Touched By Grace: My time with Jeff Buckley

by Gary Lucas

Touched By Grace is an up-close-and-personal account by the legendary guitarist and songwriter Gary Lucas of the time he spent with his friend and collaborator, Jeff Buckley, during Jeff's early days in New York City. It describes their magical performance together at the Greetings from Tim Buckley concert at the Church of St Ann in 1991 the event that first introduced Jeff to the world at large; the creation of their songs "Mojo Pin" and "Grace," which started life as guitar instrumentals by Gary and would later become integral to Jeff's debut album, "Grace"; and their plan to take on the world together in Gary's band, Gods & Monsters. Just as the band was set to soar, however, Jeff pulled the plug, opting instead to sign a solo deal with Columbia Records, the very label that had recently cut short its recording contract with the original incarnation of Gods & Monsters. In this fascinating, revelatory new book, Gary Lucas writes with vivid, heartfelt honesty about the highs and lows of this all-too-brief musical union, from his first meeting with Jeff through to the devastating phone call from an MTV journalist with news of Jeff's disappearance in the Mississippi River. Touched By Grace is an eye-opening tale of music, passion, betrayal, and more.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lee Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letter I wrote to Gary Lucas after reading Touched By Grace —

Dear Gary,

I approached your book with a certain amount of trepidation. Did not want to get swept back into that neo-Gothic vortex of the Buckley saga. But as I got into the first chapter, I said to myself, “Hey, anybody who is a master performing guitarist, a major independent recording artist, and a first-rate writer who attended Yale and regards Joyce’s Ulysses as his favorite novel, can’t be all bad. Press on!”

I am glad I did.

Touched By Grace is superbly well written, full of insight, passion, love, wisdom, heart. Couldn’t put it down. Didn’t even want to.

Thank you for undertaking such a monumental labor. I know what it took to go back into those ecstasies and agonies, those heights of creative fire, those depths of humiliation, disappointment, anger, those shining peaks of love and exuberant musical performances.

And I know exactly what you mean when you say not a day goes by without remembering Jeff, the love you felt and still feel after all of these years, and how that aching loss still brings tears to the surface of your psyche. Indelible experiences, undimmed by time’s passing. As you know, those experiences and those memories will stay with you. They are yours and yours alone, to be honored and treasured and cherished forever.



I stand in admiration of you, Gary. Your independence as a man and as a musician. Your “loner” stance in a violent, cynical music business context. The ways in which you retain your fundamental integrity, your gentleness, your respect for others even when moving among those ruthless corporate sharks (not to mention the back-biting, opportunistic fellow musicians who step on other musicians just to get another leg up the ladder toward fame, fortune, and fleeting recognition).

You have managed to go your own way, no matter what. You have managed to pull yourself up out of the ashes of egregious disappointment and continue working, evolving, growing as a man, as a musician, as a writer, and as a devoted servant to music itself.

I tip my hat to you, Gary Lucas. Way to go.
Your friend in music,
Lee Underwood (author of Blue Melody: Tim Buckley Remembered)

[Nikki Coates · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whine, whinge, complain, blame, waa waa, boo hoo, poor me!

Self indulgent rubbish.... I was bored senseless by the continuous name dropping & the generally pathetic attempts Mr Lucas has to be admired for his so called guitar wizardry. Odd though, that he never really "made it". However, he carefully & pain stackingly explains how anyone & everyone else was against him. Narcissistic paranoia at its finest!

Utter dribble!

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music is one of the most ephemeral and powerful facets of humanity, and this account of the complex collaboration between Jeff Buckley and Gary Lucas in the early 1990s both reflects its specific dynamics and taps into the grand epic narrative of rock music. The prototypically Romantic ascension and fall of Jeff Buckley (a young genius lured by the charms of fame and vainly trying to escape from the shadow of his legendary father) and the rather more successful tale of a mature man finally finding his very own creative path in life when other men of his age would have fallen for a safer, but mediocre way of life (Gary Lucas, of course... although his time in Captain Beefheart's band was certainly not a minor incident in his life, he certainly found his own voice in the months that he shared with Buckley). Lucas is both painfully and lovingly honest about the ups-and-downs of his relationship with Buckley, as well as about the labyrinths and trappings of music business (which both rejects his own unbridled (but nevertheless disciplined) creativity, and drives a much younger, and less experienced man into death). Although, it would seem that this book would only be of interested of fans of either men's music (and even more specifically, of guitarists and guitarists' fans), Lucas certainly makes it approachable by any music fan, and by anyone willing to be enraptured by a tale of star-crossed collaborators who nevertheless produced some of the most intense music of that time.

