I got most of the RYKO Tim Buckleys all in one purchase back in the early 90's. 'I Must Have Been Blind' I had heard on a U.S. vinyl sampler LP called "Zapped" which I found at a garage sale. That song and "Happy Time" are the only songs I really return to from Blue Afternoon. It's not as strong as "Happy Sad". In fact, I think I heard and bought "Dream Letter" first - I found that many of the albums didn't measure up after hearing Tim sing live. The selections of songs on the other albums weren't as consistently good as those on "Happy Sad" to my ears. Luckily, quite a few other live releases have come out, so I've usually bought those. I only have 3 Tim Buckley vinyl albums - an Australian mono GOODYE AND HELLO, a fairy beaten up U.S. Elektra copy of HAPPY SAD and an Australian GREETINGS FROM L.A. I still listen to Tim and will follow this thread with interest.
track 3) I Must Have Been Blind This could easily be a music industry standard, and covered by so many others if Tim were more well known. 'Tis is a stunner and I never tire of playing it. God, this one is so beautiful and at the top of Buckley songs! Chills. Those vibes, guitar, and great drumming! And wow, Tim's pipes soar! I know a lot of reviewers say that this LP is not a step forward or as adventuresome, that it is rather a step backwards in approach when placed next to Lorca which was recorded around the same time, but it is so solid and such a fantastic set of songs. ...along with Happy Sad, it makes up my personal top-two favorite Buckley albums. Here I am believin' words again Here I am tryin' to find your love again Here I am down on my knees again Prayin' for a love That we used to know Both of us know How hard it is to love And let it go Both of us know How hard it is to go on living that way When so few understand what it means To fall in love And so few know how hard it is to live without it I must have been blind I must have been blind Lord, I must have been blind To hold something real And not believe it To live in her life And never trustin' To give all you know and never feel it To hold back each day Until it dies away Both of us know How hard it is to love And let it go Both of us know How hard it is to go on Living that way When so few undersand what it means To fall in love And so few know how hard it is to live without it I must have been blind I must have been blind Lord, I must have been blind
Absolutely stunning song. With a gun to my head I'd probably say it's my all-time favourite Tim track. I also never tire of it. As you say it really should be far better known, it's such a deep, classic, love song. The musicianship is quite out of this world - georgeous vibes, beautiful bass and just-right drums. Very indebted, stylistically, though to the other Tim. Tim Hardin. Nothing wrong with that. 10/10.
What a fantastic cover that is and a great album title. But what does "Blue Afternoon" actually mean I wonder?
I got this on vinyl earlier this year and have been really enjoying it. Happy Sad, I have this on CD but I've never been able to really get into it. After reading the enthusiastic reviews above I may have another go.
The record is a major slow burner. I can't think of a record that's been so constantly somewhere in rotation with me for so long (30+ years).
Tim Hardin 3 has that same vibe...his fantastic live classic. Hardin was all about jazz and blues in his approach. Thanks for the parallel...hadn't made that connection between the two Tims, but you are right on.
I'm not getting ahead but I'm looking forward to the descriptions of Lorca and Starsailor - two albums I don't know at all and have been a bit too afraid to explore due to their reputations !
I Must Have Been Blind A timeless beauty. Lee says that Tim wrote this song in 1966, but that there was no place for it to go until BA. Its amazing that he was only 18 or 19 when he wrote this lyric. I think we were lucky that it didn't make it onto his debut and it was saved for his more mature voice. Its amazing that no other version of this track exists- something which lends it real mystery. In fact 5 of the 8 tracks on BA don't exist anywhere but on that album. This and the unique sound-world of the album make BA Tim's most mysterious album I think.
You will be amazed @Williamson . Yes @Fuller , I listened to Lorca in full yesterday and I guess my "ear" has matured. A few years ago it was a bit too radical for me. Now...I love it! Lorca and Starsailor coming soon!
