Warren Zevon?

steve-o · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:43 pm Warren Zevon?

He was always one of those artists I had meant to check out, but never really got around to it. But I heard some random mp3's last night, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. So now here I am trying to figure out where to start with what is a relatively large discography, I'm sure of which is a lot like Elvis Costello's, in that you have be careful to pick out the brilliant hits over the absurdly bad misses.

I know he is fairly well-liked around these parts, so anyone want to make a recommendation for my first Warren Zevon album? I think a lot of what I had heard was his late 80s/early 90s material, but my own research has turned up good things about earlier stuff like Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School and the Self titled album. Any suggestions?

Jake · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:47 pm

The GLONO obit: My Ride's Here: Warren Zevon Dies at 56. Be sure to read Mac's post-diagnosis article too.

Sven Killer Robot Spacema · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:57 pm

Got a chance to see Warren real up close twice in a small club
during the 90's. It was cool to see him look at me as I reacted to some funny shit he said. I'll never forget that smirk and the gleam in his eye.
I recommend "Excitable Boy", "Sentimental Hygiene", "Mr. Bad Example" and "Transverse City", which features one of my Zevon favorites "Splendid Isolation"......

"Michael Jackson In Disneyland
Don't have to share it with nobody else
Lock the gates Goofy take my hand
and lead me through the world of self."

Lep · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:24 pm

The self-titled album is really good, and "Excitable Boy" is probably a good place to start, too. The Rhino compilations also look nice.

blackshoestring · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:02 pm

I would second Excitable Boy and recommend his collaboration w/the sans Stipe REM, The Hindu Love Gods. I would even call it "stellar" and I never use that word (mind you, these are covers).

creepy · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:06 pm

their "raspberry beret" is great... not as good as prince's but close...

blackshoestring · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:09 pm

DJMurphy · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:15 pm

I really have to recommend getting The Wind, Excitable Boy, one of his best-of's (either the double-disc or the single disc, Genius), Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School, and Mr. Bad Example. Here's one of my fave Zevon lyrics, from "Finishing Touches" off of Mr. Bad Example:

worpswede · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:34 pm

What Sven said...with the exception of "Mr. Bad Example." "Detox Mansion" from "Sentimental Hygiene" is just awesome. And I like the Hindu Love Gods album too. If you start early, go with "Warren Zevon." If you're starting later, go with "The Wind."

Sven Killer Robot Spacema · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:40 am