Audio CD review:
Warren Zevon - Preludes

Warren Zevon - Preludes

Band: Warren Zevon Title: Preludes Rating: Release Date: 2007-05-01 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Empty Hearted Town (3:05) (solo piano) 2: Steady Rain (4:23) (full band) 3: Join Me In L.A. (2:33) (solo guitar) 4: Hasten Down The Wind (2:34) (solo piano) 5: Werewolves Of London (3:36) (full band) 6: Tule's Blues (3:08) (solo piano) 7: The French Inhaler (3:34) (solo guitar) 8: Going All The Way (2:19) (full band) 9: Poor Poor Pitiful Me (3:12) (full band) 10: Studebaker (2:23) (solo piano) 11: Accidentally Like A Martyr (3:02) (full band) 12: Carmelita (4:01) (solo guitar) 13: I Used To Ride So High (2:54) (full band) 14: Stop Rainin' Lord (2:13) (solo guitar) 15: The Rosarita Beach Cafi (4:12) (solo piano with backing vocals) 16: Desperados Under The Eaves (3:49) (full band) 17: I WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN (3:02) 18: Warren speaks on songwriting and the early days of his career (7:14) 19: Musings on mortality, song noir and The King of Rock n' Roll (5:07) 20: A chat about producers and the stark sounds on the album Life'll Kill Ya (5:09) 21: BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE (3:11) 22: Warren's take on Winwood's classic and Warren's inspirations (3:58) 23: Talk of TV, movies, acting and performing (5:14) 24: DON'T LET US GET SICK (3:10) (solo acoustic) Recorded live 12/3/99 at Austin City Limits Studios for 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin 9th Anniversary Concert

Brilliant collection of alternate takes and missed songs This is well worth buying as the performances on it are wonderful and show just how much work went into Zevon's craft. This has some fine material on it, including quite a few songs that are previously unheard and discarded versions of established classics that work very well indeed. A lot of these are more intimate takes on his songs. Now that he's dead I'd say this was a worthy tribute and Zevon fans should check this out. . A must have for True Zevon fans I still miss Warren so much and had just about resigned myself to the fact that there wouldnt be a new album coming along. I am so thankful to Jordan Zevon for sharing these tracks with Warren's fans. What a gift you've given us! It's so interesting to hear alternate takes, different lyrics to songs you know like the back of your hand. It provides a very keen insight to his editing process! I love both versions of Accidentialy Like a Martyr! I found the interview very interesting too, although I was frustrated at times because I can think of a thousand questions I would have loved to have asked! This collection of songs along with Crystal Zevon's "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead give us just a little more quality time with our dear departed friend. Requiescat en Pace, that's all she wrote. Wonderful Mix of Alternate Takes, New Songs and Interviews Very insightful. Jordan Zevon did a wonderful job compiling these 2 discs full of alternate versions of previously released songs, never released songs and some great interviews. A Must Have for Warren Lovers. A rare, intimate, look at Warren Zevon There are 6 previously unreleased songs, and early versions of 10 other songs, often showing how Warren improved the tune before he got around to releasing it. Preludes includes two disks, one of unreleased and fairly raw recordings--demos and basement tapes--and the second with a smattering of interviews, two tracks from albums and a live version of "Don't let us get sick". I don't think any of the versions on this album are better than the released versions, but they provide refreshing takes and insights into his musical processes. This is not an album I'd recommend as your first (or second) Zevon, but it's a fascinating addition to the fan's collection. Vintage Zevon It is not what I would suggest for someone checking him out for the first time. This is a collection of old tapes and interviews. For the Warren "virgin"(not many around him by the sound of it) I would suggest "Warren Zevon" and "Exciteable Boy". But for a long term diehard customer like me, then what you do is play Preludes, and read "Sleep When I'm Dead". Then it all makes sense. . . . or not. Much of it is demo quality, but good listening. And gives an insight into the man, and how he built his songs. Ownership is compulsory. You can see a complete list of all Warren Zevon discography, or go back to the Warren Zevon tabs