Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to the Last Goodbye

by Dave Lory, Jim Irvin (With)

The definitive book on iconic cult hero Jeff Buckley, the singer who made just one record but inspired a generation of rock musicians. Written by his manager Dave Lory, Jeff Buckley includes interviews with others who worked closely with him who have never spoken before.

For the first time since Jeff Buckley’s untimely death on May 29, 1997, his manager Dave Lory reveals what it was like to work with one of rock’s most celebrated and influential artists. Go on the road and behind the scenes with Jeff, from the release of his debut EP Live at Sin- é to the second album Buckley never completed.

Jeff Buckley includes testimony from the many people who worked closely with Jeff both on and off stage and includes never-before-shared intimate scenes that only Lory witnessed, including what went down immediately after Lory got that fateful call, “Jeff is missing.”

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Pop Culture

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few Jeff Buckley biographies, so I was expecting this to be more of the same with maybe a few observations that had eluded the other authors.
Boy was I wrong.
Written by manager Dave Lory, it’s a chronicle of life with Jeff, told by someone who straightaway recognised his near genius level talent and spent a huge amount of time with him. From the legendary performances at Sin-é, making ‘Grace’ and touring, his manager was by his side, giving the book a unique perspective.
(To be honest, before reading this I had no idea how much a manager is involved in day to day life, so it was a fascinating look into artist management as well.)
As I became immersed in the story, it felt like I was there with Dave, Jeff and the band travelling on the road from venue to venue, such is the wealth of detail and insight in this book.
It was such an emotional trip that I was bereaved all over again as I read the final chapter.
This is really the only book which gives me the sense of knowing Jeff Buckley as a person, so if you are a fan, make sure to add this to your ‘must read’ list.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm among the Buckley fans that found it painful to listen to his music for quite some time, and had little to no interest in the posthumous records.

I didn't read any of the various other biogs, but when I heard Lory talking about this book in a podcast, I was surprised to discover I wanted to hear his account of his time with Jeff. I thought that if anyone would handle Buckley's career/life/death with sensitivity and respect, it'd be him. That was a correct assumption, and I'm glad I picked this up. I've always been somewhat confused and disappointed with the numerous posthumous album releases, and now I know how and why that happened. It's a sad read be sure, but the book forms a more complete picture of an artist we didn't have time enough to know.

[nate]

Buckley and his music have always been fascinating to me. This is satisfying look at the man and his music from an insider perspective. While I'm sure there are more sides to all the stories, Lory does a nice job putting together a picture of a complex person who could both mesmerize and frustrate.

[Mason Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an incredible tribute to my favorite musician of all time. It featured an intimate glimpse into Jeff Buckley’s world that not many people have seen. The chronological format of this book worked well and as I was reading, I was able to look up videos of Jeff’s live performances (the good and the bad) that I had never seen before, while getting an inside scoop on the inner workings of his band and things that were going on directly before and after these shows. From reading this book, I was able to learn exactly how things worked in Jeff’s head. He was a person who was charismatic, eccentric, innocent, jaded, genuine, raw, angry, and so much more; all at the same time. The best part is that all of these emotions can be directly heard in his music. He cared deeply about composing and sharing his songs with as many people as possible. Buckley lived a hauntingly beautiful life and his career was cut tragically short after just one album. I often wonder where he would be and what he would be doing if he was still around today.

The subject matter of the book was an easy 5 stars, but I’m not normally a non-fiction/documentary person, thus the 4 stars.

8.13/10

[Luana Musat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impresii asupra "Jeff Buckley: from Hallelujah to the Last Goodbye" the David Lory.
Intrări de jurnal, din descoperirea muzicii lui Jeff Buckley.
O scrisoare de dragoste catre muzica.
Note scurte asupra filozofiei lui Schopenhauer (promit ca se leaga)


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Uneori am gandul stupid că muzica este ca oamenii. O conexiune reală cu muzica cuiva ar fi, cumva, la fel de rară ca o dragoste de o viața si o conexiune superficială te mulțumește pe moment, dar nu te împlinește.

Multa muzica mă seduce și mă mulțumește, putina ma face să mă îndrăgostesc si ma împlinește. Jeff Buckley are ceva special- Nu cunosc pe nimeni care se rezuma la a-i asculta muzica în mod degajat, ci mereu cu pasiune. Iar celor care se declară adepți, le acaparează viața. Ca mulți alții, muzica lui m-a atins profund și pe mine.

