Don't swim is the ol' Mississipp...

Silly Erik, that's not a story, that's a moral to a story.

I once got into an argument with someone at a party because he said something like "it's a tragedy that Jeff Buckley died while *somerandompopstar* will live forever" after a Buckley song came up on the iPod that was playing music in the background. I responded by saying that I prefered whichever pop star he mentioned but stipulated that I'm biased towards pop music and never drank the Kool-Aid when it comes to Jeff Buckely. The other guy then shouted out, "hey everyone, this guy over here said Jeff Buckely is an untalented hack" - which I said nothing of the sort.

We got into an argument after I accused him of putting words in my mouth (which he did). I think at one point I said something like "the only reason anyone cares about Jeff Buckley is because he was a lousy swimmer." (Yes, I do believe that.)

Remember that in the 1994 Village Voice Pazz and Jop poll, *Grace* was only the 23rd best record that year, yet people treat it like it's a masterpiece.

I just find that amusing because I made the swimming comment and I *wasn't* the asshole at the time - but I probably am here this morning.

I've always liked Jeff Buckley, but never loved him like many of my friends at the time (and still do). "Last Goodbye" is a fabulous song and his version of "Hallelujah" is great (although I think I like Rufus Wainwright's version better). I kind of feel, at least in the Boston area, that Buckley was more popular before he died ... I had a kind of "oh yeah, Jeff Buckley" reaction when I heard he died. Buckley is sort of an east coast Elliott Smith really, just with only 1 album and a bigger label.

Of course, I still blame Duncan Sheik. My friends and I had a running joke that Duncan Sheik was trying to take over Jeff Buckley's place in rock and his "assassination" was yet another piece in that puzzle...

Yep, Erik, you're right I think about Buckley's East Coast star rising and falling pre-death. I bought "Grace" and never loved it, just liked a couple of songs. I believe I may have put one on a mixtape I made you once. Anyway, I think I heard he died way after it happened and had the same reaction: "Oh yeah, Jeff Buckley, I kinda remember that guy." I've never understood all the post-death attention. I also agree about Rufus's "Hallelujah" being superior. But... who is Duncan Sheik? (Someone dead, it sounds like?)

For those of you who don't remember Duncan personally, you might remember his 1996 hit, "Barely Breathing" ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Sheik

Oh yeah, Duncan Sheik, I kinda remember that guy. Wait, so he's dead? Or not dead? Erik, I'm confused.

He's still alive. And these days he's composing Broadway shows.

He also played a show in Seattle last month.