Grace (Jeff Buckley album)

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Grace
Studio album by Jeff Buckley
Released August 23, 1994
Recorded Late 1993–1994
Bearsville Recording Studio
(Woodstock, New York)
Genre Alternative rock, folk
Length 51:44
Label Columbia
Producer Jeff Buckley, Andy Wallace
Jeff Buckley chronology
Live at Sin-é
(1993)		 Grace
(1994)		 Live from the Bataclan
(1995)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 5/5 stars[1]
Robert Christgau (C)[2]
Drowned in Sound (10/10)[3]
The Guardian (positive)[4]
Q 4/5 stars[5]
Slant Magazine 4/5 stars[6]
Sputnikmusic 5/5 stars[7]

Grace is the only complete studio album by Jeff Buckley, released on August 23, 1994. While the album initially had poor sales, peaking at No. 149 in the U.S., and received mixed reviews,[8] it gradually acquired critical and popular acclaim and has now sold over 2 million copies worldwide. An extended version of the album (subtitled "Legacy Edition") celebrating its tenth anniversary was released on August 23, 2004, and it peaked at No. 44 in the UK.

Grace re-entered the albums chart in Australia at number 44 for the week of January 29 to February 5, 2007 – 13 years after its original release date. It is currently certified 6x Platinum in Australia.

Contents

Music [edit]

Jeff's version of "Corpus Christi Carol" was based on a version by Janet Baker. A childhood friend introduced him to the song, and Buckley sang a version on the album as a way of thanking him.[9]

Critical reception and legacy [edit]

Grace has been highly rated in magazines such as Q, in which readers voted Grace the 75th greatest album of all time in 1998; the same vote was taken again in 2005 and Grace then ranked 13th.[10][11] In 2003, the album was ranked number 303 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[12] In 2006, Mojo named Grace the No. 1 Modern Rock Classic of all Time.[13] It was also rated as Australia's second favourite album on My Favourite Album, a television special aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on December 3, 2006.[14] In 2003, Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" was ranked No. 259 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.[15] VH1 also rated the album No. 73 on its "100 Greatest Albums of Rock & Roll" show/list.[16] David Bowie considers Grace to be the best album ever made, and has said it would be his only "Desert Island Record."

In 2006, British Hit Singles & Albums and NME organised a poll of which, 40,000 people worldwide voted for the 100 best albums ever and Grace was placed at No. 23 on the list.[17]

In 2012, Radio Eksen, a turkish radio channel ranked Grace No. 3 in its list named Last 20 Year's Best Albums.

Use in film and television [edit]

Buckley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" remains one of his most well-known recordings, and has been used extensively in many U.S. television series and films, including The West Wing, The O.C., House M.D., Without a Trace, One Tree Hill, The Edukators, Lord of War, and Saint Ralph.

Accolades [edit]

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Entertainment Weekly United States Best 10 Albums of the Year[18] 1994 6
Eye Weekly Canada Best 30 Albums of the Year[19] 1994 4
Juice Australia 100 Greatest Albums of the 90s[20] 1999 10
Les Inrockuptibles France Best 25 Albums of the Year[21] 1994 14
Melody Maker United Kingdom Best 50 Albums of the Year[22] 1994 9
Mojo United Kingdom Best 25 Albums of the Year[23] 1994 1
NME United Kingdom Best 50 Albums of the Year[24] 1994 21
Q United Kingdom Best Albums of the Year[25]
Reissues of the Year[26]		 1994
2004		 *
*
Rocksound United Kingdom Best 50 Albums of the Year[27] 1994 2
Rolling Stone United States The Essential Alternative Recordings of the 90s[28] — *
Select United Kingdom Best 50 Albums of the Year[29] 1994 41
Technikart France Best 5 Albums of the Year[30] 1994 2
The Face United Kingdom Best 30 Albums of the Year[31] 1994 18
The Guardian United Kingdom Alternative Top 100 Albums Ever[32]
1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die[32]		 1999
2007		 15
*

* denotes an unranked list.

Singles and EPs [edit]

Four proper singles were released from the album, along with additional editions, two posthumous releases, and promo-only releases (see also: The Grace EPs).

Singles
  • "Grace" (January 1995)
  • "Last Goodbye" (January/March 1995)
  • "So Real" (June 1995)
  • "Eternal Life" (August 1995)
EPs
  • Peyote Radio Theatre promo EP (July 1994)
  • Live from the Bataclan EP (October 1995)
  • The Grace EP (February 1996)

Posthumous [edit]

Buckley's cover version of "Hallelujah" re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 2 during Christmas 2008, following the release of another cover version by series 5 of the British version of The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke which took the number 1 slot.