[Madan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months back, I came across a video of Dave Lory giving interviews discussing his book about the time he spent with Jeff Buckley as his manager. Actually, a little before that, there was a video on Facebook where Andy Wallace discussed how he produced Grace. One of those periodical surges of interest in the lone album Jeff Buckley released before he died, you know. So, anyway, while watching Lory's interview, I also noticed another video where Gary Lucas was talking about his association with Jeff Buckley. And I did a double take, who is this Gary Lucas? I suppose that sums up the reason Lucas had to write this book.

If it seems as if both in the book called Touched by Grace and in the interview, Lucas seems rather anxious to put on record the full extent of his contributions to Buckley's opus, it is because his role is now shrouded in obscurity. He opens the book with the lament that for all his myriad achievements through the course of a long career, tombstone may end up reading, "RIP Gary Lucas - ex-Captain Beefheart and Jeff Buckley guitarist" but maybe not even that but for his efforts to bring out his role in, well, introducing Buckley to the New York scene as well as his important songwriting contributions on Grace.

As you may or may not be aware, two songs on Grace - the title track as well as Mojo Pin - are co-credited to Lucas. These songs were indeed co-written by the duo...when Buckley was in Lucas' band Gods and Monsters with Buckley providing the vocal melody and lyrics to Lucas' chords. What's more, even though he had not been part of the Jeff Buckley band, Lucas was still brought in to record guitar parts on both these tracks. And yet, only sputnik music and slant magazine's reviews (published a decade or nearly as much after the album's original release) note Lucas' role in the album or indeed in Buckley's career. Rolling Stone's review written in '94 or even BBC's article written in '11 don't. Nor does most of the literature written about the album. Just saying it was easy for a millennial like me who did not listen to Grace at the time of its release to have been completely unaware of Lucas' contributions for over a decade after I first listened to the album back in '08.

Thus, Lucas does have an agenda at heart and for arguably valid reasons. He helped Buckley garner favourable attention from influential forces in the New York music scene and helped negotiate a deal for Gods and Monsters, only to get cut out of the deal and with Buckley going solo with a new deal offered by Columbia. This one with a million dollar advance for a three album contract. And with that, Buckley tied the proverbial albatross round his neck.

I am sure many Buckley fans have pondered over what could have possessed him to swim that fateful day in the turbulent waters of the Wolf River, a tributary of Mississippi, an expedition that would cost him his life. Buckley fans would have also lamented about the music we perhaps missed out on due to his untimely death.

Lucas' account, taken at face value, goes some way towards answering these questions albeit not particularly edifying answers. A familiar story, somewhat on the lines of the fate met by Whitney Houston or Amy Winehouse albeit over a much shorter timeline, unfolds. A promising talent possessed in a vulnerable soul falls into the clutches of the machine, overruling advice from well wishers, indeed even perhaps spurning them in pursuit of the promised land. And when the machine isn't quite getting the bang for its buck and pressurises the artist, the latter, sensitive soul that he/she is, collapses, usually with devastating consequences. So too, Buckley's album, magnificent though it may have been, failed to attain sales anywhere near the level where the label could have obtained some sort of return on their investment and thereafter he was under the pump. The years rolled by but the sophomore remained in the works. And then he died, just like that.

