In mid-1991 Jeff returned to NY and played with Lucas’s band Gods and Monsters. The day after the band’s album was released he left it and subsequently played at several clubs and cafes around lower Manhattan.

He then secured a job as roadie and guitarist for the movie band, The Commitments. Glen Hansard (of the frames), a star of the film, the band’s guitarist and a friend, takes up the story… [the owner of the Sine-e cafe invited The Commitments to perform an acoustic session. Glen and Jeff went along and after a few songs Jeff joined Glen in singing a Van Morrison song. It was that performance that secured Jeff's residency at Sin-e]

Van Morrison Astral Weeks Track

Glen Hansard Interview

Glen Hansard T1 under the beeches

Jeff continued to soak up the voices (and music) of others (and especially female vocalists) whom he even sometimes mimicked in bars and cafes. Here’s a few examples…

Edith Piaf T9 l’hymne a l’amour (LA VIE EN ROSE ST)

Massive Attack T3 tear drop (feat Liz Fraser MEZZANINE)

Nina Simone T7 my man’s gone now (RELEASED)

Robert Wyatt T1 alliance (OLD ROTTENHAT)

By the summer of ‘92 record company executives were eager to have him and he eventually signed with Columbia records, home of Springsteen and Dylan, for a 3-album, 2 million-dollar deal in October ‘92.

His first release was an E.P. of 4 songs, ‘LIVE AT SIN-E’ released in November 1993.

Jeff Buckley T3 je n’en connais pas la fin (LIVE AT SINE-E)

In mid-’93 Jeff began working on his first full studio album with record producer Andy Wallace, who had mixed Nirvana’s ‘NEVERMIND.’

Jeff assembled a band including bassist Mick Grondahl and drummer Matt Johnson. Lucas was also invited along. Guitarist Michael Tighe joined the band after Jeff had completed his first solo tour around North America.

‘GRACE’ was eventually released in august 1994.

Jeff Buckley T2 grace (GRACE)

In addition to original songs the album contained 3 glorious covers including this one…

Jeff Buckley T4 lilac wine (GRACE)

Sales of ‘GRACE’ were slower than expected as it garnered little airplay, despite critical acclaim.

“a romantic masterpiece”, “a pivotal, defining work” were a couple of the plaudits.

It was also appreciated amongst revered musicians: Jimmy page considered it close to being his “favourite album of the decade.”

Robert plant loved it.

Dylan proclaimed Jeff “one of the great song writers of the decade”, while Bowie named ‘GRACE’ as one of ten albums he would take to a desert island.

Bono described him “as a pure drop in an ocean of noise.”

In its first year it sold around 700,000 units worldwide, well short of the figure expected by Columbia. But it continued to garner fans around the world and in 2006 had reached sales of 6 million.

By way of comparison… (other artist album sales figures)

Jeff Buckley T7 lover, you should’ve come over (GRACE)

Jeff toured endlessly and extensively during which time he featured at Glastonbury in 1995.

When interviewing Matt Bellamy of Muse very early in the band’s career I asked him when he had decided to make music his profession. His answer was succinct and emphatic, “when I saw Jeff Buckley perform at Glastonbury in ‘95.”

Muse T7 unintended (SHOWBIZ)

It was during a later tour to the UK that JJ interviewed him, so here’s some of that interview…

Jeff Buckley Interview + I Know It’s Over: Live 95′

The Glastonbury performance was a classic in every way, so, we’re going to play a couple of clips from it starting with this one…

Jeff Buckley Live At Glastonbury 1995 dream brother

In March 1996 following disagreements Matt Johnson left the band.

Jeff then had brief playing stints as bass guitarist for Mind Science Of The Mind with friend Nathan Larson (then guitarist of Shudder To Think).

Jeff then went on his ‘Phantom Solo Tour’ of cafes going under various assumed names like ‘The Crackrobots’, ‘Father Demo’ and several others.