Sing a Song for You: Tribute to Tim Buckley

List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $5.94
You Save: $19.05 (76%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.30 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases

Music CD Cover

Free Music Notes for Sing a Song for You: Tribute to Tim Buckley

Free Music Review: a near-flawless collection
Hit: 5 Stars

Moose, on the heels of their long overdue American release "High Ball Me," start off with a warm version of "Sing a Song for You." Simon Raymonde's "Morning Glory," with Bel Canto's Anneli Dreker on vocals, is one of very few clunkers here. Brendan Perry's "Dream Letter" is a sparse arrangement with synths and keys, reminiscent of his best songs with Dead Can Dance. "Because of You" by the Friendly Science Orchestra (aka Ian Masters of Pale Saints, Spoonfed Hybrid, Oineraut, and ESP Summer) is a definite standout. It's a treat to see Masters on a somewhat high-profile CD release, since most of his recent material has been released vinyl-only through his Friendly Science imprint, and he definitely doesn't deserve to sink into complete obscurity. For "Because of You," a quirky arrangement of tape loops, slide guitar, and keys cushion Master's high, crystalline vocal. Shelleyan Orphan make a welcome comeback with "Buzzin' Fly," a percussive track that would have fit on their "Humroot" CD or the Babacar disc from a few years back. Caroline Crawley really seems to enjoy singing this, which makes it even more engaging. Mojave 3, Mike Johnson, and Cousteau all deliver excellent covers that recapture a warm AM-radio feel.

The second disc kicks off with Heather Duby's "I Must Have Been Blind." Duby has a gorgeous, confident voice, and a taste for pristine production. If you like this track - and you will - check out her "Post to Wire" CD on Sub Pop. Dot Allison, whose presence here was my main motivation to buy this disc, delivers a wickedly sexual version of "Sweet Surrender." With crunchy guitar, swirling organ, and creepy violin, it sounds like Spiritualized topped with Allison's breathy, processed vocals. Geneva disappoint with "Pleasant Street," which starts with a nice electronic touch, but deteriorates into an overloud glam-rock chorus that seems awfully out of place. The comp quickly gets back on track with the Lilys' energetic "Strange Feelin'" and The Mad Scene's "Happy Time." Neil Halstead goes solo for "Phantasmagoria In Two," with an experimental atmosphere his work has lacked since Slowdive's "Pygmalion." I haven't listened to disc two yet without a repeat of Tram's "Once I Was." This is a beautiful, heartbreaking song that you have to hear for yourself. The Czars wrap it up with a noble attempt at "Song to the Siren." For a generation of us haunted by Liz Frazer's delivery of this song with This Mortal Coil, it will be hard not to compare, especially with the presence of so many 4AD-related artists and the Czars' own involvement with the ex-Cocteau Twins. The Czars' version tries a little too hard to be epic (almost 8 minutes long), and while they sound like 4AD-period Red House Painters, the only impact the song has on me is to make me go for my copy of "It'll End In Tears"...

Whether or not you're a fan of Buckley's work, I can definitely recommend this release, as it contains so many talented and often overlooked artists, and the few mis-steps are easily outweighed by all the great songs. The task of re-interpreting Buckley seems to have inspired so many of these artists to create recordings worthy of their own discographies, rather than the usual throw-away tribute contributions.

Sing a Song for You: Tribute to Tim Buckley Poster

Alternative Rock Music CDs

• Music > Styles
• Country
• Dance & Electronic
• Folk
• World Music
• Jazz
• Pop
• Rock