As per Lucas' account, there was talk of involving him in helping record the new album as well but before anything concrete could fructify, of course, he was gone. Without saying as much directly, Lucas also provides commentary on the changes and the short termism in the music industry in the 90s, which may have something to do with its continued descent into mediocrity even as freelance artists operating outside the industry continue to delight...providing you find out about them. Lucas remarks on how Buckley was signed up with an eye popping advance mostly on the strength of his charisma and his virtuosity as demonstrated live but without ascertaining his songwriting ability. He is critical of the label's ploy of using four covers in an album of only ten tracks in all. That is - and this may be disconcerting and upsetting for Buckley fans to read - Buckley was under the pump having to not only write plenty of original material but also material that would achieve the commercial success Columbia was looking for. In short, at least as long as he remained on the trajectory he was on at the time, of working with a major label, it is unlikely that the follow up to Grace would have been an equally amazing (let alone even more) album. It is possible to infer some vendetta on Lucas' part but the length of time elapsed between Grace and his death, the revolving door of personnel and producers involved in the making of the follow up (which, based off Sketches...was likely going to be decent but well short of Grace standards) all seem to add up with Lucas' hypothesis.

As you may have surmised from the above as well as other reviews, the book does not paint a wholly favourable portrait of Buckley. Oh, for sure it heaps superlatives on his musical talent in spades. But the book suggests there was a dark side to his personality as well that may be little known now with the passage of time as well as the martyrdom bestowed on rock stars who die too soon. So, if you deify Buckley, perhaps this book may be a tough one to stomach for you. But if you would like to get to know him better, even if it means some aspects you would rather not learn about, then this is a great book as it brings forth an impression of a talented and charismatic artist but a flawed individual. Most of us squarely fit the latter category and only a privileged few possess the former.

Lastly, a note about Lucas' writing on the book. As noted in other reviews, it is indeed very engaging and riveting, set up beautifully with a mouth watering prologue that promises a tumultuous ride ahead. Also, having watched his interview where he sported that delightful accent of his - not an American so can't tell what that accent is called - I could practically hear the words coming out in his voice and accent. I can't stress enough how rare this is, that somebody can so smoothly transfer his spoken voice intonation and modulation to the written word. I note that Michael Shore's review made the same observation and he seems to have known him as well so it's a testament to how intimate Lucas' writing is.

With the writing being flawless imo, the only ground that it could be criticised on is bias. But I take that as a given with all such first person accounts of events. Lucas may well be an unreliable witness to some degree. But even so, he is an engaging one and takes not just Buckley fans but music fans in general on a journey into the fascinating but often cynical world of music as it exists behind the stage.

[Timothy Girdler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really brilliant look into the early stages of Jeff Buckley's career and some of Gary Lucas' experiences in the music industry.

It starts with some context as to who Gary Lucas is and where he came from. At times it does feel like he is stroking one's own ego a bit where he'll directly quote reviews of his albums or performances and describe himself as being 'virtuosic.' I do think however that he is an incredible guitarist, but he could definitely talk about his skills with a little more grace. (no pun intended) This was one of the main issues I found with the book. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it does make your eyes roll a little.

The only other issue I could find with the book is there are a few misspellings and some odd formatting in the book. It doesn't really detract much from the read. Hopefully, these are ironed out in next editions.

If you're the kind of person who sees Jeff Buckley as this perfect angel, it will change the way you look at him. It shows how he acted around some of his friends and colleagues and there were times he was unpleasant and downright an asshole. He was clearly a broken individual with mental health issues and addictions. I think this was the reason he wrote songs that were so passionate and emotional. There are points that also show his mood swings which probably inspired his song "Moodswing Whiskey." It does also show times when he was warm and kind and obviously cared about people and was desperately concerned with what people thought of him. He just wanted to be great. Who doesn't?

After reading the book, the times where Jeff was harsh were the only thing on my mind. I was quite shocked as I was one of the people who thought he was an angel. It made me think he was a narcissist and an asshole, but upon reflection of the book, I thought more about his warmer and more honest moments, and how the music industry is obviously rife with narcissists and Jeff Buckley is not the only one with this problem. Gary Lucas himself is clearly guilty of having a big ego.

In the end, the book does leave you feeling very sympathetic towards Jeff and with a different outlook on his music and image as a whole, for better or worse. It made me appreciate him more and understand where he was coming from with his songs. I would absolutely recommend giving it a read.

