Moonidus on Remembering Jackie Leven
Jackie died in 2011 but had he lived he would have been 70 on the 18th of June 2020.
In memory of the great man I have organised a commemorative bench in Soho Square, London. It lies just near the one dedicated to Kirsty McColl ( they both wrote songs about this park).
Though gone he remains very underrated.
So listen to one of his songs and have a wee dram in his memory.
And when lockdown is over perhaps spend a few moments in Soho Square.
I shall play Solo in Soho Square immediately.
I suspect it will be a while before I find myself in central London though.
God bless the Big Man!
How bizarre. By random chance I listened to JL this morning for the first time in at least a decade, with no idea of the significance of the date.
There have been a few mentions on various FB pages, including of the Wickham festival, which was his home village in later years. In Hampshire, surreally. His partner, Deborah Greenwood is always delighted when his candle is kept burning.
A fine singer and raconteur – one of the best British singer/songwriters in recent years.
He was creative, prolific and blessed with a fantastic sense of humour.
I still miss him and periodically check with Cooking Vinyl that they aren’t about to release some hitherto unheard rarities.
Thanks for the songs Jackie.
I love JL, and have several albums. I also agree he’s one of the great British songwriters.
So this is meant more tongue in cheek than a direct criticism:
“The salt in the ocean is there. Because the fishes cry too” is not one his better ones.
Your tribute to Jackie @Moonidus is to be admired and thank you for reminding us of his birthday. The great man was taken before his time and whenever I think of him I always play one or three of his many great albums.
Here’s to you Jackie, thank you for the music and the laughter.
Gosh, there’s always time for a session with Jackie’s albums. I have a fat pile of them now, but I’m always looking for other gems I’ve missed. What a talent he had, and what a voice. I’m raising a pint of Champion right now, and supping it in his memory.
It’s great to see another new name on The Afterword, especially one that loves Jackie.
I find my enjoyment of his songs is growing with the years. Or possibly with my years.
That’s not meant to be faint praise btw, I loved them to begin with.
On Thursday evening there was a virtual concert to raise a glass of toffee vodka to Jackie, arranged by Deborah (his widow) and Jinder a friend of Jackie’s and fellow musician. It featured various Jackie related musicians covering a song of his, including Deborah, Jinder, former Doll By Doll bandmates Jo Shaw and Kevin Foster, Tom Burgess plus others, it also features Ian Rankin reciting selected Jackie lyrics. It’s available on Facebook in the Jackie group page Burning The Box Of Beautiful Things or via YouTube
“He was so far a way- so far away
Far away in a yellow-gold land
Sitting in a square by a little brass band”
My Spanish Dad
Seems funny to hear him as Jack.