Auzisem de el înainte sa încep sa ascult si cumva am avut de atunci un sentiment ca dacă voi incepe să ascult muzica mă v-a afecta - poate pentru ca auzisem că murise, deși mulți artiști pe care îi ascult sunt morți și nu m-a pus niciodată pe gânduri.
Ascultând muzica, interviurile, mi-a dat instant o impresie că este ceva diferit la felul în care el a creat, a trait si a văzut lumea. Am fost miscată de muzică și din curiozitate, am pus mâna pe “Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to the Last Goodbye” de Dave Lory.

În urma lecturii pot spune despre Jeff Buckley că a fost o persoana visătoare, sensibilă, teribil de pasionată, defectă, afectată, fără stabilitate, ambițioasă, puerila, talentata, nesigură, determinată, integră, cu o viziune deasupra multora. Desi nu mă asteptam, am aflat multe despre David Lory in sine - care este o persoană demnă de toata admirația! - și prin asta, frumuseațea relației dintre ei doi, una profundă, construită incet si atent, cu o tentă de pseudo tată-fiu, care denotă foarte multe despre Jeff Buckley ca persoană. Sunt multe povesti simpatice și aproape fantastice în sensibilitate si conexiune, dar și de-a dreptul jenante și, evident pe final, profund dureroase care pictează tabloul persoanei sale, în afara personajului pe care în mod inevitabil îl prezenta majorității lumii în calitate de persoană publică.

/ (spoiler de aici pana la următorul slash, dar continui mult după)
* L-a întrebat pe Dave dacă vreodată nu își ridică pentru o secundă mâinile pe volan cât e pe autostradă multe ore la rand în turnee - și cum asta de fapt însemna un “Pot sa mă încred în tine?” filtrat de jena unui copil abandonat de atâtea ori in viața, care sa mutat din loc în loc pentru toată copilăria. Sau pe aceeași idee, momentul în care a irosit o zi prefăcandu-se ca citește scrisori de la fani până și-a făcut curaj sa îl intrebe pe Dave dacă îl va lasa, intr-o perioada când acesta începuse să primească oferte noi de cariera.

* Iși trăia emoțiile fără nicio jenă, ca atunci când a cerut-o în căsătorie pe Joan Wasser pe capota unei mașini vechi în Memphis.

* A încercat să transporte pe ascuns de iarba înghițind o cantitate mare, care l-a adus aproape de moarte.

* I-a dăruit lui Dave brățara lui, pe care o purta constant si era să o piardă in concert.

* O implora pe Merri Cyr sa îi fie fotograf, o abandona, iși cerea scuze, o chema inapoi in viața lui, jucându-se cu ideea de relație romantică cu ea, urmată de altă dispariție si reluarea ciclului de la început, atunci când avea nevoie de ea in viata lui.

* L-a alienat prin indiferență, droguri și jigniri pe Matt, toboșarul trupei sale, în timpul ultimului turneu.

* Iși desena posterele de turneu și semna “Sweet Dreams” în scrisorile către fani.

* Atitudinea si aerul lui complet radiant când a cucerit prima oară o audiență uriașă în Franța la L’Olympia.

* Când și-a întregit trupa, îi povestea lui Dave că o va numi după Nina Simone și, in propriile cuvinte radiind a ambiție infinita de vis adolescentin, “I want it to be the most mesmerising, the sexiest, dreamiest, hardest most sensual band in the land”.

* A ținut un concert din turneul 'Live at Sin-e' de 3 sau 4 ori într-o seara pentru ca se adunase atât de multă lume încât nu putea primi pe toată lumea inăuntru și, in aceeași seară, l-a trimis pe Dave să cumpere buchete de trandafiri albi pe care i-a dat ascultătorilor.

* Scrisoarea lui către Bob Dylan.

* A făcut praf o serie de concerte pentru ca se îmbăta constant. Asta in urma unui articol “People Magazine” care l-a numit printre topul celor mai frumoase persoane din lume, o perioada de debut a sa ca artist când presa il compara constant cu tatăl sau pe care nu l a cunoscut decât pentru o săptămâna când avea doar câțiva ani.

* S-a culcat și apoi a abandonat complet o reporteriță americană la începutul primului turneu, compromițând o regulă importantă dată de Dave.

*Starea sa mintală se degrada în perioada care s-a dovedit a fi finală a vieții lui, confesându-i lui Joan că își dăduse seama că este manic-depresiv.

etc.

