This is lovely, Steve. I always admired Buckley’s music and approach. A terrible loss.
In terms of musicians whose death affected me, I have to point to two: Elvis Presley (about whom I’ve written on more than one occasion) and Charlie Robison, a Texas barnstormer who died a couple of years ago. Robison was someone on the fringes of mass fame who was beloved in my native state, but was known more for the raucous shows he played in every bar and club known to man. We were the same age, and I felt his passing particularly difficult.
Such a beautiful reflective post. Like you, I’ve not been hyper about my 2025 goals and 2024 reflections/year end recap, etc. The closest I got to the latter (A “beth unwrapped” if you will) is my 2024 tv and film awards so I’m putting my energy into that. Creative pursuits and community! Thank you for normalizing the anxiety of new years (yes that’s probably part of it) along with feeling less than if I compare myself to all the myriads of tv and film reviewers on Substack these days and their ambitious and organized goals and plans (and insane accomplishments!!), I definitely feel I come up short. I’m working on my own attitude with these things but it’s never easy. Going back to Jeff Buckley, wow. I love him and always connected with his music. Not surprised you as well. Amy Winehouse is one of the artists I introduced my husband to and she became our singer- to the point they my daughter chose one of Amy’s songs to be used at her bat mitzvah to announce us (my husband and I).
Glad to make you feel less alone in the new year's blahs. Comparing mind is the worst. I am afflicted with that constantly. I have to say, seeing how much you've developed and focused your newsletter makes me kvell with pride. If anything, the rest of us should be envious of you!:)
I've stopped (for the time being) trying to match the output of the writers I follow and admire as life just won't allow me that sort of time, and I'm a very slow writer. I have a feeling 2025 will be a big drop off for me, but who knows.
This is so sweet and affirming to hear you say. [I’m not crying! You’re crying!]
I always enjoy when I see an ear worm from you whenever or wherever. It’s the quality and care you package into each of your reviews and reflections. It’s like an arm reach through the ether that says, “I gotcha. I see you and I’m writing for us!” Whatever 2025 holds from Steve Goldberg, I know it’s goodness. I’m here for it. Thx for being a good friend. Happy New Year!!
Thanks for sharing, Steve. I was fortunate enough to see him play solo in his early days at tiny cafe Sin-é in the East Village. What an extraordinary experience--just his electric Telecaster and angelic voice. Moreover, I'm very good friends with Gary Lucas who co-wrote "Grace" and "Mojo Pin" with Jeff. I've shared the stage with Gary on more than one occasion, though I never attempted to sing either song! I'll be sitting in with him on Jan. 11th at the Spencertown Academy in the Hudson Valley, NY. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Dusty. That's awesome that you got to see Jeff solo at Sin-e; were you at the show that the live album was recorded from? (Maybe it was from more than one show; I can't recall the details.)
Have a blast playing with Gary on 1/11! Wish I was on the East Coast. If you ever come to the Bay Area, let me know! Happy New Year to you as well.
I really enjoyed this piece, Steve. I never saw Jeff perform; however, I do have my own JB story.
I did my master's at the State University of New York in Albany. In 1994 I returned to the US to sort things out before moving to the UK. My friend Josh, who had gone to Skidmore College, called me up and said an old college friend of his who was also a musician was in town from the city, and knowing I had a lot of records, he wanted to bring his buddy and some bottles over to my apartment. I can't remember the exact timing, but it was cold, so it must have been sometime between Jan-April 1994, as by May ‘94 I was gone.
Anyway, they showed up, and Josh introduced me to his friend, Mick. We chatted, and Mick told me he had just finished recording and mixing an album, and he had the tape with him. I asked him what his band was, and he said it was with “Jeff Buckley,” and he was his bassist. I said to him I had never heard of him, and Mick said, "You will!" He then pulled the tape out of his jacket pocket and gave it to me, and we had a private listening session of ‘Grace’ months before the LP was released. I remember by Autumn 1994, Jeff's name was everywhere in the NME and Melody Maker.
The guy was right, and that guy was Mick Grøndahl!
Happy New Year to you from way north on the I-5 in Vancouver, BC, where my wife and I are seeing in the New Year!
Happy New Year! I remember you telling me you were fortunate enough to have seen Jeff Buckley live. Lucky bastard! I was late to the party, mainly due to age (and maturity), so it would have been pretty much impossible for me to see him live. Yet, I'm happy I get to experience it vicariously through you :)
I have a quite spooky story with Amy Winehouse's death essentially because I predicted it (I mean, we all saw it coming, but I predicted it, or "felt" it, the night before). It still gives me goosebumps when I think about ut. Maybe some day I'll write about it, although I have no idea how to make it fit into my Vinyl Room. If you're interested in this kind of stuff, i.e. artists dying too young, and/or this sixth sense some music lovers can have, I'd be happy to do a future collab and share the story on your site!
