Tim Buckley – Blue Afternoon (Straight 1969)

Third album from this troubled, but exceptional artist that left the world way too early. As usual, the melancholy feeling lays thick both underneath and above the songs, but there is also some hope here – in a place that might seem distant, but is nevertheless there. His music – and not at least his singing – is so powerful that it alone has the capacity to heal, at least that is my personal experience. On ‘Blue Afternoon’, you will both find incredibly introverted tracks, like ‘Chase The Blues Away’ and not at least ‘The River’, with its ghostly and kind of disturbing atmosphere, but also lighter and more jazzy gems like ‘Cafe’ and ‘Blue Melody’. Fantastic melodies all over, and oh that voice! It was a highly expressive instrument in itself, and I have yet to hear someone sing the way this guy did. To call it soulful, would be an understatement! On the last track (‘The Train’), which is different from all the others here, he shows some incredible vocal acrobatics that probably will not be to everyone’s taste, but I love it! Over nearly eight minutes he lays his sole bare, as he usually (or should I say always) did through his art. On this closing song, you’ll also hear Lee Underwood’s experimental guitar wanderings. This is the most challenging song on the album, and at first I didn’t know what to think of it, but I have grown to love it. Tim Buckley was a highly progressive troubadour, in the sense that he was always willing to explore new and unknown musical territory. He never made ordinary singer & songwriter-music, and because of his constantly evolving – and often really dense – music, you always discover new and interesting details and aspects. I discovered Tim Buckley late (I think I was 33 or thereabouts), but I’m really glad that I did. I don’t think I will ever tire from this artist, and nor will you – if and when you have grown to appreciate his music and highly poetic words.