Previously unreleased 1968 sessions (with the exception of an instrumental
track from 1967) that, for the most part, are a missing link between his
second and third albums, Goodbye and Hello and Happy Sad. The process
through which Happy Sad evolved was not a smooth one, entailing a few
tracks in New York in March 1968 and more unused sessions in the summer
of 1968 in L.A., producing a good deal of material that lay in vaults
until it was accidentally discovered in the 1990s. The four tracks from
the New York sessions are a bit demo-ish, featuring just Buckley and his
acoustic guitar, Lee Underwood's electric guitar, and an unidentified
acoustic bassist (probably Jimmy Bond). Nevertheless, these have a lovely
sincerity, particularly the lilting "Danang," which would later
form a part of "Love From Room 109 at the Islander" on Happy
Sad. There were also different takes of Happy Sad's "Sing a Song
for You" and "Buzzin' Fly," and a sparse version of "Song
to the Siren," recorded in a more strained, elaborate manner on Starsailor.
On most of the L.A. tracks, Buckley is joined by the Happy Sad band on
a mixture of alternate versions and songs that would surface on post-Happy
Sad releases. With most of the other alternates, the feel is somewhat
more tentative than on the versions listeners are used to. It's interesting
to hear the two unfinished tunes titled "Ashbury Park Version 2,"
which would be the foundation of the first movement of "Love From
Room 109 at the Islander," especially as some of them are graced
by delicate harp that didn't get used in the final arrangement. This complex
assortment of material, it must be noted, is not collector ephemera: it's
gorgeously melodic music that is both historically important and emotionally
powerful on its own terms.
(by Richie Unterberger, All
Music Guide)
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