Does music get any better than the last minute or so of Strange Feelin'? Lee Underwood's guitar work is stellar. How could such a brilliant guitarist almost disappear from recorded music? I'm just listening to the double Rhino CD Tim Buckley Starsailor The Anthology. It certainly gives Tim's recorded works a sonic boost and makes his music more alive. Wouldn't it be great if his entire catalogue was re-released to this standard, or a boxset even. Doubtful though unfortunately.
track 4) Happy Time An unusually (almost) happy tune for Tim. Of course even a happy song by Tim has it's minor key melancholy tone...no sunshine pop for Tim. It's more about keeping a happy tune in your head to fend off the rest of the noise... "It's s shame the way they use your name..." So fine. Every song on this LP is a stunner! Ah, it's a happy time inside my mind When a melody does find a rhyme Says to me I'm comin' home to stay Oh, Lord, home to stay I'm comin' home to stay Home to stay Ah, lord, it's just the same old story Something about love for glory A nickel and a dime a dozen Fame Ah, it's such a shame Ah, the way they use your name Ah, you know it's such a shame When it's only mine to sing a song Hoping that you'd cross along my way Before I have to move along Ah, now move along Ah, but I'll be back again Ooh back again Ah, it's a happy time inside my mind When a melody does find a rhyme Says to me I'm comin' home to stay Oh, Lord, home to stay I'm comin' home to stay Home to stay Sleep late now mama Let the mornin' sun warm your bed While I'm away While I'm away
Sorry, Lemonade kid, track 4 is The River. Hope I am not treading on your toes. A classic, "a powerful anthem of loneliness and creative freedom". Again, the only version we have of this song- very precious. I live by the river And I hide my house away Then just like the river I can change my ways Oh, if you come to love me You would stay forever Inside my heart Inside my dreams And time will fade In time we'll love In the street we walk as beggars In the alley faithless kings Ah, but it's the truth of life That chains us in between Those lost moments we steal To keep our love alive And our prize so tired after all the pain And time will fade In time we'll love Songwriters: Buckley
I can’t comment on this album or the next two - Lorca and Starsailor as don’t own them - yet. I certainly need to get a copy of Blue Afternoon! It’s great reading about theses albums I don’t have and hearing some of the tracks. I’ll have to wait for Greetings From LA and then Sefronia to contribute again.
Played Blue Afternoon yesterday. Lovely record - jazzy, melancholic, Tim's voice up front in the mix.
Nope. Keep it up! I am relying on you and thread followers to keep me honest, not like me relying on youtube plays for song order, and that is a mistake!
To repeat @mameyama 's gentle correction...and to borrow his post with lyrics track 4) The River A stunningly beautiful track. Chills -- love this one so much! Haunting vibes. I live by the river And I hide my house away Then just like the river I can change my ways Oh, if you come to love me You would stay forever Inside my heart Inside my dreams And time will fade In time we'll love In the street we walk as beggars In the alley faithless kings Ah, but it's the truth of life That chains us in between Those lost moments we steal To keep our love alive And our prize so tired after all the pain And time will fade In time we'll love
So I owe you all another track after my misstep. track 5) So Lonely A wonderful minor key track that has a jazzy artistic vibe that would have fit nicely on Lorca. So glad it was saved out for Blue Afternoon. Wonderful soaring weaving guitar riffs by Underwood. Oh, I don't get no letters Nobody calls Nobody comes 'round here no more No pretty ladies Nor pretty boys Nobody comes 'round my door no more It's just lonely, yeah Mama you don't know It's just lonely, yeah Mama you don't know Cops treat ya dirty And the children treat ya mean This is the lowest town I've ever seen People keep draggin' their bodies around Ain't enough pride to even look around It's just lonely, yeah Mama you don't know It's just lonely, yeah Mama you don't know Now honey you got on little light Now you keep it burning bright If you keep it lit every night Someday a good man come and make it alright It's just so lonely, yeah Mama you don't know It's just lonely, yeah Mama you don't know
Fabulous bluesy number. Not a genre Tim went near up to that point. I love the quirk of the mix where it goes into mono for the (superb) guitar solo.