[Michael Shore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be obnoxious, but disclaimer: Gary quotes me by name in the very first paragraph of the prologue of this book. Like Tanya who also comments here, I’m privileged to have Gary call me a friend; I've known him more than 3 decades now. Telling you that right off the top is, I feel, in keeping with the spirit of Touched By Grace. What I love about this book, what I think makes it so valuable and exceptional, is that the good folks at Jawbone Press did not over-edit it; it is SO much like literally just sitting and talking with Gary! Being able to hang with such a brilliant and accomplished guitarist/composer, who’s managed to remain a great guy and functioning human, is its own reward. But on top of that, we learn so much from Touched By Grace -- about what it means to be a creative musician; to be a working musician; to straddle and oscillate between the worlds of big-bucks corporate record labels (where Gary worked for years as a successful CBS Records copy writer) and low-budget cult stardom; to collaborate with charismatic characters like Don Van Vliet and Jeff Buckley. On the latter count, Gary lifts the veil on both the highs and lows. He imparts his hard-won wisdom with an unfailing honesty and lack of pretension that are, by turns and often at once, disarmingly candid, refreshingly myth-busting, and brutally frank…at times self-deprecatingly so. Yes, I am a friend of Gary’s, but it is my honest and considered opinion that while he’s not as brilliant a writer as he is a guitarist (and given what a phenomenal guitarist he is, that’s still pretty high praise!), Touched By Grace is a lot like Gary’s nonpareil playing in that it is singular, powerful, and from the heart. Time spent with Touched By Grace is time well spent, and you are sure to come out of it loving and respecting the man and his story as much as his music.

[Samuele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book:

90% = Autobiographical masturbation
5% = Astrology bullshit
5% = interesting facts about Jeff Buckley

[Grego Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ding-dong! A couple of nights ago my doorbell rang. It was the UPS, delivering a mysterious package. I opened it with some haste. "Oh, good. The publisher sent me a review copy of Gary Lucas's book," I mumbled to myself. I had heard about it. Of course I was and am no stranger to Gary Lucas and his music. I consider him one of the very most important, most innovative guitarists of our era. And the book is about a momentous time in his career--his collaboration with the exceptional vocalist/poetic lyricist and expressionist Jeff Buckley. I was glad to know more of the details since the music had struck a nerve with me.

And so the next day I hunkered down with the book, Touched By Grace: My Time with Jeff Buckley (Jawbone, 317 pp., paperbound). It is a page turner. In two days I was finished reading it, touched by the grace in my own way.

I always knew Gary could write. I knew his background. I had read some of his more casual social media posts and other, more polished, more developed things. But none of that quite prepared me for THIS.

It tells the sort of story legends are made of--only it is a slice of real life, surely not a legend at the core. No. It's too real, too heartbreaking a tale to read for it to be a legend in itself. Yet it tells the tale of an industry that often by definition is in the legend-making business. Jeff Buckley from the start of his public career had a special something about him that made him grist for the legend-maker's mill. But Gary Lucas tells us... the truth about the whole jumping, complex set of events leading to the creation of the legend and in the end gives us a stunningly clear picture of the many contradictions, interdictions and general sweet-fast talking jive behind what ultimately launched Jeff's career and perhaps led him into dangerous psychic territory and destruction in the end.

I am getting ahead of the story though. And this story is as much about Gary and his circumstantial yet fundamental presence within the story as it is about how the musical/starformed Jeff Buckley came to be.

So let's backtrack. It starts with Gary AFTER his seminal association with Captain Beefheart, Gary the talented but under-challenged copywriter for well over a decade at Columbia Records. The music business in that period, at least the major-label part of it, had begun to drift away somewhat from its flirtations with the underground art-rock that had changed the music scene so radically from the later '60s on. There was a kind of rock midlife no-man's land developing, a gradually increasing re-emphasis on the "hits or nothing" perspective of earlier years.

We catch Gary in the middle of the drift, pretty disgusted with his role in the big machine and its increasing tendency to play it safe, 35 years old, knowing in his heart that he needed to play the guitar and make a statement about what rock still was capable of and what it could be. He returns to the guitar with renewed determination, as a solo act playing marvelous near orchestral pedal-enhanced music on the six-string to no small acclaim. He then forms his band Gods and Monsters, which eventually includes a female singer who falls in at first with what Gary is looking for. He quits the copywriting job and gets the attention of the right folks at Columbia, namely Rick Chertoff, and lands a tentative commitment from them to do an album deal.

