Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon
On this episode, we take a look at another listener's pick: Warren Zevon's eponymous second album.
Even by rock and roll standards, Warren Zevon lived a life of excess. and his lyrics often reflect this. His early career was marked by minor successes with the songs he wrote for others while struggled to make a name for himself as an artist. His 1970 debut LP, Wanted Dead or Alive, failed to to impress. However, six years later with his second LP Warren Zevon, he finally found success.
Produced by Jackson Browne and featuring a who’s who of the mid-70’s “California Sound” (including members of the Eagles, J.D Souther, David Lindley, and Jackson Browne), the album is full of wry wit and dark humor. His lyrics may cover familiar ground, but he imbibes the subject with a self-depreciated sense of self awareness that strips a way much of the clichéd romance found in so many other artists work. And its all delivered in Zevon's unmistakable voice. This album includes some of his most iconic songs, such as "Hasten Down the Wind,” "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me,” and the often covered "Mohammed's Radio.”
And finally, after almost 20 years after his passing, Zevon is in the running for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We here at This Is Vinyl Tap think it's long overdue.
No Recommendation for this episode.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Warren Zevon started his musical career in 1966 as part of the folk duo Lyme And Cybelle that he formed with Violet Santangelo. They recorded three singles for White Whale Records, which was home of the Turtles.
The Turtles were big fans young Warren Zevon. So much so that they put a couple of his songs on the b sides of their singles,
The included the Zevon penned “Like a Season” on the b-side of ‘Happy Together,” which ened up becoming the group’s signature hit, and the song that knocked “Penny Lane” out of the number 1 spot in early 1967.
From 1970 to 1973, Warren Zevon was the band leader and musical coordinator for the Everly Brothers. Here is Zevon (R) with Phil Everly somewhere in Germany.
Zevon met guitarist Waddy Wachtel when he hired him in 1972 to play guitar on The Everly Brothers' album Stories We Could Tell album and their subsequent tour. The Two bonded jamming after show to Merle Haggard and Rolling Stones tunes. Wachtel would remain a longtime musical partner for Zevon.
Pictured (L to R): Waddy Wachtel, Jackson Browne, and Warren Zevon
Watch Warren Zevon performs “Frank and Jesse James” live in his private studio in 1977.
Here is am amazing live version of "Mohammed's Radio" performed on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1976. Jackson Browne and David Lindley are part of the band.
Sadly, Warren Zevon died of mesothelioma on September 7, 2003. He was 56.
A regular on Late Night with David Letterman and The Late Show, Zevon made one last appearance with his friend Letterman shortly after his diagnosis. Letterman spent the entire episode talking to Zevon about his career and his illness. It is a compelling interview made that much better by Zevon’s trademark wit.