Recomand sa cititi pentru povestile de genul, sunt chiar simpatice de aflat.
/

Toate astea își îndeplinesc rolul de a face completă persoana lui, in ochii ascultătorilor care au impresia că il cunosc, având insa doar experiența momentului lui de expresie cel mai rafinat și prelucrat, adică ascultând arta sa. Poveștile il “demitologizează”. Pare ca a fost (și pe de-o parte chiar a fost în mod real) o persoana romantică și poetică, lucru pe care îl observi de la 100 de km depărtare când îl asculți prima oară și îi citești interviurile. Dar, cum a zis și Merri Cyr, Jeff avea un fel de “anihilare proprie” (cum o spune ea) exteriorizată în muzica lui printr-un filtru, un voal extrem de controlat de romantizare.

Când un mare talent moare, ești tentat sa uiți totul inafară de aura ideală și minunată a lui. Dave Lory, sigur una din cele mai apropiate persoane de Jeff, atinge un echilibru perfect între a-i îndreptați, prezenta, susține talentul de tip “odată intr-o generație” si intre a-l arata exact așa cum era ca om, defect în cel mai real sens al cuvântului.


/ (bănuiesc ca se pune ca spoiler)
Vreau sa evidențiez o anecdotă din carte care mi-a plăcut. După lansarea a Grace și turneul care a urmat, Jeff Buckley a început sa lucreze la My Sweetheart the Drunk cu Verlaine ca producător. Dupa ce asta nu a funcționat, s-a mutat în Memphis într-o casa mai modestă unde a înregistrat de unul singur tot ce înseamnă albumul (pe care - in mod amuzant - l-a trimis in variante diferite pe casetă fiecărei persoane de la Columbia care aștepta de la el o audiție in funcție de preferințele lor muzicale, pentru a nu dezamăgi), album care a urmat sa fie produs de Andy Wallace, ca și Grace.
În perioada aia, vizita des Grădina Zoologică din Memphis și văzând cât de prost îngrijite erau camere cu fluturi, s-a oferit voluntar pentru un job ca întreținător de fluturi. Dave descrie cum s-a imbrăcat la costum cu sacou, special pentru asta, și a depus un interviu pentru job. (Ca idee, când Jeff Buckley a participat la Rock Music Hall of Fame, a purtat un flanel. Singura dată când a mai purtat un costum a fost când a cântat Dido’s Lament cu orchestra la Glastonbury Festival). Dacă asta nu demonstrează individualitatea lui, putine lucruri o pot face.
/


Jeff Buckley a fost speriat de tipul de faimă care l-a condus pe tatăl tău biologic, Tim Buckley, la moarte de supradoză. Dave povestește el că voia să trăiască o viața stabilă, normală. Evident, iubea energia fanilor. Dar la un nivel mai profund, iubea ca muzica sa fie auzită, ca ea sa fie faimoasă. El a ales coperta finala la Grace. Practica standard, mai ales pentru debuturi, era poza in care artistul se uita la camera, pentru a creea o legatura cu audiența. Principii simple de publicitate. Jeff Buckley a insistat fata de echipa de la Columbia ca poza care este acum pe Grace sa fie cea finala, spunând ca ii place pentru ca in ea asculta muzica, simțea muzica. Cei de la Columbia au fost nevoiți sa puna ce a ales el.



În final, Jeff Buckley e fidel muzicii. S-a spus ca era îndrăgostit de muzică. (Voi face o exagerare spunand asta, dar asa simt) el este cumva însuși muzică, într‐un mod absolut, ca un canal prin care se revarsă sentiment pur, ceva aproape fantastic, ca să nu spun divin. Chiar el a mentionat in interviuri simțământul acesta de neimportanta a fizicalității, a corpului efectiv, in favoarea spiritului: ““i don't even know what this is, i don't even know what that is, this flesh thing. and this, earth thing, i don't know. but im just finding out all the time. it's packaging, i guess so. sometimes i just think it's a dream that our soul had in order to reach out to people and to kiss or dance or something." Pe de-o parte un statement romantizat, dar pe de alta parte conține un gând real.
Când îl asculți, îi simți darul de a fi liber in exprimare și în simțire, ii simți îndrăzneala. Se dedica complet si servea viziunea, pasiunea și admirația religioasa pentru sunet și pentru muzică.


Nu citesc niciodată nonficțiune - mai ales biografii. Mi-e frica că, citindu-le, cer prea mult. Cer să aflu ceva ce nu mi-e dat sa aflu, cum persoana chiar era in realitate. Mi-e frica să confund impresii prompte și anecdote izolate cu întreaga ființă a cuiva. Jeff Buckley nu mi se pare real. Nu ai putea să mă convingi că el chiar a fost real.

