Warren Zevon - The Wind
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Free Music Notes for The Wind
Free Music Review: Keep This In Your Heart
Hit: 5 Stars
Prior to watching the Vh-1 special just before the release of this album, I can't say that I knew much more about Warren Zevon than "Werewolves of London" and that he'd written a song with Bruce Springsteen back in the 70s and that he appeared on David Letterman and that he sang about death in with dark humour. So I can't claim that I've been a lifelong fan and am overwhelmed with grief at Warren's death. I'm sure that longtime fans sort of resent people like me jumping on board because of the hype around Mr. Zevon's illness and death. I can't blame them for that. But that being said, this is a fine, fine album- a true gift for his fans both old and new. While it's impossible to consider the music here without the context in which it was written and recorded, it would be a great CD even without the sad events that inspired it. The fact that Mr. Zevon was dying only adds to its complexity. This will be a regularly played CD for a long, long time in my house and car.
My favorite tracks are towards the beginning of the CD- "My Dirty Life And Times", "Disorder in the House", "Numb As A Statue", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" (ALMOST too painful to listen to, but bearable because you know it's somewhat tongue-in-cheek) and "Keep Me In Your Heart"- all finely written and performed songs. The guests supplement the music but in no way distract from it. Springsteen's voice is recognizable but clearly a background vocal, and his guitar solos are scorching. I was surprised that an artist as dark and cynical as Mr. Zevon seemed to be (superficially, anyway, if you didn't bother to look deeper, which I didn't) would release such a heartfelt and emotional CD. It's by no means sentimental, but occasional bit of lyrics or the obvious physical pain in Zevon's voice will still bring tears to your eyes. At the same time, it maintains the edge and the humour that you'd expect from Warren Zevon. And oddly (or appropriately) it never directly mentions death.
Don't avoid this album because you believe that the attention and raves it's getting are due only to Warren's illness and death. Certainly it wouldn't get nearly as much hype, and the news of his death undoubtedly helped with sales. But this album stands on its own and comes strongly recommended. And I can imagine that it could offer some strength and inspirtation if and when we are aware of our own impending mortality.
Sleep well, Warren Zevon. I'm sorry that I only discovered you at the very end, but I'll keep listening for a long time.
Free Music Review: A worthy send-off
Hit: 5 Stars
Loyal Zevon fans (and I am one) don't need anyone to tell them to get this disc. But what about everyone else?There's some fine music here, and even if this disc weren't the last artistic product from this irreplaceable performer and songwriter, it should be on your list.
Some examples: "Disorder in the House" is a good, solid rocker, helped out by Bruce Springsteen's guitar. (The backups strengthen the music on this disc. For reasons of budget or ego, Zevon put all the tracks down himself on his last two efforts, Life'll Kill You and My Ride's Here. It's good to hear him again in company.) In a scene that verges on pathos in the recent VH1 documentary on the recording of this disc, Zevon was too weak or zonked out on morphine to get on the beat with his singing for this song, but in the end he did it just fine, in his own unique baritone.
The lyrics are classically phantasmagoric, apocalyptic Zevon ("Disorder in the house/The tub runneth over/Plaster's falling down in pieces by the couch of pain. Disorder in the house/Time to duck and cover/Helicopters hover over rough terrain. Disorder in the house/Reptile wisdom/Zombies on the lawn staggering around," etc.) That's classic Zevon (helped out here by long-time collaborator Jorge Caledron). All sung to a hard-rocking beat, with Springsteen on backup vocals as well as guitar.
There's a lot of other good stuff here, too. In context, Zevon's cover of Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is almost too much to take. There's the tender here also. For certain, it's in "Keep Me In Your Heart," the last track, which isn't overly sentimental on its face, but again, in context, is almost too much ("Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house/ Maybe you'll think of me and smile/ You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse/ Keep me in your heart for a while.") That side of Zevon also shows up in El Amo De Mi Vida.
But Zevon hasn't gone all squishy on the way out. He's still the same guy who wrote and sang Renegade and took on the role of all those sociopath types from earlier songs. This Zevon shows up in "Dirty Life and Times," and, so near the end, Zevon shows he hasn't forgotten how to rock.
Zevon's impending death is unspeakably sad and a loss for everyone who's enjoyed his music all these years (not to mention his family, friends, and loved ones). But he's going out on a strong note, and we have to thank him for that and for all the music that he, and only he, could have created in his long career. We won't be seeing or hearing his like again.
Free Music Review: "I am a renegade..."
Hit: 5 Stars
It's been well over a month since Warren's death, and I still can't get it out of my head that this guy is gone for good. He was/is one of my favorite recording artists, and his last CD does nothing to diminish that. Seeing that there are already 190 reviews of "The Wind," on this site is a tribute indeed to how his life and music touched his listeners. I may not be able to add much to what already has been said, but I just want to say, "Hey, thanks man," to Warren for all those great tunes, literate lyrics, and cast of crazy characters he brought us in his music.I first became aware of Zevon in 1976 from a review of his first album, "Warren Zevon," in the magazine, "Stereo Review." I bought, listened, and instantly knew this was somebody who spoke to me and had some kickass musicians working with him. As you know, many of the songs on this album became hits for other artists.