Singles
  • "Forget Her" (August 2004)
  • "Hallelujah" (May 2007)

Track listing [edit]

Original track listing[33]
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Mojo Pin"   Jeff Buckley, Gary Lucas 5:42
2. "Grace"   Jeff Buckley, Gary Lucas 5:22
3. "Last Goodbye"   Jeff Buckley[34] 4:35
4. "Lilac Wine"   James Shelton 4:32
5. "So Real"   Jeff Buckley, Michael Tighe 4:43
6. "Hallelujah"   Leonard Cohen 6:53
7. "Lover, You Should've Come Over"   Jeff Buckley 6:43
8. "Corpus Christi Carol"   Traditional, Benjamin Britten 2:56
9. "Eternal Life"   Jeff Buckley 4:52
10. "Dream Brother"   Jeff Buckley, Mick Grondahl, Matt Johnson 5:26
Posthumous releases additional tracks[35]
No. Title Writer(s) Length
11. "Forget Her"   Jeff Buckley 5:13

To promote Buckley's 1995 Australian tour, a two-CD edition was issued. It featured the following songs on the second disc:

  1. "So Real" – live and acoustic in Japan, January 1995
  2. "Dream Brother" – live in Hamburg at Club Logo, February 22, 1995
  3. "Grace" – live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, March 4, 1995 (exclusive to this release)
  4. "Mojo Pin" – live at Wetlands, New York City, November 1994

Legacy Edition [edit]

Grace (Legacy Edition)Grace
Compilation album by Jeff Buckley
Released August 23, 2004
Recorded 1993–1994
Genre Alternative rock, folk, blues
Length 117:00
Label Columbia
Producer George Marino (Executive)
Jeff Buckley chronology
Live at Sin-é (Legacy Edition)
(2003)		 Grace (Legacy Edition)
(2004)		 So Real: Songs from Jeff Buckley
(2007)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 5/5 stars[36]
BBC (favourable)[37]
Blender 4/5 stars[38]
Pitchfork Media (9.0/10)[39]
PopMatters (Positive)[40]
Stylus Magazine (A-)[41]
Original disc

Bonus disc

  1. "Forget Her" (Jeff Buckley)  – 5:12
  2. "Dream Brother" (Alternate Take)  – 4:56
  3. "Lost Highway" (Leon Payne)  – 4:24
  4. "Alligator Wine" (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)  – 3:21
  5. "Mama, You Been on My Mind" (Bob Dylan)  – 3:26
  6. "Parchman Farm Blues/Preachin' Blues" (Bukka White/Robert Johnson)  – 6:20
  7. "The Other Woman" (Jessie Mae Robinson)  – 3:05
  8. "Kanga-Roo" (Alex Chilton)  – 14:14
  9. "I Want Someone Badly" (with Shudder to Think) (Nathan Larson)  – 2:36
  10. "Eternal Life" (Road Version)  – 4:50
  11. "Kick Out the Jams" (Live) (MC5)  – 3:06
  12. "Dream Brother" (Nag Champa Mix)  – 5:24
  13. "Strawberry Street" (Jeff Buckley/Andrew Goodsight/John McNally)  – 5:26*

(*does not appear in the track listing; previously unreleased, appears here in a rehearsal recording from the Knitting Factory in May 1993, with the Washington Squares frontman Tom Goodkind on bass guitar)

Personnel [edit]

Credits adapted from Grace's liner notes.[42]

Music credits
Technical personnel
  • Christopher Austopchuk – art direction, design
  • Steve Berkowitz – executive producer
  • Jeff Buckley – producer
  • Jennifer Cohen – design assistant
  • Merri Cyr – photography
  • David Gahr – photography
  • Bryant W. Jackson – assistant engineer
  • Chris Laidlaw – assistant engineer
  • Nicky Lindeman – art direction, design
  • Clif Norrell – engineer
  • Steve Sisco – assistant engineer
  • Andy Wallace – producer, engineer, mixing
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering

Charts and certifications [edit]

Album [edit]

Chart (1994–2012) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[43] 9
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[44] 39
Dutch Albums Chart[45] 84
French Albums Chart[46] 47
Irish Albums Chart[47] 14
Italian Albums Chart[48] 60
Norwegian Albums Chart[49] 38
UK Albums Chart[50] 42
US Billboard 200[51] 149
US Catalog Albums[52] 10

Certifications [edit]

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[53] 6× Platinum 420,000^
France (SNEP)[54] 2× Gold 200,000*
Italy (FIMI)[55] Gold 50,000*
United States (RIAA)[56] Gold 500,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[57] Platinum 1,000,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Singles [edit]

Year Single Chart Position
1995 "Last Goodbye" Modern Rock Tracks 19
UK Singles Chart 54
2008 "Hallelujah" US Hot Digital Songs 1
UK Singles Chart 2

Release history [edit]

Region Release date Format Label
United Kingdom, Europe[58] August 15, 1994 CD, LP Columbia Records (Sony)
United States[58] August 23, 1994 CD
Compact Cassette
Vinyl
MiniDisc
Promo Cassette
Japan[58] September 1, 1994 CD
Australia[58] September 19, 1994 CD
Worldwide[37][59] August 23, 2004 Legacy Edition (2×CD+DVD)

