Jackie Leven, Creatures of light and darkness

Very positive review: Leven as an “omone scozzese” with a heavy past (Doll by Doll, mugging in London, heroin, founding of the CORE Trust) who, together with David Thomas, has found a refined passion. Ten ballads, archaic in effect, modern in production (choirs, mandolins, brass, violins, bells, some electronics); singled out are “Hidden World Of She”, “Rainy Day Bergen Women”, “Stopped By Woods On A Snowy Evening” (Robert Frost), “Sexual Loneliness Of Jesus Christ” and “Wrapped Up In Blue”. Comparisons with the young Van Morrison and a more rural Costello.