Sad news from the great man’s website:
http://www.jackieleven.co.uk/
Poor bugger. Fortune didn’t exactly shine down on him during his life but a great singer-songwriter, one of Scotland’s toughest (well, he had to be) and best. He’ll be missed.
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Tuesday, 15 November 2011 11:09 (thirteen years ago)
That's a shame. Though I have to confess that I have never knowingly heard so much as one second of his work, for some reason.
― R. Stornoway (Tom D.), Tuesday, 15 November 2011 11:15 (thirteen years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuMcwfZjQGY
This track is a wonderful thing.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 15 November 2011 11:16 (thirteen years ago)
ach, embedding disabled. Still, watch on Youtube, why not.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 15 November 2011 11:17 (thirteen years ago)
Aw shit, that's a real bummer after all he's been through, fucking cancer.
― sleigh tracks (1933-1969) (MaresNest), Tuesday, 15 November 2011 12:02 (thirteen years ago)
I saw him play a place called 'The Shed' in a village called Brawby in North Yorkshire about 1997 and it was just a magical night. Driving miles to the middle of the North Yorks Moors on a cold, frosty November night. Packed in with about 50 others listening to his storytelling and that sweet, weathered soul voice, just a room filled with love and warmth. Had a quick chat with him after the gig and bought a cd, which he graciously signed. Only later did I read the inscription, 'Thanks for caring, Jackie'. Devastating to think that such a giant of a man will be gone soon.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 15 November 2011 12:36 (thirteen years ago)
The run of albums he had in the nineties was about as good as anyone's. Think I'll dig out 'Forbidden Songs of the Dying West' tonight and have a wee greet.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 15 November 2011 12:38 (thirteen years ago)
The music section of Kirkcaldy central library was a thing of wonder in the nineties, and they bought every cd Jackie put out in that decade. I borrowed and listened to them all. I hadn't thought of him years but I recently picked up the record of the show he did with Ian Rankin. I need to go and give that a proper listen tonight.
― treefell, Tuesday, 15 November 2011 13:05 (thirteen years ago)
'Creatures of Light and Darkness' is a great place to start for the uninitiated. It sounds to me like a bona fide classic - so much better than most of the singer songwriter stuff that the critics go for.
― Zuleika, Tuesday, 15 November 2011 13:10 (thirteen years ago)
I saw him live last year. Such a great raconteur, with such extraordinary stories to tell. Love "Single Father" from 2000 and "The Sexual Loneliness Of Jesus Christ" from 2001, and 2010's Gothic Road has been one of my most played albums of the last 12 months.
― mike t-diva, Tuesday, 15 November 2011 13:36 (thirteen years ago)
RIP
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Wednesday, 16 November 2011 00:48 (thirteen years ago)
I am so sad. The third (VERY underrated) Doll by Doll album; The Mystery of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death; Forbidden Songs of the Dying West; Creatures of Light And Darkness; and Shining Brother, Shining Sister are some of my most loved albums. I don't know if he ever played in the US, if so I never had the chance to see him. One of the very greatest singers, songwriters, and spirits.
― Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Wednesday, 16 November 2011 04:02 (thirteen years ago)
david thomas is a big fan. makes sense.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/23/pere-ubu-david-thomas-music-interview
― scott seward, Friday, 24 July 2015 21:25 (ten years ago)