For (Blue)

What begins as an immersion into an atmospheric whirl of guitars, free-form jazz lines, and a classic sound, the sound and message of this record twists itself in knots, becoming playfully complicated one moment and spiritually stark the next. What immediately stands out, especially for those out there who know the Buckley catalog well, is inspired use of Buckley melodies, vocal semblances, and an evolved pop version of that melancholic sound. This is one record that weaves it's subject in and out virtually undetected until you give it several listens. It feels familiar, and puts into perspective what it feels like to lose a vital musical force in your life. I hate to use the word 'charming', but that's what springs to mind, because the great variance and creative use of rhythm, instrumental textures, and that charmed, mysterious quality that invaded Buckley's work translates here. I especially am touched by the fact that there is such an obvious and unadulterated respect for the man as an artist, that the gamut of emotions experienced by each of the players are fully explored. Everything from anger to plaintive balladry comes to fruition and the result is a record that would make Jeff (probably embarrassed to some degree) proud that he was able to touch his fans so deeply.