Dream Letter: Live in London 1968 [Live]

Dream Letter: Live in London 1968 [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's been said that Tim Buckley was the most powerful singer of his generation. Even if that appraisal forgets Bob Dylan, this two-disc set makes a hell of a defense. At the very least his voice could do things few could: it soared beyond any familiar register and held notes long past the breaking point. He had learned from jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughn, but he put technical prowess into the service of a strange, trancelike state. On this evening, before a hushed, receptive audience, he seemed to be composing visionary poetry with every vocal surge. His band created an Astral Weeks-like sound, and included Lee Underwood on guitar, David Friedman on vibes, and Danny Thompson on bass. They follow his every subtle and explosive turn with effortless energy. --Ray Francis Kasten

Product Description
Originally recorded in 1968, this is the classic, critically acclaimed double live album. First released in 1990, it was a landmark in the re-discovery of the creative genius of Tim Buckley. Contains performances of 'Morning Glory' and 'Once I Was'. 17 tracks over 2 CDs in a slimline double jewel box.

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Product Description

Disc 1:1. Introduction 2. Buzzin" Fly 3. Phantasmagoria In Two 4. Morning Glory 5. Dolphins 6. I"ve Been Out Walking 7. The Earth Is Broken 8. Who Do You Love 9. Pleasant Street/You Keep Me Hanging On Disc 2:1. Love From Room 109/Strange Feelin" 2. Carnival Song/Hi Lily, Hi Lo 3. Hallucinations 4. Troubadour 5. Dream Letter/Happy Time 6. Wayfaring Stranger/You Got Me Runnin" 7. Once I Was

Format: CD

Amazon.com

It's been said that Tim Buckley was the most powerful singer of his generation. Even if that appraisal forgets Bob Dylan, this two-disc set makes a hell of a defense. At the very least his voice could do things few could: it soared beyond any familiar register and held notes long past the breaking point. He had learned from jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughn, but he put technical prowess into the service of a strange, trancelike state. On this evening, before a hushed, receptive audience, he seemed to be composing visionary poetry with every vocal surge. His band created an Astral Weeks-like sound, and included Lee Underwood on guitar, David Friedman on vibes, and Danny Thompson on bass. They follow his every subtle and explosive turn with effortless energy. --Ray Francis Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Sing As If You Are Singing to the Angels .......2007-07-01

Tim Buckley shines on this live 2 hour set and this was his first performance in London. Sounds like it was a remarkable show. His words and his wounded magnificient voice gleams through and through as this entire show is available on this here double disc album.
Really powerful, pouring out his heart on these sessions. After each song you can hear the love from the crowd's applause.
Definitely something to listen to if you just want to sit back and meditate on Tim Buckley's words.

Buckley created baroque pop on his album: "Goodbye Hello" and re-created it's magic on this set, especially with the song -"Morning Glory"- one of my personal favorite Tim Buckley songs.
Others on "Dream Letter" from "Goodbye and Hello" are "Pleasant Street" - "Once I Was" - "Hallucinations" and "Carnival Song"-

He created a folk-jazz sound on "Happy Sad".
Dream Letter: Live at London 1968 captures the transition between those two records.
This Live set is so well produced, that despite energy from the Audience one would think it was a near perfect studio album. Not only do you get the power felt from the audience, you also can feel your own heart pounding to this voice of an Angel, that is Tim Buckley.
Just like his son -Jeff Buckley- the World lost both way too soon.
Both had heavenly powerful voices that sung High to the Heavens, and bringing on a smile to everyone who listens to their Music.

want to hear a great singer?.......2007-02-21

Tim Buckley is a voice to be reckoned with. There's no two ways about it: it's his voice or it's the highway. Well, this recording covers the complete, unbelievable range of this talented singer. The concert is whole, warts and all. There are VERY few warts, but they're there in all their glory. That's the great thing about this album: it reproduces every single moment from that one night. You feel like you're there. The voice, the instruments, they sound like they're in your living room. His voice is so clear, it fills every room.

Tim Buckley is a psychedelic troubardour with a voice that can reveal your innermost feelings. It's exhilirating.

Buckley's Best.......2007-01-28

Dream Letter: Live in London finds Tim Buckley at the height of his powers. Recorded October 7, 1968 at Queen Elizabeth Hall when he was 21, this musical chameleon, whose short but prolific career took him from folk to improvisational jazz to white hot funk, is captured here between his folk and jazz phases. Live albums either tend to be dull and uninspired efforts or bright, vibrant affairs filled with spontaneity and excitement. Fortunately, this album falls into the latter category. Buckley delivers a soaring two hour performance that surpasses just about all of his studio material, and the sound quality is the best I've ever heard on a live recording.

The main instrument in Buckley's repertoire has always been his 3 ½ octave voice. It's full range is on display from caveman-like guttural growls to high notes held longer than one can imagine. His tenor is not something that would be described as angelic; rather it is earthy, experienced, twisting and turning with emotion as he rides the roller coaster of melodies from one song to another. The sound quality of the recording is so good its easy put the headphones on, close your eyes, imagine yourself in a smoky nightclub watching the spotlight on the famous Buckley trance as he immerses himself totally into the music, delivering phrases in flowing laments or waves of joy.

The band consisting of Lee Underwood on lead guitar, Danny Thompson on base, and Dave Friedman on virbraphone provide a perfect complement to Buckley's vocals and keep the songs lively and fresh. Album standards such as "Dolphins," "Buzzin' Fly" and the medley of "Happy Time/Dream Letter" are delivered with an energy unmatched in the studio. But more interesting to me are the songs that are unique to this album such as "The Earth is Broken," "Carnival Song/Hi Lily, Hi Lo," "Troubadour," an inspired "Wayfaring Stranger/You Got Me Running," and the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On."

If you buy only one album by Buckley, this is the one to get.

Emotional overload.......2006-04-12

The finest Live album I have heard in my short 38 years of life, emotion and vitality that will have you thinking, was this really recorded almost 30 Years ago. Nothing compares, anyone who has heard the "MTV Unplugged" will wonder why they wasted their money, it does NOT get any better than this...God rest his soul

Vocal Tour de Force.......2005-12-14

The late singer Tim Buckley left brief, but very strong catalog of music before his untimely demise in the mid-70's. To my ears this record, DREAM LETTER: LIVE IN LONDON 1968 is the crown jewel of his recording career.

When this was recorded in 1968, Buckley was metamorphisizing from a mystical folkie, towards a more avant-garde jazz based style. Whatever the style was, Buckley was an otherworldly vocalist, capable of emiting low animalistic grolws or hitting ear-piercing high trills at the drop of a beat. His vocal fireworks are both breathtaking and supportive of the feeling of the songs, something few artists manage. As he sings on this fine two disk set, you can hear him mold his voice in the same way Coltrane molds the sound of his sax to reflect the pure emotion of his material.

Standouts include the opening number BUZZIN' FLY, the epic WHO DO YOU LOVE, an amazing version of the folk standard WAYFARING STRANGER and a powerful medley of PLEASANT STREET merging into a couple verses of The Supreme's classic YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON. He ends the set with a gentle, yet powerful version of his most famous song, ONCE I WAS.

The spare, intuitive backing from Danny Thompson (Bass), Lee Underwood (guitar) and David Friedman (vibes) frame these performances perfectly. The instrumentl ebb and flow mesh perfectly with Buckley's emotion rollercoaster vocals creating a live recording that still sounds powerfull and fresh thirtysome years after it was recorded.