Yet there was a willful strain in the Gods and Monsters singer at the time, an ambition to take the music in a direction that in the end did not meet with a good deal of enthusiasm from either Gary or the label.

All that leads up to one of those Kis-metic situations that changes everything. An old acquaintance is putting together a Tim Buckley tribute concert. Tim's son Jeff, then completely unknown in music circles, was going to do some singing as part of the events. Would Gary like to get together with Jeff and work up a couple of numbers for the show?

From that very first moment Gary met with Jeff things started falling very much together. At the same time things also began a slow unravelling, began to fall very much apart, but in ways that were not initially apparent. From that first collaborative moment when the two began working out material together it was clear that something momentous was taking shape. Yet the centrifugal-centripetal forces inherent in Jeff Buckley's complex personality would ultimately bring it all to a grinding halt. Gary does a great job portraying Jeff as a bundle of contradictions: vulnerable-ruthless, open-stubborn, somewhat naive, kind and loving, yet easy prey to the temptation to be single-minded, self-destructive, overweeningly ambitious, duplicitous. Jeff's then hidden dark side combined with some music business machinations and the result was far from pretty.

But for a short, wonderful period of time musical magic reigned. Gary tells brilliantly the happy-sad exhilarating-brooding saintly-demonic story of Jeff Buckley the enigma yet perhaps all the more brilliant at times for it, their volatile but hugely kinetic-cathartic mutual musical combustion-collaboration. The music business side as well as the creative side get detailed, pinpoint-brilliant scrutiny from Gary. Perhaps most fascinating is Gary's right-there description of how they worked together, Gary crafting an intricate, musically contentful foundation that Tim then soared over, creating the vocal line-lyrical content that fit perfectly with and extended Gary's initial creative brilliance into a stratospheric zone, the result surely and startlingly transformed into much more than the sum of the two parts.

In the end there was betrayal. Lucas tells it all in a gripping prose chronology that jumps off the pages at you until you cannot stop reading.

And maybe it is the all-too-familiar story of stardom and self-destruction, insightful music brilliance and naive self-delusion, all teaming up to set the tail of the Jeff Buckley comet shooting rapidly and vertically to the heavens only to sputter and do an equally sure decent into nothingness. But it is told with such vivid life as the details unwind unerringly to the heartbreaking denouement, it is no simple, documented story. It does end up having the quality of a legend out of time, though not one the record execs envisioned, surely.

Lucas as he himself implies is someone who feels compelled to built up the truth of the experience in exhilarating and then harrowing detail. And in so doing he creates a hell of a book.

It is a book one does not forget quickly, if at all. You get a planet full of insights on Gary, on Jeff, on the blinding ecstasy of their momentous collaboration and then on the forces that pulled it apart and ultimately led to Jeff's demise. You see the horror of what the music business can be along with the extraordinary highs of musical excellence the two were able to reach, each bringing to the table a special frisson that in combination was otherworldly, exceptional, a model of what such things can be when everything is right.

Brilliant. Moving. A must-read.

[Sol Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never forget the excitement I felt when I held in my hands "Touched by Grace" for the first time. As a fan of Jeff Buckley, an artist surrounded by mystery, anytime you get the chance to know more about him it's a huge opportunity to try
to get to know him and understand him a little bit more.
It occurred that a bond was created between us, I don't know how weird this may sound, but I felt this book was like a companion to me. I would never leave my house without it. I needed to read it ALL THE TIME.
Also, it made me felt like I was there while I was reading, Gary's descriptions and feelings make you feel you are part of it, i.e: The St Ann Tribute to Tim Buckley (I recommend to read it while listening the concert).
Mr. Lucas did a great job blending both stories (his and Jeff's) and I can assure you that it will haunt you.

[Kara Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after meeting Gary Lucas in the West Village, and haven’t been so entranced by a book for a long time!

Touched by Grace does so much more than dispel the rumours behind two music legends and their iconic collaborations; it explores the culture of NYC, the vicious nature of record deals and all the people in between.
Similarly to Just Kids, you’ll be surprised by the amount of people who appear in the book, making a good picture of the music scene of 90’s NYC.

