This page is centered around albums that were released in the Los Angeles area from 1964-1980 or so. All records are letter rated from A+ to C.
Tim Buckley-Tim Buckley (Elektra 1966) A (Tim Buckley was an extremely talented singer-songwriter that released a string of excellent but poor selling albums from 1966-1974. Tim Buckley was his 1966 debut and featured a fragile psychedelic/folk album that was similar in style to the quieter side of fellow Los Angeles act Love.)
Tim Buckley-Goodbye And Hello (Elektra 1967) A+ ('Goodbye And Hello' was Tim Buckley's second album and many consider it his finest hour. The album picked up where his 1966 debut left off and managed to stretch out into dimensions that were in the same lofty space as Love's 'Forever Changes.' The album was warmly received by critics and musicians but did sell in any great numbers. Key tracks: 'Once I Was', 'Hallucinations', 'Pleasant Street' and 'Morning Glory.')
Tim Buckley-Happy/Sad (Elektra 1969) A (Tim Buckley did not release and album in 1968 but returned in 1969 with 'Happy/Sad.' This was Buckley's third long player and it found the singer-songwriter stretching his material out and incorporating a jazz-like approach. It was another fine effort and was the transition album from Buckley's gentle folk-rock songs to the more avant-garde music he was to release in the coming years. Key tracks: 'Buzzin' Fly', 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Dream Letter.')
Tim Buckley-Blue Afternoon (Straight 1969) B+ ('Blue Afternoon' was Tim Buckley fourth studio album and his first for Frank Zappa's Straight label. Musically, it was in the same realm as Buckley's previous set 'Happy/Sad' but it wasn't quite as adventurous. It sounded like a sort of compromise of Buckley's jazz influenced material and his straight ahead folk style of his first two records. That being said, it was still a superb album that featured gems such as 'I Must Have Been Blind' and 'The River.')
Tim Buckley-Lorca (Elektra 1970) A+ ('Lorca' was Tim Buckley's fifth studio album was it was recorded around the time of his November 1969 album 'Blue Afternoon.' With 'Lorca' it has been said that Buckley wanted to shake up and challenge his fans with songs that didn't have the usual folk-rock changes and structures. The album's five tracks were stripped down an stretched out to where they sounded like some of the improvisational pieces by guitarists John Fahey and Sandy Bull. Buckley was also experimenting heavily with his vocal delivery. 'Lorca' certainly alienated Buckley's fan base but artistically it was a brave more forward.)
Tim Buckley-Starsailor (Straight 1970) A+ ('Starsailor' was Tim Buckley's sixth studio album and his second for Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen's Straight label. It was easily Buckley's most challenging and left of center recording. Musically, the record is in it's own universe and stretches out into areas that really have no description. Buckley's backing group on the album featured Mothers Of Invention members Bunk & Buzz Gardner and other outsider cats. Artistically speaking, 'Starsailor' may just be Tim Buckley's strongest album ever. It features devastating tracks such as 'Come Here Woman', 'Monterey', 'Jungle Fire' and the record's most famous track 'Song To The Siren' (which Buckley premiered on an episode of The Monkees TV show. )
Tim Buckley-Greetings From L.A. (Warner Bros./Straight Records 1972) B+ (Tim Buckley released a staggering four albums in the period of two years (1969-1970), so he decided to sit it out in 1971. Buckley returned in 1972 with his last truly great album 'Greetings For L.A.' It was Buckley's seventh album and was sort of new direction for the artist. Buckley reeled in the weirdness of previous album 'Starsailor' and moved his sound into a more R&B direction. 'Greetings' did continue Buckley's somewhat surprising preoccupation with sex and sleaze that he first aired on 'Down By The Borderline' from 'Starsailor'. It's a dirty, funky album that would sit along nicely with The Doors' 1971 swan song 'L.A. Woman.' The album's key track was the devastating 'Sweet Surrender.' Tim Buckley would continue in the R&B vein for his two final albums 'Seforina' (1973) and 'Look At The Fool' (1975.) Tim Buckley died of a heroin overdose in 1975.
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