Warren Zevon - The Wind
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Free Music Notes for The Wind
Free Music Review: A way to keep him in your heart.
Hit: 5 Stars
I haven't run out and bought a CD the first day of release in a long time, but I knew I had to get this one. I'll admit to some trepidation; would this recording reflect all the amazing effort that Warren put into it? I'm happy to say it does. THE WIND is a wonderful reflection on life and death from one of rock's true poets. From the opening line ("Some days I feel like my shadow's casting me,") to the last (Keep me in your heart for awhile") this is as memorable as any of his recordings. Working once again with Jorge Calderon, Zevon has taken this opportunity to mix slow melodic tunes with hard rockers that demand you to turn them up. Songs like "Prison Grove" with its eerie symbolism and the incredible cover of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" balance wonderfully well with rockers like "Rub Me Raw" and "The Rest of the Night"
to create a quintessential Zevon CD.
Guests acquit themselves well, particularly Springsteen on "Disorder in the House," where he rips into a nice, messy guitar solo and seems to push Warren to rock a little bit harder.The background vocals on "Prison Grove" are also a fine example of a good use for all those who wished to participate in this project. The chief contribution has to be Calderon's, who brings back the lush sound of many of Warren's early CD's and is always mindful of Warren's diminished vocal capabilities; surrounding Warren'svoice by a vibrant supportive sound.
If your new to Zevon and your curiousity has been piqued by all the recent publicity, please take this opportunity to enjoy one of rock's true originals. And to all of you who have been there from the beginning, keep him in your heart.
Free Music Review: Death isn't as scary now.
Hit: 5 Stars
I must admit, I could only recall one Zevon track from my youth, the guilty pleasure we all know as 'Werewolves of London.' While I've grown up listening to classic rock, thanks in most part to my parent's extensive vinyl collection, I hadn't run across much of Warren's work. When I started to hear buzz around Warren's untimely battle with cancer, my interest in his back catalogue was renewed. Being only 20 years old, and without much prior knowledge, I crawled through what information I could find on him. The first thing I came across was an article on his farewell album. This last goodbye has now arrived in the form of his latest album, entitled 'The Wind.' Simply put, 'The Wind' achieves what so many other albums do not. This album puts the listener in synch with what it means to die, along with all the emotional ups and downs that come with it. The songs range from the upbeat and brutally honest 'Dirty Life and Times' to the heart-drenched 'El Amor de mi Vida.' Each song on this album covers a different aspect of death, punching you in the face with raw song-writing and superb instrumentation by an all-star squadron of musicians. A definite stand out that cries with sadness and sounds much like a dying request is the song 'Please Stay.' Not a single song on this album is filler material. Not one! Every person should be issued this album in preparation for our own deaths. Zevon has written the definitive take on life's one guarentee. Due to this album, I'll now listen to every past album of his and get back to his start. Thanks Warren, death won't be so hard now.Free Music Review: Cynicism Gives Way to Tears
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't know how many car accidents are caused by changing CDs while driving, but the newest excuse for car accidents might be: "Sorry officer, I was just listenting to 'The Wind.'" When one considers the backdrop against which "The Wind" was created, it makes for a real sad collection of songs.Forget the hall-of-fame collection of background singers and musicians. Forget the occasional frailness in Zevon's voice. This consummate songwriter--now near death with lung cancer--hits you with ballads that will get the rivers flowing.
If you're a huge Zevon fan (like me), this will leave you asking the big Kahuna upstairs the eternal philosiphical question: "Why?" If you're not a fan, this is still great music made by a great musician while sitting at "death's mixing board."
Kurt Cobain had the angst market cornered. Hank Williams had the decadence market cornered. Poe had the bipolar market cornered. Zevon--with this final recording--has the sensitivity market cornered. He always had a knack for great ballads, but the final track--recorded at home after the dust of recording "The Wind" had settled--is superb.
I had this dream that when you died, you went to heaven and were placed near people who did the same kind of work you did but it was like this big classroom--you sat in alphbetical order. I wonder what kind of classroom will have the two seats in the rear made up of Frank Zappa and Warren Zevon?
My best to Warren! Get "The Wind"...but don't listen to it in your car!
Free Music Review: With his head held high
Hit: 5 Stars
Warren's music has been a part of my life for many years now. I was deeply saddened to learn he had passed away. "The Wind" is his parting gift to us. I would recommend listening to this C.D. after watching the VH-1 show about Warren facing his final months and recording this masterpiece.
"She's Too Good for Me" with the unselfish parting line "I want her to be everything she could never be with me" and the career coda "Keep Me in Your Heart" stand out. But I love them all.
Is this his best album of all? To be honest,I can't objectively say. There is no way to take the circumstance of imminent death out of the mix. Wait. Now that I think about it, yes. This is his finest album of all. Part of what makes this recording so great has no sonic quality. Warren knew this was it. His last album. He remained honest to his music. He didn't leave with a contrived work. He left with an album only he could have made. I could list each song and give a description but, I would instead suggest approaching this album as a whole. And as a whole, the resignation with courage, the man who will miss the ones he loves comes through.
The world of music is far richer having had Warren Zevon.
You will be rewarded if among your reference points in life you can point to him and say "Oh yes,Zevon...I know his music well. What a great artist!"
God bless Warren and all those who loved him.
This recording will occupy a singular place in my short list of favorites
until I too..lose the wind.
Free Music Review: Oh we are going to miss you, Warren!
Hit: 5 Stars
Shortly before Warren Zevon was diagnosed last year, he was touring with Jill sobule at small venues. We were lucky and although some what squished, up front. First, let me say that Jill Sobule's first album was fantastic, and she in person was friendly and quite a surprise.
This album was made after "Genius", which also is a five-star CD, but with less ... fancy smoothing of the music. "Wind" is almost what I would call a Live album, without the audiences hollering. You feel right there; with his friends, laughing, Bruce Springsteen lets go with some awesome guitar, Tom Petty seems to have felt more serious, and Jill is on there too.
He wanted to get these out before he died, and the day of release was within a week of his death.
The strength of will in Warren is not to be denied, and for all the power he put into this, he did not hide the fact that he was failing.
When he sang quietly to me (this album feels personal) "Please, Stay" I just lost it.
When he made his "comeback" tour, he gestured to one of the stagehands that he would like a refill on the water - then caught sight of his own hand, and said "Whoa, I can feel the [arrogant] moves coming back - keep me humble!"
I can, without the slightest hesitation, recommend the last three releases ... it is better if you know his story, and appreciate satirical wit.
It's all good.
~mariance
PS Godspeed, Warren. See you on the other side.