Jeff Bridges’ Slow Magic is a lost tape come to light, brimming with raw, experimental vibes and creativity. From trippy spoken-word tracks to space-like instrumentals, this archival release feels like a friend sharing something personal. Here’s why you might like it.
The Charm of Raw Recordings
There’s a certain quality that home recordings and demos have, a rawness that lets you hear an artist putting it out there. The funny thing is that so often those song recordings that the public wasn’t necessarily intended to hear often hit harder than those final mixes carefully perfected in the studio.
I may have broken one or two musician friends’ hearts by admitting I liked their demo more than the polished studio recording that they worked hard at producing.
Jeff Bridges: More Than a Movie Star
Most of you know Jeff Bridges as the movie star, but he’s been a singer-songwriter since the late ’60s.
I first became aware of his music back in 2004 or 2005, when I hosted a weekly show on Jimmy Buffett’s Radio Margaritaville. He was the first big-name person I ever interviewed. He told me about how his creativity with music started early on.
Well gosh…I can’t remember not loving it. You know, I remember my brother back in the early sixties…maybe late fifties…having this white electric guitar and I kind of took it over and started playing on it and, you know, the great thing about the guitar is you can kind of teach yourself, you know, the chords are just pictures of where you put your fingers, so I had a ball just working on tunes that I liked, trying to play them and that kind of thing and then I started to write music with the knowledge of the chords that I’d learned…I just kind of started to make up songs and stuff and that really took off and I started doing that more than playing other people’s songs.
A Personal Connection
We’ve stayed in touch all of these years, and he’s never made it seem like he was this untouchable star. Let me state for the record, that’s not the norm.
I always liked his stuff, because he always seems like he’d be writing and recording the songs in his repertoire even if nobody else resonated with them. To quote an Alex Harvey lyric, “I won’t make my music for money, no I’m gonna make my music for me.”
Staying True to Himself
I’ve followed his music releases ever since his debut, and he’s always stayed true to himself. You can hear it.
But, as this new release reveals, that’s what he was doing with his songs even before his debut Be Here Soon.
Slow Magic: An Archival Gem
This latest title, Slow Magic, is a new release of an old recording. It’s the kind of thing that I like, a tape tucked away that surfaced. At 38 minutes, it feels like something a friend shared with you. This archival recording has a strong experimental theme. An attitude of “what if we tried this” permeates the tracks.
Bridges told me he likes Captain Beefheart, and you’ll pick up on that wild, free-spirited vibe when you listen to Slow Magic.
Standout Tracks and Performances
The songwriting is impressive, as are the performances. Strong points include the title track Slow Magic, especially suited to horns. It almost feels like songs from the early ’60s. I would be curious to hear Jeff sing it these days.
There are some really far out there things on the album, like “Here on This Island.” For those of you who seek those recordings that are like nothing else, here you go. Amongst the trippy, musical brushstrokes, the late great Burgess Meredith recites what could only be called “spoken arts.” There’s an ambiance that pulls you in. Bizarre, yet oddly comforting. I love that Burgess Meredith said, “Okay, let’s try this.” That’s the heart of Slow Magic — fearlessness.
The Influence of John Goodwin
All of Bridges’ records, aside from Sleeping Tapes, feature some of John Goodwin’s songs. Goodwin is one of the most compelling music and visual artists I’ve ever encountered. I was fascinated with Goodwin’s songs from the very first time I heard them. Here’s Jeff Bridges on Goodwin.
Yeah…well, Johnny and I, we go back to the fourth grade together and he’s one of those guys I was speaking about that’s kept my music fires burning because he’s such a wonderful songwriter
On Slow Magic, the song “Light Blues” showcases Goodwin’s trademark witty writing. You should listen to more of Goodwin’s songs. Bridges and Goodwin were cut from the same cloth and mesh well.
More Highlights and a Bold Closer
“You Could Be Ready” would have been the most radio-friendly song from this selection. It has a breezy, optimistic vibe to it that makes you think of driving with your windows open.
The album closes out with a very atypical track entitled “Kong.” I’m happy Jeff and Meredith Burgess committed to the vision of this track. You’ve got to do what you feel when it comes to creative impulse. If it keeps returning to your mind, you have to let it out.
A Timeless Creative Spark
And what you dreamed up long ago, maybe, just maybe, will appear at the right time. Slow Magic came out when it was supposed to.
It’s a reminder of what it feels like to chase a wild idea. Then to try it again.
