Review of Tim Buckley - Dream Letter: Live in London 1968
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(This may not be actual album art)
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When Buckley died tragically at age 28, fans went searching for bootlegs of Buckley's legendary live performances. During Buckley's recording career, which spanned from 1966 to 1975, no live material was ever officially released. This double live album changes all of that. Recorded on Buckley's first European tour in 1968, this album serves as the first evidence of Buckley in front of an audience. This two hour plus gem finds Buckley and his band running through some of his most beloved songs, like "Morning Glory" and "Strange Feelin'." The music reflects the joyful youthfulness and the high ideals of the turbulent 60's. And yet, it survives the ravages of time amazingly well. Neither conceptually nor stylistically does it sound dated.
"Buzzin' Fly" starts things off appropriately with Buckley going through this usual vocal acrobatics, but it is his cover of Fred Neil's "Dolphins," which will awe the listener. Songs like "Once I Was" and "Dream Letter" have a looseness and vitality that shows Buckley's most natural setting was the stage, not the studio. There is also an unexpected version of "Pleasant Street" (not the one on his second album, but completely new). Then Buckley segues perfectly into a folky rendition of the Supreme's "You Keep Me Hanging On," which brings the house down.
Released Date: 1990
Manifesto Records
Europe
Disc One:
Introduction
Buzzin' Fly
Phantasmagoria in Two
Morning Glory
Dolphins
I've Been Out Walking
The Earth is Broken
Who Do You Love
Pleasant Street / You Keep Me Hanging On
Disc Two:
Love From Room 109 / Strange Feelin'
Carnival Song / Hi Lily, Hi Lo
Hallucinations
Troubadour
Dream Letter / Happy Time
Wayfaring Stranger / You Got Me Runnin'
Once I Was
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