It's been only three years since Jeff Buckley's untimely death by drowning, and Mystery White Boy marks the second posthumous release from the immensely talented singer-songwriter in that three-year span. It's not quite on par with Jimi Hendrix, who for a while seemed to have a new album out every month, but it may provide some minimal comfort for Buckley's fans.

Whereas Sketches (for my Sweetheart, the Drunk) was comprised of unreleased material from Buckley's never-released second album, as well as other rarities, Mystery White Boy is a live collection, featuring mostly previously available songs from Buckley's 1994-1996 tours. Because those did turn out to be the only tours for Buckley on an international scope, it's hard to separate the tragedy from this 12-song disc, but taken strictly as a live album on its musical merits, Mystery White Boy is a stunning CD, capturing an intensity from Buckley that transcends his studio work.

Buckley's backing band -- Michael Tighe (guitar), Mick Grondahl (bass), and Matt Johnson (drums) -- is stellar, and its tightness has much to do with the passion of the performances. The group provides a perfect complement to Buckley's forceful singing/yelling on such tracks as the opening, guitar-heavy rocker "Dream Brothers," a compelling "What Will You Say" marked by a rising urgency in the music, and a heavy "Last Goodbye" with an almost psychedelic guitar intro.

But even in hushed tones, such as through much of the hypnotic "Lilac Wine," a song with a cabaret-esque tinge, Buckley is never less than riveting as the focal point of these shows.

Buckley's stature has grown quickly since his passing. And in many ways his command of the listener's attention is reminiscent of another performer who died too young and went on to legendary status -- Jim Morrison. Much like Morrison, Buckley seems capable of exploding at anytime during these songs. When he does, it is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Mystery White Boy is more than just a tossed-off live CD from a performer gone too soon and more than yet another reminder of the loss music suffered when Buckley drowned. It may be one of the best live albums rock has produced.

European limited edition:
release date: May 5, 2000
CD #: 497972 9

Japanese edition:
release date: beginning of May 2000
CD #: SRCS 2288-9

Produced by Michael Tighe and Mary Guibert.

Digitally mastered from the original 2-track concert soundboard recordings by Vic Anesini at Sony Music Studios, NYC, except Dream Brother recorded, engineered and produced by Steve Berkowitz.

Jeff Buckley: voice and guitar
Michael Tighe: guitar
Mick Grondahl: bass
Matt Johnson: drums

Notes about different editions:

The european edition has also been printed in a limited edition (first-run) version, contained in a booklet type packaging in slipcases along with the bonus disc. (The bonus disc will not be contained in the regular edition). No credits are given for the bonus disc's tracks, anyway it's exactly the same disc featured in the Australian release.

The Australian release features the bonus disc and is packaged in a standard double disc packaging.

The same bonus disc has been released (in limited edition) also in Canada, but in this edition it is packaged in a separate slim jewel box, with a rather weird printing mistake: That's All I Ask is called That's All I Want From You.

The Japanese edition contains a different bonus disc and a 20 pages booklet, featuring the lyrics (in English and in Japanese translation) and the Japanese translation of some Jeff's comments quoted from the Electronic Press Kit.

Australian and European bonus Disc
That's All I Ask (H.Ott) 5:25
Lover, You Should Have Come Over (J.Buckley) 7:32
So Real (J.Buckley/M.Tighe) 5:18
total time: 18:17

That's All I Ask recorded September 2, 1995 at Prince Patrick Hotel, Melbourne,Australia. This is cover of a song sung by Nina Simone, and was previously unreleased.

Lover, You Should Have Come Over recorded July 7, 1995 at Olympia, Paris, France.

So Real recorded February 25, 1995 at Nighttown, Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is the same track already published in LIVE FROM NIGHTTOWN.

Japanese bonus disc:
So Real (live and acoustic in Japan)
Lover, You Should Have Come Over (live and acoustic in Japan)
Last Goodbye (live and acoustic in Japan)
total time: ??:??

Last Goodbye and Lover, You Should Have Come Over are the same tracks already published in Eternal Life CD single.

So Real is the same track already published in Last Goodbye CD single (UK).