Thursday 17 November 2011

DYLAN COVER? # 23 Jackie Leven - As We Sailed Into Skibbereen


JACKIE LEVEN - As we sailed into Skibbereen

JACKIE LEVEN (1950-2011) R.I.P.



It is with sadness I heard today that Jackie Leven died at the age of 61. He succumbed to cancer.  He will be greatly missed.

I don't know if there is any truth in the rumours which surround this really good song by Jackie Leven, released on CD single (Cooking Vinyl FRY CD 036). The song is credited to Jackie Leven/Bob Dylan.

According to the 'The Telegraph', Jackie met Dylan in a Bar in Berlin on 5th Oct 1988 and they later travelled together by train from Berlin to St Petersburg. Jackie showed Dylan some lyrics he had written and Bob suggested he put the lyrics to the tune of 'One Too Many Mornings'. Jackie did this and the song 'As We Sailed into Skibbereen' was released as above. However, according to Clinton Heylin's 'A Life In Stolen Moments: Bob Dylan Day By Day 1941-1995', Dylan was in Beverley Hills on the said day. 

The story goes that Columbia got the record withdrawn in the U.K. but it was not withdrawn in Germany (there's a collectors item if ever there was one!).

The song was also released on the album the Argyll Cycle Vol 1. I have this album but it is in a box in a garage in the U.K. I wonder who it says the song is credited to?

I think it is a great story and under the circumstances we will let Jackie off and allow this 'as a Dylan cover' well for today he gets the benefit of the doubt. Why not?


Come on now Bob, I know you listen every week to my posts, what really did happen ? You can tell me! 


JACKIE LEVEN - As we sailed into Skibbereen

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DYLAN COVER? # 23 Jackie Leven - As We Sailed Into Skibbereen
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6 comments

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Anonymous
18 November 2011 at 09:12

Hi! Nice story! I have the 4-track CD single (Cooking Vinyl, FRY CD 036, 1994). And it's "Made in England". So it definitely exist. "Skibbereen" is credited to Leven/Dylan and the lyrics are printed on the cover. I thought it's "The times..." but after listening it again, you are right.
Best regards, Ronald

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18 November 2011 at 09:20

Hi Ronald
Wow! that is great to have that confirmed, you've got a rare one there then, don't think the story is correct but lets just say 'innocent until proved guilty'
Take Care Brian

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18 November 2011 at 12:31

What a fantastic story. We all love a bit of controversy!

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Anonymous
26 August 2012 at 16:37

Oh aye! I've got a copy too! Its a killer tune! Jackie's voice is wondrous as always... but it's the guitar arrangement and Jackie's playing which elevates this way up there. Eclipses Mr Z's song... but in the nicest way!

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26 August 2012 at 17:03

Anon - if you are aware of Dylan doing this please let me know the source....could be the Holy Grail....thanks for comments!!

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Anonymous
17 February 2018 at 05:01

According to this obituary it was a made up thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/15/jackie-leven

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