Commemorating The 15th Anniversary Of Warren Zevon's Death

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Commemorating The 15th Anniversary Of Warren Zevon's Death

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Warren Zevon, 1978 (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

The iconoclastic Californian singer-songwriter – he of  “Werewolves Of London” fame – passed away 15 years ago this month. ILYOS looks back at some of Warren Zevon's classic songs as covered by some of his many friends and champions from the West Coast scene, including Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks and David Lindley.

Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Most people probably heard Warren Zevon’s songwriting for the first time when they heard Linda Ronstadt’s hit version of this great sardonic rocker, which was included on her huge 1977 album Simple Dreams. Zevon’s own version had appeared on his absolutely classic Asylum Records debut album the year before, which unfortunately had failed to make commercial inroads despite the involvement of Jackson Browne as producer and guests like Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham, Glenn Frey, Bonnie Raitt and Phil Everly. Jackson Browne, who had gotten Zevon signed to David Geffen’s Asylum in the first place, later recorded his own version of the song – with help from Raitt - on the posthumous Zevon tribute album  Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon.

Carmelita

A heart-rending ballad with a strong Mexican feel – Linda Ronstadt would later record albums of traditional Mexican music – one wonders how the millions of mainstream fans who bought Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams album felt about a song that talked about being strung out on heroin and playing Russian Roulette. One of Zevon’s most covered tunes, it is yet another that originally appeared on his self-titled Asylum debut. Check out this sensational live version from 1977 with David Lindley on guitar, prefaced by some neighbourhood action. 

Hasten Down The Wind

Linda Ronstadt took the title of the first Zevon song she covered for the name of her 1976 album. It’s one of Zevon’s most affecting songs, and proof that he could write with real heart about relationships as well as well as darker subjects. Zevon's version of the song – from his ’76 debut - features Phil Everly singing harmony vocals, and also David Lindley playing slide guitar. We check out a fine live version from ’76 by Linda here. 

Mohammed’s Radio

The fourth song from Zevon’s 10 track debut album that was covered by Linda Ronstadt in her golden days.  “Mohammed’s Radio” is and certainly one of Zevon’s most obtuse songs lyrically, but it uplifts more than many of his songs thanks to the gorgeous refrain of “Don't it make you want to rock and roll all night long”. Here’s Linda’s version – from her 1978 album Living In The USA – and a great Zevon version, with Jackson Browne guesting, from the Old Grey Whistle Test in December 1976.

Reconsider Me

From Zevon’s fabulously titled 1987 album Sentimental Hygiene, “Reconsider Me” is the song-writer at his most plaintive. It’s a beautiful song of yearning and second chances, and one that worked well in the hands of Stevie Nicks, who recorded it with Don Henley for her Enchanted album in 1998.

Werewolves of London

An unlikely hit, and an unlikely goof for a songwriter of such gravitas, “Werewolves of London” showed off Zevon’s dark humour in a more throwaway manner than usual, but it’s a killer rock’n’roll song. Or, in the hands of his old friend David Lindley, with production help from none other than Ms. Ronstadt, a killer ska/reggae tune!

 

Fans of Warren Zevon sould check out his catalogue on Spotify starting with this great playlist...

 

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