Why Jeff Buckley is Special...chikenmcnuggetsApril 27 2009, 23:04:25 UTC
I've always seen Jeff as a tragic man, somewhat lost. But I've also found him to be extremely strong and vibrant, especially when he's performing. I sometimes hate when people label him as delicate or sensitive. I mean, he was able to show feelings and emotion that men don't usually allow themselves to, but he was also this animated man who kept such a youthful spirit that not only entertained his many fans, but also himself.
Jeff has always been such a solid person for me because I found that he let music become his foundation and nothing else. Most artists today have an incredible love for music, but become lost to its meaning. They never allow themselves to get to the place where Jeff did. Somehow, Jeff found a spot within himself that allowed music to come out in its most raw and purest form. And I think that the audience could feel that he was in some other place when performing, which is why he drew in so many people. People wanted to see the transformation from man to music and Jeff was able to do that for him.
I also feel that Jeff had a natural charisma that draws many people in. He was silent a lot of the time, but something about the way he carried himself seemed to say "You want to know more about me". And I've noticed that with the people he's come to know, they feel a comfort from Jeff and his personality. Though he doesn't open himself up completely, he allows himself to open up to a point where you know what type of person he is.
Thank you!!!!flyingbearhugApril 28 2009, 01:27:59 UTC
Thank you so much for your input. This will be great. I agree very much with your point that he is strong. It kind of goes along with the "Real men wear pink" kind of philosophy. I find it intriguing that you say he doesn't open himself up completely, given the raw-ness of his performances. Throughout the course of my research, many people have said that they have gotten to know Jeff better through his music than even some of their closest friends. I'm curious as to what you think about this. :)
No problem. I remember writing my first paper on Jeff and it was so hard because I didn't really have anyone to ask about how they felt about him. So I'm happy to help.
I feel that the only time he let himself become completely vulnerable was through his music. I mean, as a person, Jeff seemed to keep a lot of things to himself because he hated the media prodding at his personal life. I feel that the only real Jeff Buckley was seen through those magical live performances where he laid himself completely on the table. And I think the reason he was like that was because music was the only thing he was really comfortable doing. As much as he joked and talked with people, you can sometimes catch this moment of uneasiness and hostility that he had when it came to social situations.
Re: Thank you!!!!flyingbearhugApril 28 2009, 03:19:01 UTC
Golden solid, perfect. Thanks again! There is this interview I found on YouTube, the poor woman was simply congratulating the success of Grace and this lead to a full out five minute rant about the media. What was your paper about? This I am also curious about.
I see a bit of sadness with Jeff when it comes to his interviewers praising Grace because I feel that he didn't want to be know for just that CD. I was watching his interview in a The Velvet Jungle in Paris and he constantly conveyed the fact that it was only the beginning, which ironically, was also the end.
Anyways, I did my report a couple months ago for my freshman band final. It was an analysis of Jeff's music style and beliefs. It was pretty much an all around paper on Jeff's psyche. It also had a bit on his bipolar disorder and how it made him more sensitive to other people's emotions. I feel that in being bipolar, it allowed him to really concentrate on the audience's reaction even though he had a whole range of emotions flowing through him.
Quick question, what class are you doing this paper for?
Jeff certainly believed that he had bipolar disorder. I know that he looked into it several weeks before his death because he was desperately searching for an explanation about his often random moods. And I think that's why he felt a bit lost because he didn't understand why his feelings were more volatile and sensitive than others.
Re: Thank you!!!!flyingbearhugApril 29 2009, 19:18:59 UTC
Yeah, that would make sense. There has been a link between bipolar disorder and artists of all kinds.. Could you possibly tell me where you got that information? Would love to include it, but need some sort of a source.
I couldn't exactly give a good source for his exploration with bipolar disorder, but the book Dream Brother talks briefly about Jeff's concern about his mental health. And I'm positive that any of the other biographies about Jeff mention something about it as well. But I mostly received this information from other Buckley fans, some of who have been avid fans since the release of Grace.
I'm also a member of a message board called the JBC (Jeff Buckley Community) and I find a lot of useful information there from the users. You should check it out, if you haven't yet. I'm known over there as "deaf_dumb_blind"...
Jeff has always been such a solid person for me because I found that he let music become his foundation and nothing else. Most artists today have an incredible love for music, but become lost to its meaning. They never allow themselves to get to the place where Jeff did. Somehow, Jeff found a spot within himself that allowed music to come out in its most raw and purest form. And I think that the audience could feel that he was in some other place when performing, which is why he drew in so many people. People wanted to see the transformation from man to music and Jeff was able to do that for him.
I also feel that Jeff had a natural charisma that draws many people in. He was silent a lot of the time, but something about the way he carried himself seemed to say "You want to know more about me". And I've noticed that with the people he's come to know, they feel a comfort from Jeff and his personality. Though he doesn't open himself up completely, he allows himself to open up to a point where you know what type of person he is.
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I find it intriguing that you say he doesn't open himself up completely, given the raw-ness of his performances. Throughout the course of my research, many people have said that they have gotten to know Jeff better through his music than even some of their closest friends. I'm curious as to what you think about this. :)
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I feel that the only time he let himself become completely vulnerable was through his music. I mean, as a person, Jeff seemed to keep a lot of things to himself because he hated the media prodding at his personal life. I feel that the only real Jeff Buckley was seen through those magical live performances where he laid himself completely on the table. And I think the reason he was like that was because music was the only thing he was really comfortable doing. As much as he joked and talked with people, you can sometimes catch this moment of uneasiness and hostility that he had when it came to social situations.
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What was your paper about? This I am also curious about.
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Anyways, I did my report a couple months ago for my freshman band final. It was an analysis of Jeff's music style and beliefs. It was pretty much an all around paper on Jeff's psyche. It also had a bit on his bipolar disorder and how it made him more sensitive to other people's emotions. I feel that in being bipolar, it allowed him to really concentrate on the audience's reaction even though he had a whole range of emotions flowing through him.
Quick question, what class are you doing this paper for?
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Hmmm... you sure about Jeff being bipolar? I've heard that but am wary to trust the sources.
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I'm also a member of a message board called the JBC (Jeff Buckley Community) and I find a lot of useful information there from the users. You should check it out, if you haven't yet. I'm known over there as "deaf_dumb_blind"...
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