By way of justification for this rather unconventional strategy to his fans Jeff posted a message on his Internet message board stating that he missed the anonymity of playing in bars and cafes:

“There was a time not too long ago when I could show up in a cafe and simply do what I do, make music, learn from performing my music, explore what it means to me, i.e. have fun while I irritate and/or entertain an audience who don’t know me or what I am about. In this situation I have that precious and irreplaceable luxury of failure, of risk, of surrender. I worked very hard to get this thing together, this work forum. I loved it and then I missed it when it disappeared. All I am doing is reclaiming it.”

Jeff Buckley T1 everybody here wants you (SINGLE)

Some felt Jeff wasn’t being honest but I can accept his statement was an accurate reflection of what he felt.

He had been burdened with the responsibility of making millions for his record company in addition to meeting the demands of fans and the media.

Jeff was a simple guy with modest needs - he loved music and wanted to play to anybody who would listen.

The pressure for a young musician must have been intense to deliver a second, and this time major selling album.

In February 1997 he played a show at the Knitting Factory in NY to an audience including musicians and industry types where proposed album tracks were played.

The new album was to be called ‘SKETCHES FOR MY SWEETHEART THE DRUNK.’

Jeff Buckley T1 the sky is a landfill (SKETCHES FOR MY SWEETHEART THE DRUNK)

Jeff was a perfectionist and after many months and a change of record producer he travelled to Memphis later in February 1997.