring to a past conversation they had
i was crazy
The singer admits that perhaps they exhibited some level of insanity when they first made each other's acquaintance
cry for us all beauty
The artist implores the aforementioned attractive person to shed tears on behalf of all those present
cry for eddie in the corner
The artist specifically singles out Eddie, who seems to feel isolated or unimportant
thinking he's nobody
The artist suspects that Eddie is experiencing some form of existential crisis or feelings of worthlessness
and jack behind his joker
The singer also points out Jack, who appears to be maintaining a jovial facade, perhaps to mask deeper issues
and stone-cold grace behind her fan
The artist identifies someone who is composed and graceful on the surface, but may be feeling vulnerable and exposed underneath
and me in my frightened silence
The singer himself admits to being terrified, but instead of expressing this fear, he keeps it bottled up
thinking i don't understand
The singer feels as though he is missing some key piece of information or insight that would enable him to comprehend the situation fully
i feel like i'm sleeping
The singer conveys a sense of disconnect or detachment from reality
can you wake me
The artist pleads with someone to bring him back to the present moment
you seem to have a broader sensibility
The artist recognizes that the person he is addressing has a more expansive worldview or understanding of things
i'm just living on nerves and feelings
The singer, in contrast, admits to being somewhat reactionary and ruled by his own emotional responses
with a weak and a lazy mind
He further insults himself, suggesting that he lacks the intellect or motivation to change this state of affairs
and coming to peoples parties
The artist admits that he still goes out and socializes with others despite feeling out of place or uncomfortable
fumbling deaf dumb and blind
He describes himself as clumsy and oblivious, failing to pick up on social cues or properly engage with others
i wish i had more sense of humor
The artist reveals that he recognizes his own deficiencies and wishes he could be more light-hearted and amusing
keeping the sadness at bay
He acknowledges that laughter can serve as a coping mechanism, distracting oneself from more painful emotions
throwing the lightness on these things
He further emphasizes the importance of humor in difficult situations
laughing it all away
The singer repeats this refrain several times, further underscoring the idea that laughter can be cathartic and transformative
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MojoPin1983
@omi god “Go back and listen to Coltrane and Mingus, you ignorant, ageist twat.
“I know who he was. He's only famous because he's dead. Big deal. Everybody dies. He could neither sing nor play. His father wasn't much better. "Real musicians", indeed.”
Speaking of ignorance. Saying that Jeff is only famous because he is dead, is about the most disingenuous sentiment I can think of. When one is lauded by the likes of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, David Bowie, U2, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Neil Peart, etc. one ought not to be so readily dismissive.
You’ve got to be joking if you say that Jeff couldn’t sing or play. He was objectively an incredible singer and guitarist. Whether you like him, that is a different story; but to disregard his exceptional talent is a farce. The guy deserves all the accolades he receives. If anything, he isn’t even famous. Most people aren’t even aware that such a person ever existed. He died way too young and early on in his career to become a well-known artist; coupled with the fact that his music is unorthodox to ever gain wide appeal.
As for this song, it is easy to judge it as being poor, since the audio quality is awful. Have you listened to his Live at Sin-é (Legacy Edition) album?
With respect, can you name a single musician that can pull this off as well as Jeff; if at all? I think this is the most incredible live solo performance of any song ever captured on tape. It is difficult to fathom that a single human being was capable of this.
Jeff Buckley - The Way Young Lovers Do (Live at Sin-é, New York, NY - July/August 1993):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPrieDMB5Zs&app=desktop
Gauthier Delobelle
Jeff sings Joni
I thought it had never been recorded
Thank' you so much
Only for connoisseurs given the quality of the recording... 😉😊
jp
Wow! Absolutely agree with littlegreen2615, finding these recordings is like discovering treasure! It's like, Jeff has been gone so long, yet I feel like I will always be finding new things from him! Amazing.
gmfyes
Jeff Buckley singing Joni Mitchell. Yes!
Anna Gray
So grateful for these bootlegs,, this is a beautiful lil song
frodo latado
what a beautiful voice
Zoe J
I would’ve loved to hear an HQ version of this 💔
David Maholchic
How wonderful is this!
The Aquarelians
Wonderful. My two favourite artists. Perfect.
Nik Nova
Great version
katherinaJee55
he is the best..... ♫ ♥