References [edit]

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Grace – Jeff Buckley". Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide November 29, 1994: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice (Village Voice Media) (November 29, 1994). Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Review: Jeff Buckley: Grace". DrownedinSound.com. April 24, 2001. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  4. ^ Sullivan, Caroline. "Review: Jeff Buckley: Grace (Columbia 475928 2)". Friday Review (Guardian Media Group) (September 2, 1994): 10. 
  5. ^ Cranna, Ian. "Review: Jeff Buckley, Grace". Q (EMAP Metro Ltd) (Q96, September 1994): 98. 
  6. ^ WALSH, BARRY (August 3, 2005). "Review: Jeff Buckley: Grace". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 20 ,2010. 
  7. ^ Hartwig, Andrew (January 14, 2005). "Review: Jeff Buckley, Grace". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  8. ^ [author missing] (2011 [last update]). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Jeff Buckley: Grace: Legacy Edition". pitchfork.com. Retrieved April 8, 2011. 
  9. ^ Kingdom For A Kiss – The JB F.A.Q.: Grace
  10. ^ "Q Readers All Time Top 100 Albums – February 1998 Issue". Retrieved December 30, 2006. 
  11. ^ "Q Readers Best Albums Ever 2006". Retrieved December 30, 2006. 
  12. ^ "News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 6, 2012. 
  13. ^ "15-year Anniversary of Jeff Buckleys GRACE". Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
  14. ^ "My Favourite Album". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. December 3, 2006. Retrieved December 3, 2006. 
  15. ^ "News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 6, 2012. 
  16. ^ "VH1 100 Greatest Albums of Rock & Roll". VH1. July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  17. ^ "Oasis album voted greatest of all time". The Times. June 1, 2006
  18. ^ "Entertainment Weekly Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  19. ^ "Eye Weekly Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Juice, 100 Greatest Albums of the 90s". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  21. ^ "Les Inrockuptibles Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  22. ^ "Melody Maker Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  23. ^ "Mojo Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  24. ^ "NME Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  25. ^ "Q Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  26. ^ "Q Reissues of the Year, 2004". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  27. ^ "Rocksound Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  28. ^ "The Essential Recordings of the 90s". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  29. ^ "Select Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  30. ^ "Technikart Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  31. ^ "The Face Albums of the Year, 1994". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  32. ^ a b "The Guardian Alternative Top 100 Albums Ever". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 15, 2009. 
  33. ^ "Grace – Jeff Buckley". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  34. ^ BMI | Repertoire Search
  35. ^ "Grace [Bonus Track] – Jeff Buckley". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  36. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Review: Grace (Bonus DVD) – Jeff Buckley". Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  37. ^ a b Barrow, Stephanie (August 25, 2004). "Review: Jeff Buckley Grace (Legacy Edition)". BBC. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  38. ^ Sinagra, Laura. "Review: Jeff Buckley, Grace: Legacy Edition (Columbia/Legacy)". Alpha Media Group. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  39. ^ Leone, Dominique (September 22, 2004). "Review: Jeff Buckley Grace: Legacy Edition (Columbia; 1994/2004)". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  40. ^ Brecheisen, David (November 11, 2004). "Review: JEFF BUCKLEY – Grace: Legacy Edition (Sony/Legacy)". popmatters.com. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  41. ^ McConaghy, Kyle (September 3, 2004). "Review: Jeff Buckley, Grace (Legacy Edition)". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2009. 
  42. ^ Grace (Album notes). Jeff Buckley. 1994.
  43. ^ "Australia: Albums". australian-charts.com. Retrieved December 28, 2008. 
  44. ^ "Belgium: Albums". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved December 28, 2008. 
  45. ^ "Netherlands: Albums". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved December 28, 2008. 
  46. ^ "France: Albums". lescharts.com. Retrieved December 28, 2008. 
  47. ^ "Irish Music Charts Archive – Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending August 26, 2004". Chart-track.co.uk. Retrieved July 6, 2012. 
  48. ^ "Artisti – Classifica settimanale dal 28/05/2012 al 03/06/2012" (in Itaian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  49. ^ "Norway: Albums". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved December 28, 2008. 
  50. ^ "Chart Stats – Jeff Buckley – Grace". ChartStats.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011. 
  51. ^ "Jeff Buckley Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  52. ^ "Jeff Buckley Album & Song Chart History – Catalog Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  53. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  54. ^ "French album certifications – Jeff Buckley – Grace" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  55. ^ "Italian album certifications – Jeff Buckley – Grace" (PDF) (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved April 24, 2013. 
  56. ^ "American album certifications – Buckley, Jeff – Grace". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2012.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  57. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2003". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2012. 
  58. ^ a b c d "The Jeff Buckley Discography: Albums". www.jeffbuckley.com. Retrieved June 28, 2011. 
  59. ^ "Grace (Bonus DVD) – Jeff Buckley". AllMusic. Retrieved June 28, 2011. 
Jeff Buckley
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
DVDs
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