THE TRUTH IS overrated

Aizlewood's retrospective accompanies the reissue of “The Mystery of Love Is Greater Than the Mystery of Death”. The freely readable opening presents Leven as a well-read songwriter and impressive stage presence whose stories shaped his songs as much as his voice and guitar playing. Aizlewood visits Deborah Greenwood and describes the literary surroundings of Leven's work; Rilke is expressly named.

Greenwood comments on several of Leven's self-presentations. The well-known train encounter with Bob Dylan and the false news of Sting's death appear in the context of his invented stories. The legends on records and in side projects are also put into perspective: “Leven’s Lament” was ordinary Bell’s whisky with his own label. “Elegy for Johnny Cash” was recorded in Wales, contrary to the information on the sleeve; according to Greenwood, the involvement of Lebanese musicians explains the Beirut reference. Henry Priestman did in fact play on “Defending Ancient Springs”, but other corresponding album credits are inaccurate.

The opening section thus already offers concrete starting points for checking Leven's stories. These are statements by Greenwood in conversation with Aizlewood, not production records independently verified here. The later questioning of further companions in the full article remains unread.