This was an outstanding post. Prince, D. Boon, and Jeff Buckley - three of my all-time favorites. I didn't get turned on to Jeff Buckley until after he was gone. I had just started listening to the Minutemen when we lost D. Boon. I remember waiting in line for a Husker Du show a little later and everybody talking about what happened to him. Prince was the one of the three who devastated me right when it happened. My wife and I went to a movie showing of Purple Rain the next weekend, and everyone was crying. Another one who hit me really hard when it happened was Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's always sad when we lose one of the musicians we love, but the loss seems broader and deeper when it is a singular, visionary artist like these ones were. We lose something as humans when their artistic journeys are cut short.
Fantastic post Steve! To be honest, outside of Hallelujah, I’ve never really listened to Jeff Buckley. No particular reason, just never got around to it. Listening to Grace now. Will probably need some time to digest.
I’m not feeling anything in the way of New Year’s resolutions or goals this year. On Monday we’ll arrive in northern England to begin our house hunt (our first viewing is on Wednesday). Securing a new home and getting settled in is my biggest goal of the year. Definitely looking to dive into a lot of new stuff on my Substack but also not putting too much pressure on myself on that front.
Thanks, Mark! Looks like early 2025 is all about making home for both of us. I do have a home, so thankfully the looking for one is done, but after almost 4 weeks, it's looking like January 11 will stick as our moving date. We've been painting and replacing doors and trying to get things ready while not bumping into the crew that has been remodeling the kitchen from scratch. It's exciting to see it all come together finally. Though the stove and dishwasher still need to be installed and a window moved. They can do that in a week, right?:) Fingers crossed.
Yeah, it feels like a resolution-free year, not just for me, but many others have felt the same way. A few other Stackers responded to my blah attitude about NY with "me too!" It always feels better when others corroborate your feelings.
Good luck on the house hunt and finding a sense of home/refuge.
Did you post the Z-songs yet? Did I miss it? I'll go look. I turned off notifications so I rely on the app and email for reminders.
This is lovely, Steve. I always admired Buckley’s music and approach. A terrible loss.
In terms of musicians whose death affected me, I have to point to two: Elvis Presley (about whom I’ve written on more than one occasion) and Charlie Robison, a Texas barnstormer who died a couple of years ago. Robison was someone on the fringes of mass fame who was beloved in my native state, but was known more for the raucous shows he played in every bar and club known to man. We were the same age, and I felt his passing particularly difficult.
Happy new year! Wishing you all the best in 2025.
Thanks, Glenn. I loosely remember reading something you wrote about Elvis, but my sieve-like memory can't place details. I blame the internet!:)
Here's to a fruitful and creatively-rich 2025!
Such a beautiful reflective post. Like you, I’ve not been hyper about my 2025 goals and 2024 reflections/year end recap, etc. The closest I got to the latter (A “beth unwrapped” if you will) is my 2024 tv and film awards so I’m putting my energy into that. Creative pursuits and community! Thank you for normalizing the anxiety of new years (yes that’s probably part of it) along with feeling less than if I compare myself to all the myriads of tv and film reviewers on Substack these days and their ambitious and organized goals and plans (and insane accomplishments!!), I definitely feel I come up short. I’m working on my own attitude with these things but it’s never easy. Going back to Jeff Buckley, wow. I love him and always connected with his music. Not surprised you as well. Amy Winehouse is one of the artists I introduced my husband to and she became our singer- to the point they my daughter chose one of Amy’s songs to be used at her bat mitzvah to announce us (my husband and I).
Glad to make you feel less alone in the new year's blahs. Comparing mind is the worst. I am afflicted with that constantly. I have to say, seeing how much you've developed and focused your newsletter makes me kvell with pride. If anything, the rest of us should be envious of you!:)
I've stopped (for the time being) trying to match the output of the writers I follow and admire as life just won't allow me that sort of time, and I'm a very slow writer. I have a feeling 2025 will be a big drop off for me, but who knows.
Happy new year to you and your fam!
This is so sweet and affirming to hear you say. [I’m not crying! You’re crying!]
I always enjoy when I see an ear worm from you whenever or wherever. It’s the quality and care you package into each of your reviews and reflections. It’s like an arm reach through the ether that says, “I gotcha. I see you and I’m writing for us!” Whatever 2025 holds from Steve Goldberg, I know it’s goodness. I’m here for it. Thx for being a good friend. Happy New Year!!
Of all the covers of "Hallelujah," his is the best.
For sure. Jeff kind of ruined it for anyone else! Thanks for reading, Jim! Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing, Steve. I was fortunate enough to see him play solo in his early days at tiny cafe Sin-é in the East Village. What an extraordinary experience--just his electric Telecaster and angelic voice. Moreover, I'm very good friends with Gary Lucas who co-wrote "Grace" and "Mojo Pin" with Jeff. I've shared the stage with Gary on more than one occasion, though I never attempted to sing either song! I'll be sitting in with him on Jan. 11th at the Spencertown Academy in the Hudson Valley, NY. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Dusty. That's awesome that you got to see Jeff solo at Sin-e; were you at the show that the live album was recorded from? (Maybe it was from more than one show; I can't recall the details.)
