Ok, so this one is a gem! Tim Buckley is one of those singer/songwriters who
seems to have ‘slipped through the cracks’ in mainstream pop/rock
history.. If you can recall the end of the movie Coming Home when Bruce
Dern’s character is undressing to take a suicidal dip in the ocean, the
haunting song playing during this ending is “If I Were” by Tim Buckley.
Or maybe you remember staring at Buckley’s handsome face smiling from
under his mop of shaggy hair as you studied any one of a number of his late
60s album covers? Or maybe you have even heard of Tim’s son Jeff, a consummate
solo artist in his own right? Either way, after viewing My Fleeting
House, you will plainly see what a talented dude Tim Buckley was, and
why the man and his songs should be remembered.
With rare footage spanning Buckley’s career from 1967 to 1974, the viewer
gets a good insight into what this guy was all about. Billed first as a socially
conscience folk artist, moving through Cuban-influenced funk, right into jazz
improvisations — Buckley grew through nine short years as a songwriter
with depth and complexity (not to mention a totally underrated, yet stellar
12-string guitar technique). Interspersed with interviews from ex-Buckley band
mate Lee Underwood and lyricist Larry Beckett, we are treated to rarely scene
clips, starting with “Song of The Siren,” from the Monkees television
series of all places, to some foggy Dutch TV footage with Buckley and his band
(featuring percussionist Cater C.C. Collins and guitarist Underwood). There
is even a video of Buckley performing the song “Pleasant Street”
as he acts the part of a troubadour in the movie The Christian Licorice
Store.
What becomes abundantly clear beyond Buckley’s obvious magnetism and
solid songwriting is that he had one of the most unique voices of his time.
The songs are fantastic of course — in certain instances actually heart-breaking,
beautiful — I’d say Buckley rivals Phil Ochs and even Dylan in that
mid- to late-60s period with such meaningful work. What gets me most about Tim
Buckley is how his voice cuts through everything with a maturity and other-worldliness;
there are just some people, when they open their mouths to sing, you know you
are in the presence of something unusual. Oftentimes, it’s not the purity
of tone or vocal technique (in many cases, these elements detract more than
ad to it) but when you hear a John Lennon for instance, a Chrissie Hynde, or
even a Shirley Bassey, one has to stop and listen. Buckley has this kind of
a voice. My Fleeting House is is a no frills retrospective,
done with candor, class and brevity. With honest, heart-felt observations from
creditable sources (not just famous fans weighing in with their insights and
opinions), this DVD shows the viewer just what made Tim Buckley so special and
why he should be remembered.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
