Morning Glory - Pgae 2

III. Honeyman

After developing Starsailor's concepts for a total of three years, more time than any other phase in his career (mid-1968 — mid-1972), Tim made his fifth and final conceptual leap. Greetings From L.A. (1972) featured three elements that would carry over into Sefronia (1973) and Look at the Fool (1974) — sex-drenched white funk dance music, intense and incredibly beautiful love ballads, and several songs written by other people (including Fred Neil's classic "Dolphins").

Humorous "Honeyman" funk-rock sex romps such as "Make It Right" (Greetings) played a major role in these albums, but it was perhaps Tim's extraordinarily impassioned ballads that shine with enduring diamond-light even to this day, including "Sweet Surrender (Greetings), "Because of You" (Sefronia), "Look at the Fool" and "Who Could Deny You" (Look at the Fool).

These four songs are models of lyrical intensity and heart-wrenching passion. The melodies are stunning in their elegant beauty. The harmonic progressions are new and fresh. Tim's voice is crystal clear, aching with desire, love, heartache, affirmation. The music itself gives goosebumps and heartbreak. These particular pieces (and "Helpless" from Look at the Fool) rank among the finest that Tim ever wrote.

"Hong Kong Bar" (Greetings) spotlights some superb acoustic guitar picking, while "Sally Go Round the Roses" (Sefronia) showcases narrative humor and sexy rhythms interlaced with lyrical pathos. "Martha" (Sefronia) is a soulful Tom Waits tune selected by Tim's producers.

Buckley had a strong, purposeful focus for Greetings From L.A. As a result, that album worked, and remains one of his best sellers. The final two albums are uneven in quality, largely because of pressures from management to create overly arranged "commercial product." Happily, this Rhino anthology revives and includes some of the better work that got lost in the critical controversy surrounding this period. ["Look at the Fool," "Because of You," and Neil's "Dolphins" were later stricken from the roster.]

It simply does not matter that Tim never had a Top 40 hit. Rather than allowing the music industry to define him, he dared to look within himself and follow the music he heard singing in his own soul.

While some of his fans wanted only pebbles, novelties and repetition, he gave them jewels of depth and originality that gleam to this day. He did not exploit his talent but served it in spite of inner pain and sometimes popular rejection, perhaps especially in the Starsailor period. Nor did he exploit listeners by pandering to radio-conditioned tastes. Unlike some of his so-called "friends," he did not become a cynical Hollywood slickster, slavishly mirroring lowest common denominator mentalities in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Within each of his conceptual realms, including the Honeyman period, he gave the best and highest and most varied kinds of music of which he was capable.

Each period and style was different from the others and not to be compared. Within each style we find unique gems, again not to be compared, but enjoyed and appreciated in and of and for themselves.

How can Tim be condemned for whatever his personal torments, needs and flaws may have been when he gave us only compassion, love and joy in his music? Tim Buckley was an artist of dignity, integrity and enormous courage. He gave his all to music. There are many, including myself, who say he deserves high respect for that, and deep appreciation.

Our Wandering Minstrel Starsailor Honeyman was a pain to some people, because he knew that if he could do it the way he heard it, he could lift the entire human race a notch. Music has the power to do that. And so, motivated by creative brilliance and love of human beings everywhere, he dared to fly upward toward the sun. Are we to condemn him for that grand gesture simply because in both life and music he sometimes crashed and burned? Perhaps we can better serve him and ourselves and the music by celebrating the beauty and passion of the exceptional creations he shared along the way.

These songs stand the test of time. They stretch their fingertips across three decades, touching the hearts and minds of all who are willing to open themselves to the sheer intimacy Tim gave us. Intimacy is not easy. It takes two, and it takes courage. Are we ready? Do we dare? Whispers, sighs, tears, life, love, laughter — shall we take that wondrous leap and join the dance?

Sail on, dear friend, sail on. We are with you always.