Jeff Buckley

As we reach the death throws of the protracted Brexit negotiations between The United Kingdom and Europe we thought we'd compile our own little playlist to mark the occasion. Break-ups can be messy affairs in all walks of life and Brexit has not been an exception to that rule. The squabbling may be over who should get the fish instead of who should get custody of the pets but it's been no less acrimonious. With neither side wanting to cave in to the other's demands it's inevitably the kids who will suffer and most of them didn't even vote for it. So, with tongue firmly in cheek, here are the top ten songs that we've chosen to represent the agonisingly long, painful goodbye that is Brexit. 

Banksy, Dover.

Jeff Buckley - The Last Goodbye.

Continue reading: The Long Goodbye: A Brexit Inspired Playlist.

How many times in your life have you found yourself listening to a song that you think you know inside out, only to discover that that's not even the original version? We're guessing at least once; indeed, it happens to us all. Most commonly when it's a cover of a cover. Here are ten iconic songs that gained more popularity as a cover than as an original...

Johnny Cash at Glastonbury 1994 / Photo Credit: Empics Entertainment/PA Images

Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Original: Gloria Jones
Other notable covers: Marilyn Manson

Continue reading: Tainted Love, Hallelujah And Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: 10 Covers That You Probably Know Better Than The Originals

As it's the third Thursday in November it's time to usher in this years batch of Beaujolais Nouveau so we here at Contact Music thought we'd put together a little wine inspired playlist for you by way of celebration. There were sadly a few songs that didn't make this year's cut before we went to press(!) including anything by Simply Red, Amy Winehouse or Black Grape. (Thankfully we've also spared you Mistletoe And Wine, maybe next year Cliff?)

UB40 - Red, Red Wine. No Beaujolais playlist would be complete without this sing-a-long staple from UB40. Although originally sung by Neil Diamond in 1967 the Birmingham band's take on the song is the one firmly entrenched in the minds of the general public, so that's the one we've gone with. 

 UB40

Continue reading: Beaujolais Nouveau: A Corker Of A Playlist Inspired By Wine

The first recording sessions performed by the late Jeff Buckley for his record label Columbia have been uncovered, and are set to be released as an album early next year.

You And I will be released on March 11th, 2016, and features two original songs – one of which, ‘A Dream of You and I’, has never been heard – alongside eight cover versions of tracks ranging from bluesmen to The Smiths and Sly & The Family Stone.

Buckley died in 1997 at the age of 30 when he got into difficulties swimming in a channel of the Mississippi River. He only released one album, 1994’s seminal Grace, and three EPs during his lifetime, but his work has remained popular in the two decades since, with his cover of ‘Hallelujah’ enjoying widespread rediscovery and commercial success in 2007.

Continue reading: Lost Jeff Buckley Recordings To See The Light Of Day In 2016 Album Release

Experience a glimpse into the mind of the untimely deceased music genius Jeff Buckley, in a rare piece of interview footage in which he opens up about his influences, his first forays into music and the making of his first (and last) album 'Grace' which was released in 1994.

Remembering music devotee Jeff Buckley...

On a Spring evening in Memphis in 1998, one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to ever have lived swam out into the Wolf River Harbor and never returned. It was both remarkably sad and shocking in equal measure to see Jeff Buckley fade from the music industry just as quickly as he had arrived. To hear him verbalise his thoughts in this world is somewhat eerie, but there's no doubt the resurfacing of this rare piece of interview footage will be treasured by many.

Continue reading: 'Music Is Endless': The Haunting Words Of Jeff Buckley

The Greetings From Tim Buckley trailer has been released, which has spurred a flurry of chat surrounding the upcoming indie flick, which depicts the life of the lost musicians Jeff and Tim Buckley. A trailer’s all well and good, but is the film any good?

The film received a generally positive buzz from festival screenings, but buzz won’t implore people to go and watch a film. Unfortunately, the reviews aren’t rolling in just yet, but the ever reliable people at The Hollywood Reporter have sunken their reviewing teeth into the film, and think it’s pretty good, particularly commenting on the mood set: “Andrij Parekh’s lighting and the edgy, expressive hand-held camera give a New York moodiness to the film,” notes the review, which does move towards a slight criticism. “One frustrating thing is the absence of Jeff’s music in the film – only heard in a few tantalizing riffs with his future songwriter Gary Lucas (Frank Wood).”

On taking on such the important and enigmatic role of Jeff Buckley, Penn Badgley was honest about his feelings. "It was daunting," he told THR about taking on the role, during an interview in Toronto. "I was nervous as hell and I knew nobody thought I could do it. There are parts of Jeff I can’t emulate at all and wouldn’t want to try."