Jackie Leven (Korks, Otley)

Enthusiastic live review from the pub stage in Otley. Simpson summarises Leven's life story as he tells it (Doll by Doll, knife attack, heroin, founding of a support centre for addicts) and describes a “big, beautifully damaged” troubadour who alternates between vodka and lager. Only about a third of the evening consists of songs (including “Heroin Dealer Blues”, “Three O'Clock Men”, “Dust Elegy” from the new album), the rest of funny and abysmal stories. Comparison: a cocktail of Van Morrison, Nick Drake and Irvine Welsh.