Am simțit o invadare nerușinată uneori citind cartea - în ciuda faptului că Dave Lory este probabil cel mai decent și mai respectuos autor de biografie văzut vreodată. Apoi m-am lovit de un sentiment contradictoriu: M-am simțit o secundă recunoscătoare că Jeff Buckley a murit, pentru ca altfel șansele sa aflăm toate acestea despre el ar fi fost aproape nule. La finalul biografiei (și nu o sa mă feresc), am plâns.

Recomand celor care sunt curioși sa afle despre viața lui din cea mai credibila si mai apropiată sursă (va rog nu citiți nimic de la mama lui si ferească domnul să vă uitați la documentarul făcut in colaborare cu ea- este oribil). Recomand celor care ascultă melodiile lui cu drag și le-a trecut prin gând intrebarea "Cum poate crea asta?", "De unde vin toate astea?".

> Cartea se ține de promisiunea nespusă a oricărei biografii: îți voi prezenta viața persoanei și îți voi demonstra ca ea este la fel de fantastica si reala ca arta sa.


Las mai jos playlistul meu cu Jeff Buckley, o încurajare sa îi fie aprofundată muzica pentru cine nu a făcut-o până acum, deși mă mir ca o astfel de persoană ar citi asta acum (și lăsând acest playlist rup din sufletul meu o părticică pe care o lipesc in secțiunea de Goodreads, deci sper ca e evidentă dedicația mea pentru recenzia asta): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4CU...



******************



Părți de sentiment care nu se pot compara cu nimic altceva mă cuprind când ascult Grace, m-au redus la lacrimi când am ascultat o seara întreagă “Dream of You and I”, la versiunea lui de la “Calling You’, la Vancouver - pe care de când am început acest text până in timp ce scriu aceasta propoziție îmi umple casa goală a volum maxim - la “All Flowers in time” cu Fraser. În fiecare zi descopăr în cel mai serios sens ceva complet nou la “Live at Sin-e” si abilitatea lui de a da o viață nouă cover-urilor. Perioade de zile intregi m-au fascinat pe rand fiecare melodie din Grace. Resimt un alt sentiment in fiecare versiune live din turnee. Nu le cantă niciodată la fel.



******************



Schopenhauer definește ‘voința de viață’ în lucrarea sa “Lumea ca Voință și Reprezentare”: Voința de viața este esența ce dictează supraviețuirea noastră, esența conștiinței reprezentative care te ghidează în lume. Este un impuls orb, irațional, care se obiectivează în ființe. Este dincolo de cauzalitate, deci dincolo de legile fizice, precum și de conștientizarea spațio-temporală.

Nu sunt neaprărat fană a filozofiei lui Schopenhauer, dar a spus ceva care o să rămână cu mine mult timp (mulțumesc profa de filo de la unarte!) El zice ceva despre muzică. Muzica este o manifestare directă a voinței de viața însăși. Muzica nu este nicidecum ca celelalte arte, și anume o copie a ideilor, ci o copie a voinței de viața însăși, a cărei obiect sunt ideile. Din acest motiv, efectul muzicii este mult mai puternic și mai pătrunzător decât cel al celorlalte arte, căci celelalte vorbesc doar despre umbră, insă muzica vorbește de esență.
În consecință, atunci când ascultăm muzică, simțim că ne conectăm instantaneu cu un adevăr mai înalt, oricare ar fi acel adevăr.

“Adâncimea inexprimabilă a oricărei muzici, în virtutea căreia plutește pe lângă noi ca un paradis destul de familiar și totuși veșnic îndepărtat, și este atât de ușor de înțeles și totuși atât de inexplicabilă, se datorează faptului că ea reproduce toate emoțiile celei mai interioare ființe, dar cu totul fără realitate și îndepărtată de durerea ei.”

Ei bine, pentru mine, Jeff Buckley în calitate de creator, este întruchiparea voinței de viață prin muzică.


******************


În ultimul capitol al cărții, Dave Lory include un citat de la Pushkin. Îl las mai jos.
“Not all of me is dust
Within my song, safe from the worm,
My spirit will survive."
—Alexander Pushkin


Ultimul mesaj vocal trimis de Jeff Buckley către Lory, și posibil ultimul mesaj vocal trimis de Jeff Buckley vreodată, se adresează soției lui Dave, care a întâlnit-o prin Jeff, și fiicei lor și le spune:

“Play the music, play it loud, love Jeff’.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Buckley was a truly transcendent musical talent. This book is a chronicle of his fame, mostly over the course of a year or two of his tour. It is written by his manager who chose not to share his story for twenty years.

