Daphne Brooks on the Jeff Buckley you thought you knew

Just in case you haven't heard, Princeton professor Daphne Brooks is one of the most thoughtful, engaging music journalists around today. I saw her Jeff Buckley presentation at Experience Music Project and was blown away by it. Buckley had been a performer that I really had little use for before, thinking that he was only a shadow of his daddy Tim. Brooks' presentation laid out a great case for his importance, noting his odd but heartfelt connections with chanteuses (i.e. Nina Simone) and indie-rockers alike. I admit that I'm still not enamored of his music but I definitely had much more respect for him as an artist and for his ambition.

It only makes sense that Brooks wrote a tome on Buckley, laying out her thoughts in even more detail. For anyone around Gotham, here's your chance to witness her work in person and support what she does.

Also note Girl Group, the collective of women music journalists, who helped to put together this event, and hopefully future events. This group includes some of the best writing talent around, engaged in good ideas and discussions. Admittedly, I helped start up the group but don't let that dissuade you.

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The Girl Group presents:
A Reading of Grace

The power and influence of Jeff Buckley's Grace increases with each passing year. Here, Daphne Brooks traces Buckley's fascinating musical development through the earliest stages of his career, up to the release of the album. With access to rare archival material, Brooks illustrates Buckley's passion for life and hunger for musical knowledge, and shows just why he was such a crucial figure in the American music scene of the 1990s.

The latest in the 33 1/3 music series by Continuum, Books: Grace by Daphne Brooks. Join us for a reading and conversation with the author. *Copies will be available for sale at the event.

Thurs. May, 26
@ 7:00 p.m.
Cake Shop
152 Ludlow Street
New York City- Lower East Side
(between Stanton and Rivington)
212-253-0036
www.cake-shop.com

The Girl Group is a forum for women music writers to talk about the challenges of writing, editing and general career advancement as a woman working in the arts media. Interested? See
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/girlgroup/