Sometimes you’ll find yourself feeling shocked at the events of the book, hurt by characters as if you really knew them. And then, a resolution, told with humour and truth. It’s no surprise that the end of this book is heartbreaking, and the journey to get there is its’ equal, but if you ever feel like going to New York without buying a ticket, pick up Touched by Grace by Gary Lucas.

[Complexified · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Lucas: Touched By Grace

Review by Bruce Waltuck

Gary Lucas is, by any measure, one of the most gifted and versatile guitarists in the world today. Nominated for a Grammy Award and scored an Academy Award-nominated documentary, as composer and player, Gary has had a remarkable career working with some of the most creative musical minds in the world.

In TOUCHED BY GRACE, Gary gives us a unique memoir. As the book's subtitle tells us, this is a story about Gary's time with the talented but fatally-flawed musician Jeff Buckley. These are two huge talents, colliding in a whirlwind of collaboration, triumph, tragedy, and loss. As a memoir about two well-known creative forces, the basics of the story are likely well-known to most readers. Mr. Lucas, steeped in the traditions and techniques of the early blues masters, and refined through collaborations with a literally global array of contemporary avant-garde artists. Mr. Buckley, deep from the shadows of his father's own creative life, finding his way through the challenges of creating a new and singular voice.

The book gives us Gary Lucas's detailed account of meeting, and working with Jeff Buckley. At once a compelling story about the give-and-take of co-creation, but in this case, so much more. Lucas takes us far into the complex dynamics of hopes, dreams, deals, and betrayals, that marked both his time with Jeff Buckley, and also stain the world of music hustlers and record companies. Gary gives a highly-detailed and intimate account of life in and out of the clubs and offices of the wanna-bes, and once-weres."

The best description of the relationship between Gary Lucas and Jeff Buckley in TOUCHED BY GRACE comes from Gary himself. His time with Jeff was a love affair. Not in the romantic or physical sense. But in the powerful desire for meaning, validation, joy, and renewal, that marks every heart and mind in love. This is a great read, for both the fans of Gary Lucas, Jeff Buckley and music generally, and for anyone with curiosity and compassion about the complex interplay of two creative souls.

[Kassabma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately upon opening Touched by Grace: My Time with Jeff Buckley and beginning my journey of reading this beautiful book, I knew I was going to have a difficult time tearing myself away from it. As a fifteen year veteran high school English instructor, I know an exceptional book when I read it. This book is remarkable for all the right reasons. As a writer, Gary Lucas seductively invites the reader into his world with his passionate, intelligent, and witty writing style. The actual tale he has to tell keeps the reader engaged until the bittersweet conclusion. Given the tragic early demise of Jeff Buckley and the brilliant yet precarious collaboration between Lucas and Buckley, the book doesn't end with the quintessential “happily ever after” ending. Yet somehow, Lucas ultimately seems to overcome personal and professional obstacles and adversity to eventually embrace his own version of happily ever after – in the form of fulfilling his dream of becoming an internationally renowned guitarist. For anyone who ever wanted to gain insight about the music business or simply just to have an intimate voyeuristic glimpse into a guitar legend’s thoughts, feelings, and interactions with Jeff Buckley, this book is a must read.

[Joseph Verga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the musical collaboration between guitarist Gary Lucas and singer Jeff Buckley in the 90's. I really enjoyed it. The relationship between Gary and Jeff was very interesting and very emotional. Lucas' commentary on the music business was also very enlightening. The book also describes the New York music scene in the 90's, which made it even more fun to read.

The book highlighted the point that members of a band all need each other to function as a unit and as soon as one member (usually the lead singer) thinks he or she can step out alone or has more pull than the other members, things usually break down.

This book is a very honest, sometimes humorous, yet ultimately heartbreaking look at the music industry and the collaboration between these two musicians.

