Because each track is a showcase of Buckley's uninhibited, without apology, take it or leave it songwriting, interpretation, and rendering. Because it is clear producers Michael Tighe and Mary Guibert really worked to construct and produce a better than "best of" live experience. Because audience clutter serves to enhance rather than detract, adding to the emotion Buckley hurls from himself and wrenches from the listener, starting with Dream Brother, perhaps climaxing on Eternal life, and ending breathlessly with Hallelujah/I Know it's Over medley. Or perhaps simply because of the little gem in The Man That Got Away, an Arlen-Gershwin song.

Mystery White Boy is a gift for those of us who never saw Jeff Buckley and his band live.


Buckley....once again, forever   May 16, 2000
APM (USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Jeff Buckely's is one of real triumph over death. The tragic loss of the young, soon-to-be- household name came at a time when the world was just discovering his music. This is a live album that is unusual in its feel because you can hear a pin drop while the album plays. The audience treats the songs with the reverence of prayer in a cathedral and Buckley's voice rises to the roof like some ancient spirit showing itself to remind us of its otherworldly power. The intense delivery of Big Star's "Kangaroo" and the haunting "Dream Brother" are poignant reminders of just how Buckley's voice was not so much a physical talent...it bordered on being a natural force. Again, Buckley's voice swells like a fearsome tide for "Grace" and settles for the beatific "Hallelujah". This is a live album that shouldn't be missed if you are a fan of Buckley...and certainly one you should catch if you are looking to get a feel for the magnetism and presence of a performer who left us too soon.


THE GENIUS OF JEFF BUCKLEY   May 24, 2000
28 out of 33 found this review helpful

The major difference between Jeff and his father Tim was the fact that Tim was talented; Jeff was a genius. Jeff was often accused of stealing from his father but dismissed the alligations by saying "The only thing I ever stole from my father was a fleeting glimpse." They'd met only once.

The genius of Jeff Buckley is showcased on this collection of live performances. Recorded all over the world, you can hear Jeff perform mostly his tracks from 'Grace' as this tour took place before most of the "My Sweetheart, The Drunk" sessions.

The closing track, Jeff's rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' and The Smiths' "I Know It's Over" moved me more than anything I've heard in a long while. His voice is so beautiful that it's chilling and no one has ever been able to outperform Morrissey's vocals like Jeff has. Other standout tracks include "Last Goodbye" recorded in Paris and "What Will You Say?" On the Australian release, you can find a remedy to the one huge oversight on the American release: A lovely version of Jeff's finest track "Lover, You Should've Come Over". It's well worth the extra cost for the bonus CD.

In a day of horrible talentless swine like Dave Matthews and Limp Bizkit, any recordings of Jeff's are a must. Jeff offered no gimmicks, no b.s., and he never catered to anyone. Everything he did came straight from his heart and it's showcased here. Simply brilliant!


Devastatingly beautiful   May 9, 2000
Maria Castro (London, United Kingdom)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

While writing a review I try to be as honest as I can and to maintain a certain composed manner. That is to say that I try to be objective without letting my personal feelings be too evident.However, if I'm writing about Jeff Buckley I just cannot avoid speaking as a passionate fan. This new live album makes all your defense mechanisms fall apart.How can you restrain yourself from saying what you feel about this music if Buckley himself was so honest in the way he communicated with the audiences? This album show us how impressive he could be while playing live, making you come to terms with all those grey areas in your soul that you desperately try to avoid. However, from this confrontation you also come out renewed. Jeff Buckley makes you feel like opening your heart, walk on the street and cry outloud all your emotions, say the words you were not capable of... and scream: I'm alive and this is the way I feel! One particular aspect of this superb collection of live performances is how alive they seem. This becomes particularly disturbing when you think that although he died, he feels so alive. These performances clearly show Jeff in all his humanity, his musicality, his honesty, his dignity, his total engagement to music. Wonderfully conceived in technical and artistic terms, this album has love in every inch of it. Extraordinary mum, who made this album come true.I can only say that it is a privilege to have been touched by Jeff's music. He lives within us, forever.


Not just another live album...   May 10, 2000
D. Bagley (AQ, NY)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

In the tradition of fallen rock stars,Mary Guibert (Jeff's mother)released the post-humus"Scetches" to crtical acclaim,as well as the scorn from his former band mates(Jeff had scraped the Sketches sessions).But that was then,now for "Mystery White Boy",Micheal Tighe;Jeff's former guitarist,has come aboard to help sift,and compile a wonderful compilation of his 95-96 tour.Having seen Jeff myself live,all I can say is that this best represents everything amazing,magical,and truly unique about him.And what's best about this album,is that it's really more than another live album,it's a testament of what's missing more and more in the music of today:passion,pure unadulterated passion.And the inclusion of three new songs,just makes it all the better.This album is a must!My only complaint is that the Australian version includes an extra disk,of unreleased tracks that would have made this version even better,but I guess the die-hard will have to buy the import.Other than that,a small complaint, Mary has done a fine job of assuring her son's legacy,not falling down that dark path of post-humus second-rate recordings we've seen happen through the years,ie Hendrix,the Doors,etc...This album is a triumph,as well as sad tragedy,as it reminds us of what was,and what could have been...