This book stays with you. I read the whole thing in five days, half of it in one. It's heartbreaking, but you already knew that if you know Jeff's music and story.

I think I still personally prefer David Browne's Dream Brother over this one because I liked Browne's style more. But Lory's book offers such a rare and important perspective of Jeff. It struck me while reading it why this book is so valuable--because it keeps Jeff's memory alive. I think so many people now just think of Jeff as that guy who sang Hallelujah. But he was so much more than that as an artist. Indeed, Hallelujah is hardly mentioned here.

Some of my favorite parts were the oral history that Lory included near the beginning and the end. His (and co-author Jim Irwin's) interviews with others who knew Jeff are totally compelling. Merri Cyr, Jeff's photographer, is so fresh in her recollections and feelings, it seems like she relives those memories all the time. But she is just one of many included in this book who still vividly remember Jeff. One of the virtues of the book (depending on your preference, I suppose) is that Jeff's complexities are on display here, including the irritating aspects of his personality and actions. This book is not a sanitized history of Jeff.

It's evident in the book just how much many of these people are still hurting from Jeff's demise. The pain in Lory's prose is real. These people cared deeply for Jeff and still struggle to make sense of what happened. It is so hard to read the final two or three chapters here and read Lory's bereaved comments. But it's also necessary to remind the reader of the impact Jeff had on those who knew him.

Unsurprisingly, the book is one-sided. Because of this, I don't know if Lory can claim that this book is the definitive book about Jeff, necessarily. I think it might have been nice to hear from more of the major players in Jeff's story. But it was also great to hear this side of the story, since the people adding to the narrative here are not the ones who ultimately control Jeff's legacy (that distinction would go to his mom, Mary Guibert).

Overall, this is an important addition to Jeff Buckley's legacy. In writing this book, Dave Lory chose to do something that was undoubtedly difficult for him. But, as a fan of Jeff's music, I am grateful he wrote it.

[lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

it took me so long to read this book because it made me so genuinely upset my heart felt like it was being crushed repeatedly. one of the music industry’s (and the entire artistic world’s) greatest losses :(

[Tyrone Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peek behind the music that was sorely needed

Coming to know Jeff's music much later, I heard Lory on a podcast and if I weren't driving, I would've bought the book right then. There was so much I wished I had known about Buckley besides the obvious, and this fills in the details I wanted to know. It's a funny and heartbreaking read, because you knew that Jeff should've been absolutely huge, but we lost him far too soon.

[Martina Brtošová · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking on so many levels.... "It´s all about the music, stupid."

[Flavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow il va m’en falloir du temps pour m’en remettre.

Je sais pas à quel point on peut vraiment se fier à ce que son manager raconte (certains trucs étaient pas vraiment accurate comparé à ce que j’avais lu sur plusieurs sites) mais c’était très intéressant d’avoir aussi d’autres pov de gens qui ont travaillé avec lui.

Il avait de l’adhd, c’était un scorpion (né un jour après moi 😜), un infp, il était super sensible… it makes so much sense !!!

Sa mort c’était vraiment une perte pour toute l’industrie de la musique et le monde en général, they don’t make men like this anymore et c’est trop triste ☹️☹️

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly written literally couldn’t have been better

[EL · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤

[sam☆彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: DO NOT read this book while listening to jeff buckley as you will start crying and have a breakdown

[marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fascinating read because it is just so incredibly real. dave lory doesn‘t seem to shy away from anything here and as a fan that is certainly something much appreciated, even with the last chapters ripping my heart to shreds

[muskan]

I just wanna hear him live

it’s clear this book was written by someone who loved jeff buckley

‘It’s about the music stupid’

[mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) I can't possibly describe how special it is to read and learn about someone who has helped and inspired me so immensely, both through his music and who he was as a person, from the people who were closest to him. This book confirmed something I knew from the moment Jeff's hauntingly beautiful voice first reached me: he was not only an incredibly special musician, but an incredibly special human being.

Jeff was so good that people wouldn't just tell their friends; they'd radiate like they'd had a religious experience.

As is made clear in this book Jeff had many sides to him, and there were probably many more than came to light here, but I still feel like I was able to get to know him in a very unique way. What he struggled with, the thoughts and motivations behind his music, the things and people he loved, his bright spirit and gentle soul, he simply had so much heart. He's a guy I don't know, and never really will, yet feel so closely connected to.

