Warren Zevon - The Wind

The Wind is like an X-ray with a dark shadow that shouldn’t be there and can’t be ignored. Recorded after Zevon was diagnosed in 2002 with inoperable lung cancer, it sounds like the work of a guy who's still fighting, but also starting to wrap things up. Although Zevon is best known for his poison-dart wit, he’s always been a bit of a softie, too. It’s no surprise, then, that The Wind leans heavily on irony-free ballads such as "She’s Too Good for Me," "El Amor de mi Vida," and "Please Stay." But there’s also a dose of defiant blues ("Rub Me Raw") and plenty of dirty slide guitar, courtesy of Ry Cooder and David Lindley. (Other guests include Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, and Dwight Yoakam).

If the lyrics generally lack the literary precision of Zevon’s best work, the songs take on greater weight given the circumstance under which they were recorded. Heard in 1983, a party-hearty anthem like "The Rest of the Night" would’ve sounded like yet another dumb argument for hedonism, and "Numb as a Statue" might have come off as the self-lacerating joke of an alcoholic unable to deal with his emotions directly. However, on The Wind, these songs are genuinely touching, the work of a guy deadened by meds but unwilling to surrender to The Big Sleep just yet. A cover of Dylan’s "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door" is the album’s most direct comment on Zevon’s fragile health, but the most touching song is the album-closing acoustic ballad "Keep Me in Your Heart," recorded by Zevon at home after the star-studded studio work was complete. Clearly, Zevon survived one hell of a farewell party last night, but now it's morning again and there’s no telling what the rest of the day might bring. --Keith Moerer Amazon.com

Warren Zevon Faces Death With Humor On His Valedictory Statement

On THE WIND, Warren Zevon's final CD, he realized that his lung cancer was terminal, yet it was he, rather than Leno, Letterman or anyone on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, who saw a sort of dark humor in the situation. This becomes clear on such songs as "Dirty Life & Times" and the riotous rocker "Disorder In The House", which humorously describe the feeling of knowing that the inevitable is about to happen. On the last song, "Keep Me In Your Heart", on the other hand, he is saying a prayer that his friends and family will remember him after he is gone. Overall, this album is a riotous look at death and dying, seen with a generous helping of gallows humor. February 13, 2008

The Wind

If you are a Warren Zevon fan, buy it! It is his last, best and most significant heartfelt work. The work is truly a self-written epitaph of a man who struggled with life, addiction and self-destruction throughout the decades until his death. January 14, 2008

Brilliant

I was always a Zevon fan. This set of sons is a fitting end to a great saga of a great musician.

It is worth buying just to listen to 'Keep Me in Your Heart'. This song is so beautiful, so touching, so real. July 26, 2007

Excellent finale

The songs have many of the Warren Zevon trademarks that made him great, including humor and sardonic wit. Those that relate indirectly to his impending death are particularly moving, as is his excellent take on Dylan's Knockin' on Heaven's Door. His voice is a pale whisper of the power it one had, which is understandable under the circumstances. Keep Me in Your Heart is a wonderful and poignant coda for the disc, for his life's work, and for his life. July 13, 2007

Godspeed Warren, thank you for everything

"Enjoy every sandwich." Those are the famous words he spoke on David Letterman after finding out about his cancer. Simple yet profounding with a small sense of irony to them. He looked at his illness with a sense of humor which others may not. He mentioned his fear of doctors not paying off and that not going in 20 years may have been a mistake. Only Warren Zevon could be so dark humored and loveable.

Warren Zevon was never a man to care what the critics thought of him and his music. Over the years he was largely ignored by the mainstream music populas and labeled a "one-hit wonder" with his song "Werewolves of London," but Warren had so much more to offer. He was no one trick pony by any means and his highly creative music and satirical wit proved that without a doubt. The music and lyrics on The Wind are of course influenced by his illness but at the same time this is the same Warren we have all loved over the years. His passion for music has certainly not diminished and his wit is still perfectly in tact.

The songs on here are mostly slower paced with introspective lyrics about life and death but they are all so sincere in their delivery. Warren knows he doesn't have much time left but in normal Zevon fashion, he gives death the finger and goes on to create this masterpiece. Yes, this is a masterpiece. My favorite will always be "Life'll Kill Ya" but what we have here is a work of genius in its purist and most sincere form possible. Unlike some others who may have chosen to write straight forward lyrics about their own death, Warren chooses to word them in a way that lets you know that yes, he doesn't have much time but he is going to go out with a bang and not insult our intelligence. Really this album has lots of different stuff on it, from beautiful and touching ballads to upbeat raw rockers. We are also treated to a version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." I can't help but think that Warren chose to do this song because of the ironic theme, in his case, expressed, because that is just what Warren Zevon was all about. Godbless you Warren...

To end this review I want to touch on the last song "Keep Me In Your Heart." This is an ode to his fans, friends and family. This is the most beautiful and touching song I have ever heard before and is just so heartfelt that it really drives you to tears. I have been a fan of Warren's for a long long time now and when I first heard this song I broke down because the reality of the situation struck me. I knew he was on his way out but it this was when the real shock set in. I didn't know him on a personally level but I feel like I knew him through his music and all that he gave us over the years. I know I'm not the only one who felt, and still does feel this way. The lyrics to this song really hit you in the gut and you can really feel his pain. It is a simple piece with just acoustic guitar, piano, vocals and hints of percussion. It just works. I can't describe how good this is. You just have to hear it for yourself.

VH1 produced a touching documentary on the recording of this album and I recommend giving that a watch as it is truly beautiful. There was also a tribute to him at the Grammy awards that year which was also a very fitting tribute to his legacy and brilliance.

I feel Warren was a man that no words can describe his sincerety, his ability to provide us with great music and witty lyrics. But most of all, no words can describe his humanity and just how great of a person he really was. Maybe it's a good thing that the mainstream public ignored him. Us, his loyal fans, know his genius and maybe it is best left that way. Sadly, in the end, not even lawyers, guns and money could get him "out of this" and we are now left with a huge void in not only the music world, but in the hearts of us fans who loved him so much. I'll sleep when I'm dead indeed. Sleep now Warren. You have earned it my friend. God bless you and one day we'll play golf in the afternoon... January 21, 2007

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