Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon

Two years before "Werewolves of London" became his sole big hit and something of an albatross, Warren Zevon stood at the artier end of L.A. singer-songwriter rock. Fueled by a love for the Stones and Ross MacDonald, Zevon turned his Asylum Records debut (produced by buddy Jackson Browne) into one of the ultimate statements of Southern California pop. The songs range from commanding, funny takes on American West mythos ("Frank and Jesse James") to pained, funny views of sexual politics ("Poor Poor Pitiful Me") and existential drama (most of the other songs). Anyone who cherishes Hotel California needs this album, too. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com essential recording

Superb set of great songs

A fine collection of beautiful, moving, mesmerising songs. One of the best albums from one of the best songwriters - truly superb. The last track is one of my favourite songs from anyone. August 12, 2008

Hail the "Worrier King"

Warren Zevon could craft great ballads for melancholy, satire, sentiment, and rock and roll. The first three are more on display here than than the rock-and-roll records he would later pass through to rock-and-blues. One of the great things I hear here is that although his lyrics started head and shoulders above so many his craft got better and better, right to the end. March 28, 2008

Warren's best

I've had this album nearly 30 years--since high school--in three different formats now, and it's still my favorite from Warren.

Whenever I feel a little depressed, I slap this on, and Warren tells me about people more desperate than me. And he does so no judgment, heaps of compassion, and mostly intimate detail. I'm right there.

When I taught writing, I played my students the opening two lines of "Carmaleti" and asked them what they thought of this guy:

"I hear Mariachi static on my radio / And the tubes they glow in the dark."

From those two lines, they could describe exactly who the character was, picture where he was, and feel precisely how he felt. Damn. If you can deliver that in two lines, that's freaking powerful.

And that's not even one of my favorite songs. But he has an amazing gift to capture and transport you. And then to mine ideas, and fill my ears and hart with that voice and then scare the crap out of me with my own failings. "Desperados Under The Eaves" always leaves me haunted, wondering when I'm going to click off the stereo and get back to writing. But I know I have a kindred spirit out there facing the same struggle. March 26, 2008

Buy it on LP

"Warren Zevon" is not just one of the best records of the '70s, it's one of the top five records of all time. The CD version isn't bad for a CD, but if you really want to know this record for all it can render, get a turntable (a Rega P3 is nice) and an LP copy. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

A six-star album. September 30, 2007

One of the best albums ever made.

Warren's first Major Label album and his best. Beautiful, well written and produced. What an amazing vision of Los Angeles. Rhino needs to remaster this won ASAP. When you listen to this along with the recent Rhino Releases, the sound is softer and not as crisp. Come on Rhino, get this one out....NOW!!! May 22, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...