[Jon Tiven · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOUCHED BY GRACE, Gary Lucas’ book about his time spent mentoring Jeff Buckley, could easily have carried the old blues title FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES. It tells of Gary’s adventures with the young would-be rock-star in a ill-fated but divine venture, a group scuttled by the a&r geniuses would rather enable the ego of a young troubled soul than to have to deal with a grown man as his partner. Not the first instance of Death By Record Contract, but certainly the best illustrated example; the work the two of them did in the short time they played together serves as a fine soundtrack. ---Jon Tiven, songwriter/record producer/multi-instrumentalist

[Lchasew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitch Myers, author
The Boy Who Cried Freebird: Rock & Roll Fables and Sonic Storytelling
"This is an absorbing book—an inside look at the music business, as well as Gary Lucas’ own head. Imagine a place where art and commerce intersect, now imagine it touched by grace."

[Tanya Weiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I have been friends with Gary Lucas for many years, and I maintain his web site. Having said that, I can sincerely say that I loved this book. I found it to be very honest, balanced, and above all, beautiful.

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing quite as poignant as a missed opportunity, and there is no greater missed opportunity than that of a life cut short. The early, untimely death of a rock idol is perhaps our culture’s archetypal tragedy, signifying as it does the termination of a supposedly charmed existence: what better substitute for the heroes and demigods of old than today’s rock stars?
Though he never got to make the commercial or cultural impact of, say, Jimi Hendrix or Kurt Cobain, the California-born singer Jeff Buckley is a prominent figure in this sad pantheon. Fantastically talented, possessed of boyish good looks and otherworldly vocal prowess, he was the very figure of the tragic, tortured artist, but in Touched By Grace, a memoir of times spent with Buckley in early-90s New York City, guitarist Gary Lucas offers a different view of the singer; that of a sweet, intense boy with “a touch of the ragamuffin orphan and the strange foundling about him” (Jeff was the son of the cult avant-folk singer Tim Buckley, who only got to meet Jeff once before his own early death), able to stir up protective, almost fatherly instincts in the older, more experienced guitarist, as well as genuine admiration for his musical abilities.
Jeff’s death was as tragic as it was rife with rock’n’roll symbolism -he drowned after spontaneously diving into the Mississippi fully clothed, no less- but the story in Touched By Grace takes place long before that sad episode. After connecting with Buckley at a tribute concert for his late father Tim, Gary Lucas, a virtuoso avant-garde guitarist who had played with the venerable Captain Beefheart in his youth and had recently decided to quit his job as a copywriter for CBS records in order to take a shot at starting an actual career as a professional musician at the ripe old age of 35, finds in Jeff Buckley his ideal foil, a powerful shamanistic vocalist who, along Lucas’ guitar heroics, could front an epochal rock band, a sort of updated Led Zeppelin for a new era. This band would be Gods and Monsters, and fantastic as they were, they never got to achieve the status they deserved to acquire, and have even been (wrongly) overlooked as little more than a footnote in the young Buckley’s career, when in fact it is not an overstatement to say that the unique chemistry between Lucas and Buckley may have produced the best, most enduring music in either of their careers.
With an agile, involving writing style, Lucas sets his life-changing and ultimately ill-fated relationship with Buckley against the dark backdrop of the NYC music scene, a dystopian snake-pit of deceit, manipulation and betrayal where dreams are squashed and contracts are ignored with no more explanation needed than a terse “You can’t afford to sue us”. Lucas wisely decides not to portray himself as being above it all- when Lucas fires drummer Tony Lewis from Gods and Monsters at Buckley’s behest, he is presciently warned “you are next”. And when he finds out about Buckley meeting with record label people behind his back, Lucas remembers doing the very same thing to a former bandmate, reflecting that “Turnaround is fair play”.
When Buckley’s inevitable departure from the band in order to start his own solo career finally comes to pass, Lucas is understandably hurt by Buckley’s manipulations, but retains both an admiration for the man as an artist as well as a genuine affection such as the one we might have for a messed-up little brother. His final meeting with Buckley, now a puffy-faced man of 30 struggling with drug issues and increasing pressure from his record label, shatters the golden-child image the book initially presented- “The former pretty boy was a boy no longer”, Lucas says, though an impromptu on-stage reunion rekindles both Lucas’ affection and his desire to collaborate further with Jeff.
This was, of course, not to be, but the sad, hopeful note that their final meeting ends with serves as a microcosm of the book itself, a fascinating, loving and deeply human account of a musical partnership which should have shaken the world to its core- and in its own low-key way, may have managed to do just that.