Works in Progress

by Tim Buckley

Overview

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 '90s. 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. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	02/17/2023
Label:	France
UPC:	7404574045222

Tracks

1. Danang
2. Sing a Song for You
3. Buzzin' Fly
4. Song to the Siren
5. Happy Time
6. Sing a Song for You
7. Chase the Blues Away
8. Hi Lily, Hi Lo
9. Buzzin' Fly
10. Wayfaring Stranger
11. Ashbury Park Version 1
12. Ashbury Park Version 2
13. Ashbury Park Version 2
14. Dream Letter
15. The Father Song
16. The Fiddler

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tim Buckley   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
John Miller   Bass (Acoustic),Guitar (Bass)
Jimmy Madison   Drums
Lee Underwood   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
David Friedman   Marimba
Don Randi   Piano
Jerry Yester   Piano
Jim Fielder   Bass
Carter C.C. Collins   Bells,Congas
Fast Eddie Hoh   Bass
Steve Kahn   Guitar (Bass)
Carter Collins   Drums

Technical Credits

Bill Inglot   Remastering,Mix Down
Larry Beckett   Composer
Lee Underwood   Liner Notes
Bryan Lasley   Design,Art Direction
Bruce Botnick   Engineer
Tim Buckley   Composer
Zal Yanovsky   Producer
Jac Holzman   Producer,Production Supervisor
D.K. Baker   Archivist
Jerry Yester   Producer,Recording Director
Daniel Hersch   Remastering
Roland Worthington Hand   Compilation Producer
Patrick Pending   Design,Art Direction
Traditional   Composer