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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is, to my mind, the best of the Haunted Year series.
Greek Notebook is a series of demos displaying lovely chord sequences (which Jackie often points out). It invites the listener to indulge in the romantic idyll that all demos were, like Joni Mitchell in pre-Blue flight from breakup with Graham Nash, recorded in a sun-kissed Hellenic cave or bar. Aaah I can feel the suntan, though many were doubtless recorded on the romantic islet of Fareham, but I appreciate the artistic licence. Greek Notebook is, nevertheless, great to hear, lots of ideas hot off the imagination (like Andy Partridge's Fuzzy Warbles), many yet to find songs.
Only The Ocean Can Forgive (Children Who Don't Want To Live) is easily the best 'unofficial' Jackie CD, now mercifully given official release. Containing: the best Kraftwerkish version of Classic Northern Diversions (hats off to Michael Cosgrave); the best (original) version of Woman In A Car; a lovely 'stash' Little Brown Box; an explanatory My Philosophy; and the shaggy shaggy monster tale of the death of the beloved entertainer Sting. *I borrow my review title from a Guardian column title by the late lamented Steven Wells (with whom I once sold Socialist Worker outside Wembley Central station), lamenting old pop stars performing well after they ever had anything useful to perform. Happily, Jackie proves a marvellous exception.
Greek Notebook is a series of demos displaying lovely chord sequences (which Jackie often points out). It invites the listener to indulge in the romantic idyll that all demos were, like Joni Mitchell in pre-Blue flight from breakup with Graham Nash, recorded in a sun-kissed Hellenic cave or bar. Aaah I can feel the suntan, though many were doubtless recorded on the romantic islet of Fareham, but I appreciate the artistic licence. Greek Notebook is, nevertheless, great to hear, lots of ideas hot off the imagination (like Andy Partridge's Fuzzy Warbles), many yet to find songs.
Only The Ocean Can Forgive (Children Who Don't Want To Live) is easily the best 'unofficial' Jackie CD, now mercifully given official release. Containing: the best Kraftwerkish version of Classic Northern Diversions (hats off to Michael Cosgrave); the best (original) version of Woman In A Car; a lovely 'stash' Little Brown Box; an explanatory My Philosophy; and the shaggy shaggy monster tale of the death of the beloved entertainer Sting. *I borrow my review title from a Guardian column title by the late lamented Steven Wells (with whom I once sold Socialist Worker outside Wembley Central station), lamenting old pop stars performing well after they ever had anything useful to perform. Happily, Jackie proves a marvellous exception.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
First off, I have to say 'Classic Northern Diversions' is...well an absolute classic! and the version here is the closest yet to the definitive one on Youtube. I also loved the monologues on Sting and Marylebone coppers. The sleeve notes are wonderful as well. Such a talented man. However, too much Jackie Leven is bad for your mental health. It's like being made to watch Peter Mullen's 'Orphans' or 'My Name Is Joe' over and over again. Or Gary McAllister missing that penalty against England in Euro '96. Or being entombed with the Alexander Brothers singing 'Nobody's Child'. To be sure Jackie, tell it like it is but be quicker to see a kindness. For anyone who wants to hear a different kind of RECOVERY check out 'High' by The Blue Nile.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
Get it for the live material
28 Feb 2012
Format:Audio CD
I love, love, love Jackie Leven's music. With the band Doll By Doll, or as a solo artist, his music has more depth and emotion than most singer-songwriters of his generation. And oh that voice! Listen to him sing and your heart will skip a beat ... or two. This 2-CD set, however, is not the best place to start your Jackie Leven pilgrimage, but it is a must-listen for longtime fans. The first disc, called "Greek Notebooks", is basically Jackie on vacation, strumming his acoustic guitar and playing fragments of songs that I assume he was working on the time. Clearly, these are unfinished compositions; the titles are even "works in progress: "Island One" through "Island Thirty-Three" (yes, 33 tracks on Disc 1). The second disc, which is more or less a live recording, is the real reason to get this collection. Disc 2 has 71 minutes of music; the first three tracks are studio pieces, and the rest of the songs are from a 2003 tour of Germany. Oops, except for the very last track, which is from a 2002 Christmas party that includes Doll By Doll guitarist Joe Shaw and "cult singer" Kevin Hewick. That track, "Barefoot Days," is a powerful number, I think the best thing on here. So good and intense that it's worth the price of this CD alone. Sadly, Jackie Leven passed away in late 2011, but he left us a LOT of great music. And some of it can be found here.
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