Jackie Leven: Die Geister des Lebens beschwören

Review of the concert at the “Zeche” in Bochum in March 2000 by Bernd Berke, then arts editor of the Westfälische Rundschau (Dortmund); the text is in the archive of his blog Revierpassagen (archive texts from 1974). Berke describes an audience of initiates calling out for “Single Father”, Leven's voice with a “Pavarotti range” and a guitar that “speaks all languages”; the songs come mainly from “Forbidden Songs” and “Defending Ancient Springs”. “Paris Blues” and “You've Lost That Loving Feeling” are singled out; Deborah Greenwood (vocals) and Michael Cosgrave (keyboards) also appear. Overall tone: enthusiastic, and he finds it incredible that such an artist should still count as an insider tip.