Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah


Seems kinda random, doesn’t it? I mean, for a topic.

Heck, I have to explain it, before most will even understand what it means.

Jeff Buckley was a musician, who drowned in the Mississippi River in the mid 90’s, right around the time the first hint of future stardom surfaced.

He had released a critically acclaimed record (“Grace”), had a single that received air play, and was poised to break huge, probably with the release of his follow up record.
My memory’s not clear on it, because I didn’t know much about him at the time, but he might have drowned in Memphis, perhaps while taking a break in recording or rehearsing.

Add to the story the fact that he was the son of Tim Buckley, who was himself a critically acclaimed musician that died tragically young.

Hallelujah – A great song by Leonard Cohen.
“Who’s Leonard Cohen?”
Oh, please. That’s another entry.
Suffice to say he’s a guy who’s been writing great songs for 40+ years; songs that are best known as hits for other artists.

Which brings this narrative back around to Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah.

Buckley recorded Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. I’d actually read about the version, but hadn’t heard it. And since the one single that was released before Buckley’s death, Last Goodbye (there’s some irony, right there) didn’t resonate with me, I gave little attention to those who heaped such praise upon the recording.

Then one day not too long ago, I’m driving in the car with my wife and daughter, and this song came on.
And it was achingly beautiful. So much so that tears were welling up in my eyes, just listening to it. And when I realized what I was listening to, the tears started flowing a little harder.
“My god. His voice…" I thought to myself.

“What are we listening to?” my wife asked, in a slightly hushed tone it seemed.
“Jeff Buckley doing a Leonard Cohen song.” I choke out in reply.
“It’s…”
“Yeah.”

So there you go. A heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of a superbly written song, performed by an artist I never cared for when he was actually walking the earth.

Did it make me re-think my musical tastes?
Of course not.
Do I want to seek out a copy of a 15 year old CD for which I had no interest at the time, based solely on one song? No, not really. Thought it may prompt me to buy my first musical download, ever.

Do I, sadly, listen to the live recording of Cohen performing his own song, and while appreciating it find myself saying “Buckley got more out of it”? yep,I must confess that I do.

Canadian Geese

The past couple weeks have been big "Canadian Geese fill the skies" weeks.

After a mild November, they've finally decided it was time to flee the north, in advance of winter.

(Yes, I AM jealous.)

Last thursday morning was particularly impressive, as I saw moree geese in the sky at one time than I believe I've ever previously witnessed. If I hadn't been doing 80 mph on the interstate in morning rush traffic, I'd have stopped to watch for a minute.

I don't actually like canadian geese, truth be told. They're violent, merciless pooping machines.
But they DO make an impressive sight as they slowly sort themselves out into a big "V" and head across the sky.

I'm reminded of something I was taught as a child, when I see small groups of the geese slide into formation.
Geese mate for life.

Which is romantic and all, but contrary to the fact that I tend to see odd numbers of them flying together.
(I AM a nerd, and I DO count them, whenever possible.)

"Dude, c'mon! We're all headed to Florida tomorrow for the winter. You should come!"
"No, no. I couldn't. Y'all are bringing dates, I'd just be in the way."
"Don't be silly, of course you wouldn't! We WANT you to come."
"Nah, I'd just feel like a 17th wheel..."
"Maybe you'll meet someone new when we get down there."
"We're Canadian geese! There are rules....."
"Oh, yeah. Bummer about that...."