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Grace: Legacy Edition by: Jeff Buckley

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Rating: - THE LEGACY OF JEFF BUCKLEY

It started off in the early 90s, when artists released the second instalment of 'classic' albums (Bat Out of Hell 2, Road to Hell 2 and Tubular Bells 2 (and indeed, Tubular Bells 3)). It then followed on with artists re-releasing albums with added 'bonus' tracks (Debut by Bjork, It's a Shame About Ray by the Lemonheads etc). This in turn was followed by 'Deluxe Versions' - albums re-released with a 'bonus' disc containing extra tracks and videos (Feels Like Home by Norah Jones, Gold by Abba etc.). Now the latest ruse by record companies is to release 'Anniversary' editions of albums, usually consisting of the original album, a CD of demos, outtakes and live songs, and the all important 'Bonus' DVD (London Calling by the Clash, The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers etc.).

Which brings us on to the Grace 10th Anniversary Legacy Edition consisting of the original album (no doubt 'remastered'), a CD of demos & outtakes and a DVD. There is no doubting that Grace is one of the all times great albums, and deserves a place in any album collection, but why do record companies keep having to rip fans off with these 'Bonus', 'Anniversary' and 'Deluxe' editions? My view on this is: If it wasn't good enough to be released 10 years ago, is it really going to be any better 10 years later. The answer is probably no.

The legacy of Jeff Buckley is slowly being eroded by all this repacking of his music (see also the Complete Live at Sine (2CD + DVD) and the Grace EPs), and release of sub standard posthumous albums. Jeff Buckley is fast becoming the Jimi Hendrix of the 21st century i.e. a rare talent who released very little during his lifetime, but has had literally dozens of posthumous releases (the usual stuff - live albums, demos, 'lost' recordings) released since.

The five stars I have awarded this album are for the original version of Grace. Save yourself some money and buy the original version of this album and hear it the way it was intended to be heard.

Rating: - genius

This album and this artist is the only thing that I would take to a desert island. This is the greatest music I will ever hear. No matter what music you are in to, buy it....... now. You wont regret it.

Rating: - Anyone want to buy an old copy of Grace?

As I already owned Grace on CD, I bought this nicely packaged Legacy Edition 3-disc set (a bonus DVD disc is included) for the second disc. This contains some choice previously unreleased material along with 5 contemporary bonus tracks from EPs, soundtracks and the like, which alone justified the price of admission.

It kicks off to a great start with Forget Her, which was bumped off Grace in favour of the newly-recorded So Real, and would have made a great single. It is surprising, despite the personal reasons hinted at in the liner notes, that it has taken a decade for this to surface legitimately, as it surpasses even the posthumous single Everybody Here Wants You.

Dream Brother here appears both in an early version with different lyrics and a remix, named after Jeff Buckley's favorite incense, which he prepared for the promo Grace tour CD. The next handful of tracks, all cover versions, recorded at Bearsville during the Grace sessions but on a smaller informal performance stage, were spontaneously captured on 2-track DAT as Jeff played tribute to some of his musical icons - Hank Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Bukka White and Nina Simone.

So Real was recorded when Michael Tighe joined the band on additional guitar, and a studio version of Big Star's Kanga-Roo, a popular extended live encore, was completed at the same time in a glorious 14-minute all-singing all-dancing version.

The film First Love, First Rites featured Jeff Buckley performing deep soul-style, with Shudder To Think, on the soundtrack, replete with Stax-style horns. The song, I Want Someone Badly was written by Nathan Larson from the band, and shows Jeff in an unfamiliar musical setting to fine effect.

The Road Version of Eternal Life had previously appeared on a CD single of Everybody Here Wants You, re-arranged from the album version to take advantage of Michael Tighe's guitar, and a good chance to hear the band rock out as they did onstage. This is also shown on the live version of Kick Out The Jams that follows, the only one I have found so far on CD, although often performed, notably at Glastonbury in 1995. This one was recorded for his record label's radio show in New York in 1994.

Finally, Strawberry Street, not mentioned in the outer-sleeve track listing, but documented in the booklet: this is one of Jeff's earliest original compositions, revisited in some experimental jams he made with Andrew Goodsight and John McNally at the Knitting Factory in May 1993 in the run-up to the Grace sessions.

All of these tracks deserve to be heard, and I need hardly say are essential to any Jeff Buckley fan.

I had no complaints with my existing CD of Grace, and in fact was slightly trepidatious of the re-mastered version in case it sounded too different. However, it blasts with renewed sheen and vigour through the speakers in its magnificently de-compressed form. Anyone want to buy an old copy of Grace?

Rating: - Jeff Buckley - Grace

This was probably the best speculative purchase I've ever made & I've listened to virtually nothing else since buying it (about 3 weeks ago!).
The range of music, the vocal range, the varied sounds, styles & emotions etc etc etc.- WOW!
I am now forcing myself (temporarily) to hold back from buying all the rest of Jeff Buckleys all too brief catalogue. What would this guy have achieved, given a bit more time?

Rating: - Great Album

I bought the 'Grace Legacy Edition' after reading a great review about it and seeing the video 'Forget Her'. I gave this Cd 5 stars because it is one of the best Cd's I have ever listened to and Jeff Buckley's voice the most beautiful I have ever heard. It's one of the few Cd's where I can listen to the entire album without skipping a single track, all the tracks on Disc 1 are brilliant, my favourites being 'Grace' 'Last Goodbye' and 'Lover, You Should've Come Over'. Although some people don't agree I thought the 2nd disc was really great too, his version of Nina Simone's 'The Other Woman' is my favourite track and you can tell he really has fun doing a cover of 'Alligator Wine'.
The DVD was neat too, with music videos of classic hits such as 'Grace' and 'So Real' and also a good but quite brief insight into Jeff Buckley's music.
All Jeff Buckley fans should buy this edition, it is definately woth it.

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