That Buckley guy still is, simply, irreplaceable.

He had become fixated on the butterfly house. He thought it wasn't being kept properly, so he insisted on applying for the job of butterfly keeper. Jeff took a shower and got all spruced up. He put on his vintage suit and went in to put in his application. He wanted a normal-guy life.

The last few chapters detailing his death and the aftermath were very emotional and hit me hard. Jeff had so much life left to live, so much more to do, so much more to show us, so much more music to make. It's heartbreaking. I'm so unbelievably thankful that his music is still here for people to listen to and love, and that his legacy is still kept alive by everyone who loves him.

"The guy went into the water happy but made a terrible mistake, and I miss him every day, as a person, as a friend, and also miss his tremendous ability and the idea of what he was going to make and going to become."

[Travis Brinkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book as fast as this one in years. Fantastic book, would recommend for any fans of his music and would like to understand his time here more!

I’ve been obsessed with his music for over a year and wanted to understand more about his life and interests through this book. The author takes you on a journey through several first-hand accounts with Jeff’s close friends and coworkers. Jeff’s personality is built through interviews and the sequence of events, and reading about it all feels like it’s putting together a puzzle with his discography. You understand his mindset, his aura, his traits, his flaws, and everything else there is that he shared.

The book does a great job avoiding any worship to his career and gives him credit strictly where it’s due. He’s really humanized and brought back down to earth through Lory’s writing. Great author, thorough writing, captivating biography, and a wonder of an artist.

[Guy Mankowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so blown away by this book that for once I felt I just had to review it in the hope other people get to experience it. People marvel at Buckley's work but it is evident reading this book that without the brave, solid, honest, perceptive, committed and experienced stewardship of Dave Lory we may well have never got to have his work in our lives. I did start to see, for all Lory's apparent love for Buckley, just how complex and at times yes difficult Buckley was. The scenes in which over the course of a long car drive Buckley finally unspools and opens up to Lory were so satisfying and touching. The insights of Mary Cyr was utterly compelling- her and Matt Johnson have a real spiritual insight into Buckley. And the ending, with Lory's visit to the psychic, is so devastating, moving and powerful. I will not forget this book and will be returning to it. Just wow.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book after reading a more recent graphic novel depicting Jeff Buckley's life. The latter felt disturbingly crafted, especially the portrayal of Buckley's mother as being nothing but supportive and of some of Buckley's offbeat behavior as more quirky than self-destructive. It's really not surprising that that book and this one are so different: There's a lot of conflict among people who were close to Jeff Buckley about his legacy is handled. Huge portions of this book read more like an oral history than a biography with one or two authors, and I appreciated that approach here. If all a guy leaves behind is fragments of the different things he was to different people, then doing your best to piece those fragments together is as close as you're going to get to having a complete story.

[Tara Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential reading for any Jeff Buckley fan. It's people who knew and love him, it's brutally honest, and isn't the sanitised Mary Guibert version (keep cashing those cheques, Mary). It really paints a picture of who Jeff was and what he was like personally and creatively and the love and respect that Dave shows is so genuine and heartbreakingly beautiful.
I had to stop reading before the last 3 chapters because I couldn't stop crying. You know what is going to happen but the interviews of the people who were there and worked closely with him throughout his career is a knife. It feels so fresh. Merri Cyr is a highlight.
I miss my beautiful friend. ✌

[Matthew Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Lory, Jeff's Manager, has done a wonderful job in bringing this book into the world. It cuts through to the bare bones of Jeff's relationships, his music, and influences - in a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact style. It also contextualises his life, paradoxically both deifying him, as a gifted savant-like musician, whilst simultaneously addressing his faults, weaknesses, and shortcomings as a tragic human being. Inspiring, informative, tragic, and packed full of insights into Jeff's life and music; this book is a must read for anyone who cares about music, art or living a life full of grace.

[Ethan Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best dissections of a legendary figure in the music industry that I’ve ever read. Knowing Buckley’s fate in the end, it was absolutely heart-wrenching bonding with him and Dave Lory as they traverse their immersive, ambitious musical dreams. It truly builds everything up, from every gig, song, and relationship they venture into, to have it all crash down before the reader’s eyes. It’s heartwarming, wholesome, and tragic all at once.

If you’re a Jeff Buckley fan, this book is the definitive experience.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a massive fan of his music, the last three chapters of this book were especially hard to read. Overall, it's difficult to really put into words what stories about Jeff Buckley mean to me, but I'm glad I read this.

