Starsailor (studio album) by Tim Buckley

Of all the Buckley albums, (for me) this one is the least enjoyable - the musical/vocal experience just doesn't work for me. That said, I do love his earlier albums, especially Goodbye & Hello and Sefronia.

Interesting experience, but this album is not for me, free jazz arrangements aren't bad but I find a lot of vocals horrendous, the only songs I would maybe casually put on are Moulin Rouge and Song To The Siren, the rest is unbearable to me.

I love all of the Tim Buckley albums in my vinyl collection, in order of purchasing:
- Sefronia
- Goodbye and Hello
- Happy Sad
- Greetings From LA
- Star Sailor

Star Sailor being my last purchase is a difficult listen compared with the albums I own but I am sue it is going to grow on me with repeated listens. There is no doubting Buckley's incredible vocal talents which border on the bizarre in parts. I personally like the jazz workout in Down by the Borderline where the trumpet lead accentuates the vocal acrobatics.

Once this clicks, you'll want to listen to it all the time. I don't like everything by Buckley but this is his masterpiece. This is the kind of music he really wanted to make.

From mdbaxter 05/01/2019 17:00

This is a very interesting album. I really enjoy parts of it but still metaphorically scratch my head when listening to other parts. I think "Monterey" has some of the best and worst moments on the album. It as a great guitar riff and excellent vocals for the most part. The problems that I have have to do with Tim's vocal experiments that are prevalent throughout the album. Most of the time, the sound coming out of him is great but occasionally it gets to be too much for me; whether it be too nasally or too rangy. However, I love the fact that he is trying something different and singing with his entire being. "Come Here Woman" is my favorite song on the album and an example of a song where, I think, there is just the right amount of experimenting. "Song To The Siren" is incredible but not because of anything new (other than maybe the funky guitar) but because it is superbly written and superbly performed. I strongly suspect that Tim had watched 2001: A Space Odyssey or had at least heard the score before recording "Starsailor". The layered vocals, spacey theme and close proximity in time make it hard for me to believe that there isn't at least an influence. The jazz-like flow of the songs is something that I really like. The guitar work is relatively sparse but solid when it is present. Overall, the album is good. The risks that Tim takes are what define it, positively and negatively. The willingness he has to try something new is commendable and I wish more artists had a similar goal.

From JulianR 07/31/2018 21:34

It's like Trout Mask Replica, but played and sang by angels on acid, not drunk bears

From joannajewsom 03/25/2018 00:47

Godly voice.

a remarkable album, a wondorpus album full of great songs expertly crafted, original and inventive free form jazz mixed wit folk sensibilities creates a truly remarkable work of art.

From sszwalbenest 08/04/2015 19:16

This album is a total trip. Never heard anything like it before.

Tim Buckley was the most interesting singer-songwriter for me, and this record proves it perfectly. 'Starsailor' is a mix of jazz, avantgarde, folk rock and experimental music, one album which was a huge change in the direction of his music. The title track is one of the eeriest, spaciest while 'Song to the Siren' is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.