As background, I’ve been a fan of Warren Zevon since around 1978 or so, and have every title released since Excitable Boy. I saw Warren live only once, at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia in 1991. On that tour, he was playing solo in small clubs and recording the sets, the best of which became the live album Learning to Flinch. I was standing right next to the stage, no more than ten to fifteen feet from him, and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
Since getting The Wind on Tuesday, I’ve listened to it a half dozen times or so. On a four-star scale, so far it is a solid 3 to 3.5. On an emotional impact level, though, it is a definite 4, given the context of the recording. Also, listening has been a cathartic experience for me, given that I’ve lost two family members to cancer in the past two years.
So, any other Zevon fans out there, and what do you think of The Wind?
I like The Wind quite a bit, partly because, in its spare, underproduced way, with some nice guesting from Warren’s friends, it reminds me of my favorite album of his, the self-titled record from 1976. It is devastating for me to listen to Keep Me In Your Heart, yet uplifting at the same time. Very much enjoy Rub Me Raw and Disorder In The House.
Have also been a fan for many a year, have seen Tenacious Z in concert more times than I can count, gotta be in the double digits.
Favorite concerts were the general admission shows at Denver’s old Rainbow Music hall, always had front row seats.
Gonna miss ya, Warren. But we’ll always have the music.
I’ll be picking it up on Monday. I can’t remember the last time I’ve so looked forward to hearing an album, while at the same time dreading it so much.
I (and about half a dozen other late stragglers) had the honor of having a couple of drinks with Zevon one night when he decided to step off the wagon at the old Rockin’ Horse in Scottsdale after a show there back in 94 or 95. A true gentleman and a hell of a funny man.
First new album I’ve bought since Alice and Blood Money. I don’t get out much, obviously. The first album I’ve listen to from beginning to end in one sitting since I was an obessive wee one. And then I listened to it again.
I think it’s a great album. I think ‘Prison Grove’ and ‘Rub Me Raw’ are fantastic tracks. ‘Keep Me In Your Heart’ is wrenching and touching.
Metacritic currently shows it at 93, which is one of the highest ratings an album has gotten in a long time. And it’s interesting - Zevon’s last album was hard to find in this city, and a lot of record stores had stopped even having a ‘Zevon’ divider for CDs.
But this time, HMV had ‘The Wind’ set up on a big display right at the front of the store. I wonder if this is an indication of how successful the record industry expects this one to be?
It would be fantastic for Warren to see an album of his become a smashing success before he sleeps.
I was at the Tower Records in King of Prussia yesterday, and the clerk said The Wind was selling really well, better than any of his last few albums. One poster on Usenet had a good comment; a great epitaph for Warren would be “NOW you buy my albums!”
The Wind is 16 on the Billboard Top 200; this is the highest position on one of the “big” charts since Excitable Boy. The album is also number 1 on the Top Internet Albums chart.
Got it today. Another good album. Disorder in the House and The Rest of the Night make me smile - great country-rock blowouts with spleen. On some of the other tracks he really sounds like his shadow’s casting him.
Glad he got it out before dying.
On the plus side, getting older records should be easier once he becomes an underground success - I managed to pick up BLSiDS on CD today.
I hadn’t noticed before, but I thought it was kind of neat that the Zevon logo no longer had the dangling cigarette in its teeth.
Zevon never did a bad album, but this one is so thematically solid it may well rank among the best after the dust settles.
Rest in Peace, Warren, and thank for the laughter, the tears and the life. We may have met only once, but I considered you a friend long before that night, and will consider you one for all of time. I’m going to miss you always, dear friend.
I’m in SF for the Oracle conference, and heard about Warren’s ride arriving just before I left my room for the start of the conference this morning. Thanks for everything, Warren.
No one else would record Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door at a time like that. Sad to see him gone at a time when we need truly original artists but I’m grateful for the music he left. He had his own style and HIS HAIR WAS PERFECT!