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly compelling, and joins Dream Brother in the seminal Jeff Buckley reads. Lory comes over as very likeable and paints a much more human picture of JB, warts and all. Very well written too, a page turner.

[Die A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Buckley provocó en mí algo que prácticamente ningún otro artista ha provocado hasta ahora. La primera vez que escuché una de sus canciones ("So real"), simplemente no podía creer que un hombre llevare su voz a tales lugares. Era algo muy particular, muy distintivo.

Para la época en que él surgió, cerca de mediados de la década de los años 90, el Grunge era el género dominante, pero él era algo completamente distinto: podía cantar desde "Alligator wine" hasta "Dido´s lament" pasando por "Night Flight" sin mayor problema. Lo que él quería llegar a ser era una "chanteuse" (sí, un término femenino del que él mismo estaba conciente).

En todos los años que he tenido de escuchar su música me he interesado por su vida también, y puedo decir que he hecho la tarea en tal sentido, pero este libro, escrito por quien fue su manager (en coautoría con Jim Irvin) ofrece una perspectiva hasta ahora poco expuesta: el artista que recién comenzaba a labrarse su camino, con un talento innegable (Sony Music logró que él se decantare por ellos, aún y sin un demo de por medio) pero un tanto inexperimentado, con temores, dudas e inestabilidades, con la figura del padre ausente rondando por ahí.

En esa época, Dave Lory fungió como no solo como su manager, sino también como guía y principal abanderado de la causa de Jeff: trataba de protegerlo a como diera lugar (aún y cuando eso implicare jugarse la reputación), pero ciertamente había mucho en juego para su artista, sobre todo en cuanto a las expectativas que se habían estado generando en torno.

El libro aporta detalles de cómo era la dinámica de Jeff y su banda durante las giras, así como el estira y encoge con respecto a la compañía discográfica.

Si bien cualquier persona que tenga un conocimiento básico de la carrera de Jeff ya sabe en qué termina este libro, los últimos capítulos del mismo no dejan de ser realmente tristes. Dave Lory tardó cerca de 20 años para abordar el tema, y es claro que la tragedia le sigue afectando. Y es que no se puede decir de otra manera: fue un desperdicio de potencial y talento inconmensurables. Jeff Buckley podría haber hecho lo que le hubiere dado la gana musicalmente hablando.

Para cualquier persona que tenga interés en la vida de Jeff Buckley, este libro debiera tomarse como una referencia obligatoria.

[Kyle Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Lory's 'Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to the Last Goodbye' is a profound testament to knowing the musician beyond his generic Wikipedia biography. Not just as an illustrious figure in the music industry, but as a humane and relatable individual.


Lory, Buckley's manager for the last five years of his life, provides an incredibly intimate look at this talented musician, who died tragically young at just 30 years old. Lory offers a perspective that's both professional and deeply personal, recounting anecdotes and moments that bring Buckley back to life in the reader's mind.

Buckley's sense of humor, his insatiable thirst for success and fame, as well as his stubborn streak are portrayed frankly. Lory vividly brings out the musician’s volatile temperament, his erratic moods, and the periods of depression and insecurity.

Perhaps most heartrendingly, Lory provides a detailed and emotive description of the night Buckley disappeared, drowning during an impromptu swim in the Wolf River in Memphis. He discusses the frantic search for the musician, and the sorrow and confusion that followed upon learning of his death. The book frankly delves into the aftermath – the grieving process of the team, the struggle to handle unfinished projects, and the pressure from the record company to release further works.

Lory also addresses the infamous rivalry with his estranged father, Tim Buckley, as well as Buckley’s yearning to escape the looming shadow of his father's musical legacy. The behind-the-scenes tales of the making of Buckley's only album, "Grace," offer readers a look into his creative process.

However, the narrative of the book isn't purely melancholic. Lory manages to balance the tragic aspects of Buckley's life with warm, heartening moments that truly capture the musician's personality. He brings out the human side of Buckley, something that was often overshadowed by his iconic music presence.

'Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to the Last Goodbye' is not merely a biography – it is a deeply heartfelt memoir of a unique artist and the raw humanity behind his angelic voice. This narrative lends tangibility to the cult figure, going beyond his public image to the man he was in private. It grants the reader the chance to reflect, mourn, and more importantly, appreciate Buckley for his talent, charisma, and the person he truly was.

[Tess Glavimans · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

“It’s about the music, stupid”

Tears…

First of all, I’m not a person who normally enjoys biographies. That being said; this was a masterpiece. It had everything a biography should have. It is a pure and real description of who Jeff Buckley was as a person, as a singer, as a friend and what he wanted to achieve and share with the world.