Have a blast playing with Gary on 1/11! Wish I was on the East Coast. If you ever come to the Bay Area, let me know! Happy New Year to you as well.
I really enjoyed this piece, Steve. I never saw Jeff perform; however, I do have my own JB story.
I did my master's at the State University of New York in Albany. In 1994 I returned to the US to sort things out before moving to the UK. My friend Josh, who had gone to Skidmore College, called me up and said an old college friend of his who was also a musician was in town from the city, and knowing I had a lot of records, he wanted to bring his buddy and some bottles over to my apartment. I can't remember the exact timing, but it was cold, so it must have been sometime between Jan-April 1994, as by May ‘94 I was gone.
Anyway, they showed up, and Josh introduced me to his friend, Mick. We chatted, and Mick told me he had just finished recording and mixing an album, and he had the tape with him. I asked him what his band was, and he said it was with “Jeff Buckley,” and he was his bassist. I said to him I had never heard of him, and Mick said, "You will!" He then pulled the tape out of his jacket pocket and gave it to me, and we had a private listening session of ‘Grace’ months before the LP was released. I remember by Autumn 1994, Jeff's name was everywhere in the NME and Melody Maker.
The guy was right, and that guy was Mick Grøndahl!
Happy New Year to you from way north on the I-5 in Vancouver, BC, where my wife and I are seeing in the New Year!
Happy New Year! I remember you telling me you were fortunate enough to have seen Jeff Buckley live. Lucky bastard! I was late to the party, mainly due to age (and maturity), so it would have been pretty much impossible for me to see him live. Yet, I'm happy I get to experience it vicariously through you :)
I have a quite spooky story with Amy Winehouse's death essentially because I predicted it (I mean, we all saw it coming, but I predicted it, or "felt" it, the night before). It still gives me goosebumps when I think about ut. Maybe some day I'll write about it, although I have no idea how to make it fit into my Vinyl Room. If you're interested in this kind of stuff, i.e. artists dying too young, and/or this sixth sense some music lovers can have, I'd be happy to do a future collab and share the story on your site!
Yes! Brilliant idea! Let’s collaborate on an Amy piece for 2025! Happy New Year Andy and Ill DM you soon…
This was an outstanding post. Prince, D. Boon, and Jeff Buckley - three of my all-time favorites. I didn't get turned on to Jeff Buckley until after he was gone. I had just started listening to the Minutemen when we lost D. Boon. I remember waiting in line for a Husker Du show a little later and everybody talking about what happened to him. Prince was the one of the three who devastated me right when it happened. My wife and I went to a movie showing of Purple Rain the next weekend, and everyone was crying. Another one who hit me really hard when it happened was Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's always sad when we lose one of the musicians we love, but the loss seems broader and deeper when it is a singular, visionary artist like these ones were. We lose something as humans when their artistic journeys are cut short.
Fantastic post Steve! To be honest, outside of Hallelujah, I’ve never really listened to Jeff Buckley. No particular reason, just never got around to it. Listening to Grace now. Will probably need some time to digest.
I’m not feeling anything in the way of New Year’s resolutions or goals this year. On Monday we’ll arrive in northern England to begin our house hunt (our first viewing is on Wednesday). Securing a new home and getting settled in is my biggest goal of the year. Definitely looking to dive into a lot of new stuff on my Substack but also not putting too much pressure on myself on that front.
Wishing you all the best for 2025!
Thanks, Mark! Looks like early 2025 is all about making home for both of us. I do have a home, so thankfully the looking for one is done, but after almost 4 weeks, it's looking like January 11 will stick as our moving date. We've been painting and replacing doors and trying to get things ready while not bumping into the crew that has been remodeling the kitchen from scratch. It's exciting to see it all come together finally. Though the stove and dishwasher still need to be installed and a window moved. They can do that in a week, right?:) Fingers crossed.
Yeah, it feels like a resolution-free year, not just for me, but many others have felt the same way. A few other Stackers responded to my blah attitude about NY with "me too!" It always feels better when others corroborate your feelings.
Good luck on the house hunt and finding a sense of home/refuge.
Did you post the Z-songs yet? Did I miss it? I'll go look. I turned off notifications so I rely on the app and email for reminders.
Good luck with getting in on January 11, I hope everything is done by then 🤞🏻🤞🏻
I did post the Z songs so they’ll be waiting for you in the app when you’re ready!
Yes, I saw and commented! Congrats on getting through the alphabet! Now you need to do the same thing but with movies!:)
That’s an interesting idea! Maybe next year 😂