Jackie Leven - For Peace Comes Dropping Slow

Jackie Leven used to share a house with my parents back when they all had long hair and were hippies, which is why his music has been as big a part of my growing up as... I don't know... growth. So I suppose I am pretty biased when I say that he is, without a doubt, absolutely incredible - but to be honest, it's true. Jackie is a heavy-drinking bad-mouthed ex-junkie Scotsman who was in a very successfull rock and roll band called Doll By Doll. Yet despite his colourful history, and possibly aided by his colourful history, he creates very delicate and intense folk music, with beautiful lyrics to match. He was hit in the throat during a pub brawl some years ago, and for a long time he could barely talk, let alone sing, and spiralled into depression and drug-use. But out of this he has recovered into easily one of the most talented and impressive musicians on the UK folk scene. You get the feeling that, if he wanted, he could probably be very famous - but he prefers to play little pubs where he can sit in the corner drinking pints of vodka and telling dirty stories between songs.

I've chosen to use the opening song from one his live albums because, as I feel with most folk music, however good the studio albums are - the live ones are always that bit more powerful.

I should mention that there would be more mp3s in this blog if the hosting service was working properly. As it is, I am posting just one song - but then it is quite long and technically is comprised of three songs... so enjoy.

Jesus Bodybuilder Blues / Cocaine Blues / Cannot Keep From Crying

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