“Jeff was so good that people wouldn’t just tell their friends; they’d radiate like they’d had a religious experience.”

“Music made him weep, made him laugh, made him pine for someone or punch the air. He had obviously immersed himself in it. Completely to achieve this level of knowledge and maturity. It was staggering. Music was the love of his life.”

Reading this book felt like hearing Grace for the first time again. His way of singing and using his voice in a way no one has done, made a big impression on me. Now, reading about how his manager (writer) saw him; all of his flaws, vulnerabilities and his way of loving, made me feel like I really got to know Jeff.

“Grace is what matters in anything. Especially in life, tragedy, pain, love, death… Grace is a quality I admire in people. It keeps you from reaching for the gun to quickly; it keeps you from destroying things too foolishly. It keeps you alive and keeps you open for more understanding.”

“jeff was a pattern interrupt, somebody who broke the mold. If he had a mission, it seemed to do with having a very clear sense of the potential of reaching people and having an emotional or spiritual experience in a room, in a musical situation. He had insight into what’s possible in music, what music can catalyze. He was intoxicated with that.”

“Music is endless. And even though I’ve heard a whole bunch of music from so many different places and fallen in love countless times with all kinds of music, there is still something; somewhere there’s just a vibe that’s completely mine and whoever’s playing with me. I guess it’s called freedom. Some other place. Like where you dream.”

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally was able to read this biography about Jeff Buckley by his manager Dave Lory and loved it!!! :D I've been a fan of Jeff's since I first heard "Hallelujah" when I was a teenager on my local alt-rock/indie radio station and then got into his music in the early 2000s (though it turned out I knew "Last Goodbye" from the radio too but didn't realize it was him as I was a kid when that came out and we didn't have internet yet LOL). He passed away when I was finishing up elementary school, so I only learned about him in my teens and early 20s through the internet. This was so great getting to finally know more of his backstory from people who actually knew him and how Dave and Jim interviewed others in his life for the book too. Jeff's music and vocal range has always been amazing to me, and has inspired me with my own writing of my novels and short stories since I write to music. This felt like I got to know him better and makes me sad I wasn't old enough at the time he was actually alive to experience it that way, or to see him in concert. Thankfully we have his music and that live album too. But always makes me sad how it ended for him, but his music has lived on and he's inspired so many other singers and musicians that I'm also a fan of. This is a must have for any fan of Jeff's.

[Shadow Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Dave Lory and Jim Irvin did such a marvelous job. Jeff is a one in a lifetime singer and guitar player that I have to admit that I sing one of his songs everyday, just to tell you how life-altering he is.
The book is so well written about when Jeff would preform at Sin’e, working on Grace, to his unfinished second album.
All of it was a page turner. I couldn’t remember a time when reading I felt weary about reading further. The book had me want to know what else it would say next.

The writing here is straightforward and I’m glad that it aims for that, to read it in that style is what makes it readable.

He was so passionate when it came to music. A beautiful soul and soft spoken. Had a godlike voice and special ability to mimic vocals from a singer, their different genre, and controlled the whole audience with his songs that sounded unlike anything in the 90s music scene.

I give my utmost appreciation and respect to Dave for always sticking out for Jeff, even without this book he’s done so much for Jeff, I wish him, his family and Jeff ease.

Jeff Buckley, for those who don’t know, is what I argue, is the best singer-songwriter to have ever scream on earth.


“It’s all about the music, stupid” -Mystery White Boy.

[ml · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Jeff Buckley biography, so I can’t really say how it compares to others, or do more than guess at its honesty and accuracy. All biographies are partial one way or another though. This one has the flaws I expected from it: Dave Lory, and to an extent all the people who were interviewed for it as well, want to talk about Jeff Buckley sure but they also want to talk about themselves and they do. This was a great read nevertheless. It’s hard to say anything about the actual content — it was nice to have Merri Cyr in there saying he was an ass to her, and although you feel how much Lory loved Jeff Buckley, there is an honesty about how difficult a person he was, and it’s kind of crazy how just a few pages in he’s clocking him as a chronic "i have to seduce everyone who meets me" guy. Lory is obviously on a side in this but it is infuriating that Jeff’s mother took control of everything after his death when he never wanted her to have that much to do with his life and work — and how course as a fan it’s wonderful that we have the posthumous releases, and the excerpt from his journals, and man I wish Liz Fraser would allow All Flowers In Time to be released, but it’s also all quite icky like he never would have wanted this.