His death has caused me to question exactly what it was about his music that appealed to me so much. His outrageousness, both in attitude and characters ("Excitable Boy"; "The French Inhaler"; and of course, "Roland")? His ability to tell a story ("Mr. Bad Example"; "Frank and Jessse James")? The images he created in my head (the way the line, 'His hair was perfect; I'd like to meet his tailor' from "Werevolves," evoked Lon Cheney Jr. in all those werewolf flicks)? His ironic humor ('Down in the Basement I got a Craftsman lathe; Show it to the children, when they misbehave,' from "Model Citizen")? The crushingly personal love songs ("Accidently, Like a Martyr"; "Suzy Lightning")? In the end, it was all these things, but mostly I think it was that although he has been accused of being cynical, morose, negative and all sorts of other things, by music critics, he really was hard to pin down to any one thing. Underneath it all, I know he was a real pussycat, and was just funnin' with us, although he'd admit, all these things had a serious side.
I also enjoyed the little "asides" he put in his songs: is there anyone who doesn't perk up their head when he goes, "HUT!" in "Desperadoes Under the Eaves?"
So, although he may have been ignored (except for "Werewolves"), misinterpreted, and dismissed by others, he was one of the real meaningful people in my life. The legacy of his music and the tributes from his fans are really gratifying. Perhaps some of his music that is out of print will be re-released now ("Stand in the Fire," for example, the best live album ever made!).
Anyway, Warren, thanks for everything.
Free Music Review: A final farewell from an underrated master
Hit: 5 Stars
Despite what some other reviewer of limited musical scope wrote elsewhere, I found The Wind to be a touching farewell from a man whose career definitely had its up and downs, but was on par with some of the best musical artists of the past 30 years. It may not be the greatest album ever recorded, but it does have a powerful effect, especially with repeated listening. The music holds up to the test of time, even a year later. It isn't overly sentimental or morbid, or morose. The songs are well written, occasionally with a touch of the patented darkly ironic Zevon wit, and can linger for a while. Among the many highlights are Dirty Life and Times, which was written before Warren even knew he was sick. The knowledge of the fact that he was dying from cancer does add a poignancy to it, but it still is a charming song of a rebel rouser winding down his life. Disorder in the House is a great rocker with Springsteen cranking out some great loud guitar work. Rub Me Raw has some raw slide guitar work from Joe Walsh (of all people). Down in Prison Grove is dark and powerful....somewhat Dylanesque and spiritual. Of course there is the final track where Mr Zevon exhorts us all (and presumably his girlfriend) to Keep Him In Our Heart For Awhile. It does resonate well, and has a wistfulness that will definitely endure. One track that stood out more than this for me though was two tracks earlier....Please Stay. Zevon has been a master ballad writer over the years, and this is no exception. The duet with Emmylou Harris, definitely a boost to anyone who knows how to sing, is sweet and touching. The lyric even ends up giving the name to this record, and has a mellow tenor sax solo also. Great stuff. I'm sorry it took me until he was ill to actually get into his work, but this CD has a special place in my collection. For those skeptics out there who think that the sales charts in Billboard magazine reflect the authenticity of an artist's worth, I suggest that you listen to the two Rhino compilations of WZ's material, and then pick up Sentimental Hygiene, Transverse City, Life'll Kill Ya and others in the catalog equally worth listening to. He was one of Bob Dylan's and Neil Young's and R.E.M.'s favorite songwriters and could stand shoulder to shoulder with them all. That should be a clue in and of itself. Requiescat in Pace, Warren. You'll be missed.Free Music Review: a terrific swansong for a man of grace & talent
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a Zevon fan for about 25 years now, and, like all his fans, I've been heartbroken ever since I heard the news about his terminal illness a year before this CD's release. So when I bought "The Wind," I expected to weep all the way through it. I'm happy to report that this album does not sound like a swansong. (I made it to the very last song without a tear.) In fact, with the exception of the last song, the songs on "The Wind" could have appeared on any Zevon album from the last 10 years. Sometimes his voice seems a bit weaker than it once was, but I don't think I would have even noticed had I not known of his illness.Sure, there are moments that seem especially poignant due to Zevon's circumstances. For example, on "The Rest Of The Night," he sings, "We may never get this chance again!" But the songs are so good and the performances are so strong, that the irony of a line or two doesn't turn the whole affair into an excuse to mope. Even the cover version of Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door" seems appropriate - sad, yes, but not at all maudlin.
All the big-name guests who show up to help with the album are in top form. But they understand that this is Zevon's time to shine, so they stay mostly in the background. A searing guitar solo by Bruce Springsteen adds a stunning punch to "Disorder In The House." The gorgeous harmony vocals of Don Henley and Timothy Schmit cast an extra glow over "She's Too Good For Me."
"Rub Me Raw" is heavy blues, and it sounds like Zevon's way of saying he's still ready for anything. "Prison Grove" and "El Amor De Mi Vida," although very different from one another, are both very evocative and atmospheric tracks.
Then there's that last song, "Keep Me In Your Heart." Well, yeah, it's hard for me to listen to that one (just as it's hard now to listen to "Don't Let Us Get Sick" from 2000's "Life'll Kill Ya"). "Keep Me In Your Heart" was the last song Zevon recorded, and it is a sad song, probably one of the saddest songs you'll ever hear, but it is free of regret and self-pity. And that has always been one of Warren Zevon's most wondrous qualities - facing the ugliness of life with clear eyes, a clever mind, and a brave heart.